REMARKS

and

DIRECTIONS

for

WELDING CAST STEEL,

AGREEABLE TO

Letters Patent

Under the GREAT SEAL of the UNITED STATES,

Granted the 22d December, 1802,

TO

DANIEL PETTIBONE,
EZEKIEL CHAPMAN,

AND
JOSIAH NICHOLS.

ALBANY :

PRINTED BY C. R. & G. WEBSTER,
At their Bookstore,
1803.

Remarks, and Directions for Welding
CAST STEEL.

CAST STEEL varies considerably in quality, owing not only to the sort of Iron of which it is made, but also to different quantities and proportions of carbonic and inflammable air with which it is impregnated.

The most material thing in welding Cast Steel is to defend the parts to be welded from the effects of the combined action of fire and air.

It often happens that Cast Steel has imbibed a superabundance of its constituent properties; when this is the case, it becomes spungy and makes a hissing noise before it arrives to a welding heat, and on being hammered emits a blue smoke, and melts or crumbles if the heat is increased. Such Steel may be welded, by first preparing a piece to the size and length which the tool or instrument to be laid may require, then laying it in a common Wood Fire for about twenty hours, more or less according to the size of the piece; or if a number of pieces of the same size is required, the same purpose may be effected in from four to six hours time by cementation with calcarious earth. By these means, the inflammable air is expelled a small depth from the surface

( 4 )

which reduces the outside to common Steel, whilst the inner part retains the quality of Cast Steel unimpaired, and being thus defended by the outside from the effects of the combined action of heat and air, is capable of being welded the usual way, with no more difficulty than common Steel, and the outside being in close contact with, and confining the particles abundantly impregnated, will become, by a welding heat and the necessary hammering, again perfectly restored, if not improved.

This is always to be preferred when the quality of the Steel will admit of it, otherwise the following directions are to be pursued.

## For an Axe.

First cover the Cast Steel with Blister or Crawley Steel, weld them together, then weld them to the Axe in the usual way, reduce the blade to the thickness of about one fourth part of an inch, pare off the edge so as to leave the Cast Steel bare, finish the Axe, observing the directions as to hammering under a low heat.

## For Scythes, Sithes, Drawing or Hay Knives, &c.

Prepare the best of refined Iron in the usual way, introduce the Cast Steel a little from the edge so as to admit of

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its being covered by closing the Iron, which being thus prepared must not be bent before they are welded lest the Cast Stell should break, and by after hammering the joint become open and prevented from again uniting: After being properly welded, pare off the Iron from the edge and finish the hammering as directed.

For such Tools and Instruments as require the Steel to lie on one side.

The Tool or Instrument being prepared in the usual way, and the Steel hammered to the proper shape, lay the Steel on the one side of the Tool and cover it with a thin plate of Iron: After all is properly welded and the Tool hammered to the size intended, grind off the Iron so as to leave a fair surface of Steel on the side requiring it.

For Hammers or larger Tools of plane Surface.

Prepare the Steel to the size of the surface to be covered; prepare also a ring of Iron something wider than the Steel is thick, so as to fit on the outside of the Tool; put the Steel tight in the ring with a thin plate of Iron on the one side, secured in the ring with a few quick hammer strokes; then heat the Tool to be welded nearly to a welding heat, quickly introduce it in the ring close to the Steel, then

( 6 )

take a welding heat, after which pare off the ring with a
chisel, file or grind the Iron off the surface and hammer the
Tool as may be required. Or, heat the Steel inclosed as
above and the Tool to which it is to be put, separately, and
weld them in the usual way—If the Tool is not too large, it
will be found most convenient to leave the ring fast to the
rod of which it is made until the welding is complete.

To Weld small Articles of Cast Steel.

Heat the parts to be united so as to glaze by rubbing
Borax thereon; fasten them together by means of rivets,
binding wire, cramps, or tongs suitably constructed; heat
the work nearly to a white heat, and hammer it as directed.

It may happen that by the inexperience of the workman
or some accidental circumstance, the Cast Steel in Edge
Tools will crack in hammering: In such case, open the
crack by entering a chisel diagonally, and put in a thin piece
of Cast Steel; turn the ends of the Steel in the opposite
sides of the crack; hammer them close; wet the work, and
strew pulverized Borax over the break; thus prepared,
dry it slowly, heat the part to be welded to nearly a white
heat and hammer it smooth.

( 7 )

Directions for Tempering Cast Steel
Tools.

As Steel is much improved by hammering, so it is much
injured by expanding the pores by excessive heat in temper-
ing. What is called a Cherry Red will be found a sufficient
heat for good Cast Steel. Use Oil or soft Water for harden-
ing—Water is much improved for that purpose by dissolv-
ing in it a small quantity of pure Pot or Pearl Ashes. The
Temper of a wood Axe ought to be reduced to a pale Blue,
which is commonly called a Spring Temper: This may be
obtained the usual way; or, what is preferable, by warming
the Axe, then besmeare the Steel with Oil or Tallow to
blaze; when that ceases, instantly check the temper by wa-
ter—A Broad Axe ought to be left to a dark Blue; Scythes,
Sithes, Drawing Knives, Hay Knives, &c. to a Purple colour;
and other articles as experience may direct. Pulverized
Salt Petre strewed on both sides the Steel in large Tools when
nearly hot enough for hardening, has a tendency to secure
them from cracking, which may otherwise happen if the
Steel is not of the best quality or has been heat too hot.

N. B.—Use strong fine pulverized Clay in welding,
instead of Sand, as is usual.

War Department,

Mar 12, 1808.

PROPOSALS in writing will be received by this Department, until the first day of August next, for manufacturing muskets with bayonets, of the kind and dimensions manufactured at the United States armories, at Springfield, (Mats.) and at Harper's ferry (Vir.) every part to correspond in dimensions, materials, workmanship, and proof with the samples which will be given from one of the other of those armories, or from Mr. Whitney's armory, at New-Haven, (Con.) It will be unnecessary for any one to offer terms unless the price be reasonable, and not exceeding ten dollars and seventy five cents.

Any person desirous to contract for the delivery of from five hundred to two thousand Hands a year, for five years, will, on the execution of the contract, and entering into bond with approved futures for the faithful performance thereof, receive in advance, if required, a sum equal to the amount of the contract price of the number he shall agree to deliver the first year, and such other subsequent advances, as his punctuality in the faithful performance of his contract may entitle him to.

No proposals will be attended to, unless from persons of such character as can be fully relied on, for a faithful and punctual performance of their contracts and who can give ample and satisfactory security for the correct fulfillment thereof.

No muskets will be received under any contract, that shall not, on a full and correct inspection by persons appointed for the purpose, be found in all their parts, and in workmanship, fully to correspond with the patterns.

H. DEARBORN,
Secretary of War.

8

The following Circular to the Members in Washington, produced a numerous attendance :

WASHINGTON, JANUARY 22, 1808.

S I R,

THERE being now in this city a considerable number of the Members of the United States Military Philosophical Society, I think it my duty in conformity to the 3d section of the 4th chapter of the Constitution, to call an occasional meeting to be held at the first apartment on the right hand in the War Office, on Saturday the 30th inst. for the purpose of stating to the members, who have not hitherto had an opportunity of meeting the Society, the motives which gave rise to the institution, its object, progress, and present state, together with an account of such communications as have been recently made to it.

Besides the reasons assigned, which have impelled me to this measure, it will be a circumstance of pride and pleasure to see so many respectable characters assembled, by whose good councils the Society may be directed to such measures as will in future facilitate the collection and dissemination of Military Science; and I hope I may anticipate the satisfaction each member will enjoy by a fraternal interview with his associates. This early notice is given to prevent previous engagement, and I trust that there will be a full and punctual attendance : The Chair will be taken at 7 o'clock precisely.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully,

Your most obedient servant,

JONA. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT U. S. M. P. S.

EXTRACTS

FROM THE MINUTES OF THE

UNITED STATES MILITARY PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

AT AN OCCASIONAL MEETING HELD AT WASHINGTON, JANUARY 30th, 1808.

IN conformity to a provision in the constitution of the United States Military Philosophical Society, a meeting was called by Col. JONATHAN WILLIAMS, President thereof, and held at the War Office on Saturday the 30th of January.

The business was opened by the President, who laid before the Society a comprehensive view of the origin, progress, and present state of the Society, together with a summary account of the communications and donations that have been made to it since the publication in January, 1807.

THE ADDRESS.

GENTLEMEN,

I HAVE thought it an indispensable duty, on my passage through this city, to call you together; and it is particularly gratifying to meet you in the capital of the union, at a time when, of all others, the usefulness and importance of such an institution, as this is, must come home to all your feelings. Two belligerent nations divide the power of Europe between them; the one, extending its maritime arm over all the watry world, the other, either controlling or holding within its grasp the whole territory between the Mediterranean and Baltic seas. Neutrality has been driven from the ocean; and is now hidden within our ports. With both these gigantic powers we have necessary relations, and to preserve as much as possible a just impartiality between them, the government has suspended our commercial connexions with all. This state of things cannot long continue; but whatever may be the event, in whatever direction the storm may burst, we ought to be ready for it: not merely so; for should it blow over, we ought to remember the old adage, and in future most sacredly adhere to it: "In peace prepare for war."

The sentiment contained in this adage gave the first idea to the founders of this Society, and the complete exemplification of it, is all its end and aim.

It never was intended that it should become a political engine to aid any sect or party; it has no more to do with politics, as such, than it has with religion; it respects the correct principles of both, but meddles with neither. It is founded on patriotism of the purest kind; it proposes to defend this its own country, and while its efforts are directed to draw forth all the energy of the nation, its object is to procure, preserve and perpetuate peace.

*Scientia in bello pax*—This is its motto, and the seal displays the maxim. There we see Minerva causing an olive branch to start from the ground by the touch of her spear; the goddess of Science, in full armour, produces peace by the very lance with which she is prepared for battle.

The wars of conquest the Society disclaims; the contests of ambition it despises: Firm to one object, it has paid no attention to the shades of difference in political opinions, and takes into its bosom the well-meaning patriots of all parties; relying firmly, that whosoever may administer the government, we shall all be true to the principles of the constitution and support the authorities it has created; and whenever the time shall come which may call forth our exertions, we shall break to pieces the shackles of prejudice, and unite in one common cause!

The United States having become a nation, within the memory of many of us, it naturally follows, that institutions, which are independent of foreign control, must have a recent origin. Many have risen in our country from very minute causes; the accidental meetings of a few men of talents, a few hints, perhaps, from some persons present at these meetings, have given rise to most of the societies for the promotion of useful knowledge, of agriculture, of commerce, of the arts and sciences, in almost every quarter of our extensive country. It is hoped, therefore, that this offspring of the corps of Engineers, itself but just emerging from infancy, will be viewed with complacency by all who consider that the importance of the end ought to justify the temerity of the means: An acorn, planted by a child, may become the pride of the forest.

It must be self-evident to the reflecting mind, in taking a retrospect of the origin, cause, and various events of our revolution, that there exists in our country a very considerable mass of military science, derived by many still living, from hardy experience in the field. By others from tradition, now locked up in the stores of memory, which they have received from their sires, who have "fought their battles o'er again," for the instruction of their children. And much may lie buried in the dusty files of neglected cabinets. By others in fine, who since the termination of our struggles for independence, have travelled over Europe, and collected rich

5 7

treasures, from personal intercourse with the great characters of the age, or by free access to extensive military deposits. While existing in this scattered state, our country cannot derive advantage from the improvement of her sons. Individuals might possess genius and talents, and be proficient in architecture, sculpture and painting; but, without edifices, without statues, without the exhibition of the breathing canvass—the genius would expire, the talents would be lost, and the art would be buried with the artist. It is thus in military science—without plans, without models, without the detail of all existing causes and effects, military experience is confined within the limits of human life; and every successor has to learn in the same dear school' in which he can arrive at proficiency only, when his vigour is exhausted. To arrest these ravages of time, to collect into one mass all the military knowledge now dispersed, in order to give it out again, as the exigencies of our country may require, for the purposes of universal instruction, are the primary objects of the plan; and form the motives for attempting a permanent establishment.

The theories of Europe are undoubtedly the basis of a military education. But, the practice of our own warriors in our own country, the experience and observation of men, who have had local circumstances in view, are far more essential. With this knowledge we may be able, in case of invasion, to renew the scenes of Saratoga and York.

It will naturally occur, that although the title of the Society expressly designates it as a military one, yet, the same title connects it with every branch of physics. Science is in its own nature so diffuse, that it is almost impossible to designate any dividing lines. Astronomy, geography and mathematics, run into each other at every step. Chymistry and mineralogy are inseparable. The laws of motion, mechanics, and projectiles are also interwoven, and in some way or other (although the extreme points may be distant) the gradations become insensible. Military science embraces all these branches, it therefore has as good a claim to the title of philosophical as any other, and considering the end in view (*peace*) the term is doubtless appropriate.

It would be tedious, and to this audience absolutely useless, to go into farther detail, to establish a position which displays its own demonstration.

After the plan of the Society was formed, it was submitted to the President of the United States, requesting him to become its patron. The request was readily granted in terms of great complacency, and in a manner highly gratifying to the feelings of its projectors. Although this can only be considered binding on any future President, as far as relates to a decorous regard to his predecessor and the public utility resulting from our association; yet there can be no doubt of its being continued to us as long as we shall, by our labors, continue to merit the public attention. A constitution was formed, but as in similar cases, it was impossible to foresee the

3

operation of all its parts. When it came to be put into practice, some of its conditions, although
of very trifling import as to principle, became extremely inconvenient; one of these conditions
was, the restricting the meetings to a place, where only a few members could attend; and it is
owing to this amendment in the third section of the fourth chapter, that I am enabled to meet
you at this time. This constitution has been sent with a circular letter to all the members; and
it will be understood that the approbation of this meeting is tacitly expressed, unless some mem-
ber shall, before we separate, make any remarks to the contrary, in which case a vote will be
taken. Having a few copies of the constitution here, they are laid before you. In one of the
bye-laws it was enacted, that in case a member did not accept his election in four calender months,
it was understood that he had declined—but this was found to operate very injuriously: For in
some instances the notification failed, in others, the answers did not get to hand; and most of the
members who did not answer, were unacquainted with the necessity of it, since the notices
did not specify any such condition. This bye-law, therefore, has been repealed, and members
are not limited to time; though it is certainly a reasonable expectation that an answer should be
given. The members who have accepted are many, and in doing so, there have been expres-
sions of great satisfaction on the occasion. Even the few who have declined, have done it in
terms of high approbation of the measure, politely acknowledging the intended honor, and the
reasons for declining have been of an individual nature, under circumstances altogether personal
to themselves. To this, however, there have been two exceptions—both from men who have
filled dignified stations, and are equally distinguished for their high characters and public services.
The first declined for reasons which were so exclusively political, that they were considered irre-
levant to the objects of this society, and of course need not be noticed. The second declined
for more appropriate reasons, which are best expressed in the words of the writer himself. " I
" can (says he) entertain no doubt of the importance of improving and extending military know-
" ledge in the United States; but to that end I think other means than those embraced by the
" plan of your institution requisite. Enough of theory may be found in books accessible to
" every military man, or if (for want of adequate funds) a library of the best books on the subject
" be not now attainable by the officers; provision ought to be made by law. This library may be
" lodged where the collections by the Society are proposed to be deposited. The one and the
" great thing needful is the application of rules in the practical instruction of a competent number
" of our citizens who are inclined to devote themselves to the military life, in all the branches of
" the military art. By their instrumentality, military knowledge might be speedily diffused
" throughout the army, whenever the situation of the United States shall make the raising of
" one indispensable or expedient."

