,fund-,publication1 ,no4 #e4            
,a ,,lo/ ,,*apt]                        
,,9 ,,!                         ,hi/ory 
( ! ,/eamboat4                          
,,! ,,m>yl& ,,hi/orical ,,society       
#ahdd                                   
,,by                             ,j4 ,h4
 ,b4 ,,latrobe4                         
,baltimore1 ,m>*1 #ahga4                
,pr9t$ by ,john ,murphy1                
,pr9t] to ! ,m>yl& ,hi/orical ,society1 
,baltimore1 ,m>*1 #ahga4                
,a ,,lo/ ,,*apt]                        
,,9 ,,!                         ,,hi/ory
 ,,( ,,! ,,/eamboat4      ,9 ! spr+ (   
#ahbh1 my law (fice 0 9 ! ,a!num build+1
 s  call$1 aft]w>ds de/roy$ by fire4 ,my
 bus9ess 0 scant1 = ,i _h  b rec5tly be5
 admitt$ to ! b>4 ,i 0 rum9at+1 no d\bt1
 ^u  my prospects1 :5 ! door 0 op5$1 & a
 h&some1 eld]ly man1 (  di/+ui%$        
pres5ce1 ent]$ & ask$ me1 9 ri* unctu\s 
tones1  & ) a /rong ,iri% acc5t1 if my  
"n 0 ,latrobe1 & if ,i  recollect$ him4 
,8 face 0 famili>1 & s 0 8 voice2 b ,i  

c\ld n place him4 ,see+ t ,i hesitat$1  
he said1 8& x w\ld be  /range if y did1 
= y 7 b a bit ( a *ild :5 y la/ saw  me 
9 y\r fa!r's h\se4 ,i am ,john ,dev]eux 
,delacy10 & he roll$ out  8 s\nd+ "n z  
?\gh he 0 pr\d ( x4 ,i recollect$ him   
!n4  ,f\rte5 or fifte5 ye>s back x _h   
be5 8 fancy to pet me z a  *ild4 ,x 0   
?is t _h impress$ him on my memory4     
8,ah1 y "k me  n[10 he said3 8y rememb] 
:5 ,i us$ to be s mu* ) ,fulton &       
,roosevelt & ,*ancellor ,liv+/on & ,dr4 
,mit*ell1 at ! ,navy ,y>d  h\se40 ,?is 0
 ! "n giv5 to my fa!r's resid5ce 9      
,wa%+ton1  n f> f ! ,navy ,y>d4 ,aft]   
recall+ well rememb]$ incid5ts  &       
indulg+ 9 g5]al rem>ks = a :ile1 ,mr4   
,delacy took a survey  ( my scantily    
furni%$ (fice1 & said1 8n ov]:elm$ )    
bus9ess1 my "y fri5d3 s mu* ! bett] =   
me3 y w h !  m "t to att5d to some?+ ,i 
want y to und]take4 ,if y  succe$1 x w  
be ! mak+ ( bo? our =tunes4 ,i want suit
 br\ght  aga9/ e /eamboat own] 9 !      
,unit$ ,/ates2 & y mu/ beg9  ) old      

,billy ,mc,donald1 "h 9 ,baltimore4 ,see
 ?is20 &1 suit+ !  action to ! ^w1 my   
visitor drew f 8 brea/ pocket ! orig9al 
p>*m5t lett]s pat5t1 n[ be=e me1 sign$  
by ,james ,madison1  ,presid5t1 ,james  
,monroe1 ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 & ,ri*>d    
,ru%1 ,attorney  ,g5]al1 grant+ to      
,ni*olas ,j4 ,roosevelt ! exclusive "r  
to 8  #8new & useful improvem5t 9       
propell+ boats by /eam4' ,dat$  ,decemb]
 #a/1 #ahad4 ,! pat5t _h /ill "s mon?s  
to run4 ,!  specification conta9$ !     
foll[+ description ( ! improvem5t3      
8,9 a boat or vessel ( any =m1 b (      
suffici5t capacity to    conta9 !       
ma*9]y1 ,i place a /eam eng9e ( a p[]   
proportion$    to ! resi/ance to be     
ov]come 9 propell+ a boat or vessel a   
giv5 di/ance 9 a giv5 "t4 ,?is /eam     
eng9e is suppli$ by a    boil] ( ! usual
 =m1 or made cyl9dric1 "o or m at       
pleasure1    s z to be ( suffici5t      
capacity to fe$ ! eng9e4 ,i next place  
two :eels ov] ! sides1 on ! axles ( :i* 
,i put fli]s1    disp5se ) !m1 or       

o!rwise1 contrive !m at pleasure1 ei!r  
to    regulate motion1 or to give       
additional velocity2 or1 !y may be      
connect$ ) ! valve %aft & /eam eng9e by 
:eels1 s z to    give any numb] (       
revolutions t may be desir$4 ,! arms ( !
    wat] :eels ,i w\ld make ( wood1 to  
:i* ,i atta* floats or paddles    ( ca/ 
iron or ?ick boil] plate %eet iron1 ?\gh
 !y may be made    ( wood4 ,^! floats ,i
 make move up & d[n on ! arms by means (
    screws & holes1 s z to make !m deep]
 or %all[] 9 ! wat]1    9 tak+ a hold on
 ! wat]1 agreeably to ! dep? ( ! wat] ! 
boat may draw1 or ! lad+ !re may be on  
bo>d1 or agreeably to    o!r            
circum/ances4 ,! support]s ( ! out] ends
 ( ! wat]    :eel %aft to be made ( iron
 ) braces1 ?\gh !y may be made (        
wood1 if requir$4                       
,ni*olas ,j4 ,roosevelt4    ,witnesses3 
,j]emiah ,ball>d1      ,john ,dev'x     
,delacy40    ,delacy wat*$ me closely z 
,i read ! lett]s pat5t2 &1 ,i rememb]1  
plac$ 8 glov$ f+] on 8 own "n at !      

bottom4 ,i _h n be5  c>ri$ away by 8    
promise ( a case4 ,he 0 rem>kably well  
pres]v$2  b 8 habilim5ts approa*$ :at   
might h be5 call$ se$9ess2  al?\gh 8 air
 & c>riage w\ld h borne up aga9/ ev5    
long]  us$ app>el4 ,x 0 easy to be se5 t
 a cont+5t fee 0 all t  c\ld be expect$3
 b ! p>*m5t1 ! accuracy ( ! description1
  its p]fect correspond5ce ) ! /eamboats
 9 use1 & its date1  made ! case look   
bett] ?an ,i _h at fir/ ?\ght x w\ld4   
,tak+ ! lett]s pat5t f me1 ,mr4 ,delacy 
plac$ 9 my h&s a  c>efully prep>$       
assignm5t f ,roosevelt to ,william      
,griffi?1 an  em95t lawy] ( ,new ,j]sey1
 convey+ !m 9 tru/ = ! b5efit (         
,roosevelt1 = "o-?ird int]e/1 ( ,delacy1
 = "o-?ird1 & (  ,griffi? & ,a>on ,ogd51
 ( a well kn[n & di/+ui%$ family1 =  !  
rema9+ ?ird4 ,! assignm5t gave ,griffi? 
! p[] to sell  rights & sue infr+]s2 &  
except$ f its op]ation !  ,%rewsbury &  
,j]sey ,/age ,company & ,ogd51 :o 7     
already  lic5sees ( ,roosevelt1 ! latt] 
runn+ a boat betwe5 ,elizabe?t[n  & ,new

 ,york4    ,nor 0 ?is all4 ,delacy1 :o  
evid5tly 0 pleas$ ) ! impression  he saw
 he 0 mak+1 next h&$ me an op9ion on a  
case /at$1 giv5  by ,mr4 ,wirt1 9 #ahbf1
 ( :i* ! foll[+ is an extract3          
,,case4      ,9 ! ye> #ahji1 ,rob]t     
,smi?1 ,esquire1 !n be+ ,secret>y (     
,/ate1 an application 0 made to him by !
 late ,rob]t ,fulton1 ,esq41    = a     
pat5t = ! us+ ( v]tical :eels ) /eam    
eng9es or    o!r p[] to propel boats    
?r\gh ! wat]2 b ?\gh he fil$    su* 8   
application1 c41 he nei!r subscrib$ nor 
swore !reto 9    ! mann] prescrib$1 or  
requir$1 by law2 = ! "n1 ,rob]t         
,fulton1 is 9 ! h&writ+ ( ano!r man4    
,9 #ahad1 7"u view ( ! circum/ances17 a 
pat5t 0 grant$ to    ,ni*olas ,j4       
,roosevelt1 = ! us+ v]tical :eels ) /eam
    eng9es1 or o!r act+ p[]1 to propel  
boats1 c41 ?r\gh wat]1    ! pat5t or    
pap]s issu$ to ,fulton be+ consid]$     
void1 & b    z s mu* blank pap]4        
,public notice 0 giv5 ( ! pat5t hav+ be5
 grant$ to    ,roosevelt1 & ,fulton nev]

 urg$ 8 claim1 b f t mom5t    ab&on$ x2 
& ,roosevelt's pat5t1 ?\gh well &       
publicly kn[n    to exi/1 & to be 9     
exi/5ce = twelve ye>s1 has be5 nei!r    
impea*$ nor impugn$2 nei!r does any o!r 
p]son lay claim to !    inv5tion ( !    
application ( v]tical :eels4      ,x is 
ask$1 if1 "u ! )9 /at$ circum/ances1 !  
pat5t to    ,roosevelt is n valid2 & at 
?is di/ance ( "t f be+    issu$1 is n n[
 unimpea*able8    ,o!r que/ions 7 ask$ 9
 connection ) ! assignm5t4 ,mr4 ,wirt's 
answ] to ! above is alone important     
h[ev] at ?is "t4 ,x is z  foll[s3       
,baltimore1 ,july #aa?1 #ahbf4      ,on 
! above /atem5t ,i am ( op9ion1 t !     
pat5t to ,roosevelt    is valid4 ,x is  
/ill subject to impea*m5t1 h[ev]1 on !  
gr\nd    t he 0 n ! fir/ discov]] ( !   
improvem5t :i* he has    pat5t$4 ,!     
di/ance ( "t s9ce ! date ( ! pat5t is   
suffici5t to b> a proce$+ to set x aside
 by scire facias "u    ! ?ird section ( 
! ,act ( #agic2 b any def5dant1 aga9/   
:om    an action may be br\ght "u !     

