to sink the steamer—­Establishment of steam navigation on the Hudson River—­The first New York ferry-boats—­The floating docks—­Boats for the West—­New York threatened by the British fleet in 1814—­Fulton’s plan for a steam frigate—­The “Fulton the First”—­The steamboat war—­Illness of Fulton—­His death and burial—­His last will—­True character of his invention.

CHAPTER XIV.

Charles Goodyear.

Discovery of India-rubber—­Mode of collecting it—­Preparation and use by the natives—­Its introduction into the United States—­Mr. E.M.  Chaffee’s process—­The India-rubber fever—­Brief success of the India-rubber companies—­Their sudden failure—­Visit of Mr. Goodyear to New York—­He invents an improvement in the life preserver—­Early history of Charles Goodyear—­His failure as a merchant—­Offers his invention to the Roxbury Company—­The agent’s disclosures—­Mr. Goodyear finds his mission—­His first efforts—­A failure—­Discouraging state of his affairs—­Renews his efforts—­Experiments in India-rubber—­Coldness of his friends—­His courage and perseverance—­Goes to New York—­Accidental discovery of the aqua fortis process—­Partial success—­Ruined—­Life on Staten Island—­Removes to Boston—­Delusive prosperity—­The mail bag contract—­His friends urge him to abandon his efforts—­He refuses—­On the verge of success—­Discovers the usefulness of sulphur—­The inventor’s hope—­The revelation—­Discovers the secret of vulcanization—­Down in the depths—­Kept back by poverty—­A beggar—­A test of his honesty—­Starvation at hand—­The timely loan—­Removal to New York—­Difficulties in the way—­Death of his youngest child—­Finds friends in New York—­His experiments in vulcanization—­Final success—­His heart in his work—­Fails to secure patents in Europe—­His losses from dishonest rivals—­Declaration of the Commissioner of Patents—­Death of Mr. Goodyear—­Congress refuses to extend his patent—­His true reward.

CHAPTER XV.

Eli Whitney.

The home of General Greene in Georgia—­The soldier’s widow—­An arrival from New England—­The young schoolmaster—­A mechanical genius—­Early history of Whitney—­Mrs. Greene’s invitation—­Visit of the planters—­State of the cotton culture in 1792—­A despondent planter—­Mrs. Greene advises them to try Whitney—­Origin of the cotton gin—­Whitney’s first efforts—­His workshop—­The secret labors—­How he provided himself with materials—­Finds a partner—­Betrayal of his secret—­He is robbed of his model—­He recovers it and completes it—­The first cotton gin—­Statement of the revolution produced by the invention in the cotton culture of the South—­Opinion of Judge Johnson—­The story of an inventor’s wrongs—­Whitney is cheated and robbed of his rights—­The worthlessness of a patent—­A long and disheartening struggle—­Honorable action of North Carolina—­Congress refuses to extend the patent—­Whitney abandons the cotton gin—­Engages in the manufacture of firearms—­His improvements in them—­Establishes an armory in Connecticut, and makes a fortune—­Death.