262 Researches on the Commercial Potash 



ed hy the specious pretensions of the patentee, and actually, for some 

 time, pursued the process which he recommended. 



The " improvement" thus proposed is announced in the following 

 words. " The compound used is salt, lime and lamp oil. First, 

 when beginning to melt, alter the salt has done rising, it can then be 

 ascertained what quantity of potash you are going to have. Sup- 

 pose one barrel : First, take half a bushel of salt, sprinkle half of it 

 over the top of the potash : Secondly, take two bushels of slaked 

 lime, add that in the same manner, then the remainder of the salt, 

 and when the lime has disappeared, then add half a pint of lamp oil. 

 This is the quantity used for one barrel ; but it may be varied as the 

 nature of the case may require. First, the use of the salt is to cre- 

 ate a heat, and to purify the potash ; as it is supposed to burn up, 

 and add nothing to the quantity, but to the quality : Secondly, the 

 lime is supposed to melt and become the first rate potash : Thirdly, 

 the oil is to create a blaze to consume : Fourthly, these are the con- 

 templated uses of the above ingredients used by me."* 



On the subject of this specification, I shall only express my en- 

 tire concurrence in the remarks of Dr. Jones, the editor of the 

 Franklin Journal. " If" says he '' a patent had been required for 

 deteriorating one of the staples of our country, the one under con- 

 sideration would most completely have fulfilled the intention ; and it 

 is earnestly hoped that its validity may, in some way, be tested in 

 our courts of law, where we apprehend, it would not be esteemed a 

 ' useful invention' according to the intention of the patent law ; as its 

 inevitable result if acted upon, must be to injure the reputation of 

 American potash in foreign countries ; the material would be entire- 

 ly spoiled as it regards its use in many manuractures." 



* It need not excite surprise that such nonsense should gain currency among 

 ignorant manufacturers, when intelligent and even scientific men, often counte- 

 nance the most absurd pretensions. I once saw the names of several respectable 

 gentlemen, and among the rest that of a professor in one of onr colleges, attached 

 tea certificate in favor of a perpetual motion, which the inventor had the folly to 

 exhibit. And, more recently, I have observed that a certain "improved compass 

 needle," has received the approval of several of our naval officers, and has been 

 noticed with apparent commendation in England. {See Land, and Edinb. Phil. 

 Mag. (f'C, May, 1835.) In regard to this "improved needle," I will only add that 

 it is said to have been the means of losing for a friend of mine, a valuable vessel 

 and cargo ; and that the construction of it is false in principle, and its use must be 

 hazardous in practice. Scientific men often do themselves great injury and sub- 

 ject those who place confidence in them to serious losses by their endorsements of 

 of such valueless paper. 