pat5t1 may impea* x at any    di/ance ( 
"t1 "u ! six? section ( ! ,act ( #agic4 
,satisfi$ f ?is %[+ t ,mr4 ,delacy's    
case 0 n a bad "o1 ,i  agre$ to und]take
 x1 & wrote to ,mr4 ,roosevelt1 9 !     
,/ate ( ,new  ,york1 ^u ! subject4 ,he  
corroborat$ all t ,i _h he>d1 s5t me    
copies ( important correspond5ce1 &     
ref]r$ me to ,ri*>d ,s4 ,coxe1  ,esq41 (
 ,wa%+ton1 :o 0 ! executor ( ,mr4       
,griffi?1 ! assignee  = ! orig9al pap]s4
 ,mr4 ,griffi? _h !n be5 = _m ye>s dead4
    ,among my cli5ts1 at ?is "t1 0 !    
late ,mr4 ,john ,s4 ,/iles1 :o1  he>+   
:at _h tak5 place ) ,delacy1 agre$1 9   
consid]ation (  p>ticipat+ 9 my fee1 to 
visit ,wa%+ton1 call on ,mr4 ,coxe1     
obta9  ! ,griffi? pap]s1 & aft]w>d g to 
,cl]mont1 ! resid5ce ( !  late          
,*ancellor ,liv+/on1 :o1 ,i le>n$ f ,mr4
 ,roosevelt1 0  connect$ ) !            
inve/igation ,i 0 ab\t to make4    ,on !
 return ( ,mr4 ,/iles to ,baltimore1 &  
aft] an exam9ation (  pap]s he _h       
obta9$1 ! case look$ s /rong1 t ,i call$

 on ,mr4  ,wirt1 rem9d$ him ( 8 op9ion1 
%ew$ him my docum5ts1 & ask$  him if he 
w\ld come into ! case on a cont+5t fee4 
,i call$ also on  ,mr4 ,taney4 ,bo?     
g5tlem5 ?\ght ! prospect ( success 0    
fair2 &  bo? agre$ to p>ticipate 9 !    
trial1 :i* 0 to take place 9 !  ,circuit
 ,c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 9 ,baltimore4 
,x 0 ?\ght be/1  on consultation1 to    
beg9 ! litigation by su+ ! company own+ 
!  /eamboats runn+ f ,baltimore to      
,fr5*t[n1 at ! head ( :i*  0 ! late     
,g5]al ,william ,mc,donald2 & ,i        
address$ myself1 at once1  to z ?or\gh a
 prep>ation z ,i 0 capable ( mak+1 prior
 to  issu+ a writ4 ,difficulties n[     
pres5t$ !mselves :i* ,i _h n  appreciat$
 :5 ,mr4 ,delacy call$ on me1 or :ile   
ga!r+ !  docum5t>y evid5ce4 ,i am rem9d$
 ( ! fir/ t occurr$ by ,mr4             
,roosevelt's reply to my lett] already  
m5tion$4 ,x 0 necess>y t  we %\ld h a   
meet+2 b to br+ ?is ab\t requir$ an     
hundr$  doll>s1 :i* nei!r ( u _h to     
sp>e4 ,!n1 commissions 7  necess>y to   

collect ! te/imony ( p>ties at a        
di/ance4 ,9 a ^w1  x 0 app>5t t m means 
7 ne$$ ?an ,i1 a "y lawy]1 j  beg9n+ !  
_w1 c\ld comm&2 & ,mr4 ,/iles _h sp5t   
all he  c\ld af=d 9 8 visits to ,wa%+ton
 & ,cl]mont4 ,i 0 9 tr\ble1  too1 ab\t  
,delacy4 ,he _h procur$1 on cr$it1 f    
,patt]son1 ! !n  fa%ionable tailor 9    
,s\? /reet1 a complete outfit2 & n hav+ 
! money to pay = x1 ,patt]son1 :o 0     
unwill+ to wait until our  success at   
law made my cli5t's =tune1 put him 9    
jail1 9 spite (  8 s\nd+ "n & l(ty be>+4
 ,i _h to become security = him1  &     
ultimately to pay ! debt4 ,by ?is "t1 ,i
 _h f\nd out t he  _h an aptitude = ?is 
sort ( ?+2 & t x w\ld be = my own       
advantage1 & ! cr$it ( ! great case1 to 
get him out ( t[n z  soon z possible4   
,always buoyant 9 8 feel+s1 gu%+ 9 8    
mann]1  & int5d+ to be hone/1 he 0 "o ( 
^? m5 :o are always 9  tr\ble4 ,z       
already intimat$1 !re=e1 ,i 0 n z       
hopeful at !  end ( "s mon?s z ,i _h    
be52 &1 :5 ,mr4 ,taney ask$ me1 "o day1 

h[ my prep>ation 0 gett+ on1 ,i told    
him1 c&idly1 all my  tr\bles1 pres5t &  
prospective4 ,8 advice 0 k9d & prompt4  
,!  case he /ill ?\ght 0 a fair "o1 & if
 x w5t on he w\ld g into  x ) e>ne/     
zeal2 b1 he advis$ me n to hamp] myself 
9 !  comm5cem5t ( my pr(essional c>e]4  
,"o ?+ 0 c]ta94 ,i w\ld  h aga9/ me e   
/eamboat own] 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates4        
,n[-a-days1  comb9ations (t5 c>ry on ^! 
great cases4 ,x 0 n s !n2 &1  aft]      
discuss+ ! matt] ) ,mr4 ,/iles1 ,i ti$  
up my pap]s1 &  ab&on+ ! idea ( su+     
,g5]al ,mc,donald1 plac$ !m 9 !         
pigeon-hole1 :]e1 ) a s+le exception1 !y
 h rema9$  undi/urb$ = upw>ds ( =ty     
ye>s1 & n[ see ! light1 only t  ?is ,lo/
 ,*apt] may be writt54 ,! exception 0   
?is4 ,9 #ahee or  #ahef1 ,i l5t !       
package to ,dr4 ,hamel1 a ,russian      
savant1 :o 0 ab\t  prep>+ a hi/ory (    
/eam navigation1 & :o visit$ ,am]ica to 
obta9 in=mation on ?is & o!r subjects4  
,! pap]s rema9$ 9  8 h&s = "s mon?s4 ,!y
 7 return$ :5 he 0 on ! eve (  dep>ture 

= ,europe4 ,he has be5 dead = _m ye>s2 &
 ,i am n  aw>e t he made any use ( :at  
he got f me4 ,x is probable1  !re=e1 t  
:at ,i am ab\t to tell w be told = !    
fir/ "t1  n[4 ,x seems prop] t x %\ld n 
be :olly lo/1 & h5ce ,i tell  x4    ,to 
u1 ( to-day1 x appe>s /range t ! fir/   
sugge/ion ( /eam1  z a motive p[] = !   
propulsion ( vessels 0 n accompani$ by a
  plan = us+ v]tical :eels ov] ! sides  
to :i* to apply x4 ,&  yet1 ?is 0 v f> f
 be+ ! case4 ,fit*1 9 #aghc1 propell$ a 
boat ^u ! ,delaw>e by a /eam me*anism t 
mov$ paddles1 z an  ,indian works !     
paddle 9 a canoe4 ,rumsey _h a v]tical  
pump1 op]at$  by /eam1 9 ! middle ( 8   
boat1 t drew 9 wat] at ! /em &  expell$ 
x at ! /]n1 ?r\gh an horizontal trunk 9 
! bottom4 ,dr4  ,frankl9's plan 0 to    
make a curr5t ( /eam propel ! vessel z x
  issu$ f ! /]n4 ,!n /eam 0 appli$ to   
o>s1 & = a season  a boat 0 r[$ by /eam 
betwe5 ,philadelphia & ,bord5t[n4 ,dr4  
,k5sey built a /eam eng9e t 0 to op]ate 
^u o>s1 paddles &  flutt] :eels4 ,fulton

 himself1 z /at$ by 8 biograph]1 ,cold51
  aft] subject+ ,rumsey's mode to ! te/ 
( calculation1 8?\ght (  paddles &      
duck's feet1 ab&on+ :i*1 he took up !   
idea ( us+  endless *a9s ) resi/+ bo>ds 
^u !m z propell]s4 ,8  calculations10   
/ill us+ ,cold5's language1 8giv+ him a 
favorable  op9ion ( ! mode2 at lea/1 he 
0 p]suad$ x 0 greatly  pref]able to any 
o!r me?od t _h be5 previ\sly tri$40     
,! above 7 notions1 m]e notions1 all (  
!m--all ( !m 7 utt]  failures2 & !      
enum]ation ( !m1 n[1 excites our        
a/oni%m5t  t any "o ( !m %\ld h be5     
tri$4 ,long be=e ! day (  ,fulton1 long 
be=e ! e>lie/ p]iod to :i* ,fulton1 at  
any "t1  ev] attempt$ to c>ry back !    
plan ( /eam navigation1 x 01 z ,i  h    
%ewn1 ent]ta9$ & practically exp]im5t$  
on1 "h 9  ,am]ica1 by ,fit*1 ,rumsey1   
,k5sey & o!rs1 all ( :om fail$ to       
succe$4 ,:at made x a success at la/8 ,!
 use ( v]tical :eels  ov] ! sides ( !   
vessel4 ,:y _h x n succe$$ previ\sly8   
,because v]tical :eels 7 n comb9$ ) /eam

 p[] 9 !  production ( ! desir$         
result--a successful /eamboat1 z n[     
und]/ood4 ,! m]it lies ) him1 !re=e1 :o 
fir/ sugge/$ !  comb9ation t produc$    
success1--describ+ x 9 su* a practical  
%ape t ! task ( inv5tion 0 complet$1    
leav+ no?+ to be  done b ! me*anical    
execution4 ,0 ?is ! m]it ( ,rob]t       
,fulton8  ,unque/ionably x 0 n2 & !     
object ( ?is writ+ is to  demon/rate !  
fact4    ,i h be=e me ! orig9al         
8petition ( ,ni*olas ,j4 ,roosevelt to !
  ,honorable ! ,gov]nor1 ! ,c\ncils & ! 
,repres5tatives1 ( !  ,/ate ( ,new      
,j]sey1 9 ,legislative assembly         
conv5$10--dat$ ,janu>y  #ac?1 #ahae1 9  
:i* he 8ass]ts 7,i quote 8 words7 ) !   
mode/ &  manly firmness ( hone/y t he is
 ! true & orig9al inv5tor &  discov]] ( 
/eamboats ) v]tical :eels n[ 9 use40 ,& 
he prays  f ! ,legislature1 8z !        
con/itutional gu>dians ( ! rights (  _! 
fell[-citiz5s & ( ! int]e/s ( ! ,/ate10 
su*  privileges1 z on exam9ation & he>+ 
he may be ?\ght entitl$ to4  ,at ?is "t1

 !re 7 vague notions ( ! p[]s ( ! ,/ates
 ov]  _! navigable wat]s1 :i* ! decision
 ( ! ,supreme ,c\rt1 9  connection ) !  
/eamboat controv]sy1 dissipat$ at a lat]
 day4    ,belong+ to an old ,new ,york  
family1 ^: wor? _h be5 illu/rat$  !n1 z 
x has be5 s9ce1 by ! honorable positions
 t its memb]s  h held 9 t great ,/ate1  
,mr4 ,roosevelt 0 a g5tleman (  "* &    
education1 ( an active ent]pris+ temp]1 
& addict$  all 8 life to matt]s connect$
 ) civil eng9e]+ & me*anics4            
,appreciat$ by all :o knew him z a p]son
 ( unblemi%$ honor1 8  ^w 0 indep5d5t ( 
8 oa?2 b1 atta*$ to ! petition j  ref]r$
 to is an affidavit1 n )\t int]e/1 ( :i*
 !  foll[+ is an extract3      8,9 or   
ab\t ! ye> #agha or #aghb1 ?is depon5t  
resid$ ) a    c]ta9 ,joseph ,oo/]haudt1 
ab\t f\r miles above ,esopus on !       
,nor?1 or ,hudson riv]1 9 ! ,/ate ( ,new
 ,york4 ,t he did at t    "t make v _m  
actual exp]im5ts1 z well ^u mill ma*9]y 
z    ^u ! motion & buoyancy ( bodies 9 &
 ?r\gh wat]2 & did    !n & !re make1 rig

