tious and voluntary exiles, form a revolting contrast to the scenes of pastoral abundance and luxury which he beheld through the lens of his faney. About this time the non-conformists were exposed to an odious and incessant persecution, and to escape from the fangs of clerical oppression, a considerable number of the more adventurous and hardy resolved to abandon the land of their fathers, and seek in the New World a refuge from the rage of domestic bigotry. The privileges in the patent of Roswell, &c. were, in consequence, purchased (1628) by John Winthrop, Isaac Johnson, Thomas Goffe, Mr. Dudley, Mr. Craddock, Sir Richard Saltonstall, &c. These persons formed themselves into a company, and the respectability and opulence of the principal members appeared to promise ul timate success in the enterprise in which they had embarked their fortunes. Several of the dissenting ministers in England, among whom Mr. White, of Dorchester, is particularly mentioned, were zealous in promoting their plans, they were soon joined by many wealthy individuals, considerable funds were created by subscription, and a now patent was granted by the king, constituting them a body corporate and politic under the title of "The Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England." By this instrument the Governor is authorized to call a general Assembly at pleasure, and to hold monthly meetings for the despatch of business; for the enactment of laws, not departing from the principles of British statutes, four great and general courts, consisting of the freemen and representatives of the townships, and of which the Governor and his assistants are always to form members, are convoked at the conclusion of Hilary, Easter, Trinity, and Mi chaelmas terms, and an annual meeting of the general Assembly is convened for the election of public officers. The charter likewise permits the free transportation (for seven years) of personal and mercantile property, outward and inward, and on the expiration of that period, an exemption from all duty, excepting that of five per cent in England on all imported merchandise. All persons born in, or in passage to and from, the colony to be considered subjects of the English crown. The General Court is empow ered to make orders and laws, constitute officers, impose fines, imprisonment, or other lawful correction, after the course of English corporations-and is also authorized to oppose by force of arms, and by land and sea, any and all persons who shall invade the said plantation. Seventeen vessels were employed in the conveyance of the colony-they sailed at different times, but all arrived safely at Salem and Charlestown, the greater part in July, 1630. In my next I will trace with you the bistory and progress of Boston from this its first and interesting establishment to its present eminence among the cities of the Columbian Federacy. I remain, Yours respectfully, G. F. B. ART. 18. NEW INVENTIONS. To the Editors of the American Monthly er, as may be most convenient; but I am GENTLEMEN, Magazine. THE HROUGH the medium of your widely circulating miscellany, I beg permission to submit to public consideration the particulars of a new invention, which I call the "Navigable Raft-Boat." This contrivance will, I flatter myself, appear of national importance, inasmuch as it will assist the intercourse between, and therefore in its effects, bring nearer together, the remotest parts of this great country. My plan is to construct single or double rafts, externally of squared, and internally of round timber logs, making them of such forms as are known to be best adapted to easy progress through water. These are to be put in motion by water wheels with perpendicular paddles, operating within a gutter or race-way, as in mills. The water-wheel is to be moved by steam or animal pow of opinion that animal power will in most instances be preferable to steam, and have discovered a method by which the draught of horses may be applied in straight lines, with the utmost economy and simplicity, and without a single cogwheel; thereby avoiding much friction, saving a great space, obviating the incon venience of the circular erections heretofore covering the decks of horse-boats, and bringing the strength of the animals employed into operation in the most advantageous manner. I find that in most of the steam and horse-boats hitherto constructed, half, and often more than half, the power