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- 

 rival of the packet, people came on board to welcome their friends, and 

 to exchange salutations, when Mr. Whitney was informed that on the 

 preceding day, his shop, with all his machines and papers, had been 

 consumed by fire ! Thus suddenly, was he reduced to absolute bank- 

 ruptcy, having debts to the amount of four thousand dollars, without 

 any means of making payment. Mr. Whitney, however, had not a 

 spirit to despond under difficulties and disappointments, but was 

 aroused 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 

 extract or two. 



" I 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 

 reason and virtue must justify. It has pleased Providence to post- 

 pone the attainment of this object. In the midst of the reflections 

 which your story has suggested, and with feelings keenly awake to 

 the heavy, the extensive injury we have sustained, I feel a secret joy 

 and satisfaction, that you possess a mind in this respect similar to my 

 own — that you are not disheartened — -that you do not relinquish the 

 pursuit — and that you will persevere and endeavor at all events, to 

 attain the main object. This is exactly consonant to my own de- 

 terminations. I will devote all my time, all my thoughts, all my ex- 

 ertions, and all the money I can earn or borrow, to encompass and 



