CHAPTER XVIII

COMMENCEMENT OF THE STEAM­BOAT PERSEVERANCE.

THE practicability of the invention having now been tested, the new Company was consolidated with the old, and preparations were made to build another boat, so that two vessels moved by steam could be sent to Virginia, in order to meet with the requisitions of the law in favor of Fitch passed by that State. The time was short, as the law would expire unless the specified conditions were fulfilled by the 9th of November, 1790. Prompt action was taken. A levy of £10 was made upon each member. All professed themselves willing to pay it, but the collection of the amount was not an easy matter. Fitch feared that this difficulty would arise, and he represented to Edward Brooks, the Treasurer, and others, that the building of the boat ought not to be commenced until the necessary funds were in hand. This prudent suggestion was unheeded. The vessel was contracted for, and the work was begun. A proposition was made by the inventor that he should go to the Western country to seek subscriptions; but that plan was not adopted. It was shown to General Gibson, of Allegheny, and Colonel Mastel, who gave it their approbation in words. An application to members of the Legislature of Pennsylvania from the western counties was not as successful. Mr. John Hoge, Representative of Washington and Fayette, and James Findlay and Albert Gallatin, of Fayette, were not courteous, and they treated the proposition with disdain.

In the estimate then prepared, it was calculated that ten boats might be necessary for use on the Western waters, and that they would cost about two thousand dollars each. Chagrined at the result, application was made to General Gibson, to induce him to become a partner in the enterprise of building a boat at Pittsburg. The following was the letter containing this proposal:

Worthy Honoured Sir:

The subscriber humbly begs leave to demonstrate to you the unaccountable difficulties and embarrassments which have been and still are thrown in his way, which no man acting upon natural principles could even suspect.

The embarrassments of a man in my station of life to raise £3000 in short a space of time as I have done and that upon so unpopular and uncertain a scheme as I have been upon, cannot be supposed to be small. But since I have evaded through all these difficulties and have ascertained the scheme to meet with such cold reception, as I do from the very men who are to be benefited by it was never suspected by me.

To tell you Sir that some of the Gentlemen from your Country whom I waited upon to obtain their Certificate and Countenance would not even deign or show the least desire of informing themselves of the principles which I meant to go upon, as if they were afraid that they should be convinced that it v as their duty to support me; and others, who did say that they could not assert that the plan was equitable and just, although it was clearly stated, as evident as any problem in Euclid, that the Ballance was [not] against the steamboat company, yet refused to sign it on them principles.

Others refused to sign it because they could not say that they thought it was the duty of every good citizen to render real service to themselves, their Country, and their Nation.

Such base injustice to the man who has spent his whole fortune, with five or six years, to serve these very men, and the world of mankind at large, must be sensibly felt by a man of feelings; yet, Sir, I dispise such petty embarrassments as the whole members on the waters of the Mississippi can throw in my way.

But should we say that your Country should be deprived of so valuable a machine for Fourteen years, the resentment would be just. But it is not that part that I mean to act, but upon more noble principles; and convince the little, suspicious minds, that I am not capable of injuring myself for the sake of injuring others.

Worthy Sir, I ask no more good men in that Country than what would have saved Sodom and Gomorra from Fire and Brimstone, to Effect the greatest revolution which that Country ever did or ever will experience, and am confident I have found one in you; and permit me to return you the thanks which is due you from you Country, and address you on the scheme which I propose to pursue.

Sir, I am determined that the Navigation of the Mississippi and Ohio shall be made easy, whether the Western people will have it or no.

I really Pity men who have worried at the Oar these six thousand years past, and am determined to relieve them; and you may be a principle promoter of so great an event, which Will cause inconceivable revolutions in your Country.

I do know that the liberal principles on which I go will command sufficient money for the present to carry it into effect.

This is, Sir, to request to think of the matter, and consult with yourself, before my arrival at Pitt, whether you can patronize the scheme for 20 shares, or in partnership with another, so as to build a boat for that place.

If you can, sir, I pledge my reputation, and you may esteem it as coming from an honest man, that I will ascend the Ohio river one hundred miles in twenty four hours.

I trust that you will pardon this intrusion, and hope to be esteemed by you,

Your Most Devoted,

Humble Servant,

JOHN FITCH.

The honorable General Gibson.

This proposal was not agreed to by General Gibson, and the West was thereby retarded in the progress which the steam­boat would have effected, and which the same invention has since so wonderfully aided in producing.