These sentiments indeed display to us how useful a member this gentleman might have
been. He states to us what ought to replace this institution, by stating the very objects it aims at
—" A military library where the collections of the Society are to be deposited."—" Application
" of rule to practical instruction," and "the diffusion of knowledge through an army." All

9

these are embraced in the plan. But he goes on—" Should Congress refuse to make such a " provision, individual efforts will be of little avail." To this opinion we ought not to subscribe; what would become of every species of individual zeal, if we were to declare at the threshold that it would be unavailing ? Let us adopt a contrary opinion, and say that individual zeal *must* prevail, and that as long as we live the ill success of its efforts shall never be imputed to *our* neglect? The very objects here pointed out will be attained, our society will become a corporate body, it will be established in the capital of the union, and its self-evident usefulness will supersede the necessity of all reasoning upon the subject; combined with and taking under its fostering protection the military academy, already established by law, it will afford the most useful lessons to our young military students, and both the establishments will flourish together, under the eyes of the collected wisdom of our nation.

No Society can exist without funds: for however small it expenses may be, they should be equally borne. In 1806, a contribution of five dollars per annum was imposed upon each member, payable at any time within the first six months of every year, and at whatever time of the year an election is made, the contribution for that year becomes due. A sum so trifling, cannot, it is presumed, be thought burdensome; and when, at a future day, the Society shall have a surplus stock, premiums may be offered for such models and other works of genius as may deserve the encouragement, either of a pecuniary reward, or the honorable testimony of a medal; and important military publications will be purchased to enrich its library, which at present consists only of donations. All views of amassing wealth for any other purpose are too mean and unworthy to admit a supposition that the Society can ever be suspected of them. It has begun with the greater sum, owing to the necessary expenses at the outset, and the small number of contributors. This tax will decrease in proportion as the members grow numerous; it cannot increase, and may be reduced to a very trifle.

The Society has paid all expenses hitherto, and the treasurer has at this time upwards of two hundred and seventy dollars in hand; but the Society stands engaged to pay about fifty dollars for some models of arms now making, and four hundred to the engraver of the diploma, which when finished will be deposited in the hands of the treasurer, Mr. Popham in New-York, of which, notice will be given, that each member may apply for his own. In this place, it may not be improper to give an account of the drawing for this object, with which the Society has been favored by Mr. Louis Simond, of New-York, one of its members. At the superior part is a representation of the city of Syracuse, and on an advanced tower Archimedes is seen, with a large concave mirror, collecting and reflecting the rays of the sun on the fleet of Marcellus, some of which are retiring in confusion, while others are enveloped in flame. Around the picture we perceive a collection of ancient military insignia, and in the foreground are some of the more modern and pondrous implements of war. This is intended as a representation of the first member of our motto: Science in War—the latter member being the consequence or result of the

10

former one, is represented by emblems of peace: The implements of husbandry on one side, and those of fishery on the other, are displayed in pendant festoons; and below them is an elliptical medallion, containing a rural view, under a mild and cheering sky, with one man ploughing and another sowing. Either of which may be understood to represent the alternate husbandman and warrior, so often cited as the model for a military chief, in the act of cultivating his "little fields." In the body of the plate is a blank certificate in elegant script, to be filled with the name of the member elected.

When the original projectors had formed the plan, it was a matter of serious consideration, how to designate characters for members. It was at first thought proper to select bodies of men generally, such as officers of the army and navy, legislators, and men in dignified stations. But it occurred, that by choosing in that collective manner, no compliment would be paid to the genius or talents of any individual; and therefore, what was designed to be an honor, might not be felt as such. It was of course determined to make some selections individually, not with a view of filling the Society, but to extend the right of proposing candidates, and nominations were made by each of the founders, according as their personal knowledge or the general public estimation of characters directed, without any previous knowledge of their disposition to associate with them, and without any attempt at exclusive choice. As the Society has increased, this mode of selection consequently increases with it, every member having a right of nominating whom he pleases, and it is hoped and expected that it will be exercised.

But, as the dignity of the institution requires (now that it has taken so respectable a consistency) that what is intended an honorable tribute of respect, should be so considered by the receiver, it will be prudent in each proposing member, to have some good reason to believe, that the candidate he proposes should not only have the requisite qualities for an useful associate, but be of a disposition to aid, as far as may be in his power, the laudable views of the Society.

It is hoped that no man whose pretensions to such an association indisputably result from station or character, will suppose himself to have been purposely omitted. It would have been presumptuous in the projectors to have monopolised the right of nomination by at once choosing all whom they esteemed worthy.

Having thus laid before you the motives by which the founders of this Society have been influenced, and the measures that have been taken to give it a form and consistency, with a slight expression of its views in attempting a permanent establishment, I shall proceed to give an account of its progress and present state. But my memory intrudes a melancholy reflection; and forces me into a sorrowful digression.

11

Young as the Society is, it has lived long enough to see three of its distinguished members snatched from it by the hand of death!—Paterson! The enlightened and virtuous patriot—the profound impartial judge—the unassuming and useful citizen—the amiable friend and social companion, is numbered with the dead!—Preble! The pride of our navy—the hero of Tripoli—he who silenced barbarian batteries, is himself entombed in awful silence! Bissil! A veteran indeed—who, after sharing in our revolution, continued in the army till the close of the last year closed his efficient services—in arms, to the last moment of his life, he died, uniformly supporting the character of a brave and honest soldier! But although dead, they shall live in the memory of this Society—they will stand upon its records; and notwithstanding the mournful monosyllable shall be written against their names, posterity will see with complacency, and the members of this society will remark with pride, that such distinguished patriots continue to adorn the list of their associates.

It is natural for most men to hope that their good deeds will not be forgotten; and we may be allowed to feel some satisfaction in the reflection that our names will live in the annals of this institution. If this be a weakness, it is a laudable one. Because it tends to excite an useful emulation.

At the close of the last year, a circular communication was made to the then existing members; stating, in a summary way, all its transactions to that period. In my circular letter, accompanying that communication, I took the liberty of observing, that it cannot be too often nor too strongly reiterated, that as much as our government is opposed to a standing army, so much ought we to preserve and make perfect the means of organising a "temporary one." We place our great national defence, in case of a contest that should require a very vigorous effort, on the militia of our country. Be it so. But, ought not our citizens to be instructed? Ought they not to have disseminated among them as far as it is practicable, every principle of discipline, tactics and martial regulation? Ought they not to know what has been formerly done in the like cases, in order to know what is worthy of imitation, and what might be avoided. Of what avail is individual courage, individual patriotism, and individual talents, if the combination fails! It is not elegant parade, expert exercise on chosen fields, nor a general knowledge of arms that makes the soldier. It is discipline, it is subordination, it is confidence in each other, and a certainty that all will stand to the end of the contest, whatever may be the perils or the privations it occasions. It is in short, individualizing a body of troops, so that its head can direct the operations of its parts, as effectually as the mind can direct the operations of the natural body, and command the functions of all its members. When we speak of bringing untaught militia into the field to repel invasion at any point, until regular troops can be brought to reinforce or to replace them, what do we (in effect) say to our citizens? We say that they are to go into the field to be beaten; but although beaten they will check the enemy till more regular troops come on; to take the glory of a victory rendered the more easy by their sacrifices: Like the troops of

12

ants in Africa, which extinguish a fire by sending their front ranks to be first consumed in smothering it, that the remainder may march in safety over the crust of their cindered bodies. But who are these militia so cheaply considered as to be thus exposed? The fathers, the husbands, the sons, and the brothers of the surrounding families are brought to oppose well instructed and well disciplined troops, every man of whom that may be killed is in the same moment forgotten; while our dispersed militia return to homes, where at every door either a mother, a wife, a daughter or a sister stands in despair, lamenting their losses, and loading with reproaches that country which did not provide disciplined soldiers to meet foreign veterans.

Our warriors of former days have performed many brilliant exploits; but they may have met with insurmountable obstacles. Our infant navy has performed the feats of manhood—but no naval character will say that mistakes have not been committed. The knowledge of both, that have accrued by land and sea, would now be useful. A good pilot thinks himself but half instructed if he only knows a safe channel; he ought to know where the rocks and quicksands lie, in case he should be driven out of it.

I remember in the year '74, hearing a noble Lord in the House of Peers exclaim, "What signifies the Americans having an army—they have neither discipline nor military knowledge, and cannot withstand British veterans?" The battle of Lexington, which soon followed, may have proved the former part of the assertion; but it shewed also what courage inspired by patriotism can do. The victory of that memorable day, however, was but a spark produced by sudden collision, and no good statesman, nor any experienced general would rely on such a state of things for a long and steady resistance.

On the continent of Europe we find not only the historical traces of every campaign most carefully preserved, but all the motions of the troops, all the positions taken, all the changes of the face of the country, whether by change of circumstances or change of place—detailed plans in short of every battle, are fully delineated, and the engravings are lodged among the military archives of the nation. But with us, what have we? We have rapid sketches of the public events of a civil and military nature crowded together, in biographical and political histories, in such a manner as to render a separation impossible, with any degree of intelligence on the subject; in a few instances indeed, these are accompanied by maps or plans, and attempts at delineation by an historian who writes at the distance of many years, for readers not interested in the military manœuvres by which this battle was won, or the errors by which that was lost. If we had regular plans of all the battles that have been fought in America, if we had topographical maps of the different passes, the open country, the defiles, the plains, the ravines, the creeks, all the advantages and obstacles upon a large scale, we should know the points to which our enemy should be decoyed, and the manner of attacking him to certain advantage. But above all, the notes, the remarks, the hints, the plans, and all the ideas that were made or expressed at the

13

time, either written or verbal, by the great characters that may have gone before us, or may still
live, would be a desirable acquisition. What makes the want of these particulars the more ne-
cessary, is, the unfavorable impression and discouraging conclusions that have been drawn from
former failures, which if all the circumstances were known, might serve to establish a very op-
posite maxim.

We have heard it a thousand times repeated, that batteries cannot annoy ships; because in
the early part of our revolution, the temporary works on North River, bearing that denomination,
have been passed with impunity.

All we know at this day is the naked fact, which, without the attendant circumstances,
ought no more to influence the judgment than ancient failures of an attempt to fly should preju-
dice us against the art of aerostation. But another naked fact of an opposite nature is well known,
and the vestige of it is still existing in the Delaware. But it will be said that local circumstances
were also different. This is the very point in question; what were these local circumstances ?
What were the causes of immediate failure in one instance, and firm resistance in the other ?
If the living characters who directed these operations, and have acquired a just tribute of fame,
would deposit all the details of them in this Society, many useful hints might be given and ap-
plied to works now to be undertaken.

I beg leave to close this subject with a remark: That although enthusiasm upon most occa-
sions tends much to lessen the weight of an opinion, and the soundness of the judgment is ge-
nerally measured by the considerate coolness of the expression; yet, when important machines
are to be put in motion by small and minute means, the elasticity of the spring has sometimes
an effect which no other power could produce. The spring in this instance I acknowledge to be
weak, but if the parts of the machine should sustain harmonious motion, it may eventually rea-
lise enthusiastic expectations, and reward zealous and faithful endeavors for the public good.

The President then laid before the Society the following summary view of the communi-
cations and donations that have been made since the last publication in January, 1807.

SUMMARY ACCOUNT OF
COMMUNICATIONS AND DONATIONS.

THE PRESIDENT prefaced his summary amount of COMMUNICATIONS and DO-
NATIONS, by observing, that owing to his absence from the records, and ignorance at the
time of leaving West Point, that he should come to the seat of government; he was not pre-
pared to lay before the Society all the communications that have been received, and had princi-
pally his memory to rely on in the description he was about to give.

1. General Davie, now of South Carolina, but formerly one of our envoys to France, has furnished the Society with a description in manuscript of the flying or horse artillery, then introduced into the French armies, which was written and presented to him by General Kosciusko in Paris. This is a sort of manuel by which every manœuvre may be formed with ease, and is much in the style of military manuels in general. To the experienced artillerist it is of itself sufficiently plain, but to make it a work of instruction to military students, it ought to be accompanied by plates, without which it cannot be compleatly understood, *unless* explained by a teacher.

The first principle stated is, that the manœuvres of horse artillery are always *a la prolonge*, that is, with a long rope, and the writer seems to premise that this method is already too well known to need description. As that, however, is not the case in this country, it may not be amiss in this place to make an extract from a translation from the works of de Steel, by the President of this Society, relative to the *frolonge*. " One end of a rope is attached to, and made to take " several turns round the guides of the limber, which is separated from its carriage; then passing over the limber it makes one turn round the pintle, and going over the ammunition box, " (which is supposed to be placed upon the guides) the other end is made fast to the lashing ring " of the trail of the gun carriage, the length of the cord being about 25 feet between the trail " and the limber, and to the latter the horses are tackled in the ordinary way ; so that the carriage on which the gun is fixed travels 25 feet distant from its limber, the curve of the trail " causing it to run over any obstacles that might be found on the ground, as the runner of a sled " would do. In case of any intervening hill or hollow, the rope is made longer by letting out " some of its turns in proportion to the height or depth, so that in one case the horses will " have gained foot-hold on the top, before the weight to be drawn arrives at the foot of the

"ascent, and in the other they cannot be overtaken by the carriage before they get to the bottom, where they will be at the distance of the whole length of the cord."