employed is expended, and to every useful purpose lost, in opposing the perpendicu lar resistance of back-water, and from the escape of water on each side, and beneath, the float-boards as they impinge. The first is avoided by the wheel with upright paddles; the second by the raceway-and the conjunction of these inventions renders the power on board very nearly as advantageous as when applied in towing from the land. On the canals in England, barges carrying 30 tons are drawn 5 miles per hour by one horse through still water-why then should not an equal power, if properly applied, produce nearly an equal result when employed on board? I am conscious it can never do quite so much, because it is impossible to prevent the escape of water about the paddles entirely, but a very near approximation may be obtained. Navigable Raft-Boats and their machinery may be constructed of various dimensions, at one-fourth the expense of ordinary horse-boats. They may be moved with rapidity by one or more horses, or oxen, according to their size. They will be advantageous for ferries, and the conveyance of passengers, merchandise of all kinds, and agricultural produce Stores and apartments may be erected upon them, and stabling for relay horses, if required. They may be used in numberless instances where the heavy expenses of steam-boats and horse-boats are insupportable. They will avoid the inconveniences of leakage and repairs-they may travel in the shallowest waters, and will be more safe than any hollow vessel can possibly be. I am, Gentlemen, your very obedient servant. C. A. BUSBY. P. S. A model of the Navigable RaftBoat is prepared for the inspection of those who take interest in the subject. This invention may also be converted into a Floating Tide Mill-the raceway being in that case made hopper-mouthed, to increase the current acting upon the water-wheel. It may also be applied to military purposes, for the defence of harbours, &c. A. A. B. B. The double Raft-Boat. C. The water-wheel with upright buckets, guard rollers, &c. described in our December number. D. Two drum-wheels on vertical shafts, or spindles, connected by a band, a second band passes about these drums, and another drum fixed concentrically to the shaft of the water-wheel: horses attached to the first band, by common whiffle-trees, give motion to the front drums, and those drums acting on the second band, communicate their motion to the water-wheel. E. The gutter or raceway (inclosed on VOL. II.-No. v. the sides and at bottom) suspended' between the boats, and nearly fitting the water-wheel. The distance between the boats being about three times the breadth of the raceway, to allow distinct passages for the eddy-waters, parted by the bars of the boats, between them and the raceway. F. The horse-course, shaped like the ancient hippodrome. G. Girders connecting the two boats. N. B. Specifications of every part of this invention are deposited in the patent office. 49 ART. 19. REPORT OF DISEASES TREATED AT THE PUBLIC DISPENSARY, NEW-YORK, DURING THE MONTH OF JAN. 1818. FEB ACUTE DISEASES. NEBRIS Remittens, (Remillent Ferer.) 2; Febris Continua, (Continued Fever,) 5; Febris Infantum Remittens, (Infantile Remittent Fever.) 3: Ophthalmia, (Inflammation of the Eyes,) 3; Cynanche Tonsillaris. (Inflammation of the Throat.) 4; Catarrhus Acutus, (Acute Catarrh) 3; Bronchitis, 4; Pneumonia, (Inflammation of the Chest,) 14; Pertus sis, (Hooping Cough,) 2; Rheumatismus Acutus. (Acute Rheumatism.) 4; Rubeola, (Meas les) 2; Variola, (Small Pox,) 14; Vaccinia, (Kine Pock.) 200. CHRONIC AND LOCAL DISEASES. ment of the Tartar Emetic Ointment, briskly flammation of the liver, 2--inflammation of the Asthenia, (Debility.) 2; Cephalalgia, (HeadAch.) 3; Dyspepsia, (Indigestion.) 9; Gastrodynia, (Pain in the Stomach.) 2; Obstipatio, 5; Hysteria, (Hysteries) 1; Paralysis. (Palsy.) 1 Hemaplegia, 1 Catarrhus Chronicus, killed or murdered, 1-marasinus, 3-mea (Chronic Catarrh,); Bronchitis Chronica, sles, 2-old age, 10-palsy, 4—pneumonia 2; Asthma et Dyspnea, 1; Phthesis Pulmonalis, (Pulmonary Consumption,) 3; Pleuro- typhodes, 1-scirrhus of the liver, 1-small pox, 10-sprue, 1-still born, 6-stranguary, dynia, 2; Lumbago. 2; Hæmoptysis, (Spil-1-suicide, 3-teething, 1—unknown, 5— ting of Blood,) 2; Menorrhagia, I; Hæmorrhois, 1; Diarrhoea, 2; Amenorrhoea, 3; Dysuria, (Difficulty of Urine,) 1; Plethora, 1; Vermes, Worms,) 3; Syphilis, 8; Urithritis Virulenta, 4; Contusio, (Bruise,) 2; Vulnus, (Wound,); Luxation, (Displacement of a Bone,) 1; Fractura, (Fracture.) 