The work upon the Perseverance continued, and it was hoped that it would be finished in time to save the benefit of the Virginia law. This expectation was disappointed. A violent north­east storm arose. After having blown from that quarter for a day and part of a night, the wind suddenly shifted to the north­west. The boat was broken from her moorings, and drifted upon Petty's Island, opposite the upper part of Philadelphia. The tide was very high at the time, and the Perseverance was driven so far upon the land that it was impossible to get her off for ten or twelve days There was now no possibility of complying with the law of Virginia, and that project was abandoned.

Both boats were now laid up for the winter. The Act of Congress of April 10, 1790, entitled " an Act for the encouragement of useful arts," was not neglected. It vested the

granting of exclusive rights to inventions in the Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and Attorney­General. To those officers the following petition was presented:

To the Honorable, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney General,

The Petition of John Filch, of the City of Philadelphia, humbly sheweth:

That your Petitioner, in the Spring of the Year One thousand seven hundred and eighty five, conceived the idea of applying steam to the purposes of propelling vessels through the water; that, fully satisfied in his own mind of the practicability of such a scheme, of its great immediate utility, and the important advantages which would in future result therefrom, not only to America, but to the world at large, if the scheme could be carried into effectual operation, he divested himself of every other occupation, and undertook the arduous task; not doubting that when perfected he should be amply rewarded. In his first attempts to procure assistance from Congress and the Legislatures of many of the states, from the peculiar situation of their finances, and the seeming impossibility of the success of the scheme, he met with no relief. Not entirely discouraged by those disappointments, he continued his application to his project, and prayed several of the states for an exclusive right for the use of fire and steam to navigation; that New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia granted him an exclusive right, agreeably to the prayer of his Petition, for fourteen years;

That the impracticability of procuring experienced workmen in America, your Petitioner's total ignorance of the construction of a steam­engine, together with the necessary deviation from the form described in books, in order to accommodate its Height and bulk to the narrow limits of a vessel, have caused him not only to expend about eight thousand Dollars in successive experiments, but nearly four years of some of his grants have expired before he has been able to bring his engine to such a degree of perfection as to be carried into use;

That having at length fully succeeded in his scheme, proof of which he is prepared to offer, he trusts he now comes forward, not as an imaginary projector, but as a man who, contrary to the popular expectation, has really accomplished a design which on examination will clearly evince the many and important advantages which must result therefrom to the United States; some of which your petitioner begs leave to enumerate:

The western waters of the United States, which have hitherto been navigated with great difficulty and expense, may now be ascended with safety, convenience' and great velocity; consequently, by these means an immediate increased value will be given to the Western Territory; all the internal waters of the Ignited States will be rendered much more convenient and safe, and the carriage on them much more expeditious; that from these advantages will result a great saving in the labour of men and horses, as well as expense to the traveler.

Your Petitioner also conceives that the introduction of a complete steam engine, formed upon the newest and best principles, into such a country as America, where labour is high, would entitle him to public countenance and encouragement, independent of its use in navigation. He begs leave to say that the great length of time and vast sum of money expended in bringing the scheme to perfection have been wholly occasioned by his total ignorance of the improved state of steam engines; a perfect knowledge of which has not been acquired without an infinite number of fruitless experiments; for not a person could be found who was acquainted with the minutiae of Bolton & Watt's new engine; and whether your petitioner's engine is similar or not to those in England, he is at this moment totally ignorant, but is happy to say that he is now able to make a complete steam engine which, in its effects, he believes, is equal to the best in Europe, the construction of which he has never kept a secret;

That, on his first undertaking the scheme, he knew there were a great number of Rays of applying the power of steam to the propelling of vessels through the water, perhaps all equally effective; but this formed no part of his consideration, knowing that if he could bring his steam engine to work in a boat, he would be under no difficulty in applying its force; therefore he trusts that no interference with him in propelling boats by steam, under any pretense of a different mode of application, will be permitted. For should that be the case, the employment of his time, and the amazing expense attending the perfection of his scheme, would, whilst they gave the world a valuable discovery, and America peculiar and important advantages, eventuate in the total ruin of your Petitioner; for a thousand different modes may lie applied by subsequent navigators, all of them benefiting by the labour and expense of your Petitioner, and sharing with him those profits which they never earned. Such a consequence he is confident will not be permitted by your honorable body.

Your Petitioner therefore prays that your honors will take the subject of his petition into consideration; and by granting him an exclusive right to the use of steam navigation for a limited time, do him that justice which he conceives he merits, and which he trusts will redound to the honor and add to the true interests of America; and your Petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

JOHN FITCH

New York, 22nd June, 1790.

