I have said there is no reciprocating movement in Morey's engine. Should it be objected that the piston moves in the cylinder as usual, it must be apparent that it also moves circularly; it is in fact the cylinder that moves, carrying the piston with it, which gives and keeps up the motion, by drawing and pressing on the centre-piece, and communicating the resistance thence to the guides of the cross-piece on the insides of the frame, which thus receives its motion.
In fact, this form of the engine seems divested of all the usual drawbacks on its power, and leaves it to act freely with any velocity, according to the strength of the steam in the boilers.
Such it appears in principle, and such thus far in practise. I have therefore preferred it for the purposes of navigation, and have purchased the patent right. But, though interested to recommend it, I cannot expect it to be preferred by the intelligent, if there is not merit in the invention, and great economy in its use. It may be considered the most direct application of the power, and the most unexceptionable mode of using the expansive force of high steam. And from the nature of its movement the most applicable to boats and vessels.
Your Journal being the intended medium of information to promote the useful arts, I hope it may be consistent with this object to explain the manner in which these improvements may be made extensively useful.
It being necessary to supply the engines at a reasonable rate, I have established a manufactory for this kind only. The great expense of steam-boats hitherto, has confined their use too exclusively to the accommodation of passengers. There is a wide field opening for their use, in freighting, on all our waters; and it is often of importance to a community, when great savings can be made, that large capitalists should be induced to engage that such savings may be greater. Where companies are formed for an extensive operation, the legislature may, with propriety, grant an extension of the time for patents to run, that such persons may be duly remunerated for their enterprise, by the duration of the service.
Our laws do not yet make a proper distinction between patents of a large and expensive kind and those requiring little or no capital to go into operation. The period of fourteen years remunerates the inventor of those improvements only that require no capital, and involve no risk.
On this ground several of the State legislatures have, with good policy, given encouragement to this kind of enterprise. They suspend the free use of the invention a few years, rather than loose its immediate operation on a large scale of public benefit.
The constitutionality of the measure plainly appears by its not interfering with the laws of the United States. It is not an act exclusive of, or in opposition to, patents, but acknowledging and confirming them. It is furthering and giving effect to the intentions of the general government, in the encouragement of useful inventions. For their own particular section of the union, a State legislature may thus provide for the protection of capital, engaged in enterprise of uncommon risk, as well as of uncommon usefulness, without excluding other and better inventions, should they arise.
I shall ask leave to communicate, for some future Number, the results of experiments, now making, with the gas fire applied to engines.
I am your most respectful humble servant,