Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-23
From Tn Y \ JRoRA.
PERPETUAL NOTION.


= city. The large rewards which have been held
! forth by the governments of Europe for nearly
century past, for the discovery Of machine
containing within itself the power of generating
motion scithom cessation, and the allure of ma
> nv thousand efforts To accomplish 1t had rem
derel the execution of such work SO hope
less, to induce 4 general belief, that it was
among the mysteries which inscrutabe nature
had reserved from human enquiry and render
, ed inaccessible to human reason or sagacity
| Our readers are accustomed To look to this
paper for authentic information, on all subjects
| which appertain to the honor and interests Of
| the nation and they have not, it is pr csumed.
| been at any time deceived in this expectation
we arc not accustomed to take information
upon trust, where there is possibility of oh,
tanning; with our own eyes, the opportunity Of
seeing and Judging
! Aware Of the Importance OF discovery
which in its accomplishment, must be calcula-
ted oproducc greater revolution in society
than any since the discovery of printing or the
tnartner'e compass, we were jealous OF giving
implicit credit to the reported discovery in
our neighbourhood, but we were at the same
time solicitous that this fourth great trophy of
geaius should be added to the glory of Ameri-
can science.
We could not but remember, that Pennsyl-
! vana, disparaged and insultcd it has been
by wortlv arrogance, had given to the world
| he demonstration of the identity of lightning
and the electric huid-that the mariners quad
rant was invented in Pennsylvania, that a ma
tive of PENNSYLVANIA first powerfully applied
the power of steam to navigation we were SO
dcsTous that the discovery of perpetual mo-
D fion should be added TO the number of the gio
! rjes OF science in America thai we Thought it
necessary to guard against the prepossession :
and not to indulge in any discussion, or to give
TO the public any declaration OF the fact, until
we should be able bv actual personal investga-
ton to express decided opinion that opinion
we are now prepared to give To our readers.
without any apprehension of misconcepton on
> our part, without, indeed, the possibility Ut be-
; ing mistaken; We therefore state to the Hub
: lie the facts following, upon whih they may
repose the most entire confidence.
. \ plain country working milwright,
tive Of the neighbourhood IN which lac at pre-
sent resides, Of the name of Readhefer, has for
more than eleven years been employ ed in va
! rous efforts to construct machines containing
J within themselves the power of spontaneous
> and continued motion. All along satisfied Of
the practicabitv of the object which he wish
! ed To accomplish, he has not been discouraged
nv poverty nor by the frowns and sneers OF
opulent ignorance he has persevered against
scoffers and scOrners, and against imputations
Of insanity; and has to his honor, and To the
honor of his country, actually accomplished
i the construction of a machine simple III its APP
~ pcarance, obvious in its power and means ri
- motion, easy Of construction when the nT:ncipic
" is once understood, and to appearance susccp
tible OF application to any extent within the
strength and power of wood or metal.
Among the effects of this important disco
very, the expence OF every species OF labor sa
d, wing machinery, may be reduced to the whole
amount of the difference between the coHstruc
ton Of this machine, which works without an,
aid of water or fire, or animal force, 1t save
the labor OF man, it saves the labor OF animals
-. Al. 4
ance. susceptible of application to all branche
4, of carding, spinning, weaving, grinding o
. grain, or the rolling OF metals it MAY be cree
ted IN garnet or cellar, and unseen perform al
the movements necessary to give action to ma
chInery in any other part OF the house; as
10 may be applied 10 mill working, in countrie
in which therr are no mill seats, even the high
U.s. est mountains, MAJ have all the advantages O
ne the best watered countries neither heat no
cold affects retards its operation and tn
eXpence of construction Will be within ever
Nh mans power-the miner may employ it il
lac pumping out his mines-cities may employ
- TO convey water To suitable elevatons-inaI
shes ma, b drained--and meadows constant
irrigated by this happy discovery OF mechan
calpower. 1t would be easy 20 extend the Va
riety OF uses to which it is susceptible of appl
cation The aot9er ofH perpetual! motion then
79s can assure our r6caeyS, IS actually accom-
PiiShed.
IN The m. chine, which is beautiful piece
r. workmanship, the work Of the inventors ow
OF hands, is at present exhibited at house cont
d guous TO Cyess's tavern the right side Of tn
IL high road from Philadelphia, and near The re
10 mile stone. Ii stands IN room of about IL b
NJ Ii feet square, and nine feet high. Tie M
~ chine rests on square frame of about 6 fee
sustained at the angles by four posts OF abou
s feet Highland resembling in that respect
III ! weayer's loom. In the centre stands AN u
nd right post, which serves as the axle so a or
On zonta. wheel bclow-tfis upright post or axi
,,n moves in an eye or socket Il transverse piec
Oh which crosses the top of the frame in Tie mix
Il, die, and a gudgeon in its lower point, turns
me a socket placed on another transverse piec,
,, which passes across the frame at about l.
80. feet from the floor. The description beyOn
az this is not easily given with clearness in an
form of words, without the object being fir
I'll seen and present-above the lower horizont
~ wheel, which is attached 90 the perpendicul:
- axle, there is wheel OF double its disrnetc
49, but this wheel is perforated in the centre, an
.,,o not there attached tn the upright axle, but
suspended Co AN iron cap, which is place
near the summit of the upright axle, bv 70,
hooks and ch1ns. Two vertical wheels &C al
- equal dimensions are moved by the cogs Of Il
horizontal wi,ccls and it is By the horizont
axle Of these vertical wheels, uIat exterior ~
tiOn and power 10 to be communicated Tor a
~ useful purposes.
The main and moving power is yet IN b. c
planned and although very simple to the
telligent eye cannot be so satisfactorily &C sc
bed, from The peculiar simplicity and ingen,
~ with which the POSER ofgrdVifatiog Is n
. PLeI 10 produce bcyPefgH horisonfai acfi,
This Puwcr, however, is produced by the pre-
sure Of the weight Of two corresponding bo
Is, on plane inclined in an angle Of IS 4
Is, grecs the application OF his power, and {
~ means by which it is brought to act are evidc
to the senses, on a slight examination al
{. i without the view. we could not ernert 10 ne