324 Mr. Genet’s Reply to Dr. Jones, 
Having thus, Sir, in this and my preceding letter, explain- 
ed what, perhaps, I had not sufficiently, or too technically treat- 
edin the specifications of my patents, I have taken the resolu 
tion henceforth to concentrate my attention entirely to the pro- 
motion of the experiments, which alone will settle, beyond 
reach of sets the pe * the utility of the up- 
ward farces of fluids; and | am warranted in the belief, by 
spent the winter, associates for essay of an aera aut. I 
have also positively secured a first rate ally, for the construc- 
tion and experiment of an zeronaut, in the son and disciple of 
the celebrated Professor Robertson, of Paris, Mr. Eugene 
Robertson, so well known in this country by his numerous 
and successful ascensions in halloons, as an expert and scien- 
tific experimenter. I have forwarded to you a copy of the 
narrative of his eighth ascension from New-York,* which con- 
tains, besides several yery interesting anecdotes a impor- 
tant_ observations, an encouraging opinion of my plans for 
the improvement of the navigation of the air. He does not 
hesitate to say, ‘‘that having read attentively my Memorial, 
my calculations had appeared to him to be grounded on cor- 
met philosophical principles, and that he did not see why the 
xecution of my zronaut should not resolve the problem, 
which has so long remained ee on the practica- 
bility of moving and steering zrostatic machines through the 
air, with a self-created force, instead of being, as they now 
are, the sport of the winds.” Indeed, Mr. Robertson is so 
much convinced of the correctness of the idea of combining 
into one undivided system, ascension, propulsion, and steer- 
age, as nature has combined them in the fishes, that he has 
pressed me not to let that plan lie dormant, and to do every 
Se in my power, by my own exertions and the concurrent 
efforts of all the friends of science, to excite the citizens of the 
United States to achieve once more, for the promotion of the 
useful arts, what Europe has left ae BB “ The Ameri- 
s,’ observes Mr. Robertson, ‘have applied the steam 
Boweks combined with mechanics, to the regular navigation 
of the water; let them now apply the zrostatic power to 
= ~ eeaal of the air.—a double conquest, which will 
e immortal fame over their national character.” 
sae a of this nasrative was given in the last number of this Journa), 
