The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1854-04-22
; VOLUME XV-NO. 100.
New and Des;rs,..ve Engines Of War.


New and Des;rart.ve Engines Of War.
The Paris corrcsr rondcnt of the Cincinnati
Gazette gives the following account of new en-
gincs of destruction which will be brought into
requsition by the present European war He
says
The new invention for the moro rapid de-
strnctiOn of human beings which the war ia
bringing to light, especially in England. will .
surpass all expectations. The arsenals of Eng
land have for long time been closed to visitors
even to members of Parliament, While these
new and terrible machines were being construct
cd and exreriraented upon, hnd no. ksowledge
of their existence even was permitted until now
called forth by actual service Many years ago
the English Government had proposition be-
fore them to adopt Wagner's floating gun, and
hcsitated. \ member of Parliament cxclained
"I1e demands bntE3OO, 600, and yet You hesitate!
Hasten to buy this machine, declare war against
France and you will destroy her marine in a
few days tinc!" No attention was paid to this
a,,ostrophe at the time in France and apparent
~ none in England. But this terrible invention,
Of which the public has ceased to talk and
which was even ridculed at the time, has been
maturing in concealment in the arsenals of
Woolwich and is now ready to go out on its
work of destruction.
"'rhe Count Lavalettc, captain OF military
marine in France, who knew the construction of
this gun, it is said made endeaEors to have it
adopted by the minister of marine uudcr Louis
Philippe. 1t is simply IL long Congrcvc gun,
which glides along on the water in straight
line till it strikes the vessel at which it is di-
rected, when it thrusts into its sides its iron
head contoining two pounds of Illuminating
powder of mercury. When the fire attains this
reservoir, it extloGes blowing hole in the
vessel ten or twelve feet in diameter, which it
is impossible for them to close mp as they DO
the round holes made by cannon-bal!s
''In admitting that the Russian fleets shall
rot Cn.lpr 10 nan, rOo al, Of
Cronstadt and Scbastopol, they cannot be in
safety from this terrible Congreve gun, which
carries to almost any distance within reach of
the aim, and far beyond the reach of any other
gun. 1t cannot be prevented from passing
through the most contracted straits where ships
pass.
''Thc submarine boats are so perfected at
this moment, that they can reach and attach q
burner to an encmy's ship without running the
least danger. Experiments are also being made
with an asphyXating ball, which does not kill
but which para Yves entire crew for several
hours or until they are made prisoners They
are cmbarking also a large number of burning
explosive balls, which explode Invariably when
tney strike, 1eSen II: rne DotTy CT morse, tor
| they inhame at the moment of discharge from
the gun, and fly Turning like small Congreyes
until the moment Of explosion, when they may
apply fire to the ammunition chests and other
inflammable material, easily and surely as
If they were total in a stubblc-tield.
'''They are furnishing also two small steam
boats OF IA singular appearance, which will carry
only two enormous PaiNhan guns placed on the
fore part of the vessel The walls Of these little
vessels have a thickness Of six feet made of
oak, standing upright, and this covered with d
mattress of colt on sui stance, foot and a half
thick, which is impenetra bic to a bullet and
this again covered W tn a sEeeting Of iron and
lead. ltS PROV has the angul ertorm OF a curass,
| intended to turn bullets; the roof deck is
| n a W:lV all he
| bombs to glide into the sea without doing
damage
'The fire-ship very heavy, and a bad sailcr,
will be towed and let loose at the proper
mcnt, to approach the encmy's vessels,
| either when at anchor or living to- which it Will
attack fore and aft with bombs thrown between
| wind and water, and springkiing the ship with
a shower of Grecian fire. One OF these burners,
| taking by surprise fleet OF vessels in a calm,
could with destroy the whole feet, and yet
it only requires the labor Of ten determined men
| to operate it.
| '''rhe peace society have agitatcd the qucs-
tion in England of low far nation is Justified
| in employing other and more destructive me
thods in war than those employed by the enc
my. Admiral Napier has replied to these pro
positions with irony: If you fear to hurt the
enemy put into your guns balls Of cotton and
| into YOUR cannon cakes Of ricen
| ANEcDorE OF WAsHNGroN.-Onc Reuben
| RouZv of Virginia. owed the General one thou
sand pounds While President Of the u nited
States, one of his agents brought action for
| the money, Judgment was obtained, and eXccu-
ton issued arunst the body Of the defendant,
who was taken to Jail. He had consderabIe
landed estate, but this Kind Of property cannot
be sold in Virginia, unless at the discretion of
| the owner. He had large family and for the
sake of the children preferred living in iaiI to
selling his land n friend limited to him that
probably " Washington knew nothing Of the pro-
( ceeding and that t would be well to SC nd him .
petition with statement Of the circumstances
! He did So and the very next post from Phila-
tlelphia after the arrival of his petition i'm that
city, brought him order for his Immediate
release, together with full DISCHARGE and q
severe reprimand to the agent for having acted
in such manner Poor Rouzv was cOnse
quenty restored to his family, who had never
laid down their heads at night without first pre-
Scnting prayers to Heaven ''for their beloved
Washington Providence smiled upon the
abors of the grateful family, and i'll a few wears
Rouzy enjoyed the exquisite pleasure of being.
able to pay the money with interest to the truIy
great man. Washington reminded him that
the debt discharged, and the General to
Eirginian, who could not be denied accepted
the money-only, however, to divide it among
Rouzv's Children which he immediately did.
Old Colomy Ncmorial
We once knew minister who in descrihino,
a christians character, and the. circumspection