National Gazette

For the National Gazette.

FOR several years prior to the year 1790, there was a very general attention paid to the arts, by men of every degree of wealth; there was then an attentive ear to every thing relative to the arts that was likely to be useful to our country, and an aiding hand every where visible. Some undertakings in the new, or improved, arts failed from being too complex, and by the application of powers not perfectly understood, which eventually tended to the discouragement of many other useful and practicable improvements. At the commencement of the above year, new objects (like a new coat of paint on an old ground) obscured the old ones, among which, however were some of the more recent arts or inventions which are now to be buried in oblivion for want of a little fashionable aid.

As, according to the ruling fashion of the times little or no encouragement is given to the arts either new or old, so of course, it has become a kind of heresy to mention the word machine, be it for ever so valuable a purpose. If an artist offers any new invention that is plausible, every body affects to wonder why he is not encouraged, and yet no one lifts a finger to do it—This is varnishing matters over with the new brush.

If an agricultural machine could be produced that would serve to abridge labour in two branches (and another in the manufacture of duck-twine) that would save from 50 to 400 dollars annually, in proportion to the size of the farm, and the machine not to cost more to each farmer, or manufacturer than from 100 to 125 dollars, and to last 20 years, many would say such an artist, and the fabrication of such machines ought to be encouraged.

They order things very differently in China. There, agriculture and its improvements are the primum mobile.

It will readily be admitted that there are at least 1000 farmers (some say 5000) within the present population of the union who could afford the expence, if the savings could be really attained by the means—suppose the average to be 100 dollars annual saving to each,—that would be 100,000 dollars every year, or 1,000,000 for every ten years.

Many readers will consider this statement as chimerical, and call it, no doubt, a balloon-affair, altho' there is hardly a useful new invented machine that has met even with balloon encouragement. The opinions, however, of such as are not competent judges, will have but little weight, as it is always easier to condemn than investigate. Let it be remembered that there are men in this city of the best judgment in mechanical affairs, who entertain not the least doubt, but such machines as are above alluded to, may be made, to save as much as represented; and those who make the attempt may promise themselves every probability of success.

The above representations, altho' founded in truth, were rather the more urged from seeing a late publication in the National Gazette, intimating there is soon to be erected a laboratory to exhibit balloons, and other curious machinery. As these exhibitions are to be supported by donations, the above declaration respecting useful machines is made (if not in the same month) at least in the same year, for reasons too obvious to mention.

Now Query, which is the most valuable to our country, such a machine, if it can be accomplished by public encouragement, or the balloon? To ascertain the practicable utility of the one will require 200 dollars (the difference of cost between city or country is 12; and 200 dollars)—the balloon, if elevated, will cost between 1000 and 2000. If there should be any who are as much interested in the knowledge of the one as some are in the other they will enquire for information at the printing office, No. 209, Market, or High street, where a paper is left for the perusal of those who wish to be informed of the uses and purposes thereof. When that information is attained, so far as it may be satisfactory, it is hoped they will subscribe the above sum for a machine for agricultural purposes, which shall then be built and exhibited—for nothing.

Feb. 9.