 & put 9 op]ation1 on a small brook ne> 
! h\se ( ! a=esaid ,oo/]haudt1 a small  
wood5 boat or model    ( a boat )       
v]tical :eels ov] ! sides1 ea* :eel hav+
 f\r    arms or paddles1 or floats1 made
 ( pieces ( %+le atta*$ to !    p]iph]y 
( ! :eels :]eby to take a pur*ase on !  
wat]2 &    t ^! :eels be+ act$ ^u by    
hickory & :alebone spr+s    propell$ !  
model ( ! boat ?r\gh ! wat] by ! ag5cy (
 a    tight cord pass$ betwe5 ! :eels & 
be+ re-act$ on by !    spr+s40    ,soon 
aft] ! evacuation ( ! city by ! ,briti%1
 ,mr4 ,roosevelt  return$ to ,new ,york2
 & foll[+ ! b5t ( 8 incl9ations1 we  f9d
 him1 "s ye>s aft]w>d1 becom+ int]e/$ 9 
! ,s*uyl]  ,copp] m9es 9 ,new ,j]sey1 on
 ! ,passaic1 !n call$ ,second riv]4  ,"h
 he f\nd "s p>ts ( an old atmosph]ic    
eng9e1 :i* he us$ 9  complet+ a p]fect  
ma*9e ( t description2 & meet+ ) an     
eng9e] f ! e/abli%m5t ( ,bolton  ,watt1 
:om he employ$ to  make improvem5ts1 he 
built eng9es = v>i\s p>ties1 & con/ruct$
  = ! wat] works 9 ,philadelphia1 !     

pond]\s ma*9es1 :i*1 =  _m ye>s1 suppli$
 t city ) wat]1 by pump+ f !  ,s*uylkill
 into ! di/ribut+ res]voir at ,c5tre    
,squ>e4 ,dur+ all  ?is "t1 ! subject (  
/eam navigation seems nev] to h be5 lo/ 
sight (4 ,he want$ to sub/itute = !     
hickory & :alebone ( 8  ,esopus exp]im5t
 ! mighty ag5t ) ^: multitud9\s uses !  
_w 0 !n beg9n+ to be famili>4    ,among 
o!r p]sons :o _h he>d ( ,mr4            
,roosevelt's views 9 ?is  direction1 0 !
 late ,rob]t ,r4 ,liv+/on1 bett] kn[n z 
,*ancellor  ,liv+/on1 :o1 on ! #h? (    
,decemb]1 #agig1 wrote to him 7,i quote 
f ! orig9al lett] n[ be=e me7 z foll[s3 
8,mr4 ,/ev5s m5tion$ to me y\r desire to
 apply ! /eam ma*9e to    a boat4 ,e    
attempt ( ?is k9d hav+ fail$1 ,i h      
con/ruct$ a    boat on p]fectly new     
pr9ciples :i*1 bo? 9 ! model & on a     
l>ge scale has exce$$ my expectations4  
,i 0 ab\t writ+ to    ,engl& = a /eam   
ma*9e1 b he>+ ( y\r wi%1 ,i 0 will+     
to treat ) y on t]ms :i* ,i believe y w 
f9d advantage\s    = ! use ( my         

inv5tion40    ,! ,*ancellor 0 an        
inv5tor1 b unlike mo/ inv5tors 0 a man (
  l>ge weal?2 & ! result ( !            
correspond5ce1 ?us comm5c$1 all  ( :i*  
is be=e me1 0 an agreem5t betwe5 !      
,*ancellor1  ,roosevelt1 & ,john ,/ev5s 
( ,hobok51 to build a boat on jo9t      
acc\nt1 = :i* ! eng9es 7 to be con/ruct$
 at ,second riv] by  ,roosevelt1 :ile ! 
propell+ ag5cy employ$ 0 to be on ! plan
 (  ! ,*ancellor4    ,i h n be5 able to 
make out1 f ! v volum9\s  correspond5ce1
 ! precise "* ( ! ,*ancellor's          
contrivance2  b ,i inf] t x consi/$ (   
:eels ) v]tical axes1 subm]g$ at  ! /]n1
 t =c$ a /ream ( wat] outw>d f betwe5   
!m1 &  s propell$ ! vessel4 ,! inv5tor's
 own idea ( x mu/ h be5  vague 9 ! fir/ 
in/ance2 = !re is sc>cely a lett] to    
,roosevelt  f ! "t ! "w 0 comm5c$1 until
 x 0 ab&on$1 t does  n sugge/ *anges &  
alt]ations4 ,/eam appe>s to h be5 appli$
  to ! ma*9]y ab\t ! middle ( ! ye>     
#agih1 unsuccessfully2 &  ! ,*ancellor1 
*>g+ ! failure to want ( p[] 9 ! eng9e1 

proposes to ?r[ ! co/ ( x ^u ! build]4  
,?is is ( c\rse  resi/$4 ,fur!r         
improvem5ts 9 ! propell]s are made4 ,!  
eng9e is  !n alleg$ to be too p[]ful3 & 
s matt]s g on1 until ! #ba/  ( ,octob]1 
#agih1 :5 ,roosevelt writes to !        
,*ancellor1 giv+ him an  acc\nt ( a     
trial trip1 on :i* ! spe$ atta9$ 0      
equival5t to  ab\t ?ree miles 9 /ill    
wat]2 ?\gh1 ) w9d & tide1 !  ,spani%    
,m9i/]1 :o 0 on bo>d & highly elat$1    
e/imat$ !  actual spe$ at d\ble t am\nt4
    ,9 ! mean:ile h[ev]1 on ! #f? (     
,septemb]1 #agih1 ,roosevelt wrote  to !
 ,*ancellor an important lett] 9 ?is    
connection1 9 :i*1  aft] ref]r+ to a    
*ange 9 ! plan1 he says3      8,i w\ld  
recomm5d t we ?r[ two :eels ( wood ov] !
 sides1    fa/5$ to ! axes ( ! flys 7fly
 :eels7 ) eight arms or    paddles2 t "p
 :i* ent]s ! wat] ( %eet iron to %ift   
accord+ to ! p[] !y require ei!r deep] 9
 ! wat]1 or    o!rwise1 & t we navigate 
! vessel ) ^! until we c    procure an  
eng9e ( ! prop] size1 :i*1 ,i ?9k1 ought

 n to be    less ?an #bd in* cyl9d]40   
,no bett] description ( a side :eel     
/eamboat has ev] be5 giv5 ?an  is       
conta9$ 9 ?is lett] ( ! #f? ( ,septemb]1
 #agih1 ! orig9al  draft ( :i*1 ) all   
its int]l9eations1 is n[ be=e me2 &  ?is
 is ! fir/ practical sugge/ion ( !      
comb9ation :i* made  /eam navigation a  
comm]cial success1 t !re is a record ( 9
  ,am]ica2 & ?is also1 :51 z late z     
#ahjb1 f\r ye>s lat]1 ,fulton1  z we are
 in=m$ by 8 biograph]1 _h become assur$1
 t endless  *a9s & floats 7 alone to be 
reli$ on6    ,receiv+ no reply to !     
sugge/ion1 ?us made1 ,roosevelt writes  
to !  ,*ancellor on ! #af? ( ,septemb]1 
#agih1 say+3 8,i hope to he> y\r  op9ion
 ( ?r[+ :eels ov] ! sides20 :5 !        
,*ancellor answ]s3  8,i say no?+ on !   
subject ( :eels ov] ! sides1 z ,i am    
p]fectly conv9c$ f a v>iety ( exp]im5ts 
( ! sup]iority (  ^? we h adopt$40      
,aga91 on ! #ba/ ,octob]1 9 ! lett] giv+
 an acc\nt ( ! trial  trip ) ! ,spani%  
,m9i/] on bo>d1 ,roosevelt says1 8he    

w\ld wi%  ! ,*ancellor's :eels to be    
tri$1 contra/$ ) paddles on ,mr4        
,/ev5s' plan1 or ) :eels ov] ! sides1 s 
z to asc]ta9 !  diff]5ce 9 ! application
 ( ! p[]40 ,to :i* ! ,*ancellor  answ]s 
on ! #bh? ,octob]1 #agih1 ref]r+ to !   
,/ev5s' paddles1  8!y are too inconv5i5t
 & liable to accid5ts to be us$--,,&1   
,,z  ,,= ,,v]tical ,,:eels1 ,,!y ,,are  
,,out ,,( ,,! ,,"q60    ,roosevelt 0 at 
?is "t s /rongly impress$ ) ! plan t !  
,*ancellor ?us p]emptorily put aside1 t 
9 a lett] ( ! #ba/ to  ! same ,john     
,/ev5s already m5tion$1 :o1 z we h se51 
0 "o  ( ! p>tn]s 9 ! adv5ture1 he says1 
8,i am firmly ( op9ion t  a vessel may  
be propell$ at ! rate ( eight miles an  
h\r40    ,n ev5 ! praise ( ! ,spani%    
,m9i/] seems to h be5  suffici5t to     
vitalize ! ,*ancellor's boat2 & we are  
l$ to suppose  t x 0 recogniz$ by all z 
a failure2 = ,/ev5s1 :o seems to  h _h m
 influ5ce ?an ,roosevelt1 p]suad$ !     
,*ancellor to  adapt ! eng9e to 8       
contrivance ( a set ( paddles 9 ! /]n1  

pu%+ ! boat =w>d z !y 7 made by a crank 
motion to rise &  fall4 ,a r\gh sket* ( 
?is contrivance 9 a lett] f ,/ev5s1 dat$
  ,july #ae?1 #agii1 is be=e me4 ,!     
exp]im5t s rack$ ! ,*ancellor's  boat z 
to make x unfit = use altoge!r4 ,we     
wond] n[ t su*  ?+s c\ld h be5 ?\ght (  
ev54    ,9 ,mr4 ,/ev5s' lett] !re is a  
passage t indicates ! reliance  t 0     
plac$ on ,roosevelt by ?is1 ! mo/       
practical ( 8  associates1 & %ews him to
 h be5 ! p>ty on ^: skill !  o!rs       
dep5d$4 ,he says3      8,9 ! meantime1  
,i w\ld wi% to det]m9e on our plan =    
plac+    ! paddles 9 ! /]n ( ! boat &   
provide imm$iately to put x    9        
execution4 ,y & ,/\d+] 7a "y man br\ght 
up by ,roosevelt1    & :o subsequ5tly   
became ,fulton's "r h& man1 & "o ( !    
fir/ practical eng9e]s 9 ,am]ica17 &    
,smallman 7ano!r (    ,roosevelt's      
employees7 mu/ lay y\r heads toge!r on  
?is subject2    &1 z soon z y h fix$ ^u 
! plan y conceive w be mo/    eligible1 
,i wi% y w\ld take a ride d[n &         

communicate x to me2    &1 at ! same "t1
 ,i c give y ! result ( my cogitations40
    ,! ,/ev5s' paddles1 until !y %ook ! 
boat to pieces1 7 f> m  successful ?an  
any "o ( ! ,*ancellor's inv5tions2 & ,i 
rememb]1  di/9ctly1 see+ a boat propell$
 by paddles 9 ! h>bor ( ,new  ,york1 z  
,i cross$ ! ,hudson on my way to ,we/   
,po9t1 9 ! fall (  ! ye> #ahah4 ,!      
paddles ,i ref] to1 h[ev]1 7 on ! sides1
 &  n at ! /]n1 & 7 lit]ally paddles1   
be+ squ>e floats  atta*$ to upright     
%afts1 :i* a crank motion caus$ to rise 
&  fall4    ,x is n difficult to und]/& 
:y ! ,*ancellor told ,roosevelt t  8    
v]tical :eels 7 n to be ?\ght (1 & :y   
,/ev5s1  confess$ly a man ( ability &   
me*anical +5uity1 pref]r$ 8 own         
sugge/ion4 ,!y d\btless believ$ t !     
p]cussion ( ! floats (  ! v]tical :eel z
 !y /rike & !n ent] ! wat]1 & be=e  !y  
ex]t _! greate/ p[]2 :i* is :5 !y are at
 "r angles  ) ! surface1 0 objectionable
 & w\ld be fatal to _!  usefulness4 ,!y 
fe>$ also1 mo/ probably1 ! fur!r loss ( 

