The American patriot., 1855-01-10

VOL. mo. 3.
Mr.. 0oAara,s Kraal Rxcursaon.
markable trip IN balloon, and in order 10 lAy
more fully before ON readers the particulars of
this truly wonderful excursion Of those intrepid
navigators, we have copied the following from the
N. o. Bee, Of the 4sh inst:
The anxiety which our community had begun
to feel for tie sa1lty Of the intrepid eronsuts
who, on Monday hst made 90 magnificent an
ascension fom the Piace dArmes, was yesterday
Mr.. GODDARD, snd his companion, Mr.. Lnmulon-
nisre feuilletopiste Of the French aide Of the Bee
in full health and capital spirits. Their serial voy
age as described to us, must have been not only
one Of the most extensive, but most exciting on
record. It win be rsnnsmbsfed that in conse-
quence Of the unforeseen difficulty In obtaining
sufficiently rapid supply of gas tho process Of IN
which bound The balloon to the earth were not
finally detached until o'clock, D. IN There was
at the time rather brisk wind blowing, and 20
sooner had the serial vessel commenced its up.
ward fight which was accomplished In the most
imposing and majestic manner, than il was inn
uOfV0sWc8I6IIY
rection, gradually attaining considerable clcva.
ton, and at the same time proceeding straight to-
wards Lake POntchartrain.
The breeze did not ffcshen much, but was
strong enough to carry the balloon steadily
and swiftly forward at the comfortable rate Of
about IS miles an hour The progress Of the
voyagers was perfectly easy and far more luxu-
rious than the movement Of patent spring car
riage rolling on smooth -shaven lawn. On they
sped through the blue ether, their car glided by
the rays Of the setting sun, and themselves en-
joying the gorgeous spectacle Of a view Of our
city from height Of mile and q half
Within few minutes from their departure, tho
eronauts found themselves travcrsing Lake Pont-
shs.t,sin At that imposing elevation they be.
assuming an almost gass-like transparency. But
they did not lngcr long above the green waters of
the Lake; their balloon bore them swiftly forward,
and in . short time they were once more sailing
over land and forrest. cultivated fields and gloomy
pine barrens, passing by moonlight accross the
parish Of St. Tammany, over St Helena, and into
East FeGciana- During this portion Of their voy-
age they were greeted BY the sublime spectacle Of
pine forrest in flames Our informant tells us
that from height Of three thousand feet nothing
grander and more beautiful could be imagined.
Finally, after jaunt Of exactly two hours and
three quarters, Mr.. GODDARD and hin friend detern-
ined 70 descend, and selected for this purpose an
from the Amite river, and about 10 miles from the
town Of Clinton. Throwing out their graphing
irons they got safely down to terra flrma. The
difficulty, however, was to secure the balloon and
discharge the gas-matters which could not be
performed without assistance. After no small
amount Of trouble, some laborers were hunted up,
their crude apprchensions at the sight of the mon
strous mass Of blown up silk calmed, and them
selves induced by dint Of infinite persuasion and
some wcightier argument to aid In letting out the
gas. e
This was finally done, and the next question
was what was to become Of the voyagcrs and bal
loon, and whittier they were to proceed. This
logic Some Of the men went into the neighbor-
ing woods, caught some oxen, attached them to
a rough cart, and drove the fatigued and sleepy
travellers to Clinton where they arrived at o'clock
on Tuesday morning. From Clinton they pro-
ceeded by railway to Port Hudson, and In tho
very nick Of time met . boat returning from Red
River, got on board and arrived safe and sound in
our city at an early hour yesterday.
Their voyage was not only absolutely free from
the slightest danger, but perfectly delightful
The only fatigue and vexation encountered was
after lending, and this arose from the ignorance
and trepidation Of the honest countrymcn who
were filled with dread At the sight Of the balloon,
and seemed to think It would certainly explode
Of its own accord.
Let us not forget here to state that Mr.. GODDARD
and his companion were cordially greeted by the
President Directors and employees Of the Clinton
and Port Hudson Railroad, who fastened, with
characteristic generosity, to offer them the ffce
use of the cars Of the company, and peremptorily
refused TO receive any compensation. This act Of
kindness entities the above gentlemen to the thanks
Of this community, showing % 1t docs on their
part proper appreciation Of the daring and In
trepidity of the scientific travellers.
We understand that Mr.. GODDARD contemplates
making another ascension shortly, and win take
care that It 10 not retarded by any such impcdi.
ments a. he had to contend with on the first occa.
sion.
SEls-PossEssloN.-Years ago an unknown cor
respondent to city paper gave tho following an.
ecdote Of the olden time:
"When the town of Woodstock Connecticut
Hrst began to be settled, there was time when
the few and scattered families were filled with tn,
dreadful apprehension Of being taken or perhaps
killed or carried Oft by the Indians. No man re
tired at night without first having his gun vel
loaded and placed over his head where he coult
seize it instantly. With these and other precau
tons, one Of these brave men and his no less cor
ageous companion on q certain night retired t
bed. In the dead Of night they were simutanc
; ously awakened by an unusual noise around tn
} house. They listened; presently they heard
; again: it sounded like slight knocking sgains
the window shutter at the opposite end Of tn
house. The man seized his gun and boldly enter