Intelligence and Miscellanies. 377 



3. Mr. Genet's Remarks on Dr. Jones' 1 Animadversions. 



TO THE EDITOR. 



New York, August 30, 1827. 

 Sir — Through the kindness of your printer, I have re- 

 ceived a proof sheet of Dr. Jones' (I am ashamed to repeat 

 it, for the honor of philosophy,) animadversions on my memo- 

 rial on the upward forces of fluids, and if it is not too late*, 

 I hope that these few lines will also find, in the same num- 

 ber of your Journal, where those appalling animadversions 

 will appear, the following humble and short rejoinder, name- 

 ly ; that being satisfied that in experimental philosophy and 

 practical mechanics, results and facts are the best means of 

 settling points in dispute, I have Cultivated, since last fall, in 

 this city, the friendship of philanthropic philosophers, whose 

 pleasure consists in encouraging whatever may eventually be 

 useful ; of liberal citizens, who are always willing to promote 

 the arts, of good hearted mathematicians, who like better to 

 rectify than to rebuke, and of able and public spirited me- 

 chanics, whose experience is a sure guide ; and that owing to 

 those favorable circumstances, and an elaborate investigation 

 of whatever, in the science of mechanics, has any connex- 

 ion with my plans, I have very much improved my mechani- 

 cal combinations, for the navigation of the air and water by 

 hydrostatic and aerostatic forces. I shall, in a few days, Sir, 

 be able to make experiments that will attest, 1st, the available 

 power of hydrostatic pressure, and aerostatic levity to propel 

 boats or vessels, deducting all friction and resistance, and 

 2nd. the additional advantages of a pump totally different 

 from those that I had at first contemplated, that will double 

 instead of diminishing my powers. I have been also prepar- 

 ing a system of machinery very much simplified, to steer the 

 aeronauts in favorable currents, and endow them with the 

 faculty of raising and lowering themselves by inclined planes, 

 into more favorable strata, if they meet adverse ones ; and 

 when my friend Eugene Robertson, whom I expect every 

 day, is arrived, we shall be able to begin progressively, ac- 

 cording to our means, our aerostatic experiments in a fort of 

 this city, which, under the auspices of our general government 

 solicited by Mr. Clinton, governor of this State, has been de- 



* The number containing Dr. Jones' animadversions was already finished 

 when this letter arrived. — Ed. 



Vol. XIII.— No. 2. 23 