p[]  consequ5t ^u ! lift+ ( ! wat] z !  
floats em]g$ f x2  &1 w$d$ to _! own    
s*emes1 !y refus$ to subject ! matt] to 
! te/ ( exp]im5t4 ,! paddles ( ,/ev5s1 &
 ! floats on !  endless *a9s1 to :i*    
,fulton gave ! pref]5ce1 ent]$ ! wat]   
p]p5dicul>ly1 or ne>ly s1 & 7 free f :at
 0 reg>d$1 x  is to be suppos$1 z !     
objection to ,roosevelt's v]tical :eels 
ov]  ! sides4 ,t bo? ,/ev5s & ,fulton 7 
wrong1 & t ,roosevelt  0 "r1 "t has     
conclusively e/abli%$4    ,unwill+ to   
ab&on ! idea ( /eam navigation1 ev5 aft]
 s  complete a failure1 ! ,*ancellor    
devis$ /ill ano!r plan1 :i* 0  execut$  
"u ,roosevelt's direction at ! works on 
! ,passaic1 ( !  details ( :i* ,i h no  
acc\nt4 ,9 ?is ,roosevelt _h no int]e/4 
,x prov$ a failure4 ,f all t ,i c ga!r1 
f ! docum5ts 9  my possession1 ! ef=ts  
"h describ$ 7 made 9 #agih1 #agii &     
#ahjj1 almo/ un9t]rupt$ly1 & 7 controll$
 by ! ,*ancellor1 :o  01 evid5tly1 !    
money$ man ( ! conc]n1 & ^: dictum1 z we
  h said1 0 reg>d$ z conclusive by 8    

associates4 ,s promis+  did ! matt] seem
 aft] ,roosevelt _h comm5c$ ! eng9e = ! 
boat1 t1 9 ,m>*1 #agih1 ! ,legislature (
 ,new ,york1 grant$ !  ,*ancellor1 8!   
exclusive "r ( navigat+ all boats t     
might be  propell$ by /eam on all !     
wat]s )9 ! t]ritory1 or  jurisdiction1 (
 ! ,/ate = ! t]m ( tw5ty ye>s1 provid$  
he  %\ld1 )9 a twelvemon?1 build su* a  
boat1 ! mean ( ^:  progress %\ld n be   
less ?an f\r miles an h\r40 ,! mon? (   
,m>*1 #agii1 elaps$1 h[ev]1 )\t !       
condition ( ! grant hav+  be5 compli$ )4
 ,at a lat] date1 a simil> grant 0 made 
to  ,liv+/on & ,fulton4    ,9 ! latt] "p
 ( ! ye> #ahjj1 ,mr4 ,jeff]son appo9t$ !
  ,*ancellor m9i/] to ,france1 :]e he   
rema9$ until #ahjd1 hav+ 9  ! mean:ile  
negotiat$ ! treaty :i* c$$ ,l\isiana to 
! ,unit$  ,/ates1 & :]e he made !       
acqua9tance ( ,rob]t ,fulton4 ,9 #ahjd1 
! ,*ancellor made ! t\r ( ,europe1 &    
return$ ! foll[+ ye>  to ! ,unit$       
,/ates4    ,9 ,cold5's ,life ( ,fulton1 
!re is an acc\nt1 9 ! ,*ancellor's own  

words1 ( ! comm5cem5t ( 8 acqua9tance ) 
,fulton4 ,i quote3  8,rob]t ,r4         
,liv+/on1 ,esquire1 :5 m9i/] 9 ,france1 
met ) ,mr4  ,fulton1 & !y =m$ t fri5d%ip
 & connection ) ea* o!r  to :i* a       
simil>ity ( pursuits g5]ally gives bir?4
 ,he communicat$  to ,mr4 ,fulton !     
importance ( /eamboats to _! own c\ntry2
  in=m$ him ( :at _h be5 attempt$ 9     
,am]ica1 & ( 8  resolution to resume !  
pursuit on 8 return1 & advis$ him to    
turn  8 att5tion to ! subject40    ,we h
 already se5 t ,mr4 ,fulton's plan1 aft]
 mak+ calculations  z to ! effici5cy (  
paddles & ducks' feet1 0 to use endless 
*a9s ) resi/+ bo>ds ^u !m z propellors4 
,) ^! he made  a c\rse ( exp]im5ts on a 
little rivulet t runs ?r\gh !  village (
 ,plombires1 9 ,france1 9 #ahjb2 &      
8address$ sev]al  lett]s to ,mr4        
,liv+/on & ,mr4 ,b>l[1 giv+ !m a m9ute  
acc\nt  ( 8 exp]im5ts & assurances ( !  
c]ta9ty ( success :i* !y  af=d$ him40   
,t ! ,*ancellor _h in=m$ ,fulton ( :at  
_h be5 attempt$ 9  ,am]ica1 is admitt$  

by ,cold52 & ?is1 too1 prior d\btless1  
to !  exp]im5ts at ,plombires4 ,t       
,roosevelt's p]t9acity 9 reg>d to  :eels
 ov] ! sides 0 communicat$ ) o!r        
in=mation is n to  be d\bt$2 t !        
,*ancellor %\ld h told him1 z he told   
,roosevelt1 9 ! lett] ( ,octob] #bh?1   
#agih1 8t !y 7 n to  be ?\ght (10 x is  
mo/ reasonable to suppose2 & t ,fulton  
agre$  ) ! ,*ancellor is prov$ by !     
8assurance ( c]ta9 success0  :i* he     
ent]ta9$1 ( endless *a9s & floats1 or   
resi/+ bo>ds4    ,betwe5 ! spr+ ( #ahjb 
& ! fall ( t ye>1 ,mr4 ,fulton *ang$  8 
m9d2 = he & ,liv+/on 7 build+ a boat1   
propell$ by  ,roosevelt's v]tical :eels1
 9 ,janu>y1 #ahjc4 ,! ,*ancellor1 by ?is
  "t1 _h become conv9c$ t v]tical :eels 
7 ?+s 8to be  ?\ght (40 ,t x 0          
,roosevelt's plan t 0 adopt$ aft] all   
_! own plans _h fail$--! plan d]iv$1 ) !
 details ( its  execution1 f ,roosevelt 
himself1--does n seem to admit ( any    
reasonable d\bt4    ,biography is too   
(t5 eulogy4 ,! "n ( ,fulton is          

irrevocably1 &  ju/ly1 ! repres5tative  
"n 9 connection ) /eam navigation       
?r\gh\t all l&s4 ,= a :ile1 & 9 ! memory
 ( ! writ]1 !  "n ( ,liv+/on 0 connect$ 
) x 9 m5's m\?s4 ,b  ,liv+/on's         
connection ) ! subject is fa/ be+       
=gott54  ,fulton's nev] w be =gott51 n  
because he 0 ! inv5tor ( !  /eamboat    
h[ev]1 n because he fir/ sugge/$ !      
comb9ation t  made success c]ta92 b     
because1 9 8 h&s1 x became a comm]cial  
success4 ,he 0 ! fir/ :o demon/rat$ its 
practical utility1 :51  9 #ahjg1 he made
 ! fir/ voyage 9 ! ,cl]mont f ,new ,york
 to  ,albany & back4 ,/ill he 0 indebt$ 
to o!rs1 9 ! fir/ in/ance1  = ! elem5ts 
( 8 success4    ,i h said t biography is
 too (t5 eulogy4 ,! biograph] becomes   
jeal\s ( ! reputation ( 8 h]o4 ,cold5 0 
n exempt f !  weakness common to 8      
class2 & in/ead ( giv+ to ,roosevelt !  
cr$it ( hav+ fir/ put ! idea ( v]tical  
:eels ov] ! sides  into a practical     
%ape1 by 8 detail$ description ( _!     
me*anism1  he says t ! want ( success ( 

a ,fr5* inv5tor1 :o _h  horizontal      
screws on ei!r side ( a boat1 8x is     
probable10 induc$  ,mr4 ,fulton aga9 to 
resort to ! :eels1 :i*1 9 ! orig9al pap]
  t he communicat$ to ,"l ,/anhope1 9   
#agic1 he propos$ to use z  propellors4 
,ev5 _h ?is be5 s1 )\t any "q hav+ aris5
 z  to ! facts1 ,roosevelt's model ( a  
boat at ,esopus1 ) its hickory  &       
:alebone spr+s1 w\ld h be5 t5 ye>s ahead
 ( ! ,fr5*man4    ,b !re are "s matt]s  
connect$ ) ! lett] to ,"l ,/anhope1  :i*
 are n )\t int]e/ 9 ?is connection4     
,we h se5 t ,roosevelt1 9 ,janu>y1      
#ahae1 appli$ to !  ,legislature ( ,new 
,j]sey1 = protection z an inv5tor ( !   
v]tical  :eels ov] ! sides1 = :i* he _h 
obta9$ lett]s pat5t f !  ,unit$ ,/ates 9
 ! prec$+ mon? ( ,decemb]1 #ahad1 be+ ! 
orig9al docum5t %ewn to me by ,delacy4  
,some:]e ab\t ?is "t1 ,mr4  ,fulton     
appe>$ z a witness be=e ! ,legislature 9
 connection )  ?is same subject ( /eam  
navigation2 & ,cold5's life conta9s a   
lett] f ,mr4 ,emmet1 ! celebrat$ lawy]1 

9 :i* he /ates1 t1  9 ord] to %ew ,mr4  
,fulton's prior claim to inv5tion1 9 !  
application ( 8wat] :eels to /eamboats10
 he exam9$ him to prove a  copy ( !     
lett] 9 "q4 ,no?+ 0 said1 x w\ld seem1 (
 its  be+ a copy1 :5 ?is 0 fir/ pres5t$3
 b ,gov]nor ,ogd5 notic$  t ! lett] 0   
writt5 on ,am]ican pap]2 &1 subsequ5tly1
 ,mr4  ,fulton expla9$ t ! fir/ copy    
hav+ be5 consid]ably worn out  &        
obscur$1 he _h copi$ x ov] aga9 & atta*$
 x to ! old  draw+s4 ,?is 0 made !      
subject ( uncom=table criticism by !    
opposite c\nsel2 & ,mr4 ,emmet1 9 8     
lett]1 expresses great  indignation at  
:at he /ates 0 a malici\s attempt to    
injure !  honor ( ! dead1 & regrets t he
 omitt$ to notice1 9 8 reply1  !        
ins9uations :i* ,mr41 aft]w>ds ,judge1  
,hopk9son p]mitt$  himself to make4 ,!  
occurr5ce 0 unque/ionably an un=tunate  
"o1  :atev] ! real facts may h be52 &   
respect = ! memory ( ,mr4  ,fulton leads
 me to hope t ,mr4 ,emmet 0 correct 9 8 
v]sion ( !  transaction4 ,8 lett]1      

h[ev]1 is important 9 ano!r aspect3 x   
%ews t ! m]it ( ! inv5tion1 at ! "t1 0  
consid]$ to be  ! application ( v]tical 
:eels ov] ! sides1 & t ?is 0  claim$ =  
,fulton on ! /r5g? ( ! lett] to ,"l     
,/anhope &  ! accompany+ draw+s ( #agic1
 not)/&+ ! endless *a9s  & floats       
already ref]r$ to z illu/rat+ !         
convictions ( #agic4    ,i h nev] se5 ! 
draw+s or read ! lett] ( ,mr4 ,fulton2 b
 x  is difficult = me to believe t he _h
 inv5t$ 9 #agic1 :at 0  unque/ionably ! 
solution ( ! difficulty1 & yet1 9 #ahjb1
 h  dwelt 9 8 lett]s to ,liv+/on & ,b>l[
 ^u 8 assurances ( !  c]ta9ty ( success 
) endless *a9s & resi/+ bo>ds4 ,x is  ) 
no want ( *>ity1 t x is sugge/$1 t ,mr4 
,cold51 9  writ+ a biography1 ov]look$ !
 possibility ( its logic be+  criticiz$ 
:5 comp>$ ) its facts4    ,!re is "s    
light1 h[ev]1 to be obta9$ f ,"l        
,/anhope's reply  to ,mr4 ,fulton's     
lett]4 ,x is z foll[s3                  
8,holdswor?y ,devon1 ,octob] #g?1 #agic4
      8,sir3 ,i h receiv$ y\rs ( ! #cj? 

