234 List of Patents . 
as the workmen denominate it, when the buttons are 
dried off, they are finally burnished, and are then finish- 
ed and fit for carding. 
The reader unacquainted with this branch of manu- 
facture will be surprised to learn how far a small quan- 
tity of gold, incorporated with mercury, will spread over 
a smooth surface of copper. Five grains, worth one 
shilling and threepence, on the top of a gross, that is, 
144 buttons, each of one inch diameter, are sufficient to 
excuse the manufacturer from the penalty inflicted by an 
act of parliament ; yet many, upon an assay, are found 
to be deficient of this small quantity, and the maker fined 
and the buttons forfeited accordingly. Many hundred 
grosses have been tolerably gilt with half that quantity ; 
so extremely far can gold be spread, when incorporated 
with mercury, over the surface of a smooth piece of 
copper. 
No. 32 . 
List of American Patents. 
(Continued from page 157.) 
1795. 
Jacob Perkins, Jan. 16, machine for cutting nails. 
Samuel Mulliken, Jan. 15, improvement in the mode of break- 
ing flax and hemp. 
Samuel Kellogg, Jan. 31, improvement in shearing woollen and 
other cloths. 
Josiah G. Peerson, March 23, machine for cutting nails. 
Joseph Ellicott, March 25, new mode of catching fish. 
S. Morey, March 25, improvement in the application of steam. 
John Youle, May 25, construction of a caboose. 
J. Pitman, May 25, improvement in the manufacturing of cordage. 
Daniel Keller, May 25, improvement in propelling boats. 
W. P. Sprague, June 19, propelling boats, &c. with horses. 
Benjamin Wynkoop, June 19, nautical ventilators. 
John Taylor, June 30, tinned sheet copper condensing worm. 
1796. 
Jared Byington, Jan. 15, improvement in making nails. 
