Li 
On the-means of safety in Steam Boats. 3 
of a new thing depends very much on its being carried properly into 
effect. ‘To suggest and then leave an improvement to itself, would 
perhaps in most cases, be productive of little benefit to the public. 
To induce this care to give perfection to inventions, was a part of ‘the 
good policy of those who framed the constitution ; and though not a few 
have been futile, still, immense benefits have already resulted from 
the encouragement held out in the exclusive privilege or property in — 
very useful inventions. The arts were, at the period alluded to, like 
the nation itself, in their infancy. The nature and cheapness of the 
privilege might well have been expected to produce some crude con- 
ceptions 3 and some old things new vamped ; but as education advanc- 
ed, the principles of mechanics were better inculeated ; and the hap- 
piest efforts have been those which supply some great ns seaman o ; 
want arising from new exigencies in the progress of affairs.: — 
Thus, fir example, your venerable Yale sent forth the or 
genius of Whitney, opportunely to aid the agricultural enterprise of 
all the south. At the moment the great staple indigo was rivalled by 
that of the Indies, cotton was introduced ; but in vain, till /his:inge- 
nuity, produced the gin, and he became the benefactor of | half we 
Union. 
But it was not till 1819 that the protection of pation ibecinaie 
effectual. In that year Mr. Webster and Judge Hopkinson rendered 
the interests of literature and the arts a valuable service, in obtaining 
the passage of a law giving the circuit court chancery powers and 
“original jurisdiction in all cases of this nature ; thus by injunction 
against trespassers, placing the burden of proof on them, no longer 
therefore supported in aggression by its profits. 
Thus effectually placed under the protection of the power that 
granted the privilege, there is no discouragement to the talents even 
of the best informed, the most likely to know what has already been 
done and what is yet wanted in the art, such may propose to improve. 
_ The most scientific American would be proud, I should think, to ren- 
der his country a service as valuable as Watt rendered to is; or 
_ like Sir Humphry Davy, would rejoice to shed light—especially the 
light of safety, on the path of humble industry, or peaceful travel, 
and free it from the most appalling of the dangers that walk in dark- 
ness and waste at noon day. If a more effectial safeguard than that 
I describe should be by some more skilful mechanician produced, I 
shall rejoice in it. Until then it is submitted to the public with no 
other recommendation than its simplicity and intention. 
. 
4, 