,septemb]1 9 :i* y    propose to        
communicate to me ! pr9ciples ( an      
inv5tion :i*    y say y h discov]$      
respect+ ! mov+ ( %ips by !    means (  
/eam4 ,x is a subject on :i* ,i h made  
important    discov]ies4 ,i %all be glad
 to receive ! communication :i* y       
int5d1 z ,i h made ! pr9ciples (        
me*anics my p>ticul>    /udy1 c40 7,!re 
are no words italicis$ 9 ! orig9al4     
,l47    ,c]ta9ly1 x is only necess>y to 
read ?is lett] to be satisfi$1  t ! "o  
to :i* x is a reply1 & x is n sugge/$ t 
,mr4  ,fulton ev] wrote ano!r1 c\ld n h 
describ$ ! comb9ation  :i* made !       
/eamboat ! ?+ t x n[ is3 or t x c\ld h  
be5 accompani$ by draw+s %ew+ ! plan    
f9ally adopt$1--!  ,roosevelt plan1 go+ 
back z f> z #aghb1 & describ$ 9         
practical  detail 9 ! lett] ( #ba/      
,octob]1 #agih4    ,x is true t ,mr4    
,fulton obta9$ lett]s pat5t ( ! ,unit$  
,/ates  = 8 /eamboat 9 #ahji--;9 ref]5ce
 to :i* ,mr4 ,cold5 says1 z  ?\gh to    
corroborate ,fulton's claim z inv5tor1  

8,!y 7! ,*ancellor & ,mr4 ,fulton7 ent]$
 into a contract1 by    :i* x 01 among  
o!r ?+s1 agre$ t a pat5t %\ld be tak5   
out 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 9 ,mr4 ,fulton's  
"n1 :i* ,mr4 ,liv+/on    well knew c\ld 
n be done )\t ,mr4 ,fulton tak+ an oa? t
    ! improvem5t 0 solely 840    ,& a   
pat5t 0 9 fact tak5 out1 9 ^? days :5   
pat5ts 7 _h  = ! ask+1 & :5 none ( t    
exam9ation1 :i* n[ protects  ! public1 0
 requir$ by law4    ,we h already se51 9
 ! case /at$ = ,mr4 ,wirt's op9ion1 !   
allegation t ,fulton nei!r subscrib$ nor
 swore to !  specification2 & t ! "n    
,rob]t ,fulton 0 9 ! h&writ+ (  ano!r   
man4 ,unless ?is _h be5 ! fact1 x w\ld  
h>dly h be5  alleg$ 9 a pap]1 prep>$ = !
 op9ion ( em95t c\nsel4 ,b ,i  h be=e me
 an orig9al lett] dat$ ,tr5ton1 ,janu>y1
 #ahae1  address$ to ,mr4 ,roosevelt by 
,delacy1 9 :i* ! latt] gives an  acc\nt 
( ! proce$+s be=e ! ,legislature1 & 9   
:i* is ?is  s5t5ce3      8,fulton has ! 
effront]y to av[ 8 hav+ got ,flet*] to  
sign 8    "n & makes light ( x1 z if he 

0 entitl$ to violate ! laws1    z well z
 private rights1 at pleasure40    ,x is 
true1 ?is is ! lett] ( a p>tizan 9 a    
/ruggle be=e !  ,legislature4 ,/ill1 !  
matt] ( fact w\ld n be mis/at$ 9 a      
private correspond5ce1 :]e !re 0 no     
conceivable motive to  mislead4    ,!   
committee ( ! ,legislature f9ally       
report$1 & v wisely1 t  x 0 inexp$i5t to
 make any special provision 9 connection
 ) !  matt] 9 controv]sy be=e t body4   
,x 0 9 ,m>*1 #ahae1 on ! heel ( !       
,legislative proce$+s1 t  ! de$ ( tru/  
to ,mr4 ,william ,griffi? 0 made1 & !   
fact ( 8  accept+ ! tru/1 & t ,a>on     
,ogd5 ( ,new ,j]sey1 0 a p>ty to  !     
transaction1 %ews t ! cause ( ,roosevelt
 z ! inv5tor (  v]tical :eels ov] !     
sides "u ! pat5t ( #ahad1 0 deem$ good  
z aga9/ ! pat5t grant$ to ,fulton f\r or
 five ye>s previ\sly4  ,_h ! lett] to   
,"l ,/anhope or ! reply !reto1 be5      
reg>d$ by  ! outside _w1 or by ^?       
int]e/$ 9 ! subject1 z suffici5t  to    
e/abli% ,fulton's prior "r to ! inv5tion

 ( v]tical :eels  ov] ! sides (         
/eamboats1 c\nsel ( ! /&+ ( ,mr4        
,griffi?  w\ld n h become mix$ up 9 !   
bus9ess1 lic5ses to use  ,roosevelt's   
pat5t w\ld n h be5 grant$1 nor w\ld ,i h
 made  ! acqua9tance ( ,john ,dev]eux   
,delacy2 = ,roosevelt's pret5sions  w\ld
 h be5 nipp$ 9 ! bud4    ,my tale is    
ne>ly end$4 ,! object has be5 to %ew t !
 m]it (  ! practical sugge/ion ( !      
employm5t ( v]tical :eels ov] !  sides (
 /eamboats 0 due to "o :o has be5 lo/   
sight ( 9 ?is  connection1 & :olly      
ignor$ 9 ! biography ( ,fulton1 :o      
avail+  himself ( ! sugge/ion ( ano!r1 9
 all its details1 made x a  great       
comm]cial success1 & 9 s do+ built ^u x 
a la/+ fame4  ,t ! pap]s ,i h ref]r$ to1
 n[ collat$ = ! fir/ "t1  %ew ?is to be 
! fact1 ,i ?9k !re c be no "q4    ,x may
 be int]e/+ to /ate some?+ 9 reg>d to ! 
subsequ5t  c>e] ( ,roosevelt4 ,he 0 once
 ask$ :y1 ) ! secret ( success  9 8     
possession1 he all[$ x to slumb]4 ,:y   
did n he anticipate  ! ,cl]mont 9 ! fir/

 five ye>s ( ! pres5t c5tury4 ,i give ! 
answ] 9 8 own words f a manuscript be=e 
me4      8,fir/3 ,at ! "t ,*ancellor    
,liv+/on's horizontal :eel    exp]im5t  
fail$1 ,i 0 "u a contract ) !           
corporation =    supply+ ! city (       
,philadelphia ) wat]1 by means ( two    
/eam    eng9es2 &1 besides1 ,i 0 "u a   
contract ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates    to erect  
roll+ works & supply gov]nm5t ) copp]1  
roll$ &    drawn1 = six #gd gun %ips1 t 
7 !n to be built4 ,! eng9es    = !      
supply+ ( ,philadelphia ) wat] ,i       
complet$1 ?\gh )    heavy loss4 ,! roll+
 works ,i also br\ght into op]ation ^u a
    v ext5sive scale1 & a consid]able   
quantity ( copp] 0    deliv]$4 ,b !     
enc\ragem5t f gov]nm5t by :i* ,i _h be5 
l$ into ?is heavy exp5se 0 cut (f by a  
*ange ( m5 9 !    adm9i/ration4 ,! #gds 
7 laid aside1 & no appropriations 7     
made1 & emb>rassm5t to me 0 ! natural   
consequ5ce40    ,?is emb>rassm5t1 9 ! !n
 condition ( ! law1 0 imprisonm5t  =    
debts contract$ 9 gett+ ready to fulfil 

8 contract4 ,9 tru?1  he 0 a brok5 man4 
,9 ! mean:ile1 on ! return ( ,liv+/on & 
,fulton to ,am]ica1 ! workm5 t          
,roosevelt _h br\ght f ,g]many  & made  
:at !y 71 ent]$ into ,fulton's s]vice1 &
 to _!  skill 0 he indebt$ = ! me*anical
 success ( 8 e>li] boats4  ,9 #ahjg1    
,roosevelt 0 introduc$ to him2 & 9 a    
lett] f !  ,*ancellor1 n[ be=e me1      
ref]5ces to old times are pleasantly    
made2  &1 a ye> or two aft]w>ds1 we f9d 
,roosevelt associat$ ) ,fulton  9 !     
introduction ( /eamboats on ! ,we/]n    
wat]s4 ,"h1 he built  ! ,new ,orleans1 !
 pione] boat t desc5d$ ! riv] 9 #ahaa--!
  ye> ( ! comet & ! e>?quake4 ,! voyage 
( ! ,new ,orleans is1  9 itself1 a      
romance2 b "t does n p]mit x to be told 
at  pres5t4#a ,) all 8 m]it1 ,fulton 0 n
 an easy man to get along  )2 &         
,roosevelt _h 8 faults ( temp] too1 no  
d\bt2 & aft]  ! successful voyage ( !   
,new ,orleans1 ! two m5 p>t$1 &         
,roosevelt disappe>$ f public life1 & 0 
lo/ 9 ! quiet ( !  dome/ic circle ( a   

num]\s & happy family4 ,he di$ at a v   
advanc$ age1 n _m ye>s ago1 =gott5 by ! 
_w z he 0  =gott5 by ! biograph] (      
,fulton4 ,he appe>s aga9 be=e me1 z ,i  
write1 z ,i rememb] to h se5 him 9 my   
*ildhood1 & 9 aft]  ye>s--a f9i%$       
g5tleman1 en]getic & sangu9e1 w>m &     
g5]\s 9  8 temp]1 a devot$ husb& & fa!r1
 & n[ made ! h]o ( a  lo/ *apt] 9 !     
hi/ory ( ! /eamboat4                    
,,app5dix4                        ,n4   
,j4 ,,roosevelt ,,to ,r4 ,r4 ,,liv+/on4 
,proposes ,v]tical ,:eels ) ! ,size (   
,cyl9d] & presses =                     
,money ,arrangem5ts4                    
,second ,riv]1 ,sept4 #f?1 #agih4       
,dr ,sir1      ,i h y\r two lett]s ( !  
#ca/ & #a/ in/4 be=e me4 ,s9ce    writ+ 
y ! #bg?1 ,i made an exp]im5t 9 ord] to 
asc]ta9 z    ne>ly z ,i c\ld ! p[] ( !  
eng9e1 & put on y\r :eels4    ,?is 0    
done by lay+ ! vessel on %ore /]n =emo/ 
s z to    leave ! :eels entirely out ( !
 wat]4 ,! ,eng9e 0 !n put to    "w at ! 
rate ( f #dj to #de /rokes & :eels turn$