As a further illustration of the horse or flying artillery, Lieut. John R. Fenwick, adjutant of the marine corps, a member of the Society, has presented some " reflections on the present " system of horse artillery," principally translated from D'Artubies Artillerist's Manuel. By these means, and by an essay on artillery, contained in a memoir to the First Consul of France by General Espinasse, it would be easy to digest a plan of managing our artillery in the field, so as to give it the greatest possible effect, to enable it to assume the best positions, to transport itself withcelerity, and to attack the enemy at points which could never be foreseen or prevented by any invading force whatever. Our artillery, though at thirty miles distance, when the sun goes down, might fire the morning gun into an enemy's camp.

In making this digest, however, it would be necessary to make some variations from the European system, owing to the more rough face of our country, these variations would as readily suggest themselves in this case as they have done in the adaptation of travelling carriages generally.

2. Captain Zebulon Pike, of the United States's Infantry, has presented the Society with an Escopate, which is the carabine of the Spanish cavalry, in a case by which it is slung to the how of the saddle with a cartridge box of the same nation, of green velvet with gold embroïdery. The following is an extract of a letter from Captain Pike, accompanying these presents, dated 19th October, 1807: " It may be proper to observe that they were the arms of an officer, " consequently of a better quality than those of the common dragoons, and are all of the manufacture of New Spain, except the barrel of the escopate; their value in that country was " about eighty five dollars; from this model some judgments may be formed of the progress " the arts have made. The escopate is gold bushed, with the arms of Spain, in a gold stamp " on the butt of the barrel, guard, &c. It carries an ounce ball, and shoots at fifty yards with " astonishing precision; at a farther distance I have never tried it. I propose to do myself the " honor of making a communication on the organization and discipline of the Spanish cavalry " of New Spain, of which I have a considerable knowledge, having been escorted by various " corps of them for the space of four months."

3. A manuscript treatise on martial law, adapted to the customs, usages, and existing statutes of the United States, has been presented by Major Alexander Macomb, of the corps of engineers.

The ninth chapter of the constitution expressly prohibits the Society from giving any judgment or opinion, in its collective capacity, on any literary performance, which must rest on its own merit and the credit of the author; but this obligation does not extend to individuals, and

16

Generals Davie and Pinckney of South Carolina, have by letters to the author, bestowed great commendations on its " perspicuous, correct, and comprehensive view of the rights and duties " of the citizen, acting in a military capacity."

Major Macomb has undertaken to print this work at his own expence and risque, present-
ing the Society with a certain number of copies, and he requested the President to permit him
to withdraw the copy for that purpose. This has been done by the President, under the tacit ac-
quiescence of the Society where it was proposed from the chair.

4. General Armstrong, our minister in Paris, transmitted to the Society in the course of the last summer, two valuable works, adorned with many explanatory and elegantly engraved plates; one a system of modern tactics, and the other the campaigns of Bonaparte, and there have lately been received from him the communications mentioned in the following accompanying note.

"The manuscripts marked No. 1 and 2, are the work of a very young man from New York, of the name of Alder. He offers them to the Military Philosophical Society as the first " fruits of his science and patriotism, and requests the minister plenipotentiary of the United " States to have them conveyed to the President of that Society. The minister seizes this op- " portunity of renewing to the President the assurances of his very high consideration, and of " offering to the Society a plan of the late seige of Dantzic, and three of the celebrated battle " of Prussian Eylau, presented by his serene highness the prince of Neuchattel, minister of " war, &c. &c. Paris, Sept. 11, 1807."

The manuscript No. 1, is a project for securing the city and harbor of New York from the attack of a hostile force; this memoir is divided into the following parts:

## THE INTRODUCTION.

Chap. 1. Of the batteries destined to defend New York.

Chap. 2. Of the Staccadoes, or obstructions.

Chap. 3. Of the defence of the Bay of New York by means of fire ships, prames, gun-boats and marine batteries.

References and observations in the plans accompanying the memoir.

The manuscript No. 2, consists of detailed notes in alphabetical order, from A to H inclusive.

17

Captain Richard Whiley, of U. S. artillery, has presented eight manuscript books, being all the orders issued by General Wayne in his late command against the Indians.

Major C. Swan, paymaster of the army, has presented the formation of a legion and four sub-legions, a description of the manœuvres and order of march through the woods, with a draft of the order of battle.

The President produced a model of a carriage, calculated for tower casmated batteries, according to the system of Montalambert, so contrived that the heaviest cannon may be managed at the distance of ten feet from center to center of each embrazure. The same calibre on the ordinary sea coast carriages require a distance of eighteen feet, so that by this means twenty pieces may be fought on the same foundation, which hitherto could only contain eleven.

Mr. Benjamin Dearborn presented to the society an instrument invented by himself, called an anglet. This instrument is made of brass, and folds up into the length of a two foot rule. It contains within itself a spirit level, which is so contrived that by placing one limb of the rule on any ascent or descent, and bringing the liquid in the tube to its level, the true angle is immediately marked by an index. The portability of this instrument, and its easy application to various objects constitute its peculiar utility.

Mr. Dearborn also presented the constitution of the New England association of inventors and patrons of useful arts, together with the first number of the first volume of their transactions.

Mr. Professor Hasler, of the military academy at West Point, has presented a plan intended for the improvement of that institution. As this is a subject which will probably receive the attention of the government, it is at present thought unnecessary to publish its details.

Col. Allan McLane, formerly captain of light horse in the revolutionary army, has presented his journal, with many original papers, containing a very interesting account of occurrences from 1775, to the end of the war; among these are several original general orders by General Washington himself, and one in particular, when the British had possession of Philadelphia, is contained in 27 questions which Capt. McLane, as commandant of a reconnoitring detachment, consisting of 100 men, is directed to answer by his observations. This mode of directing the attention of a detachment for observation to certain points, by means of questions to be answered, is so extremely useful, that it cannot be considered improper to give it at length, and perpetuate this relict of our illustrious chief, in the form of a model, for any future similar occasion.

13

Questions in General WASHINGTON'S hand writing.

First. What number of troops supposed to be in Gen. Howe's army, and how disposed of?

2d. What works thrown up, in and about the city, and what cannon in them?

3d. Have any detachments been made over to the Jersey, and for what purpose?

4th. How many men have they sent over there, and how many pieces of cannon?

5th. What kind of cannon? Whether only field pieces or larger cannon?

6th. What preparations are they making on the water, are they fitting out ships, gallies, fire rafts or floating batteries?

7th. Do they think they can stay in Philadelphia if their shipping cannot pass the forts?

8th. Are they resolved to make any farther attempts on both the forts or either of them, and in what way, whether by storm or siege?

9th. Can you discover whether they will attempt any thing against the forts, and where, observe carefully the preparations making on the river and along the wharves, it is of great importance to know the time or near it?

10th. Is there any talk of leaving Philadelphia and by what route, observe carefully what they are doing with the waggons, whether their baggage is packed up, and what directions their waggons receive?

11th. Are the tories and friends of the British army under much apprehension of their leaving town, and what preparations are they making to remove themselves or their effects?

12th. For what purpose is it understood, the bridge is thrown over the middle ferry, and what force is kept on the west side of the Schuylkill?

13th. Has the bridge been injured by the late storm, or is it passable?

14th. Where are the grenadiers, light infantry, and rangers, and are they making any preparations to move, be particularly careful in observing their motions?

15th. What number of men are sent over to Carpenter's and Province Islands, and how often are they relieved?

19

16th. In what condition are those banks since the late rain, can waggons and carriages pass so as to transport provisions and stores from the ships to the town ?

17th. In what condition are the troops for provisions, and in what articles is there the greatest scarcity ?

18th. How are the inhabitants situated for provisions ?

19th. What impression has the news of Gen. Burgoyne's surrender made on the British army ?

20th. Is there any conversation in the British army or among the inhabitants of the city, of Gen. Howe's coming out to meet Gen. Washington ?

21st. What is the British army now employed about, note carefully the prices of every thing ?

22d. Does continental money rise or fall in value in the town ?

23d. Can you learn whether there are any preparations making or any intentions to go up the Delaware, to burn the frigates and vessels up there ?

24th. Find out what duty the soldiers do, and whether they are contented, how many nights in the week they are in bed ?

25th. Inquire particularly into the treatment of the prisoners in the new goal, so that if necessary you make oath of it.

26th. Do they compel any to enlist by starving, or otherwise ill treating them ?

27th. Find out how far the redoubts between Delaware and Schuylkill are apart, and whether there are lines or abattis between the redoubts.

Many more communications have been received, which it is at this time impossible to describe, owing to the absence of the records, and measures have been taken by which there is a prospect of having in the Society's possession all that was planned by direction of the board of general officers, for the organization, discipline, and command of the twelve regiments which were raised in 1799.

The same causes which have made this account so imperfect, will, it is hoped, be received as an apology for any incorrectness that may appear in the following list of members, and if any omissions are discovered, the member so omitted will please to attribute it to this its true cause, and not to design.

A LIST OF THE

UNITED STATES MILITARY PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

PATRON, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1808.

President, Jonathan Williams, Col. of Engineers,

Vice President, Charles C. Pinkney, of Charleston, S. C.

Recording Secretary, Francis D. Mason, Professor in the Military Academy,

Corresponding Secretary, Joseph G. Swift, Major of Engineers,

Treasurer, William Popham, of New York,

Keeper of the Cabinet, George Bomford, Captain of Engineers.

Walter K. Armistead, Captain of Engineers,

Gen. John Armstrong, Minister U. S. in Paris,

John Allen, Counsellor at Law, in Litchfield, Connecticut,

John Q. Adams, Senator U. S.

James A. Bayard, Senator U. S.

Samuel Babcock, Lieutenant of Engineers,

Henry Burbeck, Col. Commandant of Eastern Division of Army U. S.

Joel Barlow, of Washington,

Joseph Bloomfield, Governor of New Jersey,

Clement Biddle, formerly Quarter Master General,

William R. Bootes, Captain of Infantry, (Olmulgee, Old Fields, Georgia)

Charles Biddle, late Vice President of Pennsylvania,

Stephen R. Bradley, Senator U. S.

Lloyd Beall, Captain commanding at Rhode Island,

Russell Bissell, [dead] Major of Infantry,

Joseph Blyth, George Town, S. Carolina,

John Bullus, Navy Agent at New York,

James M. Brown,

Daniel A. Buck, Lieutenant of Engineers,

William Bainbridge, Capt. Navy U. S.

William C. C. Claiborne, Governor of Territory New Orleans,

George Clinton, Vice President of the United States,

Dewit Clinton, Mayor of New York,

Thomas H. Cushing, Col. of 2d Regiment of Infantry U. S.

Daniel Clark, Delegate in Congress from New Orleans,

William Crane, of New Jersey,

Clarke,

Philip Van Cortland, of New York,

George Clinton, junr. of New York,

Joseph Clay, of Philadelphia,

Eli B. Clemson, Capt. Infantry U. S. (St. Louis, Louisiana)

21

John Cassin, Capt. Commanding Navy Yard,
General David Cobb, Taunton, Massachusetts,
General Henry Dearborne, Secretary of War,
Edward De Russy, Cadet of Engineers,
Stephen Decatur, Capt. of the Navy U. S.
Benjamin Dearborn, of Boston,
Jonathan Dayton, late Senator U. S.
John Davie, late Governor N. Carolina, (Envoy to France)
William Dessaussure, of Charleston,
William Eaton, late General at Derne, (Brimfield, Massachusetts)
Thomas B. Earle, Adjutant Gen. State of N. Carolina,
Lieut. John R. Fenwick, Marine Corps,
Constant Freeman, Lieut. Col. U. S. Artillery (Natchitoches, Territory Orleans)
George Fleming, late superintendant Military Stores West Point,
Nehemiah Freeman, Capt. Commanding at Boston,
Robert Fulton, New York,
Charles Gratiot, Capt. of Engineers,
John Garnet, Brunswick, New Jersey,
Peter Gansevorth, Military Agent at Albany,
Nicholas Gilman, Senator U. S.
John F. Grimke, Judge of Superior Court, S. Carolina,
Abijah Hammond, of New York,
Robert Goodloe Harper, Counsellor at Law, Baltimore,
David Humphreys, late Envoy to Spain,
William Hull, Governor at Detroit,
William H. Harrison, Governor of Indiana Territory, (Vincennes)
John Hall, Capt. Marmes,
Thomas Hunt, Col. of 1st Infantry, (St. Louis, Louisiana)
George Izard, late Captain of Artillery,
Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States,
John Johnson, Lieutenant of Marines,
Rufus King, late Minister of U. S. to Britain,
Jacob Kingsbury, Lieut. Col. of 1st Infantry, (Fort Adams, Mississippi Territory)
Benjamin Latrobe, Director of Public Buildings U. S.
Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, now Collector at Boston,
John Langdon, Governor of New Hampshire,
Tobias Lear, Consul of U. S. at Algiers,
Robert R. Livingston, late Minister U. S. to France,
David Lenox, late Major, now President of Bank U. S.
Merriwether Louis, Governor of Louisiana, (St. Louis)
Jared Mansfield, Lieut. Col. of Engineers, acting Surveyor General of U. S.
Alexander Macomb, Major of Engineers,
William M'Ree, Captain of Engineers,
James Madison, Secretary of State of U. S.
Jacob Morton, Brigadier Gen. of New York Artillery,
Thomas M'Kean, Governor of Pennsylvania,
General William M'Pherson, now Naval Officer U. S. at Philadelphia,
Gen. John Marshall, now Chief Justice U. S.
James Monroe, late Minister U. S. to Britain,
John Milledge, Senator U. S.
William M'Creery, Member of Congress,

23

Bushrod Washington, Judge of Superior Court U. S.
Colonel William Washington, Charleston, S. Carolina,
Samuel Webber, of Vermont,
Prentice Willard, Lieut. of Engineers,
Eleazer D. Wood, Lieut. of Engineers,
Alexander J. Williams, Cadet of Engineers,
Richard Whiley, Capt. Artillery, Commanding Fort Columbus,
Franklin Wharton, Lieut. Col. Commandant Marine Corps,
Henry J. Williams, Cadet Engineers,
John Williams, Professor, Cambridge.