1; Ustio, (Burn.) 9; Abscessus, (Abscess,) 2; Uicus, (U cer.) 3; Scabies et Prurigo, 19; Porrigo, (Scald Head,) 3; Psoriasis, 1; Eruptiones Variæ, 4. The Winter season, as yet, has been, generally speaking, remarkably fine; but during a few days the cold was severe, and at times, light snow, hail and rain occurred. The highest temperature of this month has been 45°; lowest 7°; greatest diurnal variation, 17°; greatest elevation of the mercury in the barometer 30. 92; greatest depression 30. 04. Prevailing winds between north-west and south-west. Quantity of rain and melted snow 2. 3 inches. On one night, towards the last of the month, one or two peals of thunder were heard. This month has been productive of no remarkable change in the state of diseases, except that the variety of acute disorders has diminished, as is usual during the Winter season. Discases of the order Febres have continued to decrease, while those of the Phlegmasiæ have gradually, but slowly, increased. Rheumatisms and affections of the organs of respiration, varying from Slight-Catarrh to Acute Bronchitis, and Pneumonic Inflammation, are the complaints with which the physician has most frequently had to contend. Cases of Hooping-Cough and Measles have also been under treatment. Small-pox, judging from our register, is extending. worms, 4-Total, 195. Of this number, there died 36 of and under the age of one year-16 between 1 and 2 years-14 between 2 and 5-8 between 5 and 10-14 between 10 and 20-28 between 20 and 30-24 between 30 and 40-15 be tween 40 and 50--15 between 50 and 60--15 between 60 and 70-6 between 70 and 30—4 between 80 and 90. The bill of mortality for January, 1813, presents 225 deaths from the following diseases: Apoplexy, 2-cancer, 1-casualty, 5-child-bed, 2-consumption, 54-convulsions, 18-cramp in the stomach, 1-diarrhæa 1dropsy, 7-dropsy in the chest, 2-dropsy in the head, 9-drowned, 1-fever, 1-bilious fever, 1-intermittent fever, 2-typhous fever, 7-gout, 3-hives or croup, 8-infanticide, 1-inflammation of the chest, 15inflammation of the bowels, 5-inflammation of the liver, 3-intemperance, 9-jaundice, killed, 1-measles, 4-mortification, 1-old age, 9-palsy, 4-quinsey, 1-rheumatism, 3-rupture, 1-scrofula, 1-small pox, 8sore throat, 1-spasms, 1-still born, 23sudden death, 3-suicide, 1-tabes mesenterica, 10—teething, 1-hooping-cough, 2—— worms, 2.-Total, 225. - Of which there died 59 of and under the age of one year-18 between 1 and 2 years 17 between 2 and 5-9 between 5 and 10 -10 between 10 and 20-31 between 20 and 30-37 between 30 and 40-21 between 40 and 50-17 between 50 and 60-5 between 60 and 70-5 between 70 and 806 between 80 and 90-2 between 90 and In some cases of Chronic Rheumatism, conJACOB DYCKMAM, M. D. siderable benefit resulted from the employ- New-York, January 31, 1818. 100. ART. 20. ECONOMICKS. Sure Te both very c and online of ULPHATE of magnesia and sulphate of spring water; the last salt and super-carbo nate of lime are the chief cause of what we call hard waters, which are very unwholesome and unfit for washing. When soap is used with these waters a double decomposition takes place; the sulphuric acid of the selenite unites with the alka of the soap, and forms sulphate of potass or sulphate of soda, which remains in solution, while the magnesia or lime unites with the tallow, and forms an insoluble compound, which swims upon the surface of the water like curds. In this way hard waters require much more soap for any given purpose than rain water, or waters which do not contain these earthly salts. Such waters are also unfit for boiling any esculent vegetable; but they may be rendered soft by adding to them a very little carbonate of soda or carbonate of potass twenty-four hours previous to their use. By this addition, a double decomposition will be effected, and the carbonate of lime, a very insoluble salt, precipitated. From the New Monthly London Magazine. MR. EDITOR, I have no doubt you will with promptitude give a place in your columns to any means for ameliorating the condition of the poor, and therefore send you the experiments of an old gardner thirty years ago. Death interrupted his labours in the fifth year; and scarcity had not given importance to such discoveries; so the facts are revived from almost oblivion. If accepted I shall send yon the