 f #afj    to #ahj revolutions p] m9ute4
 ,:5 ! wat] fir/ ent]$ !m x    0 ?r[n   
out ) great viol5ce2 b be=e x got any   
consid]able    dep? 9 !m ! motion ( !   
eng9e 0 imp$$ & 9 a %ort "t    entirely 
/opp$4 ,by ?is exp]im5t ,i 0 fully      
conv9c$ t !    :eels w\ld require a p[] 
f> great] ?an ?is eng9e possesses    & t
 any attempts to proce$ ) ! p[] we h & !
    pres5t :eels w\ld be fruitless4 ,i 0
 also f>!r conv9c$ 7by    gett+ m5 ^:   
/r5g? 0 asc]ta9$ to turn ! :eels by h&  
be=e ! op]ation ( ! eng9e7 ?o' %e has h]
 full p[] &    inde$ consid]ably m ?an z
 fir/ m5tion$1 ,i expect$ we w\ld    h4 
,n[1 ,sir1 to proce$ ) ! exp]im5t y     
recomm5d$ (    clos+ ! op5+s ) doors w  
be do+ no?+ m ?an :at    we h already   
done by ! la/ trial4 ,i w\ld !re=e      
recomm5d    t we ?r[ two :eels ( wood   
ov] ! sides fa/5$ to ! axes    ( ! flys 
) #h arms or paddles1 t "p :i* ent]s !  
wat]    ( %eet iron to %ift accord+ to !
 p[] !y require ei!r    deep] 9 ! wat]  
or o!rwise & t we navigate ! vessel )   

^? until we c procure an ,eng9e ( prop] 
size :i* ,i ?9k    ought n to be less   
?an #bd in*es cyl9d]4 ,! ,b>omet] to    
asc]ta9 ! exact p[] ( ! eng9e has n z y 
obs]ve be5    left to dep5d entirely on 
,mr4 ,van ,ness1 al?\gh ,i look$ ^u him 
z    y\r ,repres5tative accord+ to !    
t5or ( y\r own lett]2 b ,mr4    ,m>k &  
,mr4 ,spey] h bo? be5 on ! se>* = "o & h
 n    yet succe$$4 ,! copp] pipe = x is 
made & we w ,i believe be    oblig$ to  
wait = ! glass until we c get x f !     
glass h\se    above ,albany4 ,i h       
reque/$ ,mr4 ,spey]1 :o has gone up to !
    ,oneida c\ntry1 to call on ,mr4     
,dezang = t purpose4 ,if y "k (    any  
to be _h 9 ,new ,york please to in=m me 
& ,i w imm$iately    get x4      ,z to  
y\r *>ge ( my want ( c&or & my possess+ 
too mu*    di/ru/1 ^? ,sir are *>ges :i*
 h nev] be=e be5 laid to    me & :i* ,i 
feel p]fectly free f & ,i w recomm5d to 
!    ,*ancellor to meet me 9 future ^u  
equally c&id & fair gr\nd4 ,i    c      
assure him he %all nev] h reason to     

compla9 ( me on t    score aga94#b ,we h
 z y obs]ve put our h&s to ! o>s &      
ought n to look back until we rea* port4
 ,?is ,i am =1 ,sir1 )    all my he>t1 &
 firmly believe t ) ?is det]m9ation we h
    no?+ to fe>1 z ,i ?9k1 ) ! :eels ,i 
h recomm5d$1    t ! ,/ate pat5t may be  
secur$4 ,we w !n h "t to    prep>e = y\r
 :eels1 & if !y %\ld n h ! effect y     
promise u1 we c !n adopt su* o!r plans z
 we may toge!r    ?9k be/4 ,no bad      
consequ5ces ne$ be appreh5d$ f :at ,i   
communicat$ out ( y\r lett] to ,smallman
 & ,/\d+] z !y are    z anxi\s = !      
success ( ! bus9ess & y\r good op9ion z 
,i    am4 ,z to alt]+ any ( ! :eels 9 ! 
way y propose ,i _c    approve1 z !     
alt]ation w be att5d$ ) consid]able     
exp5se1    & z ,i believe any alt]ation 
we c make ) our pres5t small    ,eng9e w
 be inadequate to driv+ ! :eels to any  
advantage4 ,9    ?is ! ,*ancellor w     
agree ) me :5 he consid]s t :5 !        
,eng9e mak+ #cj /rokes p] m9ute !       
horizontal :eels make #abj              

revolutions by :i* #c_/d is tak5 f ! p[]
 to af=d ?is4      ,i s9c]ely hope t    
,mrs4 ,liv+/on may soon recov] f h]     
accid5t s t y may n be deta9$ long f    
?or\ghly    inve/igat+ ev]y?+ app]ta9+  
to our pres5t conc]n4                   
,i am1 de> ,sir1 c41 c4                 
,n4 ,j4 ,,roosevelt4      ,n4 ,b4 ,i h  
n1 ^u ov]look+ :at ,i h above writt51   
be5 s    p>ticul> 9 my objections to y\r
 propos$ alt]ations z may be            
agreeable & w ask = a little ( y\r      
pati5ce4 ,see h[ !    alt]ation ( !     
:eels on ! connect+ rod by be+ small] w 
op]ate4 ,!y w mo/ c]ta9ly %ort5 ! /roke 
( ! eng9e4    ,?is !re=e _c take place  
unless we alt] ! :eels r\nd    :i* !y   
move accord+ly1 :i* may be done4 ,at !  
same "t 9    do+ x we %all be oblig$ to 
l5g!n ! sp9dle ( ! horizontal    :eels &
 di/urb ! wood5 "w ! :ole ( :i* w be    
att5d$    ) consid]able exp5se & require
 a second alt]ation :5 we come    to    
op]ate ) p[] equal to :at ^? :eels w    
require1 &    inde$1 :y %\ld we g to any

 exp5se 9 alt]ations :i* c d u    no    
s]vice2 z ,i cle>ly saw f actual        
exp]im5t t ab\t #adjj    p\nds w be     
necess>y to be appli$ directly to !     
:eels    indep5d5t ( friction1 :i* is   
equal to an eng9e ( #bd in*es           
,cyl9d]4 ,an ,eng9e ( ?is size ,i f9d   
has #edbd p\nds p[]    indep5d5t ( !    
friction ( ! ma*9e & ,i ?9k p[] en\gh   
= ! air pumps 7p]haps some?+ m47 ,?is ,i
 _c h[ev]    asc]ta9 until ,i get a     
b>omet] & try our pres5t eng9e1 :i* ,i  
believe p]fect4 ,i 0 ab\t try+ ! p[] by 
weights b f\nd    difficulties :i* ,i h 
n yet be5 able to get ov]1 z h] p[]     
is equal bo? ways1 & to br+ ! weight    
only to ! connect+ rod    w\ld te>      
ev]y?+ to pieces4                       
,y\rs1 c4                               
,n4 ,j4 ,,roosevelt4      ,a plan ( my  
sub/itute :i* may n be q correct1 z ,i d
 n    und]/& any?+ ( draw+4             
,n4 ,j4 ,r4#c                        ,n4
 ,j4 ,,roosevelt ,,to ,r4 ,r4 ,,liv+/on4
                                        

,second ,riv]1 ,sept4 #aj?1 #agih4      
,de> ,sir1      ,i ackn[l$ge receipt (  
y\rs ( ! #c;d ,in/4 ,by ?is "t y h      
d\btless recd4 m9e ( ! #f? ,in/4 :i*    
gave y all !    in=mation on ! subject (
 ! boat ,i 0 !n capable ( do+2    s9ce  
:i* ,i h ?\ght ( try+ ano!r exp]im5t ^u 
!    pres5t plan & conclud$ to morr[ to 
set ab\t x4 ,x w take u    ?ree days )  
two h&s :i* w co/ v trifl+ & enable u   
to calculate ) m c]ta9ty :at p[] w be   
requir$ = y\r    :eels4 ,! plan is ?is4 
,sun & planet :eels we w take (f &    =m
 a d\ble crank ) ! c\pl+ l9ks1 :i* at "o
 end w be    fa/5$ to ! %aft ( ! fly    
:eels by tak+ out ! brasses &    drill+ 
holes = p9s to ent]4 ,?is *ange w give u
 only half    ! motion ( y\r :eels we   
fir/ contemplat$ & consequ5tly    d\ble 
! p[] we n[ h4 ,i w try ?is 9 ! same way
 we did    ! la/ "t by leav+ ! vessel's 
/]n on %ore1 & 9 !    mean:ile ,i hope  
to he> y\r op9ion ( ?r[+ :eels ov] !    
sides4 ,i w also be glad to "k if x is m
 agreeable to y to    give a note = !   

balance ( y\r proportion ( ! exp5se     
att5d+ ?is bus9ess or :e!r y w make me a
 remittance 9    ca%4 ,c\ld ,i at pres5t
 raise money ?r\gh ! h\se ( ,j4 ,m>k =  
all ! ends ,i h 9 ?is qu>t] ,i w\ld n   
solicit m money    until y come d[n4    
,?is h[ev] x is n = !m to d4 ,i hope    
! ,*ancellor w consid] my situation 9 ! 
mid/ ( _m workm5    z an apology & p>don
 me = my impati5ce4                     
,y\rs1 c4                               
,n4 ,j4 ,,roosevelt4      ,r4 ,r4       
,liv+/on4                        ,r4 ,r4
 ,,liv+/on ,,to ,n4 ,j4 ,,roosevelt4    
,ackn[l$ges ,:eels ov] ! ,sides to h be5
 ,propos$ by ,roosevelt                 
& rejects !m4                           
,cl]mont1 #ah? ,sept41 #agih4      ,de> 
,sir1      ,mr4 ,m\*ette is j return$4  
,i s9c]ely congratulate y ^u !          
success ( ! eng9e ( :i* he gives ! mo/  
fav\rable report     fully ju/ifies yr4 
confid5ce 9 y\r eng9es4 ,i am           
suffici5tly    sangu9e to hope t all    
difficulties are n[ vani%$4 ,kn[+ our   

p[] no?+ rema9s b adapt ! vessel to x4  
,9 attempt+ ?is    hi!rto we h deceiv$  
ourselves by w&]+ into ! field (        
conjecture r ?an adh]e+ to pla9         
calculations  we %all    /ill d s if we 
expect t ! pres5t eng9e w turn ! :eels  
we n[ h #hj times 9 a m9ute1 z w appe> f
 ?is    calculation4 ,our wells conta9  
exactly #fj cubic feet ( wat]4 ,!       
:ole ( ?is is set 9 motion at e         
revolution ( ! :eels )    a rapidity    
equal to ! ma9 motion ( ! arms1 t is if 
! :eels    make #hj revolutions 9 a     
m9ute at ! rate ( #h miles an h\r4 ,n[ z
    ! boat w n remove m ?an #bj feet (  
wat] if %e goes #h    miles an h\r1 if x
 0 possible to move ! :eels z !y are n[ 
con/ruct$ #hj r\nds 9 a m9ute we %\ld   
?r[ away "o half ( our    p[]1 = ! boat 
c\ld n move fa/] ?an ! wat] 9 ! :eels   
! p[] w\ld be uselessly exp5d$ 9 ?r[+   
out wat]    unnecess>ily4      ,b x w be
 f\nd on exp]im5t t h[ev] p]fect our    
eng9e is1    x _c turn ! pres5t :eels   
#hj times 9 a m9ute4 ,! :eels    !n mu/ 