On motion,

*Resolved*, That the thanks of this Society be given to the President for his address delivered this evening, and that the Secretary pro tem. be desired to publish the same in the National Intelligencer in this city, with a request that it may be printed in the other papers of the United States; and also separately, for the use of the members of this Society.

On motion,

*Resolved*, That the expence of the publication of the address, communications, &c. of the President be defrayed from the funds of the Society.

Extract from the minutes,

HEZ. ROGERS, Secretary pro tem.

PETTIBONE'S
ECONOMY OF FUEL;

OR, DESCRIPTION

OF HIS IMPROVEMENTS OF THE RAREFYING
AIR-STOVES, GRATES, TUBES, PIPES, CYLIN-
DERS, OR OPEN STOVES, OR COMMON FIRE
PLACES, MADE OF IRON, STONE, BRICK,
POTTER'S CLAY, &c. &c.

FOR WARMING AND VENTILATING

HOSPITALS, CHURCHES, COLLEGES, COURTS
OF JUSTICE, DWELLING HOUSES, HOT OR
GREEN HOUSES, OVENS, DRYING ROOMS,
GUN-POWDER OR OTHER MANUFACTORIES,
BANKNING-HOUSES, BARRACKS, SHIPS, MALT
KILNS, &c. &c.

WITH OR WITHOUT THE

APPLICATION OF STEAM.

FOR WHICH LETTERS PATENT HAVE BEEN OBTAINED FROM THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

SECOND EDITION IMPROVED,
WITH ENGRAVINGS.

ALSO, AN EXTRACT

FROM JAMES SHARP'S LONDON EDITION
OF HIS IMPROVEMENTS ON THAT OF
DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRINTED BY ABEL DICKINSON, FOR THE AUTHOR.....WHITEHALL.

1812.

District of Pennsylvania, to wit:

Seal.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the tenth day
of June, in the thirty-sixth year of the Independence
of the United States of America, A. D. 1812,

DANIEL PETTIBONE,

of the said District, hath deposited in this Office the title of a
Book, the Right whereof he claims as Author, in the words fol-
lowing, to wit:

" Pettibone's Economy of Fuel; or, description of his improve-
" ments of the rarefying air-stoves, grates, tubes, pipes, cylin-
" ders, or open stoves, or common fire-places, made of iron,
" stone, brick, potter's clay, &c. &c. for warming and ventilating
" hospitals, churches, colleges, courts of justice, dwelling houses,
" hot or green houses, ovens, drying rooms, gun-powder or other
" manufactories, banking-houses, barracks, ships, malt kilns, &c.
" &c. with or without the application of steam. For which Let-
" ters Patent have been obtained from the government of the
" United States of America. Second edition, improved. With
" engravings. Also, an extract from James Sharp's London edition
" of improvements on that of Dr. Benjamin Franklin."

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States,
entitled " An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by secur-
ing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and
Proprietors of such Copies, during the Times therein mentioned."
And also to the Act, entitled " An Act supplementary to an Act,
entitled " An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by secur-
ing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and
Proprietors of such Copies, during the Times therein mentioned,"
and extending the Benefits thereof to the Arts of designing, en-
graving, and etching historical and other Prints."

D. CALDWELL,

Clerk of the District of Pennsylvania.

In consequence of unavoidable circumstances, the engravings are
unintentionally omitted in this edition.

TO THE READER.

IN order that my improvements may be more clearly
understood, I will gratify the reader with the introduc-
tion of the principle of warming rooms by heated air;
—first published in Paris, 1709, and again in 1784,
which consisted in heating the exterior air in tubes or
pipes, laid under the hearth, and from thence under the
floor, through other tubes or pipes, to the corners of the
room, where it entered warm.

The next account was published by Dr. *Benjamin Franklin*, in this city, in 1769.

The compound Chinese stove is in the form of a
pillar, with a very large base;—published in Paris, in
1789.*

* It surely is a compound of tiles, bricks and mortar, with many divisions or apartments; it is very much like the square Swedish stove, lately published by Dr. Coxe, in his Emporium of Arts.—Both of these stoves may have very good qualities; as also the Russian.—But the difficulty of the execution, of keeping them in repair, and the room they occupy, is a sufficient reason to prevent their introduction.

AN ACCOUNT

OF THE PRINCIPLE AND EFFECTS OF

THE AIR STOVE GRATES,

(WHICH WARM ROOMS, &c. BY A CONTINUAL INTRODUCTION AND EXCHANGE OF DRY FRESH AIR.) COMMONLY KNOWN BY THE NAME OF AMERICAN STOVES; TOGETHER WITH SOME LATE IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THEM, BY JAMES SHARP, LEADENHALL-STREET, LONDON; FOR WHICH HIS MAJESTY'S PATENT WAS OBTAINED, IN 1781.

THE principle, upon which these stoves act, is described by the Sieur Gauger, in his Book, entitled "Méchanique de Feu," published in 1709; the first patterns in cast iron upon this principle were the invention of the celebrated and ingenious Dr. Benjamin Franklin, who then resided in Philadelphia, on which account they obtained the name of American stoves. Dr. Franklin speaks of the invention in his Letters on Philosophical Subjects, (page 300,) as follows: "In which" (says he) "there are hollow cavities made by "iron plates in the backs, jambs, and hearths, through "which plates the heat, passing, warms the air in those "cavities, which is continually coming into the room "FRESH and WARM. The invention was very ingenious, "and had many conveniences: the room was warmed "in all parts by the air flowing into it through the heated "cavities; cold air was prevented rushing through the "crevices, the funnel being sufficiently supplied by those "cavities; much less fuel would serve, &c. But the "first expence, which was very great, the intricacy of "the design, and the difficulty of the execution, especially in old chimneys, discouraged the propagation of "the invention."

5

These difficulties were in a great measure removed by Dr. Franklin's improvements: the use of them became more common; and the principle was adopted in various different ways, where chimneys could be found large enough to receive them; and where communications could be conveniently made to procure a sufficient quantity of fresh air for their supply. But still the expence and trouble of fixing them in brickwork, and the great delays and difficulty of making workmen understand the manner of fixing them, remained, and have hitherto prevented their general use.

But, by the additions now made to the construction, these difficulties are removed; and (where communication can be had with the external air) they are easily applied to any rooms whatever; either those which have, or those which have not, chimneys; so that not only small rooms, but the largest halls, libraries, or churches, may be warmed in a more effectual manner than has ever before been done, the greatest quantity of heat being produced from any given quantity of fuel than can be supposed; for these stoves are effectual on every principle by which rooms can be warmed.

First, it shews a handsome fire, (" which is in itself a "pleasant thing,") by which the rays of heat are thrown out, and the full effect of open fires obtained, in proportion to the size of the stove.

2dly, It may be detached from the wall or chimney, and the air may have free liberty to pass round it, whereby every advantage of the *Holland*, or *German*, stove is produced.

3dly, The funnel, or chimney, is contracted, so that no superfluous air is carried off; little fuel serves, the heat being almost all saved; and

4thly, The room is supplied by this stove with external or fresh air, rarefied, as it enters, to a summer warmth; and this in so great a quantity, that, instead of cold air

6

rushing in at every crevice, it will actually force itself
out at key-holes and chinks; whereby, it is evident, a
greater exchange and better supply of fresh air is procur-
ed than can be obtained by any other method of warming
yet discovered. And,

5thly, If the room be at any time found too warm,
there are proper shutters to prevent the entrance of the
warm rarefied air, and others which may be opened to let in
the cold air, by such commodious channels, that the too
great warmth may be gradually exchanged, and cooled,
without being liable, like the opening of doors or win-
dows, to give cold to those who sit in the room.

Thus the *American* stove will enable the user to render a room either *warm, temperate, or cool*, at his pleasure, by the easy and commodious means of introducing a free current of either warm or cold air, as it may alternately be wanted, through those different channels; or, if the effect of a common grate should at any time be thought more desirable, the stopping of these channels will produce that effect, as the *American* stoves shew the fire contained in them to as much advantage, in proportion to their respective sizes, as any other common grates.

## THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS FIRE-PLACE.

" Its advantages above the common fire-places are,

" 1. That your whole room is equally warmed, so
" that people need not croud so close round the fire, but
" may sit near the window, and have the benefit of the
" light for reading, writing, needle-work, &c. They
" may sit with comfort in any part of the room, which
" is a very considerable advantage in a large family;" or
(it may be added) in Boarding schools, where all cannot
conveniently be permitted to come near the fire, whereby

7

the woful effects of chilblains upon the poor children too
often prove the consequence.

“ 2. If you sit near the fire, you have not that cold
“ draught of uncomfortable air nipping your back and
heels, as when before common fires, by which many
“ catch cold, being scorched before, and, as it were,
“ frozen behind.

“ 3. If you sit against a crevice, there is not that sharp
“ draught of cold air playing on you, as in rooms where
“ there are fires in the common way, by which many
“ catch cold; whence proceed coughs, catarrhs, tooth-
“ aches, fevers, pleurisies, and many other diseases.

“ 4. In case of sickness, they make most excellent
“ nursing-rooms, as they constantly supply a sufficiency
“ of fresh air, so warmed at the same time as to be no
“ ways inconvenient or dangerous. The equal temper,
“ too, and warmth of the air of the room, are thought to
“ be particularly advantageous in some distempers; for
“ it was observed, in the winters of 1730, and 1736,
“ when the small-pox spread in Pennsylvania, that very
“ few children of the Germans died of that distemper, in
“ proportion to those of the English; which was as-
“ cribed by some to the warmth and equal temper of the
“ air in their stove-rooms, which made the disease as
“ favourable as it commonly is in the West-Indies. But
“ this conjecture we submit to the judgment of Phy-
“ sicians.

“ 5. In common chimneys, the strongest heat from
“ the fire, which is upwards, goes directly up the chim-
“ ney, and is lost; and there is such a strong draught
“ into the chimney, that not only the upright heat, but
“ also the back, sides, and downward heats, are carried
“ up the chimney, by that draught of air, and the warmth
“ given before the fire, by the rays that strike out towards
“ the room, is continually driven back, crouded into the
“ chimney, and carried up by the same draught of air;

8

" but here the upright heat strikes and heats the top
" plate, which warms the air above it, and that comes
" into the room. The heat, likewise, which the fire
" communicates to the sides, back, bottom, and air box,
" is all brought into the room; for you will find a con-
" stant current of warm air coming out of the chimney-
" corner into the room. Hold a candle just under the
" mantle-piece, or breast of your chimney, and you
" will see the flame bent outwards. By laying a piece of
" smoking paper on the hearth, on either side, you may
" see how the current of air moves, and where it tends,
" for it will turn and carry the smoke with it.

" 6. Thus, as very little of the heat is lost when this
" fire-place is used, much less wood or fuel will serve
" you, which is a considerable advantage where wood is
" dear.

" People, who have used these fire-places, differ much
" in their accounts of the wood saved by them; some say
" five-sixths, others three-fourths, and others much less.
" This is owing to the great difference there was in their
" former fires; some (according to the different circum-
" stances of their rooms and chimneys) having been used
" to make very large, others middling, and others of a
" more sparing temper very small ones; while in these
" fire-places (their size and draught being nearly the
" same) the consumption is more equal. I suppose, tak-
" ing a number of families together, that two-thirds, or
" half the wood, at least, is saved. My common room,
" I know, is made twice as warm as it used to be with a
" quarter the wood I formerly consumed there."

If what Dr. *Franklin* mentions here be true, the sav-
ing is great indeed; and that the fact is so, I have no
kind of doubt; for I have used *American* stoves in seve-
ral rooms in my house for many years with great advan-
tage; my dining-room, in particular, which has a large
old-fashioned chimney, was formerly so cold as to be

9

disused by my predecessors in cold weather; for the
largest fires that could be made did not warm it: but
since the same room has had an *American* stove, (which
is near twenty years,) it has been as comfortable with re-
spect to warmth as any room can be made; and, with
respect to the saving of fuel, it is impossible for me to
say exactly how great the saving has been; but I can
with great truth assert, it has been many times more than
the original cost of the stove.

" 7. When you burn candles near this fire-place, you " will find that the flame burns quite upright, and does " not blare and run the tallow down, by drawing towards " the chimney, as against common fires.

" 8. This fire-place cures most smoky chimneys, and " thereby preserves both the eyes and furniture.

" 9. It prevents the fouling of chimneys; much of " the lint and dust, that contribute to foul a chimney, " being by the low arch obliged to pass through the " flame, where it is consumed; then, less fuel being " burnt, there is less smoke made. Again, by hanging " on the blower, a flame is soon produced, and, in con- " sequence, the same fuel does not yield so much smoke, " as if burnt in a common chimney; for, as soon as " flame begins, smoke in proportion ceases.

" 10. And if a chimney should be foul, it is much " less likely to take fire; if it should take fire, it is easily " stifled and extinguished.

" 11. A fire may be very speedily made in this fire- " place by the help of the abovementioned blower. With " all these conveniences, you do not lose the pleasing sight " nor use of the fire."

B

10

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.

" There are some objections commonly made by people that are unacquainted with these fire-places, which it may not be amiss to endeavour to remove, as they arise from prejudices, which might otherwise obstruct, in some degree, the general use of this beneficial machine.

" We frequently hear it said, *They are of the nature of Dutch stoves; stoves have an unpleasant smell; stoves are unwholesome; and warm rooms make people tender, and apt to catch cold.*

As to the first, that they are of the nature of Dutch stoves, the description of these American stoves already given, in the beginning of this paper, " shews that there is a most material difference, and that these have vastly " the advantage, if it were only in the single article of " the admission and circulation of the fresh air;" for the Dutch stoves only warm the air in the room; but these, by the heat of the fire in the room, attract so great a quantity of external fresh air, through the warming tube or air box at the back of each stove, that the air of the room is continually changing, as the current of warm fresh wind is constantly rushing into the room through the said air-box, which must occasion a most wholesome circulation, to carry off by it all internal air, that would otherwise, for want of change, be rendered unfit for respiration.