This petition was preferred as a matter of form, but the triumph of the steam­boat was so complete, that the elated inventor even hoped that his case might be made an exception to the law " to promote the progress of useful arts;" and knowing that the members of Congress, who were then assembled at New York, were cognizant of his perfect success, he ventured to ask the privilege which he craved.

July 1, 1790.--A petition of John Fitch was presented to the house, and read, praying that an exclusive right may be granted to him to the use of steam to navigation in the United States for a limited time.

Ordered the said petition to lay on the table.

Fridays July 2,1790.--The Petition of John Fitch was read, Stating sundry improvements which he has made " in applying steam to the purpose of propelling boats or vessels through the water," and requesting " a law in his favour, independent of the General one nor in force."

Ordered, that this Petition lie on the table.

Failing in this endeavor, he again addressed the commissioners. Another petition was presented to them on the 22d of November. The next day, they appointed the first Monday in February, 1791, to hear all the applicants for patents for inventions in which steam was used for a motive power. These were John Fitch, James Rumsey, and John Stevens, who asked patents for steam­boats and steam machinery, and Nathan Read and Isaac Briggs, for steam-wagons. During this delay, attempts were made to induce new parties to aid in the steam­boat enterprise. In that spirit the following letter, curious for the estimates which it contains, was written to Robert Morris, the eminent financier, patriot, and statesman. The epistle was not transmitted until three months after its date.

Worthy Honored Sir:

The subscriber humbly begs leave to address you on a scheme of the first importance to yourself and Country.

I know, Sir, I stand on the most unfavourable ground to propose any thing new; for, by unforeseen and unavoidable events, the City of Philad. have become my Enemies.

The disgust which new projects gives to many, my despicable appearance, my project being calculated to make the Watermen my Enemies, the great interest which Rumsey has made against me, and the great numbers who gave their opinions against my scheme, who are loth to have their judgments called in question, it may be supposed that I have scarcely a friend left.

The most infamous Characters or scheme, surrounded with friends, is applauded; the greatest virtues, surrounded with my Enemies, is treated with contempt.

These hints, sir, will undoubtedly satisfy you that I stand on more unfavourable Ground than I ought to do; but I feel myself perfectly easy while I know the candour and abilities of Mr. Morriss.

I wish, sir, to propose a trading House at New Orleans; and doubt not but if Mr. Morriss should patronize it, Mr. Leamy, the Spanish Consul, would give it Countenance, and probably Support.

The great embarrassments of Navigating the Mississippi has undoubtedly prevented that place from Nourishing in proportion to the extent of country which must finally traffic there.

The amazing expense of bringing back the People who transport the produce down that River, makes it truly discouraging to the Exporter, and a natural tendency of Indolence in the planter. From the Luxuriance of the Soil, the number of Inhabitants, it ought to be supposed that New Orleans should be the largest City in North America, and the greatest trade carried on there; which, was the Navigation made easy, I apprehend would suddenly take place.

In the first place, I wish to state the difference between the present mode of navigation and navigating them waters by steam, and make an estimate of one Boat, for one year, of 50 Tons Burthen, and to compare it with Dr. Flowers', Con' Barber's, and Capt. Wood's Certificates.

I suppose a steamboat of 50 tons burthen, which would make four trips in a year to Kentucky, or the Illinois; and suppose the Boat to be Double manned, and to reckon nothing for the Boats now in use on that River.

I estimate the steam boat, when complete for the voyage, to cost 2500 Dollars; but say £1000; and to keep it in perpetual repair, say it will cost £100 per year; which Boat transports 200 Tons pr year.

The interest of the money is. . . . £60 00

The repairs. . . . . . . . . . 100

Wages of 4 men, say 400 Dollars. . . . . . 150

Engineer, say. . . . . . . . . 100

Provision and necessaries, say. . . . . .100

--------------------

In all, is £510

For Transporting 200 Tons; which reduces the price to less than 2/7d per hundred weight.

To transport 200 tons, according to Dr. Flowers' estimate, amounts to £11,850; which leaves a Balance in favour of the steamboat of £11,340 for one boat only, for one year; and at this day I presume that less than ten or fifteen boats would not do the business of that river.

We do know that we can make these Boats to ascend the Mississippi. We also know that we can make our works as durable as millworks; and by having odd limbs on board, no part can fail but may be repaired in two hours.

