INVENTOR OF THE MODERN PLOW. 57 



them. On one memorable day, while they 

 were in the House gallery, Mr. Adams, at his 

 desk on the floor, wrote them briefly in rela- 

 tion to their case. A few minutes later he 

 was struck with the fatal attack under which 

 he exclaimed, ' This is the last of earth; I am 

 content,' and was borne dying to the Speaker's 

 room. The tremulous lines, the last his hand 

 ever traced, were found on his desk and de- 

 livered to Miss Wood. 



" A bill providing that in these four heirs 

 should rest for seven years the exclusive 

 right of making and vending the improve- 

 ments in the construction of the cast-iron 

 plow ; and that twenty-five cents on each plow 

 might be exacted from all who manufactured it, 

 passed the Senate unanimously. But Wash- 

 ington already swarmed with plow manufac- 

 turers. The city of Pittsburgh alone sent five 

 to look after their interests. Money was free- 

 ly used, and the members of the House Corn- 