necess>ily be alt]$ or ! motion r5d]$   
/ill sl[]4    ,to make ! motion sl[] is 
to dim9i% our *ance ( mov+ ! boat    fa/
 because %e w at no rate move fa/] ?an !
 wat] 9 !    :eels ?\gh %e may be made  
to move z fa/ z ,i h f\nd on    actual  
exp]im5t4 ,! :eels !n mu/ be alt]$1 n by
 mak+ !    arms %ort] = ?is w\ld dim9i% 
_! motion1 besides t x    w\ld require  
an alt]ation 9 ! boat--b by dim9i%+ _!  
dep?4 ,!y are n[ if ,i recollect #ah    
,in*es deep1 let !m be r$uc$    to n9e  
,in*es4      ,let ! motion ( ! :eels by 
no means exce$ #hj nor be l[] ?an    #gj
 turns 9 a m9ute & ,i w answ] = !       
success ( !    exp]im5t1  ^u ! :ole x w 
turn out a =tunate discov]y    s9ce we  
%all f9d t our wells ne$ n be above half
 ! size we    h made !m  ( c\rse mu*    
room & mu* weight ( wat] be sav$    9   
future4 ,t we h err$ hi!rto %\ld n      
disc\rage u4 ,x is    ! fate ( all new  
und]tak+s & x is happy :5 ! error c be  
s easily discov]$  detect$4 ,ano!r      
circum/ance ( consid]able    mom5t mu/  

be att5d$ to4 ,if ! dim9ution ( ! motion
 is br\ght    ab\t by *ang+ ! sun &     
planet :eels1 "o half ! motion (    !   
flys w be lo/  !y r5d]$ almo/ useless f 
?is    circum/ance4 ,if !y are made     
heavi] !y w ov]load ! boat4      ,i w\ld
 propose z ! be/ mode ( alt]+ ! motion (
 ! :eels    to alt] ! cog :eels  to     
leave ! sun & planet :eels z !y         
7--?is w give ! prop] motion to ! fly   
dim9i% !    friction4 ,let ! cog :eels  
be made small] & h no m cogs    ?an !   
trunnel r\nds1 or only s _m m z w s]ve  
to give    ! motion we require4 ,nor w  
?is alt]ation be att5d$ ) m    tr\ble   
?an ! "o at fir/ propos$2 b ev5 if x is1
 x is s    ess5tial to give ! flys a    
rapid motion t we mu/1 n[ we h    gone s
 f>1 submit to ?is tr\ble & exp5se to h 
?is    exp]im5t prop]ly made4 ,i say    
no?+ on ! subject ( ,,:eels    ,,ov] ,,!
 ,,sides z ,i am p]fectly conv9c$ f a   
v>iety (    exp]im5ts ( ! sup]iority (  
^? we h adopt$4 ,i expect to    be d[n !
 la/ ( ?is mon? :5 ,i %all see y  make  

su* money    arrangem5ts z we may f9d   
necess>y4      ,9 ! meantime ,i hope to 
he> h[ y g on4 ,i flatt] myself no      
delay w be incurr$ :i* c possibly be    
avoid$1 e mom5t    be+ preci\s4 ,mr4    
,m>k w ,i hope =w>d ?is to y ! mom5t x  
arrives1 s t ! necess>y alt]ations may  
be made be=e y    proce$ f> on any      
difficult plan4      ,i am v mu* hurt t 
y %\ld con/rue any "p ( my =m]    lett]s
 into a reflection on y\r c&\r4 ,i am   
sure t no?+ (    ?is k9d 0 ev] int5d$   
,i flatt] myself t if y att5d a         
little m to ! expressions 7?o3 ,i _c n[ 
recollect !m7 t    !y w n be> ?is h>%   
con/ruction4#d                 ,i am de>
 ,sir1 ) e/eem1 y\r mo/ ob3 hum3 s]vt3  
,,rob4 ,r4 ,,liv+/on4                   
,n4 ,j4 ,,roosevelt ,,to ,r4 ,r4        
,,liv+/on4     ,exp]im5t made  ,op9ion (
 ! ,spani% ,m9i/]--,aga9 ,coaxes to h   
,v]tical ,:eels tri$4                   
,second ,riv]1 ,oct4 #ba/1 #agih4       
,de> ,sir1      ,i dropp$ y a l9e 9 ha/e
 on ,friday la/1 s9ce :i* ,i receiv$    

y\r fav\r ( ! #aj?3 ! p]son to :om y    
gave x 9 *>ge did    n put x 9 ! po/    
(fice until ye/]day4 ,y\r in/ructions   
!re=e came too late = ! rims1 z !y _h by
 y\r =m]    reque/ be5 left (f & no bad 
consequ5ce has result$4 ,i h n    yet   
se5 ,mr4 ,/ev5s1 b h be5 expect+ him e  
day1 z he    reque/$ me by lett] to in=m
 him :at "t we w\ld be ready1    :i* ,i 
did4 ,_h ,i receiv$ y\r lett] soon] ,i  
w\ld also h s5t    to see if ,mr4 ,m\*et
 0 /ill at ,n4 ,ark  reque/$ him to come
 up4      ,!re 0 no occasion to try !   
:eels f #e ,in*es upw>ds1 z ,i    f\nd !
 ,eng9e ov]load$ at #e4 ,i ?9k at pres5t
 ! mo/    advisable mode ( proce$+ = u w
 be to *ange ! :eels on    %aft & sp9dle
 s z to give ! ,eng9e h] full spe$ ) #ej
    revolutions ( ! l[] :eels1 & if %e w
 c>ry m1 !n    increase ! wid? ( !      
paddles4 ,i h ord]$ a patt]n made =     
two :eels accord+ly & w ca/ !m ! fir/   
ca/+ we make    aft] x is f9i%$4 ,please
 to write me if y agree 9 ?is respect4  
,! ,spani% ,m9i/] 0 on bo>d ! day we    

made ! la/ exp]im5t    & 0 p]fectly well
 pleas$ ) ! op]ation ( ! ,eng9e &    w  
give u an ord] = "o ( #cf ,in*es4 ,?is w
 co/ him upw>ds    ( #ac1jjj ,dolls3    
,our small "o is n equal to ! purposes =
 :i*    he wants 84 ,dur+ our sail he1  
at ! "t ! tide & w9d    fav\r$ u1       
suppos$ we w5t at ! rate ( #f miles an  
h\r2 b ,i    ?9k ! delight he felt      
express$ at ! novelty ( ! ,voyage 0    !
 cause ( 8 mi/ake4 ,my report to y 0    
?ree miles1 /ill    wat]1 :i* ,i h      
reason to believe 0 accurate4 ,i h at   
pres5t    a bett] op9ion ( y\r plan ?an 
ev]1 & c\ld wi% !m to be    contra/$ )  
paddles ^u ,mr4 ,/ev5s' plan1 ,,or      
,,:eels ,,ov] ,,!    ,,sides1 s z fairly
 to asc]ta9 ! diff]5ce ( ! application (
    ! p[]4 ,we h by ! la/ exp]im5t a    
/rik+ pro( 9 favor (    y\r plan :i* is 
demon/rat$ by ! dim9ution 9 wid? & sl[  
motion ( ! :eels4 ,at our la/ exp]im5t !
 effect 0 c]ta9ly    great] ?an we c\ld 
h promis$ ourselves4      ,i hope to he>
 f y soon1 & 9 ! mean:ile w d :at       

/rikes me z reasonable ^u our pres5t    
plan s t no "t is    lo/4      ,mrs4    
,m>k reque/s me to ?ank y = y\r polite  
invitation (    visit+ ,mrs4 ,liv+/on1 b
 does n ?9k x w be 9 h] p[]    ?is fall1
 z ,mr4 ,m>k is at pres5t too mu*       
occupi$ ) bus9ess    to leave home4     
,y\rs respectfully1                     
,n4 ,j4 ,,roosevelt4    ,?is lett] is   
complim'y to ,liv+/on--ab\t 8 plan (    
:eel--b /ill  ,roosevelt m5tions t x    
w\ld be prud5t to try 9 contra/ ,/ev5s' 
paddles--7 8 own plan7 :eels ov] !      
sides4 7,note by ,judge  ,griffi?47     
,r4 ,r4 ,,liv+/on ,,to ,n4 ,j4          
,,roosevelt4        ,liv'n ,ackn[l$ges !
 ,boat to ,answ]  ,refuses to use       
,v]tical                                
,:eels4                                 
,cl]mont1 #bh ,octr41 #agih4      ,de>  
,sir1      ,aft] s5d+ m9e ( ye/]day ,i  
receiv$ y\r favor ( ! #ba/1 9    :i* y  
ent] m p>ticul>ly into ! exp]im5ts y h  
made1    b n s fully z ,i w\ld wi%1 z y 
w f9d by ! qu]ies ,i    h tr\bl$ y )4   

,if y are "r z to ! motion ?r\gh !      
wat]1 ! ,spani% ,m9i/] c\ld n err mu* 9 
8 calculation1 =    x appe>s to me t !  
tide 9 y\r riv] is n %ort ( #b miles    
,i h f\nd 9 my models t ! velocity ( !  
boat ) ! tide    is great] 9 proportion 
?an ! m]e diff]5ce betwe5 t &    /ill   
wat]4      ,?is is "o ( ! exp]im5ts ,i  
wi%$ y to asc]ta9 accurately by    runn+
 "o h\r ) ! tide  det]m9+ ! di/ance &   
runn+    back ! same di/ance aga9/ !    
tide4 ,be x z x w1 we n[ "k    :at we c 
d ) a suffici5t p[]1 & ?o' paddles %\ld 
ev5    d m !y are too inconv5i5t & too  
liable to accid5ts to be    us$--,,z ,,=
 ,,v]tical ,,:eels ,,!y ,,are ,,out ,,( 
,,! ,,"q4      ,:at ,i pr9cipally write 
n[ = is to ask y :e!r x w\ld n be       
bett] in/antly to fit ! boat = pass5g]s 
by putt+ a deck ov]    s mu* z y make   
cabb9 (4 ,?is %\ld be ! :ole1 only leav+
    room = wood ne> ! eng9e4 ,?is deck  
%\ld be ( in* p9e bo>ds     r\nd$ s z to
 c>ry (f ! wat] & made z tight z        
possible4    ,x %\ld be rais$ ab\t t5   