" But it must be allowed there may have been some cause to complain of the *offensive smell of iron stoves*; this smell, however, never proceeded from the iron itself, which, in its nature, whether hot or cold, is one of the sweetest of metals, but from the general uncleanly manner of using those stoves. If they are kept clean, they are as sweet as an ironing-box, which,

11

" though ever so hot, never offends the smell of the
" nicest lady: but it is common to let them be greased,
" by setting candlesticks on them, or, otherwise, to
" rub greasy hands on them; and, above all, to spit
" upon them, to try how hot they are; which is an incon-
" siderate, filthy, unmannerly custom; for the slimy
" matter of spittle, drying on, burns and fumes when the
" stove is hot, as well as the grease, and smells most
" nauseously; which makes such close stove-rooms,
" where there is no draught to carry off those filthy va-
" pours, almost intolerable to those that are not from
" their infancy accustomed to them; at the same time,
" nothing is more easy than to keep them clean;" for
when, by any accident, they happen to be fouled, nothing
more is necessary, to scour them perfectly, than a com-
mon hard brush, well applied.

" That hot iron of itself gives no offensive smell, those
" know very well who have been present at a furnace,
" when the workmen were pouring out the flowing me-
" tal to cast large plates, and not the least smell of it to be
" perceived. That hot iron doth not, like lead, brass,
" and some other metals, give out unwholesome vapours,
" is plain, from the general health and strength of those
" who constantly work in iron; as furnace-men, forge-
" men, and smiths.

" That it is in its nature a metal perfectly wholesome
" to the body of man is known, from the beneficial use
" of chalybeate or iron mine waters; from the good done
" by taking steel filings in several disorders; and that
" even the smithy water, in which hot irons are quench-
" ed, is found advantageous to the human constitution.
" The ingenious and learned Dr. Desaguliers, to whose
" instructive writings the contriver of this machine ac-
" knowledges himself much indebted, relates an expe-
" riment he made, to try whether heated iron would yield
" unwholesome vapours: he took a cube of iron, and,

12

" having given it a very great heat, he fixed it so to a
" receiver, exhausted by the air pump, that all the air
" rushing in to fill the receiver, should first pass through
" a hole in the hot iron. He then put a small bird into
" the receiver, who breathed that air without any incon-
" venience, or suffering the least disorder. But, the
" same experiment being made with a cube of hot brass,
" a bird put into that air died in a few minutes. Brass,
" indeed, stinks even when cold, and much more when
" hot: lead, too, when hot, yields a very unwholesome,
" steam; but iron is always sweet, and, every way taken,
" is wholesome and friendly to the human body, except
" in weapons.

" That warm rooms make people tender, and apt to
" catch cold, is a mistake as great as it is (among the
" English) general. We have seen, in the preceding
" pages, how the common rooms are apt to give cold;
" but the writer of this paper must affirm, from his own
" experience, and that of his family and friends, who
" have used warm rooms for these four winters past, that
" by the use of such rooms people are rendered less
" liable to take cold, and, indeed, actually hardened. If
" sitting warm in a room made one subject to take cold
" on going out, lying warm in bed should, by a parity of
" reason, produce the same effect when we rise; yet we
" find we can leap out of the warmest bed naked, in the
" coldest morning, without any such danger, and in the
" same manner out of warm clothes into a cold bed.
" The reason is, that in these cases the pores all close at
" once, the cold is shut out, and the heat within aug-
" mented, as we soon after feel by the glowing of the
" flesh and skin. Thus, no one was ever known to catch
" cold by the use of a cold bath; and are not cold baths
" allowed to harden the bodies of those that use them?
" Are they not therefore frequently prescribed to the
" tenderest constitutions? Now, every time you go out

13

" of a warm room into the freezing cold air, you, as it
" were, plunge into a cold bath, and the effect is in pro-
" portion the same; for, though perhaps you may feel
" somewhat chilly at first, you find in a little time your
" bodies hardened and strengthened; your blood is dri-
" ven round with a brisker circulation, and a comfort-
" able, steady, uniform, inward warmth succeeds that
" equal outward warmth you first received in the room.
" Farther to confirm this assertion, we instance the
" Swedes, the Danes, and the Russians: these nations
" are said to live in rooms, compared to ours, as hot as
" ovens; yet, where are the hardy soldiers, though bred
" in their boasted cool houses, that can, like these peo-
" ple, bear the fatigues of a winter campaign in so se-
" vere a climate, march whole days up to the neck in
" snow, and at night entrench in ice, as they do?

" The mentioning of those northern nations puts me
" in mind of a considerable public advantage that may
" arise from the general use of these fire-places. It is
" observable, that, though these countries have been
" well inhabited for many ages, wood is still their fuel,
" and yet at no very great price; which could not have
" been, if they had not universally used stoves, but con-
" sumed it as we do, in great quantities, by open fires.
" By the help of this saving invention, our wood may
" grow as fast as we consume it, and our posterity may
" warm themselves at a moderate rate, without being
" obliged to fetch their fuel over the Atlantic; as, if pit-
" coal should not be here discovered, (which is an un-
" certainty,) they must necessarily do.*

" We leave it to the political arithmetician to compute
" how much money will be saved to a country by its
" spending two-thirds less of fuel; how much labour

* This tract was printed in *Philadelphia*, by Dr. *Franklin*, in
1745.

14

" saved in cutting and carriage of it; how much more
" land may be cleared by cultivation; how great the pro-
" fit by the additional quantity of work done, in those
" trades particularly that do not exercise the body so
" much, but that the workfolks are obliged to run fre-
" quently to the fire to warm themselves; and to physi-
" cians, to say how much healthier thick-built towns
" and cities will be, now half suffocated with sulphury
" smoke, when so much less of that smoke shall be made,
" and the air breathed by the inhabitants be consequently
" so much purer."

Now, as flame is nothing more than burning smoke,
and as, by less fuel being burnt in the stoves, less smoke
is made; and as a very great proportion of the smoke that
is made will be consumed in flame; this last observation
of Dr. Franklin must certainly be a very strong argu-
ment for their general use in this great metropolis.

After the foregoing objections, fairly stated, and so
ably refuted by Dr. Franklin, I think myself bound in
justice to mention such objections as occurred, or have
been mentioned to me, and have not been noticed by
him; and these are, that they are apt to occasion dust,
and that sometimes rooms are made too hot; both which
I have sometimes found true: but, to the first of these
objections, I answer, it existed only when the throat of
the chimney has been clogged with soot, to which they
cannot now be liable, because the funnel may easily be
cleaned every day, if necessary. To the latter, I answer,
make less fire, or open the channel which admits cold
air; either of which is an effectual remedy. The flaps
in the chimney may also be opened, which alone would
be sufficient, if it were necessary.

With all the advantages abovementioned, it is almost
surprising that the American stove should not have been
more commonly used; and nothing can account for it,
but the difficulty hitherto of having them properly fixed

15

in brick-work; which difficulty the alterations now made
do effectually obviate; for they may now be easily placed
in any chimney whatever, nay (in many situations)
better without any other chimney than its own iron fun-
nel.

Two of these stoves, of a large size, are placed in St.
John's church, Southwark, the funnels of which are
carried straight up through the galleries and roof. They
are placed opposite to each other, about the middle of the
church, and the effect is as complete as could possibly
be desired for the purpose. A testimony of this I re-
ceived in a letter from a very respectable inhabitant as
follows:

> "I have the pleasure to inform you the stoves warm-
> "ed the church extremely well, notwithstanding the
> "many air-holes; and, perhaps, you will be surprised
> "to hear several of the parishioners have expressed their
> "fears of catching cold when they go out of the church,
> "&c."

"To Mr. James Sharp, Leadenhall-street.
January 26th, 1781."

St. John's church is a very elegant and large building
of stone, and consequently appears damp after severe
weather, as the coldness of the stone is apt to condense
the air into water, which wets and trickles down the
walls. This same effect is remarkable also in St. Paul's
cathedral, where, after cold weather, the water does fre-
quently fall in large drops, like rain, round the circle of
the dome; this always happens, more or less, in propor-
tion as the external air is warmer than the stone and the
air in the inside of the church, and in proportion to the
quantity of the warmer air admitted by opening the
doors, &c. This has been proved by opening the larger
doors, as a supposed remedy for the damp, but which
only increases the evil; whereby it is apparent, that this
moisture, or seeming dampness, arises from the warmer

16

air being condensed by the coldness of the stone, which must be more or less in every other stone building, upon sudden changes of weather.

In St. John's church (where these stoves are now placed) it has been usual to employ women, every Sunday morning, with cloths, to wipe and dry the pillars and walls, before the congregation assemble; but it is now observed, that, after the stove-fires have been made a few hours, no such damp can be found.

After so much has been quoted from the learned Dr. Franklin, in favour of these fire-places, I may perhaps be charged with presumption for saying more about them; but as his commendations apply entirely to the sort he then used, I hope I may be excused, if I add a few words more upon the present improvements.

By the funnels which I have added to the top, the stoves are rendered applicable to any chimney, or (by length of funnel) to any place without a chimney.

By the hollow base, I apply them with much greater effect to the external air, and without any addition of brick work; and,

By the alterations in the air-box, a much greater quantity of warm air is introduced, than could possibly be in their former state. Of this I have made a fair experiment in St. John's church; for the air-box of the stove on the north side is exactly agreeable to Dr. Franklin's pattern; but the air-box of the stove on the south side is so altered, as to produce an amazing difference of effect; for the air-holes of the latter will act more forcibly at a foot distance, than the former at two inches; and I believe I may, with truth, say that this church is the first stone building, of its kind and size, that has ever been made comfortably warm by fires.

JAMES SHARP.

* This has since been altered to the new pattern.

17

Since time, various other modes have been adopted
for warming rooms, &c.

Furnaces have been made under the floor of a building,
attached to serpentine flues, and very similar to a common
kiln for drying corn, malt, &c.—The heat of which is
unpleasant for respiration; also very difficult to regulate,
or to keep in order.*

Next, a sort of stove or cockle has been enclosed in a
sort of brick well, with a thick cast iron pipe, leading up
the centre to the top of the well or building, and there
ceiled, that no smoke could enter this well in contact
with this stove or cockle.—Holes are made to let the heat
into the various rooms, one above the other, but without
success equal to the expectation.

This plan was tried in the Pennsylvania Hospital.
Since which it has been tried, in the year 1809, in the
Hospital at New-York. At this place, six stoves (in the
form of a cone or sugar loaf) were fitted in wells, and to
the top or small end of these stoves, a sheet or cast iron
pipe, as before mentioned.—It is to be particularly ob-
served, that these stoves and funnels, or pipes, were
heated to a red heat, often from the fire to the top of the
house; at which place the flame often appeared; and
some of the stoves were so melted as to spoil them—and
the lowermost rooms were very cold, while the upper-
most were amply heated.—This Hospital, as also that of
Pennsylvania, is under the particular direction of gentle-
men of the first respectability, and are high in the public
estimation, as men of science.

If they had admitted a full supply of cold external
air into the well, in contact with the stove and funnel, it
would have transported the heat into the various rooms :
—or if placed in an air vessel within the stove and funnel,

* Congress Hall was heated on this plan.

C

18

so as to cool the stove and pipe as much as possible; and have made the holes for the admission of warm air much smaller in the upper rooms; and to have prevented the sudden discharge of the flame and smoke;—they would have accomplished their design to their full satisfaction.

Next to be noticed, is a stove introduced (by Mr. Pollock, of Boston,) into the Hospital of New-York, and elsewhere, having a small air pipe, not exceeding two inches in diameter, through the centre of the stove upwards—the stove is in shape of a pillar, with a square base.

This air pipe, he says, is glazed internally, to preserve the goodness of the air.—This, however, has never yet been done—it may have been credited by some.

For this stove, Mr. Pollock obtained patents, in 1807 and 1808.—Unfortunately for Mr. Pollock, Mr. Oliver Evans, of this city, did, in 1800, obtain a patent for making stoves or fire-places, with luminous sides or doors of talc, isinglass, or other fit materials.

Further, Mr. John H. Gould, in 1808, obtained a patent for something which he considered an improvement on grates or common fire-places.—It is believed that he, as well as others, were somewhat disappointed in their expectations.

Also, in 1808, I obtained a patent for my air-stove, which was highly approved of: This was on a very extensive scale, as well as for small purposes.—Since which I have knowledge that several patents have been granted for the same things. It is my wish to prevent errors of this kind.—It is the duty of every inventor to examine what was in use before the time of his discovery; and what has already been patented or filed in the patent of-fice.

My method of transporting heat from steam, by a current of fresh air, will save one half the expence now re-

19

quired in the European method; besides the advantage of sufficient warmth, agreeable respiration, and ventilation.

I now submit the subject to the public, with that candour and frankness which I conceive it may have reason to expect; giving, as much as possible for me to do, the rise and progress of this useful invention.—Showing the line of division between the modes that now belong to the public and my own.

Believing, at the same time, that no more useful modifications or improvements can be made on the Economy of Fuel, than is now described

By the Public's

Most obedient servant,

DANIEL PETTIBONE.

SPECIFICATION

OF

DANIEL PETTIBONE'S

IMPROVEMENTS FOR WARMING ROOMS, OR APARTMENTS, BY MEANS OF RAREFIED AIR, (APPLICABLE FOR OVENS, DRYING ROOMS, HOT OR GREEN HOUSES, &c. &c.) HEATED WITH OR WITHOUT THE APPLICATION OF STEAM; CALLED A RAREFYING AIR-STOVE.

THESE improvements of the rarefying air-stove, or the invention of it, consists in the construction of a stove, furnace, or fire-place, with a large rarefying air-vessel, or chamber, connected with the same, or things as hereafter described.—These air-vessels, or chambers, are so constructed as to contain any kind of stove, or steam pipe, or an air vessel is placed in any stove, so that the air is heated in contact with the outside of the stove, or steam pipe, or within the stove in the air vessel—or within a steam pipe or vessel.

FIG. I.

The invention further consists in applying to use (as air vessels,) any pot, kettle, boiler, tube, pipe, cylinder, or other apparatus, for heating air, the same as may be used for heating water, &c. which pots, kettles, or boilers, may be set in an iron case, with a hoop of three or four inches in width, soldered or rivited to the sides of them, near the bottom. The iron case may be double, and filled between with powdered charcoal; or in a double wall of bricks, similar to a still or boiler, receiving into them at the top through the cover, or near the bottom (which is better) a large supply of pure, fresh,

21

external atmospheric air, from the street, cellar, or yard, &c. by means of one or more large openings, tubes, or pipes, to conduct or convey the air into the pot, stove, or boiler, and from the top of the pot, stove, or boiler, into the room or rooms to be warmed, or into a cistern or reservoir; and from this reservoir, which may be lined with pulverized charcoal, to prevent the escape of heat through its sides, (charcoal being a bad conductor of heat) the heat may be conveyed in tin, paste-board, sheet-iron, or clay pipes, to any rooms, or apartments.