These Boats, by carrying back the People at reasonable rates who transports the produce down the River, must soon make an amazing odds in the Trade of that Town; for the inhabitants of that country could at this day, with the same industry, export as much as the State of Pennsylvania, East of the Mountains; and as they are at this time bear of all foreign merchandise, much of their money would probably be laid out that way.

An article of agreement, which I doubt not but will be executed by the steamboat company, will entitle me to convey one half of the said boats, as may be erected by public subscription, on generious principles, on them waters.

The owners of those Boats must have many and great advantages over other merchants in that place.

I propose to reside there myself, and become a Spanish subject; and hope to meet with indulgences as such.

I have already a pretty extensive acquaintance on the Ohio, and shall this winter make it much more so; and could they be satisfied that I was supported by people of property, doubt not but that a principle part of the Trade of that Country might engrossed by the House; and think it may be worthy the attention of the most respectable Gentlemen to pursue it.

This, Sir, will probably cause a revolution in the Western World more astonishing than the introduction of arts in Muscova by Peter, and worthy the notice and consideration of Mr. Morriss; and pray that he may have the same secret pleasure and reward as great Peter of Muscova had in rendering real service to his Country.

Which is the sincere wish of

Your ever Faithful

Humble Servant,

JOHN FITCH .

20th Sept., 1790.

The Honorable Robert Morriss, Esq.

P. S.--If Sir. Morriss should find it inconvenient for himself to engage in this business, he perhaps might favour the scheme BO far as to recommend it to some of his acquaintances, or to give his opinion where the scheme may be defective, and to give his advice how it ought to be pursued. J. F.

These estimates, he afterwards said were probably too high. He had been informed that, on account of quick and sudden falls of waters it would be dangerous to use boats of fifty tons; which, by their size, would be prevented from taking advantage of eddies, as smaller boats might. He thought that it would be impossible to navigate the Mississippi in boats of larger capacity than twenty­five tons. The expense would be thereby increased, as the cost of running the Smaller boat would not be reduced in proportion. The latter would only save the labor of twenty men, whilst the former would dispense with the care of forty­five; and the expenses would not be ~~£50 per year different.

Shortly afterward, Fitch commenced to write a long Statement to the Commissioners of Patents, in which he set out his claims in full: with the evidence he relied upon, and argued very conclusively in regard to the priority of his invention, and the injustice of giving rights to others who had made a different application in the mode of propulsion from his own.

He now found himself deserted by all the members of the company but three or four. And in order to regain their goodwill, and continuance of patronage to the boats he wrote them an address as follows:

THE STEAMBOAT COMPANY

Gentlemen: the convulsed situation of the Company throws every thing into the most tottering situation.

After the many thousands which you have expended to bring forward the most useful art that was ever introduced into the World, and even after you have perfected it, it seems that you are amazed at what you have done, and lost in contemplating, in thinking, how the world will gaze on the virtuous Few who have so nobly and liberally rendered such essential service to their Nation.

And shall we, after we have perfected the scheme, Eclipse our noble acts by leaving our works half done, because we do not wish, or are not protected in carrying on business at the distance of the Mississippi ?

I know that the disjointed situation of our Co. will not permit us to strike another stroke till some new arrangement shall take place.

Permit me to suggest one proposal more, which is, Once more to solicit Congress to give us a tract of Land, to enable us to bring into practice what we have perfected.

We do know that we can ascend the Mississippi; we also know that we can make our Works as durable as Mill Works, and that we can navigate them Waters at about one tenth of the present expense of Navigation; which Improvement will be worth three such Tracts of Territory as is on the Western Waters added to our Empire.

That we have brought our scheme so far to perfection as to convince the World that a steam engine may be introduced into a Boat to advantage, is one of the greatest consolations. But that the time necessarily employed in the pursuit has extended beyond the limit unfortunately assigned by the state of Virginia,

is the cause of our greatest grief. Our expectations of extensive profits, you well know, were built on exclusive rights to navigate the Western Waters.

The immense difficulties we have had to encounter in acquiring the knowledge of the true principles of a steam engine, together with the obstructions thrown in our way by the claims set up by Ramsey and his friends, wasted that portion of time which was allotted by the state of Virginia to perfect two Boats for the waters of that state, agreeably to the terms of the law granted in my favour.

You know that one Boat has been completed, and that another was nearly ready when the terms of the lax expired. Hard, indeed, were the terms of that law; but I had no conception at the time of accepting them that it would have employed so great a length of time merely to acquire the art of making a steam engine--an art familiar in England, but of which all the artisans I could ever converse with in America, entirely ignorant. Thus we had to explore an unbeaten path, and did not ascertain the true course until we had wandered into a thousand wrong Roads.