management of bees by this votary of agricultural science, who supported his old age by the profits of his apiary. Botanists have proved by sperience that any delicate exotics may be rendered so hardy as to stand the rigour of our winters in the open air, if the plants have been raised from seed; but it generally takes fourteen years to inure them to a cold climate. This fact in natural history may be applied to an improved method in the culture of that valuable root the potatoe. Allowing that fourteen years should be requisite before raising it from seed can enable it to resist our frosts, the labourer would be well repaid. All farmers, and even every cottager who has a garden, should each spring set a few seeds, vulgarly termed potatoe-apples. Let the farmer look through his potatoe-fields, and gather such pods as are first ripened. The stalk should be cut so long as to admit tying them in pairs, to be thrown over a rope, when the imperfect seed have been picked off. There the seed remain till spring ; but it must be observed that the rope should be extended where, without much artificial heat, frosts may be excluded; and where none of the clusters shall touch the wall, or each other-for a free circulation of air is necessary. A piece of well manured ground should be prepared in November, and left all winter in ridges. Choose a southern aspect, as far from lakes, rivers, ditches, or marshes, as may be; for proximity to much moisture occasions the early frost blight. Early in February, level as much of your prepared ground as will receive twelve seed pods, two inches deep in the earth, and half a foot asunder. Repeat this operation, if the weather permits, every fortnight, till the time when your general crop should be planted; and then let all your seed pods be set. Keep the plants very clear of weeds, and treat them in all respects as your common potatoes. In autumn gather the roots. Toey will be very small, but are the germs of new potatoes, perhaps of new varieties. Plant them in spring, as directed above, and continue in the same way till they produce seed, which is to be treated as already detailed; progressively for many years. Till the potatoes raised from seed answer your expectation in quality and quantity, it will be proper to gather a few from the common kind, and to manage them according to the preceding rules. The returns made by all kinds of potatoes might be much greater, if when first used in autumn the leading roots were never unsettled. The largest bulbs should be picked off with the hand, uncovering them cautiously with a forked stick. Many seemingly insignificant protuberances will soon swell when the principal fibres are not disturbed, and when the plant is well earthed up, the removal of its largest produce will hasten the perfection of what remains, by leaving more nourishment. Every peasant knows how to prepare potatoe flour or starch. It makes palatable bread, in the proportion of one third with wheat, rye, or barley-meal, or with the potatoe roots fresh boiled and mashed; well kneaded and baked into thin cakes. Potatoe-four keeps several years. August, 1317. B. G. Seed Corn.-A respectable farmer has communicated to us a successful method of preventing his corn being pulled up by birds and other enemies of the young plant. It is simply to give the seed a coat of tar before planting; and if afterwards rolled in plaster, so much the better. Neither bird, squirrel, nor insect will then eat it. Thin your tar by a moderate heat, and turn it on the seed; only take care not to have it so warm as to destroy the germinating principle. be well to grind it on marble. Two coats of it are all that are necessary; the first should be rather light, but the second must be put on as thick as the brush will permit. This composition well prepared is impenetrable to water; resists both the influence of the weather, and the action of the sun, which hardens it and makes it more durable. The government of France has ordered that all gun carriages should be washed with this composition. Roman Cement.