About three years ago when I was crossing the Delaware at Cooper’s ferry, in a ferry boat, I began to reflect upon the advantages of some method whereby facility of conveyance might be promoted without the additional trouble and expence of manual labour. As soon as I got home to my room, I set my wits to work, and (in imagination) soon built a complete boat for the purpose. But circumstances prevented me from moving my vessel from the Slip where she was first laid, until the present period. And, probably, she might as well have remained there yet. However, I am foolhardy enough to send her in quest of your golden prize. From this you will perceive that I have a favourable opinion of my own invention as it is but reasonable. A confidence, proceeding from reflection, assures me that my scheme is practible, and if so, its utility and advantages are obvious.

By this invention, both simple and cheap, I suppose that one man will be able to perform the task of 6 or 8 rowers in a boat. An idea of my Nautilus, or Ferry-boat may be had from the rough sketch which accompanies this.

The oars, which, with the other parts, I will endeavour to explain, Is Constructed upon the principles of a Ducks foot, that is, to clap close together when forced through the water one way, and to spread open and oppose the water when forced the contrary way. Suppose a boat equiped with a number of these oars, by their being fixed upon   to its sides or gunwale (see B.B.A.B. and 2.) it is very evident that they would force it quickly through the water, provided a power could be applied that would make them work backwards and forwards, in the position they appear on the adjoining sketch. And the power necessary to work them can also be supplied. The construction of these oars is as follows: I would choose some hard tough wood, (say hickory) for the shafts, which, I suppose, would require to be about four feet and an half long. To add to the strengh of the shaft, I would make it an oblong square of one by two and an half or three inches. (This wings (3.3.) to be fixed on the narrow side of the shaft) about two feet from the lower end of the shaft, (see A.A.A.A &. 3.3.) upon which would hang the wings. I would make the hole for the pin (see 2.&.B.B.B.B.) on the gunwale of the boat to pass through. The wings, which, in idea, resemble the opening and shuting of the covers of a book, I would make about 14 inches long and 10 wide, that is, supposing one inch to be occupied by the Ling in the middle, the two wings (see 3.3.) to be 5 inches each. After I would have these Wings made (of thin hard board, or copper, as either might be found most proper) and by three small iron staples (see 4.4.4.) passing over the pin which goes through the Joints of Wings, and so through the shaft.

The upper end of a number of these oars (see C.C.C.C.&.1.) inserted and fixed with pins in a rail, (which I call the work-rail) as appears in the representation, and in such a manner that they would all play freely, might all be wrought beckwards and forwards (i.e. from stem to stern) at the same time and by the same power.

The power requisite to set these oars in motion, I would supply by the force of the Lever (G.) in the following manner. In one end of the boat I would fix a machine (see F.) like a windlass, the axles of which would pass through the sides of the boat; and to these axles I would affix handles (see E.E.) or cranks. To these cranks the rail affixed to the heads of the oars would be joined, so that any motion given to the windlass would thereby be communicated to the oars. The    like a handspike in a ships windlass, would have a very powerful purchase.

When all things are thus complete, the man (See I.) with a long pole (see H.) in his hand can easily set the oars in motion, by pulling the lever backwards and forwards. By which means I am pretty confident, that one man could make a boat pass through the water as quickly as six or eight with common oars.

There is a probability of some objections being made to the Nautilus, for we are generally inclined to countenance the methods which practice has made familiar, and neglect the exertions and aid of our own genius, for the surer, though often less valuable, alternative of custom: But I cannot conceive any objection which I am not prepared to obviate. And I am further certain, that if my invention was properly understood, and carried into execution, it would be of great service in the navigation of rivers, when applied to ferry boats, water stages, lighters, shore-boats &c &c.

Of all these things, however, there are few fiter to Judge than yourself: And should your opinion coincide with my expectations, I shall be very glad, for two laudable reasons, to wit, The satisfaction of being servicable to society, and the ambition which generally accompanies a meritorious invention. I am, Respectable Sir, With much esteem, Your Most Obedient, Humble Servant