316 I i^^SEftlBLY 



that subject and of the plough at large, which he recommended lor 

 adoption. 



Mr. Meigs said that Josiah Dutcher, one of that committee had in 

 writing, declined serving, on account of his being personally inter- 

 ested in tlie general question of who are the inventors of the best 

 ploughs, — he claiming to have made great improvements, in cast 

 iron ploughs, at great loss of time and money, a great many years 

 ago, and believing that he was also entitled to the benefit of relief 

 from his country. 



Judge Van Wyck spoke of the claim of the heirs of Charles New- 

 bold as highly worthy of the attention of Congress, that he was now 

 ready to report in behalf of the committee. 



Dr. Morehead, said that it would be well to appoint a special 

 committee to examine and report as to the Stafford process for drying 

 and preserving grain and flour, — that it was an object of great mag- 

 nitude, and certainly not only desirable but indispensible. 



Geo. G. Sickles. — The report just read is interesting. What can 

 be more so than that which belongs to the history of that the great- 

 est of all the useful inventions of man? I shall join most heartily 

 in endeavoring to induce Congress to reward Newbold's family. 

 You remember the ceremony of depositing (as it were a royal 

 treasure) in the Tower of London, one of the first silk machines 

 introduced into England. The first honors are due to those who 

 bring out such benefits for mankind. I move that the report of the 

 committee be adopted. 



Mr. Wakeman. — There are many claimants for benefits conferred 

 from time to time oi: the plough. They are all worthy, some espe- 

 cially so. The report just read is good. I second the motion for its 

 adoption. 1 believe that the tests made by the Institute show that 

 the plough invented by our deceased member, Cornelius Bergen, Long 

 Island, required less draught than any other offered for trial. I was 

 induced to believe that he had hit upon a principle, in the formation 

 of that instrument, which accomplished the work with the least pos- 

 sible tractive power. 



I wish that the peculiar properties of the Bergen plough might be 

 examined and accurately described, especially as relates to the curva- 

 ture of the mould board. 