And more effectually to preserve or economize the heat, the pipes may also be coated with charcoal, or made double, so as to have a dead column of air between, or to be covered with several thicknesses of woolen cloth. All these pipes or tubes must have stop-cocks, so as to regulate the passage of heat at pleasure.—Hence this kind of stove may be so constructed, as to produce heat sufficient to warm fifty rooms, in a dwelling house, hospital, &c. &c. and after the heat is conveyed to the grand depot, or cistern, it may be drawn off, by pipes, in a similar manner, as a city is supplied with water from a fountain, and conducted to any room or apartment, as wanted.—It is to be observed, that rooms or apartments to be warmed should be ventilated at or near the floor.—Small open fire-places or tubes, leading from the floor to the top of the building, will answer very well. Those ventilating or fire-places should be so fitted with valves, as to regulate the ventilation, as circumstances may require.

FIG. II.

ROOMS VENTILATED WITH LAMPS AND TUBES.

When it is found that the external air is warm, and the apartment is crowded with people, it is proper that

22

ventilation should take place at the top, at or near the ceiling.—Whenever an apartment is filled with contaminated air, particularly in the summer, by the perspiration or breath of a crowded assembly, or from burning of candles or lamps, or from any other cause, it is of much consequence, that tin, paste-board, or other tubes (filled between with charcoal,) should be placed just above the lights, and carried into the external atmosphere, by placing one or more of Argans' patent lamps in or near the end of the tubes.—The air in the tube becomes rarefied; and by the current of air up the tubes, the ventilation is made to be more complete.

FIG. III.

FRANKLIN STOVES IMPROVED; AS ALSO THE COMMON FIRE-PLACE.

The common chimney, or open fire-place, or grate; also the common open-stove, (called the Franklin stove, or fire-place,) is very much improved, by placing an air-vessel upon it, and sometimes a hollow cylinder in place of a back log in it, or just above the fire.—The flame and smoke, by passing round the air-vessel in a reverberatory manner, communicates their heat to the air in the air-vessel; which air is introduced into the air-vessel, from the exterior atmosphere, as before described, and let into the room, or to an adjoining room, from the sides or top of the stove.

FIG. IV.

A METALLIC BOX, OR BOXES, I PLACE IN THE COMMON FIRE-PLACE AND GRATES.

The air-vessel, in the common chimney fire-place, I place just above the fire, or the kindled fuel, near the

23

mantle-tree (if it is low,) and then admit the warm air into the room, just above the mantle-tree. Considering the upright heat, directly over the fire, to be much the greatest, except in contact with or in the midst of the kindled coals. Therefore, I have constructed, upon a new, cheap and improved plan, a metallic box, (being an air-vessel,) composed of tin, sheet, or cast-iron plates. This box must be adapted to the shape of the chimney, or rather fire-place and grate, and so closely fitted to the back and jambs, as to prevent the escape of heat and smoke, except next the mantle-tree, or through holes in the centre of the box, where room sufficient must be left as a draft for the smoke. It may be necessary to have several boxes, one above the other, connected with short tubes or pipes.—The external air entering the lower box, and issuing from the uppermost, by pipes into the room, under or above the mantle, through a plate of iron, brass, marble, &c. if only one box is applied in the chimney, it is best to have the upper part double, leaving a dead column of air or charcoal dust between (being a non-conductor) to prevent the escape of heat.—If those boxes are made of tin plates, they should be painted black, to prevent the escape of heat by reflection. In fitting these boxes, dampers or registers may be used, to prevent too great a draft or ventilation; and they might be further useful, if the chimney should happen to be on fire, to prevent a part, or all the current from ascending.—By which means the fire would be immediately extinguished.

FIG. V.

PIPES, OR CYLINDRIC BACK LOG.

In some instances, I have caused pipes to pass directly through the fire, perpendicularly or horizontally, among the kindled coals, or just above them.—I have made

24

grates with hollow bars, for the purpose of heating either
air or water. A hollow cylinder, of six or eight inches
diameter, made of the stoutest sheet-iron, or made of
cast-iron, used in place of a back log, does answer well;
the external air entering at one end, or at any other part
of the cylinder, would pass into the air-vessel above the
fire, or immediately into the room, or to an adjoining
room, or rooms.—At times, I introduced water into
those grates or cylinders, the steam of which I apply
to many useful purposes. Such as heating air in tubs or
casks, in contact with the steam pipes for warming
rooms, or procuring warm baths in chambers, &c. In
all cases, where there are open fire-places, the inlet of
warm air should be in due proportion to that which is
drawn out, to prevent the cold air rushing in at the doors,
windows, crevices, &c.*

FIG. VI.

HOLLOW HEARTH, BACK AND JAMBS. A CHIMNEY
FIRE PLACE. ROOMS COOLED BY FIRE. THE
COMMON CHIMNEY FIRE-PLACE IMPROVED.
ROUND CHIMNEYS.

Further improvements on the common chimney and

* In all places to be warmed, (from the largest public building to the smallest cottage, on the principles of my Economy of Fuel, by heated air, either by stoves, furnaces, or fire-places) one thing of importance is to be considered :—that the sooner the cold air is drawn out of a room or apartment, the sooner it can be supplied with that which is warmed.—To obtain this desirable object, the fuel should be as combustible as possible, to cause much flame; particularly when the fire is first kindled —In large halls or buildings, such as churches, &c. if the stove or furnace is under the floor, or without the building, the cold air should at first be drawn down through the floor, or out through the wall, to blow or kindle the fire. Observing, at the same time, to admit the air so much below the fire or grate, as to prevent the ashes and smoke from entering the apartment.

25

open fire-place, viz.*—After adding the old invention of a hollow hearth, back and jambs, of iron, published in Paris, in the year 1709, or a proper open-stove, or fire-place of cast-iron, purposely fashioned or fitted,—I arch over, or contract the flue with iron plates, just within the mantle-tree; including an iron, stone, or clay pipe, which pipe must pass up the chimney flue to the top, or nearly so, to conduct off the smoke.—The chimney must be stopped up at or near the top, by arching with bricks, so as to leave the aperture for the smoke pipe free.—This may be sweeped (from the top, or from an opening in the chimney in the garret, above where the chimney is sealed or stopped,) with a brush, scraper and weight, attached to a cord: and this opening in the chimney may be closed with an iron door.—The external air being admitted through a hole of six, eight, or more, inches diameter under the hearth, rises in contact with the outside of the heated iron plates.—As it becomes rarefied, it continues up the flue in contact with the iron, stone, or clay pipe, and may be transmitted through issue holes† in the chimney, in the different apartments, and regulated at pleasure with valves or registers.

* Further to improve the common chimney fire-place or flue, by placing tubes, pipes, or boxes, across its flue, from the mantle-tree upwards, to any number or height—one end of these tubes connected with the outward or external air, and so fitted as to be drawn out when the chimney is sweeped; also by turning the flame and smoke into the room, within an iron, stone, or other flue, which rises nearly to the ceiling, then enters the chimney flue.—This flue may be of the size and shape as fancy shall direct. Attached to this flue are air pipes, and a damper at the upper end.—Underneath this flue, any kind of grate or fire-place may be applied, round or square, &c. &c.

† The issue holes in the upper rooms, should be much smaller than in the lowermost, or else the upper rooms will receive the most heat.

D. P.

D

26

It is to be observed, that an apartment can very soon be cooled or ventilated, by making a hole in the chimney near the ceiling, and unstopping the chimney flue where it had been ceiled, and stopping the external air hole at the bottom under the hearth.—By this means, the contaminated or foul air of the room will be drawn out of it, up the flue of the chimney.—Therefore, a fire in the lowermost room will serve to cool or ventilate the upper or middle rooms in the summer, if fixed according to the before described improvement.

I contemplate to build chimnies with only one flue, made, as earthen ware, of clay, supported internally by iron wire or rods, either oval, round, or square, commencing at the first floor, without any division, sufficiently large to admit as many iron, stone, or clay pipes, as there may be fire-places, grates, or stoves, in the different stories, as are required in the common mode of building chimnies. In those cases where the fire-place is erected without hollow backs, jambs, or hearths, the flue of the chimney must be closed just above the mantle-tree, so as to include an iron pipe, as before described, to convey the smoke, (the chimney being sealed above, as beforementioned,) and in this pipe, one or more air-vessels may be constructed, which will serve to retain an additional quantity of heat from the fuel.—In this constructed fire-place, the external air must be admitted into the chimney flue, just above the enclosure, near the mantle-tree, to which may be adapted a damper or register; and the chimney flue is furnished with issue holes, to allow the heated air to pass out into the different apartments.

It is of consequence to place pieces of iron pipe, or funnel, in the chimney flue, especially opposite the lower or middle rooms, the inner end of which spread wide, to catch the current of the heated air in its ascension within the flue.

27

FIG. VII.

PORTABLE HOLLOW HEARTH AND BACK.

I have constructed an apparatus, so as to convey the external air through the medium of tubes, or portable hollow backs and hearths, terminating in several holes, (supplied with dampers,) so that the air may enter among the coals, placed in a fire-place, grate, or stove, and sometimes blow them with a pair of bellows, similar to a smith's forge; shut the dampers, and the warm air will rise into the room above the mantle-tree. Hence this is called the external blower.

TO WARM PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Further—One or a number of common iron kettles may be placed, inverted, on a furnace erected for that purpose, over which an arch may be made with bricks, or a funnel made with sheet iron, tin plates, double, or a wooden frame, properly lathed and plastered, (which is far better than bricks, if at a suitable distance from the heated iron;) this arch or funnel is suspended so far above, as to leave a sufficient space between the convex part of the kettles and the concave part of the arch or funnel, so as to admit a sufficient portion of external air, by means of large tubes or openings, near the bottom; the kettles may be placed on a line, or in a cluster of three or four together.—The fire is then applied, and the air is heated on the external sides of these kettles, and, when heated, it passes up in one large tube, or through several pipes introduced into the concave part of the upper part of the funnel or arch, or through holes made into the arch, to allow the heated external air to escape into the apartments to be warmed, while the smoke is

28

conducted off in a reverberatory manner, under the kettles, and then up through an iron pipe in the centre of the cluster, or through funnels or flues of bricks, made as in ordinary, or with air boxes.

I apply to use all kinds of stoves, or things, that give heat from fuel in combustion, free from smoke, whether it be globular, square, cylindrical, or semi-globular, and heat the external air in an air vessel, inside of the stove or furnace, or in contact with the outside.—I have found it of consequence, to place the kettles or stove outside of a building, or underneath it, and expose the stove to the open air, as if it stood in the open field.

Then I suspend a funnel or tunnel over the kettles or stove, resembling a common tin funnel or tunnel, such as is used for filling of bottles, excepting it is made double or treble, allowing the air to pass up between, into the main pipe that enters the upper part of the apartment to be warmed, which main pipe is to be opened or contracted, according to the heat escaping from the stove or kettles, &c. &c.

FIG. IX.

USED FOR DRYING FRUIT.

As an additional evidence of the utility of this principle, and of my improvements, nearly all the heat, generated from the combustion of fuel used, may be saved and transmitted at pleasure, viz.—Fifty, more or less, cast or sheet-iron tubes or boxes, either cylindrical, oval, square, or flat, placed one above the other, (somewhat similar to a common still in its effect) in bricks, stone, or in a cast-iron grating, resembling net work, instead of bricks or stone, by which I form a kind of oven, or reservoir of heat, by enclosing the tubes or boxes in it. In those flat smoke boxes, (as I beg leave to term them)

29

I place a division plate, standing edgewise, which causes the smoke to pass twice across the oven in each box, before it rises into the next oven. These tubes or boxes are open at one or both ends, at pleasure, when the soot is to be taken out.

The apertures for the removal of the soot appear through the bricks, stone, iron, &c. Underneath these tubes or boxes, I frequently apply the common stove, known by the name of the nine or ten plate, or oven stove. In the common stove, two plates only are exposed to the upright flame, the one under the oven, the other at the top. It often happens that the under plate, called the oven plate, is too hot, which generally burns the bread, &c. To prevent this, bricks are often used in the oven.

—Another circumstance, very disagreeable, is, that the fumes of the oven is admitted into the room, and occasions the air in the room to be very unpleasant and unfit for respiration.

FIG. X.

OVEN STOVES.

To remedy this inconvenience, I have made the following improvements.

1st. The oven plate is a cast-iron grating, or net work, sufficient to hold clay, mortar, cement, or plaster, which holds the heat similar to a common brick oven; the heat being gentle and regular, prevents the articles from burning that are put upon it.—I sometimes make the oven plate of two thin plates of wrought iron, with an intermedium of clay or mortar, instead of net work or plaster. The outside of the stove I make with cast-iron plates, as common, or with net work and plaster, or stone.

30

2ndly. I cause the flame to pass through the oven in a sheet or cast-iron tube, or flue, which is in size about four inches by eight, or so as to be two or three inches narrower than the body of the stove; and frequently cause the flame to pass five or six times across the stove, thereby forming several ovens, one above the other.— The advantage of this tube and flame passing through the oven is, that more heat is retained, so as to bake the upper part of the bread, &c. as well as the bottom.

## AN OVEN VENTILATED.

3dly. Ventilation in the oven is of importance. It not only adds to the flavour of the articles baked or cooked, but tends to expedite the process.—In order to perform this operation, a cast or wrought iron pipe or tube, of the size of a gun-barrel, should be placed in the hot-est part of the stove under the oven plate, and one end connected with the air of the room, or the external air, which is preferable.—The other end is to enter the oven through the oven plate, at the back end of the plate or oven; then is to rise nearly to the top. I have then another pipe leading downward from the under side of the smoke tube or flue, within the oven, near the oven plate. In this oven, as the hot air from without enters the top of the oven, it forces the fumes downwards to enter the pipe that leads into the smoke flue.—Dampers or registers are fitted in the pipes, to regulate the current of air going in or out of the oven, to ventilate it more or less.

### FOR DRYING FRUIT, &C. &C.

4thly. When this stove is enlarged with a number of flues or smoke boxes, one above another, and is intended for baking meat, bread, pastry, drying fruit, &c. openings are made in the side, to admit iron drawers,

31

furnished with wire net work bottoms; sheet-iron, however, with perforations, may answer the same purpose.