,in*es s z to admit ( glasses t    %ove 
pa/ ea* o!r all r\nd ,! inside only     
wants to be pap]$    ) any *eap common  
pap] & to h two r[s ( b5*es ! "o        
beh9d ! o!r4 ,! re> b5* s l[ z to admit 
! knees "u    ! front "o4 ,a n>r[ table 
( "o bo>d %\ld run ?r\gh !    middle4 ,!
 back cabb9 %\ld be fitt$ = ! %ip's     
company &    h w9d[s & %utt]s 9 case (  
bad wea!r4 ,"s arrangem5t    %\ld also  
be made = boil+ 9 pot & kettle4 ,all ?is
 %\ld be    go+ on :ile y are fitt+ !   
ma*9]y4 ,x w ,i believe be    be/ to get
 two or ?ree quick h&s f ,new ,york to d
 x z y\r    %ipwright is bo? sl[ &      
extravagant4 ,we h yet "o mon? to use   
& a pretty important "o1 because ! roads
 w soon be bad1 &    ?o' we %\ld only g 
#c miles an h\r we %all /ill be able to 
pick    up some?+ besides our exp5ses & 
acquire "s exp]i5ce ( :at    fur!r is   
necess>y4 ,i h provid$ a ,capta9 at #e a
 mon? :o    und]/&s ! riv]4 ,y say y h a
 /ew>d & fire eng9e    h&4 ,?o' ,i ?9k  
,smallman %\ld make ! fir/ voyage4      

,i am1 ,dr4 ,sir1                       
,r4 ,r4 ,,liv+/on4      ,mr4 ,n4 ,j4    
,roosevelt4    ,! head+s ( ! =ego+      
lett]s are copi$ f _! respective        
indorsations :i* w\ld seem to h be5 made
 by diff]5t h&s &  z ?\gh 9 ! prep>ation
 ( a case4                              
,l4                              ,,pat5t
 ,,to ,,mr4 ,,roosevelt4      ,,!       
,,unit$ ,,/ates ,,( ,,am]ica1      ,to  
all to :om ^! ,,lett]s ,,pat5t %all     
come3      ,:]eas1 ,,ni*olas ,j4        
,,roosevelt1 a ,citiz5 ( ! ,unit$       
,/ates1 ha?    alleg$ t he has inv5t$ a 
new & useful improvem5t                 
,,9 ,,propell+ ,,boats c4 ,,by ,,/eam1  
:i* improvem5t he /ates has n be5 kn[n  
or us$ be=e 8    application2 ha? made  
oa? t he does v]ily believe t he is !   
true inv5tor or discov]] ( ! said       
improvem5t2 ha? paid into    ! ,treasury
 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ! sum ( ?irty doll>s1
 deliv]$    a receipt = ! same1 &       
pres5t$ a petition to ! ,secret>y (     
,/ate1 signify+ a desire ( obta9+ an    

exclusive prop]ty 9 !    said           
improvem5t1 & pray+ t a pat5t may be    
grant$ = t    purpose3 ,^! are !re=e to 
grant1 accord+ to law1 to ! said        
,,ni*olas ,j4 ,,roosevelt1 8 heirs1     
adm9i/rators1 or assigns1 = !    t]m (  
f\rte5 ye>s1 f ! fir/ day ( ,decemb]1 "o
 ?\s&    eight hundr$ & f\rte51 ! full &
 exclusive "r & lib]ty    ( mak+1       
con/ruct+1 us+ & v5d+ to o!rs to be us$1
 !    said improvem5t2 a description    
:]e( is giv5 9 ! words ( !    said      
,ni*olas ,j4 ,roosevelt himself1 9 !    
s*$ule h]eto annex$1    & is made a "p (
 ^! pres5ts4      ,9 te/imony :]e(1 ,i h
 caus$ ^! ,lett]s to be made ,pat5t1    
& ! ,seal ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates to be       
h]eunto affix$4                         
,,seal      ,giv5 "u my h&1 at ! ,city (
 ,wa%+ton1 ?is fir/ day (    ,decemb] 9 
! ye> ( our ,"l "o ?\s& eight hundr$ &  
f\rte5 & ( ! indep5d5ce ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates ( ,am]ica1 !    ?irty-n9?4       
,,james ,,madison4    ,by ! ,presid5t4  
,jas4 ,monroe1 ,secret>y ( ,/ate4       

,city ( ,wa%+ton1 to wit3      ,i d     
h]eby ,c]tify1 ,t ! =ego+ ,lett]s ,pat5t
 7 deliv]$    to me on ! fir/ day (     
,decemb] 9 ! ye> ( our ,"l1 "o    ?\s&  
eight hundr$ & f\rte5 to be exam9$2 t ,i
 h    exam9$ ! same1 & f9d !m con=mable 
to law3 & ,i d h]eby    return ! same to
 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate )9 fifte5 days f ! 
date a=esaid1 to wit2 on ?is fir/ day ( 
,decemb] 9 ! ye>    a=esaid4            
,ri*>d ,ru%1                            
,attorney ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4     
,to all to ,:om ^! ,pres5ts %all come3  
,ni*olas ,j4 ,roosevelt1 ( ! ,/ate (    
,new ,j]sey1 ,esqr4 s5ds    greet+3     
,be x kn[n1 ,t ,i1 ! said ,ni*olas ,j4  
,roosevelt h discov]$1    inv5t$ &      
con/ruct$ a new  useful mode  improvem5t
 9 !    propell+ ( boats or vessels     
?r\gh wat] by ! =ce  ag5cy (    fire    
/eam1 ! con/ruction ( :i* discov]y1     
inv5tion     improvem5t is specifi$ z   
foll[s1 z ! mode to :i* ,i h giv5    a  
pref]5ce res]v+ to myself ! "r ( v>y+ & 
*ang+ !    proportions & comb9ations ( !

 sev]al p>ts ( ! said    discov]y &     
inv5tion z exp]i5ce may sugge/ or z ,i  
%all ?9k    advisable or exp$i5t1 to    
wit4             ,a true copy f !       
,specification fil$ 9 ! ,pat5t ,(fice4  
,geo4 ,lyon1 ,clk4    ,pat5t ,(fice1    
#c;d ,decemb]1 #ahad4    ,,! ,,s*$ule   
ref]r$ to 9 ^! ,lett]s pot5t & mak+ "p (
 !        same conta9+ a description 9 !
 words ( ! said ,ni*olas ,j4            
,roosevelt himself ( 8 improvem5t 9     
propell+ ,boats1 c4 by        /eam4     
,9 a boat or vessel ( any =m1 b (       
suffici5t capacity to conta9    ! ma*9]y
 requir$1 ,i place a ,/eam ,eng9e ( a   
p[] proportion$    to ! re/ance to be   
ov]come1 9 propell+ a boat or vessel a  
giv5    di/ance 9 a giv5 "t1 ?is /eam   
,eng9e is suppli$ by a boil] (    !     
usual =m or made ,cyl9dric "o or m at   
pleasure s z to be    ( suffici5t       
capacity to fe$ ! ,eng9e4 ,i next place 
two :eels    ov] ! sides1 on ! axis (   
:i* ,i put flyes1 disp5ce ) !m    or    
o!rwise comb9e !m at pleasure1 ei!r to  

regulate motion or    give additional   
velocity1 or !y may be connect$ ) ! wat]
    %aft & /eam ,eng9e1 by :eels s z to 
give any numb] (    revolutions t may be
 desir$4 ,! arms ( ! wat] :eels ,i w\ld 
make ( wood1 to :i* ,i atta* floats or  
paddles ( ca/ ,iron1 or (    ,boil]     
plate ?ick %eet ,iron1 ?\gh !y may be   
made ( wood4 ,^!    floats ,i make move 
up & d[n on ! arms1 by means ( screws & 
holes1 s z to make !m ent] deep] or     
%all[] 9 ! wat]1 9    tak+ a pur*ase or 
hold on ! wat] agreeably to ! dep? (    
wat]    ! boat may draw1 & ! lad+ !re   
may be on bo>d1 or agreeably    to o!r  
circum/ances4 ,! support]s ( ! out] ends
 ( ! wat]    :eels %aft to be made (    
,iron ) braces1 ?\gh if requir$ !y      
may be made ( wood4                     
,ns4 ,j4 ,,roosevelt4    ,witnesses3    
,j]e'h ,ball>d1        ,john ,dev'x     
,de,lacy4      ,( ! =ego+ correspond5ce1
 b a small portion relates to !  "q (   
:eels ov] ! sides4 ,x is ins]t$ at l5g? 
h[ev]1--go+1 z x does1 to %ew ! w>m     

int]e/1 & ! active  measures t 7 on foot
 at ! close ( ! eighte5? c5tury to      
develope "o ( ! mighty ag5cies ( !      
n9ete5?4 ,! crud5ess (  _m ( !          
sugge/ions & ! lit]>y c>elessness ( !   
correspond5ce on bo? sides1 is          
indicative ( a v diff]5t  condition (   
?+s f t :i* exi/s at pres5t4            
,l4                                     
,,footnotes      #a,some:]e ab\t ! ye>  
#ahdb1 ! writ] ( ! =ego+ address      0 
n>rat+ ! sub/ance ( x at ! ,:ite        
,sulphur ,spr+s (      ,virg9ia4 ,among 
8 he>]s 0 ,mr4 ,samuel ,davis1 (        
,philadelphia1      b =m]ly ( ,nat*ez1  
,mississippi1 :o supplem5t$ ! /ory      
) ! foll[+ anecdote4 ,he 0 /&+ on ! :>f 
at      ,nat*ez1 "o ( a cr[d1 wat*+ !   
approa* ( ! ,new ,orleans on      h]    
fir/ voyage4 ,!re 0 a rise 9 ! riv] at !
 "t2 &      :5 ! /eamboat r\nd$ to1 to  
head up /ream1 %e 0 "s %ort      di/ance
 bel[ ! l&+1--&1 = a :ile1 ! curr5t 0 m 
?an %e c\ld ov]come4 ,at ,mr4 ,davis'   
side1 0 an old negro      s]vant1 :o    

wat*$ ! /ruggle ) mu* excitem5t1 slapp+ 
8      ?ighs & ge/iculat+ 9 a mo/       
outl&i% way4 ,:5 at la/1      aft] a m  
rapid revolution ( ! :eels />t$ ! boat  
ahead1      ! negro ?rew up 8 hat1      
exclaim+1 8,by golly1 ,sa1 old          
,massesseppa got h] massa2 hooraw40 ,mr4
 ,davis s5t a quantity ( 8      cotton  
by ! boat to ,new ,orleans1 aga9/ !     
advice ( all 8      fri5ds4 ,he 0 ! fir/
 p]son :o v5tur$ a bale on su* a risk6  
#b,! ref]5ce "h is to a lett] ( !       
,*ancellor 7numb]$ #be 9      !         
collection ,i h17 9 :i*1 be+ !n 9 a     
dissatisfi$ &      compla9+ mood1 he    
says3 8,i aga9 repeat1 ,sir1 t ,i tru/ 9
 a      few days to he> t exp]im5ts h   
be5 made & to be m9utely      acqua9t$ )
 ! result1 t ,i may take my measures    
accord+ly4      ,9 do+ ( :i* %\ld wi% to
 receive y\r advice4 ,f a frank      &  
c&id communication mu* m advantage w    
result to all      p>ties ?an f res]ve1 
sil5ce & di/ru/4        ,i am1 de> ,sir1
 y\r mo/ obt4 hum4 s]vt4                

,r4 ,r4 ,,liv+/on4        ,see lett] (  
,aug4 #ca1 #agih4    #c,! plan "h ref]r$
 to is n among ! pap]s4 ,l4    #d,!     
,*ancellor _h evid5tly =gott5 ! conclud+
 p>agraph (      8 lett] ( ,augu/ #ca1  
#agih4                                  
,transcrib]'s ,notes      --,sil5tly    
correct$ a few typos1 includ+ li/$      
errata4    --,reta9$ publication        
in=mation f ! pr9t$ edition3 ?is e,book 
is public-doma9 9 ! c\ntry (            
publication4    --,9 ! text v]sions     
only1 text 9 italics is delimit$ by     
und]scores4