The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-05-27
Nathan Reads Steamboats,
He was the Author of Many Useful 1nven-
tons and improvements.

lie was the Author of Many Useful lnven-
tons and improvements.
The Essex Institute of Salem, Mass.
is constantly being made the depository
of heirlooms and other valuables, and
the annual report of the Secretary,
George Francis Dow shows that the
gifts to the museum during the past year
have been numerous and varied. Among
them is model of Nathan Reads steam
boat which was successfully navigated
on the Danvers river. We quote as fol
lows from the secretary's report, pub
lished in the Salem Evening News:
''From George T. Read of Belfast, Me-,
has been received upon loan al imper-
feet model of steamboat invented by
his grandfather, Hon. Nathan Reed of
Salem. At the same tine came work.
ing model of the najicnttlng machine
also invented by Reed and used in his
iron works at Danvers river, together
with the patent signed by John Adams.
Rather more than century ago Nathan
Reed lived in house that stood exactly
on the spot where we are meeting this
evening and bis invention of steam
boat and its successful navigation on
Danvers River is a matter of common
knowledge in this vicinity. The origl-
nal patent for his invention, signed by
Washington, formerly was in the GUS
tody of the institute. Almost 10 years
ago with deep regret this loan was sur
rendered to its owner, a descendent, who
then lived in Nashua, N. H.
San teresting sidelight upon Reeds
application for patent for his invention
has recently been discovered in Wash
ington by H. C. Gauss in memorandum
book in the library of the State depart
ment, which seems to have been daily
minute book of transactions for the first
two or three years of the dep artment.
April l6, 1890, Nathan Reid of Salem
in the State of Massachusetts, present
ed his petition to the secretary of State,
the secretary for the department of war
and the attorney general of the United
States praying that the sole and exclu-
sive right of making, constructing, u.s.
ing and vending to others his inventions
and Improvements in the at of distila-
ton, ard in the cylinder and case, made
use of by Watt and Boulton, may be
granted to him for IA years. Informed
to attend on Saturday the 18th instant.
April II, 1890 Nathan Reid at
attended-present the secretary OF State
and the secretary for the war depart
ment. Having produced the plans and
descriptions of his inventions and i'm
provements, he was requested to prepare
models OF the same and when they were
made. to give information.
"'April %, 1890. Nathan Reid having
given information that he has prepared
the models of the inventions and i'm
provements, produced the same to
| Thomas Jefferson. ESQ.,. Secretary of
State, and Henry Knox, Esq, Secretary
of the Department of War. Agreed
that the inventions and improvements
communicated by Nathan Reid are use
full and important. Ordered that letters
patent be granted to Nathan Reid, Sc
curing to him his discoveries and i'm
provements in the portable furnace boil
er, improved steam cylinder and vascu-
lar stills.
"'April %, 1870. Nathan Reid of Salem
IN the State of Massachusetts, present.
ed his petition showing that he discover
land carriages by steam, also an improv-
ed method of impeling boats or vessels
through water; also a machine for com
ululllCdllilS IHotloli NY tHe eileS. " heoe
and cold on metals, and praying for let
tiers patent to secure to him the benefits
of his discoveries and improvements.
"'June 2, 1890. James Rumsey, by
his agent, Joseph Barnes, presented
petition praying that letters patent may
not be granted to Nathan Reid of Salem
for the exclusive right of vending the
several portable furnace boilers general
ly described in the petition of the said
Reid, because the said James Rumsey is
the original inventor of said portable
furnace boilers which said Barnes is
ready to prove.
July 7, 1890. John Fitch applied
for patent for steamboat.