The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-10
THE WASHINGTON UNION.
LOCAL NEWS.

bes Of the British, French and Austrian legations Off
Of the army and navy with many distinguished civ
iias were present yesterday, by appointment, at the
Washington Arsenal 10 witness experimental tests of in
yentions of great Importance. patent train fuse, in
vented by Gomez and Mills appeared 10 possess all the
advantages Of the gayac battery in velocity OF igni.
on while, IL not detonang it cannot be exploded
by any chance blow. Cannon fired with 1t almost
quicker than thought at long distance and IL fired
thirty yards under water.
Hae's improved rocket also satisfactorily tested.
The rockets fired from their carriage and struck with
remarkable accuracy atF distance of $50 yards They
gave the greatest satisfaction.
The great feature Of the exhibition, however, the
test of the breech loading rifle of Mr. Morse of Louisiana,
which proved remarkable weapon possessing many
points OF novelty and of excellence The mechanism by
which the breech of the gun opened for loading is sim
pie yet strong and The charge Is contained in
small metallic cartridges which have at extremity
conica pointed hollow ball then the very small
amount of powder required and at the other extremity
is the percussion cap. These cartridges be easily
loaded waterproof and be used for long time
The piece is loaded and fired in four motions, viz the
first opens the breech, wthdraws the shell of the last
cartridge fired and cocks the piece at the second
ton the loaded cartridge is inserted the third motion
closes the breech and the fourth motion the cock
be let down, the piece fired After the most severe
tests there evidence Of the escape of the charge
of any gas, except at the muzzlc of the piece
The accuracy with which the rifle can be fired il truly
astonishing, and concusvely proved The Secretary
of War used with great effect, hitting mark at
eight hundred and fifty yards distance and other gentle
gave equally satisfactory proofs of the excellency
and the accuracy of this wonderful weapon The facility
with which 1t be loaded and fired also perfectly
demonstrated and the utility of the weapon
fully shown by placing it under water letting it
there and then firing it, 1t also placed under water
when loaded and then fred neither did the admxture of
sand with the water clog the movement of the lock-
Nothing be iore perfect than its OPERATION more
accurate than its AIM and it received the highest praise
from the many distinguished and well qualified judges
present Major Bell the commandment at the arsenal
teraned the gentlemen present with his accustomed hos
pita,ity
UNITED STATES AancuTruR SOCIETY This society will
hold its annual session at the Smithsonian Institution
mencng Wednesday, the 18th of January, and
dial invitation has been extended to all institutions in
the country interested in agriculture to send delegates.
The transactions of the society for the present year. which
will then be distributed embrace detailed reports of the
last annual meeting the trial of rcapcs and at
Syracuse and the grand exhibition at Louisville Ken
lucky. aus
Arrangements being made for lectures agricul-
tura TOPICS and evenings will be set apart fo discussing
sthe Chinese Sugar Cane and the equally important
subject of 'Manures and Fersers." AS gentlemen of
known scientific and practical ability will participate in
these discussions they will be deeply interesting and
valuable
We are requested by the Hon. Marshall p Wilder,
president of the United States Agricultural Society to
invite all societies who may not have received the circus
lar to choose and send delegates whose presence at this
congress of agricultuasts will be agreeable to Others
and doubtless nro6tahle tn Themselves
TIN AUXILIARY GuAnD--The Secretary of the Interior
very wisely recommends that the appointments of the
auxiliary guard should before they take effect be re-
ported and confirmed by either the marshal of the Dis
trict of Columbia the Commissioner Of Public Build
ngs and that the confirming officer shall have the pow
en- of dismissal This is idea which is warmly APP
proved by large majority of the citizens of the District
and we hope that it will be carried into effect.
SUPREME Court We learn that the Hon. Caleb Cush-
ing of Massachusetts,, will speak this morning in the SUI
preme Court in the of Adophus Durant, appellant
ps Samuel Lawrence ct al.
LECTURES Mr. O. S. Fowler of New York. is lectur-
ing in this city phrenoogy, physiology, matrmony,
and other subjects at Temperance Hall Mrs Frank r.
Wright will lecture this evening at Carrs's Saloon on
beautiful men," ....
CoscERr.-Tickets for Miss Juliana May concert on
Monday evening be secured without extra charge
at the music stores
AppoiSTMENT. among the changes at the Capitol we
notice that Dr. Hunter of Kentucky (who has resigned
ST. 400 clershp in the treasury, has been appointed
keeper of the document in place of Mr. McCay of
New York