These attempts, you too well know, have been attended by an enormous expense; and failing at last in our great object of the Western Waters, your spirits of exertion I sadly perceive begins to fail. No exertions of mine have been wanting, but the fates have been against us. What are we to do ? Are we to relinquish the once pleasing prospect of success, and quietly sit down under our Losses ? or shall we make one more Bold effort, and east ourselves upon the Honour and generosity of our Country ?

I well know that we have opponents, and powerful opponents, too; but I flatter myself that our Rights will be viewed through the medium of justice, rather than interest; that our Country will perceive that, having first promulgated the Idea of steam boats, in a manner not to be lost, as my Petition was presented to Congress in August, 1785,and having carried the Idea into effectual operation, will secure me every right and title which the most sanguine inventor could hope for.

If any were before me in thought, it was in thought only; and my discovery was the only one that was made known to the world; and had I droped into oblivion, my discovery must have ever remained on record; whilst those of any other pretenders ever concealed until mine made a noise in the world, might have sunk, with their Inventors, into everlasting silence.

On this principle you know that I have contended my universal Priority; and further, that no subsequent Pretender could come forward with propriety, under pretense of a variation in the mode of applying the power; for I assert it as fixed principle, that the invention is in the thought of applying the action of steam to navigation, and not in the mode of effecting it; otherwise, my whole project might be wrested from me by a subsequent Pretender, merely by the plea of applying the power of steam in some other mode than that which I first began with.

So sensible were all the Legislatures who granted me Patents of the force of this reasoning, that they all gave me the exclusive right of steam to Navigation.

Under this Patronage I began my Works, and you advanced your money, little expecting the difficulties that we had to encounter; nearly £4000 have been expended, and your prospects are vanishing away.

I feel distressed at the thought of asking you to advance more, but more distressed at the thought of abandoning a scheme now so fully ascertained.

You will ask me what I propose. I will tell you, Gentlemen, my views. They are still extended to the waters of the Mississippi.

Could I gain your permission, I would apply to Congress for patronage to a scheme which cannot fail to give an immense increase of value to the western territory. Should I take a boat from hence to the mouth of the Mississippi and thence, by the power of steam, ascend those waters to the Rapids of the Ohio, l should conceive that I conferred the greatest benefit, in a pecuniary sense, that America ever experienced; and I have no doubt but Congress would grant me, by way of encouragement, a Tract of at least 50000 acres as a Recompense--small indeed when compared with the amazing advantages to that Country.

Would you, Gentlemen, so far countenance my application as to support me hear for only three months-- for my all is now expended my last Certificate is sold and gone,--I will employ that time in soliciting the grant from Congress.

Gentlemen, I would ask on the special terms of carrying our new Boat to the Rapids. Under such a promise on the part of Congress, I have no doubt but I could form a new Co. should the old one decline the expense. You it is true have spent largely on my scheme; but I have dissipated the last farthing I have in the world yet am not dismayed, if my Country will yet take me by the hand.

I have given my country a most valuable discovery on the 30 of August, I785 for which I have received no compensation; and I doubt not but common justice will induce them to do something for me; especially when they can do it for the benefit of our Empire.

Another inducement which urges me to pursue this scheme is, to put it out of the power of future Generations to make excuses for the present one. And if I should die in penury want, wretchedness and Rags, that my country may have no excuse, and that I may have the secret pleasure in the contemplation of receiving real ditty from future Generations.

All of which is humbly submitted to the Company,

By

John Fitch.

25 Dec., 1790.

The want of continued employment seems to have led the active mind of Fitch, about this time, into a new field. We have hitherto stated how his feelings became prejudiced against the Christian religion in consequence of early impressions. The rigid discipline to which he was subjected by his father, doubtless had its influence. The odium which he incurred from the Methodists of Trenton, upon account of his working on the Sabbath during the busy times of the Revolution, when the repairing of arms for defense was considered a necessity, must have excited a temperament which could not brook unmerited censure. The refusal of leading members of the Methodist persuasion in New York to even see him, when he arrived at that port in a cartel­ship, after his captivity, no doubts completed his disgust at those who professed Christianity. He became a Deist, in the sense which now distinguishes Unitarianism. The Socinian doctrines which he advocated were embraced by Voight and others. They believed that there was one mighty God, the creator and ruler of the universe, but they rejected the tenet that Jesus Christ was his son. The latter was regarded by Fitch and his friends as a great teacher, but not as inspired. The estimate which the steam­boat builder placed upon the Saviour is shown by the following extract from his writing, which is a specimen of humility mingled with strong self­conceit:

"My despicable appearance my uncouth way of speaking and holding up extravagant ideas and 80 bad in address must ever make me unpopular; but was I a handsome man and a good Writer. I could do now more than Jesus Christ or George Fox did."