These drawers are in the place of doors, and are intended to slide in between the boxes or flues, and to rest upon them (which stove, in fact, appears like a case of drawers.)—When this stove, oven, or apparatus, is used for warming rooms, a large supply of external air is admitted, which comes in contact with the heated stove, boxes, and flues. When it is used for cooking, baking, and drying fruit, a current of air is employed, as formerly described. A door is also contrived, so as to open occasionally, underneath the oven, to form an open fire-place.

### EXTERNAL BLOWER.

5thly. The fire in the stove should be blown with external air, as should be the case with all stoves at times. By external air, I mean air from without the house.—A strong current of air, if it enters directly under the burning fuel, will cause the smoke to go in any direction, either direct to the top of the stove, and then descend (if required,) in all the winding passages, or in a zig-zag manner, and rise again, or go off at the bottom into the chimney flue, or elsewhere.

### COMMON STOVE ALTERED.

6thly. I very much improve the common baking stove, by altering it to an air stove; also by cutting a hole in the plate above the oven, to discharge the fumes; to which hole a pipe and register is fitted, to let off more or less, as circumstances may require.

### OVENS.

7thly. A stove or apparatus, of any proper size of the semi-globular, or any other convenient form (with a pro-

32

per fire-place in or under it, enclosed in bricks, forming
a double wall, in a similar manner as employed for warm-
ing rooms) I use or apply for ovens, or drying houses,
rooms, &c. &c.—These ovens, or drying rooms, may
be made of any size and materials, according to the dif-
ferent degrees of heat required. If only for drying cloth,
paper, or furniture, a room made of wood, completely
lathed and plastered inside, and a wall of bricks at two
or three inches distance outside, will answer. It will also
be found to answer exceedingly well for the clothier,
tanner, washing room, or for any kind of thing, as it
will perform the object of drying equal, and much sooner,
than the rays of the sun. This plan can be appropriated
to great advantage in drying barley, malt, corn, meat,
fLOUR, or fruit, with less danger and expence than the
common mode of kiln drying.

OVENS TO DRY VARNISHED WARE.

8thly. When the oven* is intended for drying japanned
or varnished ware, or any kind of cooking, it must be
made double at the top, with an arch of bricks, east or
sheet-iron, or tin plates, also the sides; and filled between

TO KILN DRY CORN, MALT, &c.

* Ovens or drying machines may be made of various forms;—
revolving (cast or sheet-iron) cylinders, placed one above another,
in a brick room, somewhat like the bolt of a flour mill, and inclin-
ing from the horizon in the same manner (more or less) the room
is made of any height or size, to contain any number of hollow cy-
linders. Underneath this room is a stove or furnace, from which
the heat and smoke rises in flues, in contact with the outside of the
cylinders, in a kind of zig-zag manner to the top, where is a kind
of hopper to put in corn, malt, barley, seeds, &c. &c. which arti-
cles descend within the heated cylinders in the same manner, in a
continual stream, to the bottom; then it is done, and is dry enough
for use.

33

with charcoal, finely pulverized. It should be supplied
with shelves of tiles, bricks, or wire net work.

FIG. XI.

A MOVEABLE WHEEL OVEN FOR BISCUIT BAKING.

When the oven or stove is made of a circular, or of a
semi-circular form, one or more iron wheels, with wire
net work, or other suitable substance for the articles to
lie on, may be placed in the oven, stove, or room, ho-
rizontally, on an upright shaft; which wheels pass through
the heat, within the room or oven, above the fire or stove.
—On one part of these wheels, unbaked bread, or other
articles, such as fruit or seeds, may be placed, for the
purpose of drying or curing. And by turning the wheels,
the articles are carried through the heated air in the oven
or room, and come out baked on the other side. The
wheels may be moved by weights as a clock, or by the
hand of man. I do, at pleasure, introduce into this
oven, or drying room, hot air, steam, or cold air, as cir-
cumstances may require; and regulate the same by stop-
cocks, registers, or dampers. These different airs are
all fresh, which completely ventilates the drying room,
and carries off all kinds of vapour into the smoke flue,
or by pipes into the open air.

FIG. XII.

FOR PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BUILDINGS.

Further—To economize fuel for warming rooms,
churches, &c.—the following is the method adopted.

I place an inverted kettle, stove, or common open fire-
place, made of cast iron, bricks, stone, or other suita-
ble material; above which I construct one, two, or more

E

34

plain square flues (as the common chimney) rising to any
proportionable height; say from four to ten feet; the one
flue to receive into it the external air, and the others for
the smoke.—All the flues are securely closed at the top.
This brick work resembles a square pillar, connected
with a stove, furnace, or open fire-place.

This kind of stove may be placed outside of the
building; it may be made of any size; the brick flues
may be enclosed in a kind of well-room made of bricks,
wood plastered, or iron, &c. appearing somewhat like a
round or square pillar.—If an inverted kettle or stove is
placed at the bottom of this pillar, large openings should
be left to admit the external air in contact with them.—
However, this mode of warming may be effected (without
any iron stove or kettle) by the boxes that pass across
the smoke flue; these boxes receive at one end the ex-
ternal air, and pass it heated into the well room, and
from thence to the top of the church or building, by
means of a kind of funnel, leading from the top of the
pillar or well room, while the smoke goes off out-
side into the open air.—Sometimes the opening of the
funnel, for admitting warm air through the well into the
church, is from twenty to twenty-four inches diameter,
and is opened or shut according to the quantity of heat or
rarefied air ascending.

For cheapness, a kind of furnace made of fire bricks
or soap stone may be made at the bottom of this pillar
or stove.—But in this way the heat will not be so soon
felt in the building, as with the kettle or stove, but will
be more regular and lasting.

At times, I admit as much fresh air in at the bottom
of the well room, as can be possibly rarefied, so as to
ascend with velocity.* These stoves may be made to

* These stoves are much superior to any Russian or Swedish stove, yet introduced, as they are simple in the construction. The

35

represent a pyramid, pedestal, pillar, or dome, or of any
shape or size.—And to this is sometimes added, a cir-
cular grate, resembling a wine glass, or teacup and saucer,
and to it is fitted, sliding,* luminous, or other doors, and
fresh air pipes.

This circular grate is fitted sometimes on the principle
of Argan's patent lamp, and in some degree, con-
sumes its own smoke as the lamp; and sometimes this
grate is fitted under a moveable double dome or cap; to
which is fitted, a smoke funnel—which dome, cap and
funnel are fitted to raise and fall by a chain or cord, simi-
lar to a common chandilear or lamps for churches, &c.
&c.

FIG. XIII.

A COLUMN STOVE.

For the purpose of ornament and utility, a stove, or
rather a reservoir of heat, may be made of iron, earthen

Russian stove does not embrace the use of the external air.—
When the fuel is consumed in my stove, the smoke damper need
not be shut, provided the stove is in the same apartment to be
warmed; or if it takes the cold air from the apartment to kindle
the fire.—For as much as is drawn out of the apartment by the
smoke flue, so much more will be allowed to enter fresh and warm
through the air pipes, as long as any heat remains in the stove.—
Thus the equilibrium will be formed through the stove, and not
the doors, windows, or crevices.—By shutting the damper, the
heat may be preserved in the stove, but not increased in the ex-
treme parts of the apartment: the respiration will soon be unplea-
sant.

D. P.

* Mr. John Stevens, No. 7, Broadway, New-York, (or now of Hobucken, New-Jersey,) in the year 1802, had a common fire-place, with a circular frame of cast-iron and sliding doors to fit, so as to enclose the fire entirely. These doors moved in grooves, on small shives or rollers.—This work was fitted for Mr. Stevens, at Mr. Thomas Smyth's black-smith's shop, in Dey-street, New-York.

37

such as urns and blazers.—To this dome is often applied
the circular grate.

FIG. XV.

FOR WARMING AND VENTILATING SHIPS, &c.

The application of the following plan is manifestly
advantageous in warming and ventilating merchant's
ships and vessels of war, viz.—A boiler or air-vessel
may be fixed in a furnace, fire-place or camboose; and to
the bottom of the boiler a tube is introduced, which
passes from it down the inside of the ship or vessel, near-
ly to the keel, where it forms a curve and returns again
above the deck. At this place it admits the external air,
which passes through the tube into the boiler or air-ves-
sel; and, after it is heated, it passes out of another tube
inserted into the upper part of the air-vessel; and the
heated air may then be conducted into any part of the
ship or vessel. These tubes must be made double, and
the intermediate space between the tubes should be filled
with powdered charcoal, so as to prevent the escape of
heat. Also if the receiving tube penetrates into the hold
of the ship, and conducts the foul air within the ship, into
the boiler or air-vessel, and, after being heated there, into
another tube fixed into the superior part of the boiler or
air-vessel, which conveys it into the atmosphere above
the deck, where it mixes with the general mass. This
improvement can be very beneficially applied to ventilate
mines, wells, school rooms, assembly rooms, and any
apartments or places, impregnated with foul air.

To effect this without warming the room, the boiler
or air-vessel and stove should be placed above it. How-
ever, the room can be warmed with the stove above (if
rightly fitted) nearly as well as if the stove was below.

38

FIG. XVI.
OF STEAM.

In some cases I apply steam for warming and ventilat-
ing apartments, particularly where the utmost safety is
required; such as gun-powder factories, &c. but instead
of steam pipes being placed in the apartments, the heat
is emitted into them by a current of external air, which
air has been previously heated in contact with steam
pipes, tubes, worms, boxes, or other apparatus. I apply
boilers, or things of various forms and size, to create
steam (supplied with safety valves) such as grates with
hollow bars, or one or more hollow cylinders to pass wa-
ter through the fire, or fire through the water, not only
to prevent the escape of heat, but prevent the grates or
apparatus from being destroyed by the fire; also to create
steam, or to heat water for the purpose of warming air.

I claim no particular improvement in heating water, ex-
cept by passing fire or steam through it in a worm or
other pipe placed in a tub or cask, or other suitable ves-
sel.—This may be excellent to procure warm baths in
chambers, &c.

I only say, that the transporting of heat to apartments
to be warmed by a current of fresh air heated by hot
water or steam is what I claim.—A boiler and worm
pipe, somewhat like the common still (but reversed) or
one large boiler and several worm pipes attached to it,
by means of one large connecting pipe; this connecting
pipe (placed either outside or underneath a building) fills
the worm pipes with steam for the warming of each room
in the house; the steam enters the bottom of all the pipes,
so that it can return into the main boiler again when con-
densed.—Instead of applying the steam into the upper
end of the worm pipe, the worm pipe is there closed
with a stop-cock, which stop-cock is only opened to let

39

off the atmospheric air that is in the boiler and worm pipe, when the boiler is first filled with water; thereby allowing the steam to rise in constant succession to the top of the worm pipe, &c. &c. The worm pipe being closed, so that the steam cannot escape—it is condensed by a current of cold air entering a kind of dome or condensing tub (placed bottom upwards) in contact with the outside of the heated worm pipe.—The dome, tub, or enclosure, for the steam worm pipe, may be made of paste-board, tin, sheet-iron, &c. as also the pipes to convey the warm air. In all cases, as the steam is condensed it returns back into the boiler, so that there is little or no waste of water from the boiler. The steam may be conveyed in logs of wood, as water is conveyed; they may be handsome and pass through rooms.

Instead of a worm pipe, a pipe made to pass in a zig-zag manner within a tub, cask, or box: or one globe, box, pipe, or cylinder, placed one within another, either the steam entering the external globe, cylinder, pipe, or box, and warming air in the internal globe, cylinder, pipe, or box; or the steam entering the internal, and heating the air between the two.

Further—I apply tubs, casks, or boxes, of any suitable size; into which I force steam or hot water, and through these tubs, casks, or boxes, I pass pipes or tubes made of tin, copper, or other thin and fit substance, either perpendicularly or horizontally. At one end of these pipes or tubes, the cold external air enters, and by passing through the tubes or pipes within the hot water or steam, it becomes heated, and rises by means of wood, paste-board, or other pipes, to the apartments to be warmed. In this mode, twenty or more apartments in one house, can be warmed; one, or all at the same time, by opening and shutting cocks or valves, &c.

It is my belief that this, my improved plan or method, has a decided preference over the present (English) mode

40

of cast-iron pipes, which are used to warm rooms by steam. It may be asserted with the greatest confidence, that these improvements will save one half of the usual expence, besides giving complete warmth and ventilation to the apartments. Portable drying rooms or ovens, constructed on this plan, might be used for drying wet gun-powder and wet cartridges in the army, and prevent many disasters that might result therefrom.*

* Another method may be adopted, to construct boilers to create steam to heat air, or for many other purposes in domestic use. The bottom of these boilers is the only part required to be of iron, copper, or other fit metallic substance. The sides of these boilers may be made of wood, and lined inside with lead, tin, copper, &c. —If the boilers are round, they may be made and hooped like a cask: for convenience, they may sometimes be made square, or with unequal sides. Also they may be made two feet wide, and ten feet long, and may be placed by the side of a room. The bottom of these boilers must be flat, and laid on bricks, and one or more strips or plates of iron, about four inches in width, fastened edgewise to the bottom of the boiler, so as to allow the flame to pass horizontally, from one end of the boiler to the other, and back again, several times, if required, before it rises in the funnel. The circular boiler is fitted, in some manner, similar to the above. The bottom being flat, is laid on bricks, and the plates and bricks form a serpentine flue, so that the flame is made to pass from the outside to the centre of the bottom; from which, through the whole body of water in the boiler, a funnel is made to pass, which facilitates the heating of the liquor, or water in the boiler. This circular boiler is made as a large cask, and sometimes the fuel is put within the boiler, within a cylinder or stove, to prevent the escape of heat.—When the fire is in the boiler, little or no brick work is necessary; if otherwise, the brick work which the bottom of the boiler must be placed on should be raised above the ground, only high enough for the convenience of the fire place; and pillars of bricks near the centre of the bottom of the boiler should be erected, to support it.—No air should be admitted under the bottom, except what should be necessary to keep up the flame. A place should be made to take out the ashes as they accumulate under the boiler.

41

THE ADVANTAGES.

The advantages of this method of the rarefying Air-stove are,

That rooms are equally warmed, so that people may sit near a window and have the benefit of the light, for reading, writing, and needle work. If you sit against a crevice, there is not that sharp draft of cold air playing on you, as in rooms where there are fires in the common way, by which many catch cold; whence proceed coughs, catarrhs, tooth-aches, fevers, pleurisies, and many other diseases.

