New-York daily tribune., 1844-04-11
Inventions.

But still she strove with unabatcd zeal,
While death drew nigh, the sufferer 10 heal.
Inventions.
To the Editor of The Tribune:
Among the greatest benefactors OF mankind
we may safely include Inventors. The count
less benefits which during the past generation
have been conferred on our country BY some Of
her gifted sons, arc beyond the reach or COM
pass of the most exalted intellect. They are
daily and hourly felt by every class of citizens
and run into every channel and through all the
ramifcations Of public and private transactions
And yet Inventors are generally regarded by the
majority of people with marked indifference and
not unfrequently treated with derision. What
person who witnessed the efforts Of Fulton 10
establish steamboat navigation can call 10 mind
without regret and shame the current of indecent
ridicule and sarcasm that was poured out upon
that enlightened and most valuable citizen, al
ter his project was made known and before eX.
pertinent was made the test of utility. All the
coarse epithe,s that could be suggested by vulgar
minds were lavished upon him, especially by the
owners and commanders Of vessels moved by
sails. But, thanks to the dscernment and libc-
rality of that lustrous patriot Chancellor Llv
ingston, the discovery was through his means
carried into full effect and the whole world now
stands debtor to those Two great men for tic
most splendid and useful improvement ever con-
ferred upon the human family. Witness, too,
that inestimably valuable machine for dsvesting
cotton of It's seed, famlliarly known as WhlineyS
Cotton Gin. 1t has built up the whole Southern
Country, without which it would have renamed
in comparative poverty, and lis value would al
most defy the computation of figures. Yet
where is the reward OF those two noble heneiac-
tors of nations? TO the everlasting disgrace vi
their country, they were consigned to neglect,
and both left the sphere OF emlnent usefulness IN
humble if not in impoverished circumstances. Is
there parelle for such injustice IN any other
country under heaven and IS 1t not stain upon
our National character? If there was spark
of Justice and liberal feeling remaining IN thc
Government, restitution would yet be made To
the families of men who left behind them evi-
dences Of such transcendant worth, and who
have thus reflected the highest glory and honor
on the land Of their BIRTH
1 was led to this train Of reflection in consc
quence of seeing in the journals of the day nu-
n,erous records of inventions and discoveries,
some of which to say The least promise valuable
results, but they are often attended with the as
surance that inability on the part of the inventors
deters them from bringing their work before the
public. Now it is no uncommon thing Tor the
brightest conception of Improvements III the Arts
and Sciences to have their origin In the minds ol
men whose pecuniary means are limited What
plan, then, shall adopt in order TO secure the
full development of the fertile genius OF our
countrymcn, and place within the reach OF tho
People those advantages which are SO frequently
found in the new inventions and discoveries con-
tnually brought to light? This ought to bea
national concern for the reason that the Nation
reaps the reward. I would therefore suggest
the propriety Of board of competent men, who
should meet at tho seat of Government once
year and sit for not less than SIX months. and
that they should be authorized TO examine every
invention and model that might be placed before
them, and award to the applicant such pecunlary
aid as should be Judged prudent and proper with
the sole view of enabling him to mature MS OBJ
iects and purposes. Such restrictions could be
imposed as the nature Of the case might require,
in order that there should be check to impo.
sltions and frauds.
To say that such scheme would not lead to
important consequences would in effect be TO say
that no good could result from the labor and con-
centrated knowledge Of any collection of men OF
experience and competent abilities. Now we
know that that the rights of the People arc often
protected and their strength and resources ma
terially augmented by means of the united Wis
dom Of a small body Of enlightened individuals.
An objection, therefore, that would apply TO the
present case would equally apply to all others.
But if more feasible plan can be brought for
ward, then give it a preference. The object is
and ought 10 be to secure such National and as
shall insure great national benefits INQUIRER.
MUrArloNs.-The Mobile Register refers to Mr..
Birney's late letter dissenting from Mr. Adams
course ON the subject of slavery, and connects 1t
with the fact that Mr. Dellet, the Wing Repre-
sentative in Congress from Alabama, has de-
nounced Mr. Adams as dangerous abolition
iaeend,ary." The oddity of this contrast O.
opinion and position is (says the RcgisterD tha.,
Mr. Birney and Mr.. Delet were both residents o.
Alabama in 1925, and both Electors on the PREF
sidential ticket in taror Of This same Mr. adams
asPreSident of the United States. Bost. Chron,
FATAL AreaAY.-We learn that fatal ARRAY.
occurred in Columbus, Miss. on the evening OF
the 2lst ult. 1t is stated that A. E. Abbott, de-
putty sheriff there, while levying on property oi
DR.. VIM. Goodwin, was shot by the latter, and
died almost instantaneously.
.p The Right Rev. DR.. Reynolds, Roman
Catholic Bishop of Charleston, arrived in the vii,
mington boat yesterday, and has entered on the
duties ofhis See. charleston Pat. April 4.
A CoNvsRslos.-The Rev. Spencer II. Cone
baptized yesterday, at the head of Cherry street,
East River, the first Jew convert to Christianity
ever baptised into that communion in this coun-