Memoir of the Life of Eli Whitney. 215 
idea of such teeth had early occurred to Mr. Whitney, as he af- 
terwards established by legal proof. But they would have been of 
no use except in connection with the other parts of his machine ; and, 
therefore, this was a palpable attempt to evade the patent right, and 
it was principally in reference to this, that the lawsuits were after- 
wards held. 
In March 1795, in the midst of these perplexities and discourage- 
ments, Mr. Whitney went to New York, on business, and was de- 
tained there three weeks by an attack of fever and ague, the seeds of 
which had been sown the previous season in Georgia. As soon as he 
was able to leave the house, he embarked on board a packet for 
New Haven. On his arrival at this place, he was suffering under 
one of those chills which precede the fever. As was usual on the ar- 
tival of the packet, people came on board to welcome their friends, and 
0 exchange salutations, when Mr. Whitney was informed that on the 
preceding day, his shop, with all his machines and papers, had been 
tonsumed by fire! Thus suddenly, was he reduced to absolute bank- 
tuptcy, having debts to the amount of four thousand dollars, without 
‘ny means of making payment. Mr. Whitney, however, had not a 
Spirit to despond under difficulties and disappointments, but was 
roused by them to still more vigorous efforts. 
Mr. Miller also, on hearing of this catastrophe, manifested a 
kindred spirit. The letters written by Mr. Whitney on the occasion, 
We have not been able to obtain; but the reply of Mr. Miller in- 
dicates what were the feelings of both parties. It may be of service 
to enterprising young men, who meet with misfortunes, to read an 
&xtract or two. 
“T think with you, (says Mr. M.) that we ought to meet such events 
with equanimity. We have been pursuing a valuable object by hon- 
orable means; and I trust that all our measures have been such as 
‘eason and virtue must justify. It has pleased Providence to post- 
poe the attainment of this object. In the midst of the reflections 
hich your story has suggested, and with feelings keenly awake to 
ihe “avy, the extensive injury we have sustained, I feel a secret joy 
and Satisfaction, that you possess a mind in this respect similar to my 
at you are not disheartened—that you do not relinquish the 
PUrsuit—and that you will persevere and endeavor at all events, to 
Main the main object. This is exactly consonant to my own de- 
‘etminations, I will devote all my time, all my thoughts, all my ex- 
“tions, and all the money I can earn or borrow, to encompass and 