In case of sickness they make most excellent nursing rooms.—As the rooms are constantly supplied with fresh air warmed, at the same time no way inconvenient or dangerous.

The application of steam or water to heat air is useful as follows, viz.

First—It prevents the vessel or boiler, in contact with the fire, from being thereby injured by its action.

Second—Steam transports heat with velocity, without the risk of communicating fire.

Third—Tubes or pipes for conveying heat from steam, by a current of air, may be constructed of paper or paste-board; and also ornamental figures, resembling domes, stoves, or any other thing, may be made of paste-board.

Steam worm pipes, or other pipes or things, may be placed in a parlour, and completely covered with a beautiful case of paste-board; which case may be painted, gilded, or ornamented in the most superb style. Heat, transported by steam, may be applied to heat water at a considerable distance from the fire in wooden vessels. A boiler in a stove furnace or fire place, not larger than a common tea kettle, strongly attached to one end of a worm pipe, with a good safety valve, would be found

F

A LIST

OF IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY ME,

DANIEL PETTIBONE,

AND THE DATES OF TIME WHEN FIRST DISCOVERED;—ALSO AT
WHAT TOWN OR PLACE FIRST PUBLISHED; BEGINNING AT
THE UNITED STATES ARMOURY, AT SPRINGFIELD, MASSA-
CHUSETTS, IN 1795.

A. D.

1796. Invented and made a machine for making the guards of a musket, and parts of the lock called a swage: now in general use throughout the United States' armories.

1797. In New-York city, made a machine for mixing flour for ship-bread, biscuit, crackers, &c —Obtained a patent for the same.

1798. In Walpole, (N. H.) I invented and made a small machine to bore one dozen gun-barrels (perpendicularly) at a time (more or less) and the machine to be tended by one man only.

— In Middlebury, (Vt.) the welding of cast-steel to iron, for edge tools, &c.

1799. At Do. an auger for boaring gun-garrels, now in general use in the United States' armories, &c.

— At Do. for making the small screws of a lock; to cut the thread of the same and slit the head, with a round screw.

— At Do. to mill the tumblers of a gun-lock and the head of the screws by water, instead of the hand of man.

— At Do. a wheel or hoop, file, float or rasp, to file iron, steel, brass, wood, ivory, horn, &c.

— At Do. a wheel oven or stove (called a perpetual oven) very useful in an army.—It moves by weights.

— At Do. to cut the whole side of a comb at once.

— At Do. to point the teeth of any kind of combs.

— At Do. to saw ivory or comb plates to a pattern.

1801. At Pittsfield, (Mass.) a machine to saw fine teeth of ivory or horn combs (one tooth at a time.) This machine is regulated by a rag wheel and pinion; or is regulated by a rag wheel and a spiral groove screw.—To cut files, &c.

44

A. D.

1802. At New-York city, a plow share of cast-iron, to be used with or without a steel edge.—Also cast felling axes, edge rivited on.

— At Albany, received a patent for welding cast-steel.

1803. At Do. a diagonal tooth comb, and machine to saw the teeth diagonally.—Regulated as the other machines to saw fine teeth combs, or for files.

— At Do. for sawing ivory into plates for combs, miniature paintings, &c. &c.

— At Do. a press to prepare horns for combs—striking seals, &c.

— At Do. an axle-tree of a carriage, fixed with a joint or socket in the centre.—The axle-tree and wheels revolve together.

— At Do. a ship's camboose with many advantages.

1804. At Hartford, (Con.) to make swords, scythes, boarding pikes, &c. from rolled steel plates.

— At Do. a catch lever press, proper for a dairy house, or a washing room.

— At Do. a hollow mandril lathe, for the purpose of turning and cutting the small screw points of screw augers, &c. &c.

— At Do. a double cutting screw auger and centre bitt.—They cut off the timber before they lift it.

— At Hartford, (Con.) a cylindrical bellows (for smithing) made of iron, tin, wood, or leather,—very convenient for an army,—say travelling forges.

— A method to equalize a blast of air, (for making or melting iron) by forcing it into a large reservoir, (by the application of several piston bellows, formed of iron or wood) and from the reservoir into the forge or furnace, in three different directions,—very advantageous in making iron, or for many kinds of smithing.

— A method to make two blasts of air, directly opposite to each other, by dividing the air of one bellows, or by applying two.—This is very useful in smithing, particularly large articles.

— A furnace or stove, made of iron or copper, with a grate consisting of hollow bars.

— The improved pin, for the use of printing presses, or a substitute for a screw; being two inclined planes, each of two different angles, giving first the motion, and then the power.—Highly useful.

1805. A cast iron (water) twier or twiron, for smith's to keep the back of their fire cool.

45

A. D.

1805. On all kinds of pots, kettles, or boilers whatever, by adding or attaching a hoop to the sides near the bottom, extending two or more inches below the bottom, thereby confining the heat to it, it will make the contents boil in half the usual time required without the hoop,—very useful for camp kettles or washing rooms; as also a press, for drying clothes.

1805—6. A peculiar constructed machine for conveying by water, with great velocity, persons or goods, &c.

It is composed of four hollow cylinders, two of ten feet long, and two of four feet long, in the shape of fishes, the Porpus, or Dolphin. At the head, pieces of boards inclining upwards, to prevent them diving with a press of sail.— The cylinder made of wood, or copper, which is better; tin may answer. They are fastened together with timbers— the largest about 6 feet apart—the two smallest between at each end—a platform on the top—it cannot be overset.

1806. A patent was obtained for welding cast-steel to iron for edge tools, &c. &c. and would be very useful in the different armouries of the United States.

At Hartford, (Con.) a machine to cast half a ton of musket balls per day—needs no trimming.

A method to make a long fire to heat scythes, swords, ram rods, plane irons, &c. &c. by attaching a tube to the bellows pipe, and to a long box of bricks—very important.

A method to reduce the temper of edge-tools, without brightening each piece as usual, to see the change of colour.

The common tin kitchen or roaster, cover the back and top with a thick soft woollen blanket, or to make the kitchen double, leaving a dead column of air between.

1807. At Boston, (Mass.) a hollow bladed sword, with a cast-steel edge. Also a sword with an edge hardened sufficient to cut the hardest iron; at the same time the blade is strong and elastic.—Highly important at this time.

Made a broad headed bellows for house or smith's use; (that is to say, not tapering as usual) the under valves or clappers placed near the head or joint next the pipe.— Is a very great improvement.

46

A. D.

1807. The rarefying air-stove.—By placing four or five (re-volving) cast or sheet-iron or copper cylinders, horizon-tally one above the other in this drying room or oven, simi-lar to the bolt of a common flour mill.—Corn, malt, barley, or any other granalized substance, such as salt, gun-powder, &c. &c. It is to be observed, that when gun-powder is to be dried, copper cylinders only should be used; and the heat from steam, to prevent danger from fire.

A machine to discharge shot horizontally; it is a flat mouth howitzer.

To raise water, beer,* cyder, wine, &c. by increasing the quantity of air on its surface, in a strong suitable cask or cistern, by a bellows or a forcing air pump; or by the force of gun-powder.—This is a very powerful force pump. It can also be done, by expelling the air from a cistern or cask by burning powder, &c. on the principle of a cup-ping glass.—The water is then raised by the pressure of the atmosphere.—The former is preferable.

At Boston, (Mass.) fullers shears, with moveable edges to put on and take off the blades at pleasure. These edges are made from rolled steel plates, similar to saw plates.—It is a great advantage to be always sure of a good edge.

A rolling mill to roll plates tapering, such as plane irons, gun-barrel plates, swords, &c. &c.

1809. A truly elastic metallic pen. Jeweller's gold is best—steel will rust.

1810. At Philadelphia, a tubicular musket lock.—No resemblance to the common lock.

At Do. a method to make musket, pistol, or rifle barrels, of any size calibre, from rolled plates of iron, steel, copper, or brass. Such barrels could be afforded for half the price of the common, and are thought by some persons to be much the strongest.

A method to weld the common musket barrel, without any waste or spoiling of the iron.—And that too with a saving of at least one half the usual quantity of fuel.

A method to charl wood to coals, by a kind of brick-kiln. —Is very convenient in cities, as it will save one half the expence of fuel commonly required for warming the house or for cooking, if coals are used instead of wood.

A double cutting and double poded auger for boring wood.

* This may be useful in Taverns, or to draw water from casks on board of ships, &c.

47

A. D.

1811. A method to make plane irons and other tools, by welding cast, or other steel, to a mass of iron, of ten, twenty, or fifty pounds, (more or less) when so welded is passed through a rolling mill, and reduced to plates of a proper thickness. The plane irons are then cut in shape from the plates with shears, several gross per day.

This is highly important.—Nearly 300 dozen have already been made.

At Do. a perpendicular lever fly press, suitable to stamp paper, or dollars, or for any other use where a fly press is wanted.

1812. At Do. an improved method to apply steam for propelling boats, mills, &c.

An improved method to make cast-steel.—By which it is expected that felling axes may be cast into shape, so as to require very little hammering; as also many other edge tools, &c.

At Do. a cast-iron machine for heading nails, or for swaging all kinds of gun work, or any other similar thing.—It is highly important in the armouries, and is proper to make chissels or firmers.

At Do. cast-iron curriers knives, and tanners fleshing knives, with wrought iron shanks, and steel edges.

CERTIFICATES.

PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL.

4th Month, 30th, 1810.

(CERTIFICATE.)

THIS may certify, that the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital, after an experiment of Daniel Pettibone's patent right, upon six small rooms warmed by one stove of a middle size, are so far convinced of the advantages to be derived from it, that they have purchased of him the liberty to use the invention which he claims, throughout the hospital, whenever they think proper.

JOSIAH HEWES,

President of the Board of Managers.

SAMUEL COATES, Secretary.

I HAVE examined the construction and principle of Mr. Pettibone's method of warming rooms, and am satisfied that it is calculated to produce its intended effect, with less expence of fuel, than an open fire, and with none of the inconveniences to some people of a close stove.

BENJAMIN RUSH.

February 23d, 1810.

AFTER an attentive consideration of the plans proposed by Mr. Pettibone, to warm, without destroying the salubrity of atmospheric air; I am of opinion, that the modes detailed by him are well adapted to the purpose intended, in the different situations to which he applies them; and that his ingenuity deserves the public patronage.

JOHN REDMAN COXE, M. D.

August 3, 1810.

FROM the experiment had of Mr. Daniel Pettibone's improved stove or fire-place, lately set up within this bank, we are satisfied with its effect. A sufficient warmth being communicated by it to a room of fifty-seven feet by forty-six, and in height about twenty feet.

GEORGE CLYMER, President P. B.

QUINTIN CAMPBELL, Cashier.

Philadelphia Bank, Jan. 31, 1819.

50

mens' incurable ward, (its dimensions 40 by 30 feet, and its height 11 feet,) a very equal, agreeable, and healthy warmth, by means of the great influx of fresh air—say one barrel per minute. It was deemed more salubrious than any artificial heat heretofore used in the institution.

By order of the Board of Managers.

P. M. KELL, Steward.

Philadelphia Almshouse, 17th July, 1810.

To the Honourable the House of Representatives of the United
States, in Congress assembled:

THE MEMORIAL OF DANIEL PETTIBONE

Respectfully Showeth,

THAT he has invented a rarefying Air-Stove for warming
rooms, &c., which he is confident may be used, with advantage,
in the capitol and other public buildings. The largest rooms may
be heated with these stoves; and the rooms may be raised, by them,
to the warmest temperature, and readily varied. The air, thus
warmed, is agreeable and pleasant—kept in circulation by a con-
stant supply of fresh air—is perfectly salubrious; agreeing with
the most delicate constitutions, and lungs of the greatest sensibi-
lity. The character of your petitioner as a mechanician, from his
various mechanical inventions and improvements, and particularly,
one for welding cast-steel to iron, will, he hopes, justify this ap-
peal to the National Legislature. Relying, therefore, on the in-
telligence and liberality of this honourable house, and that it wishe-
es to encourage mechanical inventions so useful to our infant coun-
try, your petitioner prays that his Rarefying Air-Stove may be ap-
plied to use in the capitol, and in such other public buildings, as its
utility and advantage, upon examination, may justify. As in duty
bound shall ever pray.

DANIEL PETTIBONE.

Washington City, 2d June, 1808.

Accordingly, a select committee, of five, was appointed, from
different states, as follows, viz.

<table><tr><td>Mr. Moseley,</td><td>Connecticut, Chairman.</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Seaver,</td><td>Massachusetts,</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Clopton,</td><td>Virginia,</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Jenkins,</td><td>Pennsylvania,</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Franklin,</td><td>North-Carolina,</td></tr></table>

who thoroughly examined the improvement, and made their re-
port as follows:

51

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The committee, to whom was referred the petition of Daniel Pettibone,

REPORT,—

That they have fully heard the petitioner upon the subject of his petition, and are of opinion, that the Rarefying Air-Stove, with which he proposes to warm the capitol, and other public buildings, may be used with advantage.

That, from the best estimate which they have been able to make, the expence of a suitable air-stove for the hall of the house of representatives will be about two thousand dollars.

They have conferred with the surveyor of public buildings, who states it as his opinion, that a room of the size of the hall of representatives cannot be warmed in any manner less expensive; and that the plan proposed by the petitioner is ingenious and practicable, calculated to remedy the inconvenience now experienced, and meriting the attention of congress.

The committee are, therefore, induced to submit the following resolution, for the consideration of the House :

*Resolved,* That the prayer of the petitioner is reasonable; and that proper measures be adopted for procuring the hall of representatives to be warmed with an air-stove, in the manner proposed by the petitioner.—*June 17, 1809.*

AT WASHINGTON.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1810.

Mr. Moseley made a report upon the petition of Daniel Pettibone, respecting the Rarefying Air-Stove, favourable to the plan of warming the representatives' chamber, by means of said stoves, instead of the mode now practised.

Mr. Stanford moved a reference of the report to a committee of the whole.

Mr. Moseley, Mr. Quincy and Mr. Gold, urged an immediate adoption of the report; as many of the members found the present atmosphere of the hall injurious to health, and such as rendered it impossible for them to keep their seats long at a time.

Mr. Eppes thought the subject ought to be discussed in committee of the whole.

Mr. Moseley said, he did not blame the chairman of the committee of ways and means for studying economy at this time, when, certainly, we have no super-abundance of public treasure. But he thought the nation would not regret the employment of a small sum for the purpose of purifying the atmosphere of