488 



MEMOIR OF DANIEL TREADWELL. 



self to their interests, for his valued contributions to their Memoirs, and for his 

 uniform urbanity and fidelity in the performance of the duties of the office of Vice- 

 President, which he has honorably filled for many years." 



In 1865 Professor Treadwell received from the Academy the Rumford medals. 

 During the thirty years that the Academy had been charged with the award of 

 this premium, it had been given to but two persons ; never to a member of the 

 Academy. It was now given to Professor Treadwell for his " Improvements in the 

 Management of Heat." The award was most grateful to him ; it assured him that, 

 however much his labors had been slighted by his own Government, they were fully 

 appreciated by a competent scientific tribunal, and his claim to originality recognized. 

 It is to be hoped it did something towards relieving the periods of depression of 

 spirits into which he not unfrequently fell, for it must surely be a satisfaction to 

 find one's labors appreciated by the few who are competent to pronounce on their 

 value. 



The following is the vote recommended by the Rumford Committee, and unani- 

 mously adopted by the Academy, at its annual meeting, May 23, 1865. 



" Whereas Professor Daniel Treadwell, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, between the years 1840 

 and 1845 did devise, execute, and publish certain improvements in the management of heat by 

 which guns of great strength and endurance were constructed, especially by the coiling of iron 

 in the direction of its greatest tenacity, and welding the coils bv means of moulds and mandrels 



commend 



and by hydraulic pressure into a hollow cylinder, whereby a system of construction, before used 

 in small arms only, was rendered applicable to guns of any calibre, and which is now generally 

 adopted in the manufacture of large cannon, — therefore the Rumford Committ 

 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences that the following vote be passed : 



" Voted, That the Rumford Premium be awarded to Professor Daniel Treadwell for improve 

 ments in the management of heat, embodied in his invest 



5 



construction of cannon of large calibre, and of great strength and endurance."* 



The award was carried into effect at the Academy's rooms on the 15th of No- 

 vember, 1865. 



The President of the Academy, after a concise statement of the investigations, 



inventions, and labors of Mr. Treadwell, and the consequences to which they have 

 led, said : 



" And now, Mr. Treadwell 

 silver duplicate, I have much pleasure in conveying 



medal 



<r witii tiiem 



and best 



wishes ot your associates here assembled ; also the expression of their hope that you may yet 



may 



honors which you have worthily won ; and with them, if it may be so, have the full recognition 

 of the rights and possession of the advantages which pertain to your inventions." 



1842.— D. T." 



\V\ 