The expressions of opinion upon the subject of religion which were made by Fitch and Voight, met with approval by some persons to whom they were spoken. It was resolved to form an association for the propagation of such doctrines, and to call it "the Universal Society." In order to detach it from Christian influence, the members agreed to count the year from the institution of the club. This took place on the 25th of February, 1790--at least the first recorded minutes were of the proceedings upon that day. Fitch very strenuously endeavored to have the anniversary fixed January 21st, so that, in future celebrations of the important event, he might have the "secret pleasure" of knowing that they were celebrating his birthday. The members of the Society, who knew not the hidden vanity which impelled the suggestion, could not see any reason for adopting a day which had no associations connected with it; and to the "secret chagrin" of the conceited proposer, they negated a proposal for which they could discover no argument. The Universal Society began to meet regularly in the autumn of 1790, and there were then thirty members. The code of morals inculcated by its laws was very strict. A breach of honor, or the Rant of honor, was to be punished with great severity, and the penalty was to be nothing less than expulsion. Any offense against the laws of God and nature was to be similarly reproved, and the founders of the association seemed to think that the dread of such measures would be sufficient to restrain the evil passions of their associates. The Society met weekly, for instruction, conference, and debate upon moral and philosophical topics. Subjects were also assigned to the members to be treated upon in essays. The following are some of the questions thus submitted. Those marked with an asterisk were proposed by Fitch:

* Is a plurality of wires right or wrong ?

* What are the duties of men, & how are they to be known ?

* Is there any such thing as conscience, or does not what we call conscience arise altogether from education ?

* Is there any Religion which can be framed useful to society f If there is, on what principles ought that religion to be founded ?

Is there a Providence ?

Are there any punishments or rewards after this life ?

* Did all mankind proceed from one man & woman ?

Are the Generality of mankind rendered more happy or miserable in this life from a conviction that they shall exist in a future state?

* Can suicide be a noble act in any case whatever?

* Ought Dueling to be countenanced by Government, or not ?

Are the Prayers of finite creatures of any avail with Deity ?

Are not men & other animals composed of the same kind of matter ?

* What make North America colder in winter than other countries in the same degree of North Latitude ?

*What was the passion of Envy given to men for, or what use could it be of in this world ?

Have any passions at all been given to men ?

How comes it that men are more susceptible of reason than other animals ?

* Which do we derive the greatest benefits from, our Friends or Enemies, as to useful lessons in life ?

*Do not all men enjoy an equal share of happiness in this world ?

* Why is the Eastern part of our Continent more sandy, rocky, broken, and Barren than it is west of the Allegheny mountains ?

Would not less sanguinary Punishments than that of death, for capital crimes, be of more extensive utility ?

Why are particular species of animals more obedient to men than to any other?

Can a man love a being whom he has never seen ?

What is matter ?

What is the cause of attraction ?

Should a magnetic needle made with two points thus > < with a brass pointer between the points marked, be less liable to variation than that in present use ?

* Is life an element, or not?

Is gratitude due from the young to their parents for their care and protection in raising and nursing them when not able to protect themselves ?

In March, 179l, the Rev. Mr. Palmer, who had been a preacher of the Baptist church in Philadelphia, was dispossessed of his pulpit in consequence of heretical teaching. Some followers seceded with him from the congregation. They obtained a room in Church Alley, and on the succeeding Sabbath Sir. Palmer preached from the 6th chapter of Malachi, 8th verse: " Love mercy, deal justly, walk humbly before our God." The Universal Society united with his followers on that occasion. The hall was crowded; and Mr. Palmer, taking advantage of the prepossession of his audience, denied the divinity of Christ in the course of his sermon. This meeting emboldened the participators, and it was announced in the newspapers that on the succeeding Sabbath Mr. Palmer would again preach Unitarianism. The religious community took alarm. The right Rev. Bishop White, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, used his influence upon the owner of the building where the meeting was to be held, and he, becoming frightened by threats of prosecution, refused permission to use it for such purposes again; and from that date may be fixed the dissolution of the Universal Society, which never celebrated more than one anniversary of its formation.