Lynchburg Virginian

STEAMBOAT STATISTICS.

In the House of Representatives a few days ago, Mr. Sergeant asked leave to offer the following resolution, which was adopted unanimously:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to collect and report to Congress, on the first day of the next session, all the information that can be obtained as to the use of steam engines in the United States, and the accidents and loss of life or property which have attended their use, and especially that he ascertain and report:

1. The whole number of steam engines in the United States, and by whom they were constructed; where they are used; how long they have been used; their capacity and power respectively: and the purposes or use to which they are applied, and whether high or low pressure.

2. The explosions or other disasters which have happened to such engines, when and where, with as many of the circumstances attending the same as can be collected,

3. The causes, so far as they can be ascertained, of such explosions and other disasters.

4. The loss of life or property, or injury to persons or property, which has ensued in each case, distinguishing the mode of injury, by burning, scalding, wounding, or otherwise.

5. The disasters to steamboats, when, and where, and how they have occurred, by explosion, collision, fire, or otherwise; the size, capacity or burthen of the boats; their age, and where and by whom built.

6. How such steamboats were manned, and whether intoxicating liquor was served out to, or permitted to be used by the hands and persons employed on board the same.

7. The names of the owner and master or commanders of the boats to which such disasters have happened, and of officers and crew thereof.

8. In cases of boats to which no disasters have happened, the burthen and size of the same; when, where, and by whom built; and the names of the owners and master, or commanders and engineers.

9. Any such other information as may seem to him material.