Linton to Smith November 4, 1839
Cincinnati
My Dear Sir,
I wrote to J. Hibbsen a day or two since, and suppose you will hear from me through him. Yet I have concluded to write to you; for it is from you that I am particularly anxious to hear. And in the outset I remember that I left some unfinished business which I desired you and Marshall to attend to. Now I want to hear what disposition you have made of "it." Please make out a statement together and write to me. Tell Marshall and T. Gordon that if they will excuse me for not having written to them previous to this, I will excuse them for not having written to me. I think this is fair. But I can not excuse them much longer, and I think they need not me. While I am on the subject of writing letters, let me remark that I want you to drop me a line occasionally during the winter letting me know how you come on, and informing me about the B. &c. – whether anything has leaked out – how you succeed in presenting the original design, &c. I am aware that writing speeches in connection with class and Hall duties make labor; yet adopt my plan in writing letters (though I do not think it a good one) which is to snatch up your pen and scribble ahead, as fast as you can drive, sense or no sense, and then you will find time.
I will give you a short history of my adventures since I saw you, and conclude my hasty spell [?]. I went to Leb. from your house, and from there home, but did not succeed in seeing the judge. Saw him afterwards in Wilmington. I read what Law I could which was not much, so many things to take me from my book. With the fair had some pretty fine times, yet upon the whole did not enjoy myself overly well. Having no desire to propose to only one of them, or even going so far as to file a declaration, I could not help feeling that I was throwing away my time, and perhaps even worse. Thus you see I was suffering all the time.
However, besides attending to my legal studies and to the fair there was one thing I did of which as yet I have no reason to repent. Of this, since you heretofore have take some interest in it, I will proceed to give a regular narration, putting the word "experiment" in conspicuous characters for my caption. I had a couple of sheep troves [troughs?] hauled to the creek with which I constructed my craft. Got a piece of tin pipe out of the garret 3 inches in diameter and between 8 and 9 feet in length. With a saw, drawing [?] knife and augur made the wood work of a pump. This pump I laid in an inclined position between the troves – the hind end being about 28 inches above the surface of the water. Consequently it made an angle of about 30 degrees with the line of motion.
And when drawing up the piston rod I raised a weight equal to a column of water 3 in. in diameter, 28 inches in length which would weigh about 6 lb. Remembering that the force which was applied in raising this weight made an angle of about 90° with the line of direction i.e. from the horizontal the direction in which the raft moved, resolve this force, and remembering that this power was applied half the time i.e. while pulling the piston up, not while shoving it down, deduct from it the friction of the water running through the tube, and you will [have] the efficient power in propelling the craft when I made no use of the descending water. With the power small as it was I run my two blunt ended [troves] from one end of the hole to the other repeatedly. True they moved slowly, yet they moved forward, and as fast as I could have expected. I let my water descend in an open chute and doubled my speed. That is all that I have done in that line. What I may do "let time and chance determine." I should push ahead were it not that I know not how to brook the idea of a failure [?] to be pointed at as a visionary. To have plodding fools talk of big notions and little wisdom is a thing I cannot endure. Though to my own mind I have something like demonstration, yet in this with my present feelings, I have little assurance, should I ever plunge, I will "do or die."
I am attending the Law lectures in this place, am well pleased with Walker – think I can graduate in the spring – am reading in Caldwell's office – do not wear my "pin" here. If any of you come to the city and want to find me, call at the office on 5th between Maine and Walnut. I remain your friend in sincerety,
D. Linton
[*** moon]
PS Give my very best regards to all my friends.
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