INVENTOR OF THE MODERN PLOW. 47 



in their manufacture. His patent had four- 

 teen years to run. In an incredibly short 

 time their use by the farmers in all parts of 

 the land became almost universal, and had he 

 been allowed a royalty, however small, he 

 would have realized a vast fortune. Instead 

 of that he very nearly exhausted all his prop- 

 erty in unavailing endeavors to establish 

 through the courts his rights as inventor and 

 patentee. 



In 1833, when his patent expired, Congress 

 granted a renewal for fourteen years. He was 

 now bowed with the burden of years, and 

 debts incurred in trying to protect himself 

 against infringers. His remaining days were 

 spent in vain efforts to maintain his rights. 

 His broad and kindly nature had conceived 

 noble plans for the use of the wealth which at 

 one time seemed so nearly within his reach. 

 He had always been deeply interested in edu- 

 cation, and had fortune smiled upon him it is 



