102 Mr. Genet’s Vindication. 
the power of ascension obtained by zerostation ; the power of 
propulsion easily supplied by mechanics; and, finally, the 
power of guidance or rationality, which mankind (with a few 
exceptions) possess in a superior degree to the porpoises or 
sturgeons. 
Another unfair statement of the Boston reviewers, is to re- 
present my zronaut as being surmounted with a wind-mill. 
A wind-mill is a passive aud standing machine, moved by a 
current of air, and entirely subject to its action ; which ma- 
chine would produce no kind of effect in the air, being depri- 
ved of a point of rest, inasmuch as it would possess in itself no 
self-created power to react against the atmosphere in which 
it would be immersed. Quite on the contrary, the aerial fins 
of my wronaut (the figure of which is assimilated to several 
kuown fishes, not with a ven eance, as the editors say, but 
with the most scrupulous imitation,) instead of being moved by 
the air, would act directly upon that fluid, and compel it to fa- 
vour the progress, of the machine, as is fully demonstrated 
in the Memorial. 
1 now quit, Sir, the Boston reviewers, to mention another 
review printed at Philadelphia, and entitled the Franklin 
Journal and American Mechanics Magazine, published by 
r. Thomas P. Jones, in which I was informed my Memori- 
al had been critically noticed. But I find, that, excepting a 
few additional acerbities and ungenteel allusions to my ad- 
vancing years, the editor has copied verbatim, and taken 
upon trust, what the Boston Review has said on that subject. 
His notice of my work is little more than an echo.* 
f, however, Sir, some reviewers in Boston and Philadel- 
th 
more indulgent; that a favourable report has been made to 
the Legislature of this State, on the means which I have pro- 
to insure the safety of passengers on vessels of all de- 
scriptions, including steam-boats, and to prevent their sinking 
or foundering ; that the Philosophical Society of New-York 
has warmly recommended to the patriotism of the citizens of 
the United States, to raise by subscription the very small 
Sum hecessary to construct an aerial vessel on my plan; and 
thatif]} ay t+ +] Ser Fy lish g tl} ,aMr, 
> Ls 
* Dr. Jones has published an original article on this subject, in the last 
number of his Journal. Epitor. ; 
February 7, 