-A sort of plaster so called, which well withstands our moist climate, is made by mixing one bushel of lime slacked with 34 lbs. of green copperas, 15 gallons of water, and half a bushel of fine gravel sand. The copperas should be dissolved in hot water; it must be stirred with a stick, and kept stirring while in use. Care should be taken to mix at once as much as may be requisite for one entire front, as it is very difficult to match the colour again, and it ought to be mixed the same day it is used. A Chemist of Copenhagen has discovered a brilliant yellow matter for dying in potatoe tops. The mode of obtaining it is by cutting the top when it is in flower, and bruising and pressing it, to extract the juice. Linen or woolen kept in this liquor 48 hours, takes a fine, solid and permanent yellow colour. If the cloth be aftewards plunged in a blue dye, it then acquires a beautiful permanent green colour. A new discovery has just been made on the potatoe, very precious for the art of mak ing paper. The dregs of the tubercle, grated and cleared of its flowry substance, it appears, mixes itself easily with the common preparation, or paste, with which the paper is made. Receipt for making paper fire proof-Immerse any kind of paper in a strong solution of allum water-thorou_hly dry it, immerse and dry it again—and neither fire nor candle will burn it. It has been proved by several series of experiments, that, for feeding cattle, and in particularly milch cows, during the winter, the water ought to have the chill taken off; as when in the state of freezing, or nearly so, it creates a general chill throughout the frame, and suspends, instead of assists, the functions of digestion. It has been found, by adopting this method, and giving cows their hay saturated with salt-water, they yield onethird more milk. M. Peschire, to remove the musty flavour of injured wheat, has tried a solution of from 3 to 4 lbs. of potash of commerce for every cwt. of wheat with three times its bulk of water. The wheat is next repeatedly washed, agitated and dried quickly; and that which was not only musty, but very sour, acquired its natural properties by this method, and served to make excellent brown bread, in which a slight bitter taste was the only inconvenience remaining. The loss in weight amounts to one fifth of the whole. ART. 21. OBITUARY. It is with feelings of concern for the public loss, as well as of individual regret, that we record the death of General Humphreys. Not having the materials of a full acount of his life and labours at hand, we present our readers with the following brief biographical sketch taken from the New Haven Journal. D IED, in this city very suddenly, on Saturday the 21st inst. a quarter before 12 o'clock, General David Humphreys, aged 66. Although for a few weeks past he had not enjoyed his usual health, he was not considered in very immediate danger; he found himself in the morning quite as well as he had been for a number of days preceding; he walked out several time, conversed very obeerfully, and was in cheerful company not more than twelve minutes before he expired; his company happened to leave the room, no one saw him for the space of three or four minutes, at the end of which time a visible alteration appeared in his countenance, and in eight minutes he had breathed his last without a struggle. His disorder was an organic affection of the heart, and we are in formed, was the first serious illness he ever experienced. Gen. Humphreys was son to the Rev. Daniel Humphreys of Derby, Connecticut; and was born in July, 1752. He was admitted into Yale College in 1767, and having honourably acquitted himself in his studies, received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1771. In college he paid his addresses successfully to the Muses, and contracted a particular intimacy with their favourite, the late lamented Dr. Dwight. On leaving college he went to reside in the family of Col. Philips, in the State of NewYork, and while there, is said to have addressed a poetical letter to his friend, in which he displayed his future plans, hopes, and prospects, with much ease and elegance; that letter we believe has never been published, and perhaps cannot now be found. He first entered the army in capacity of a captain, but at what time we are not informed'; in 1773, however, he was Aid to General Putnam with the rank of Major. Two years after, he proved the successful candidate of four, for the office of Aid-DeCamp to the Commander in Chief-his com petitors were Col. Talmadge, Gen. Wm. Hull, and Roger Alden. From this time he continued with General Washington till the end of the war, and afterwards accompanied him to Virginia. While aid-de-camp to General Washington, his rank was that of Colonel, and for his signal services at the |