†LETTER OF HON. JOSEPH P. BRADLEY,

ONE OF THE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, GIVING A HISTORY OF THE FIRST

STEAM ENGINE INTRODUCED INTO THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WASHINGTON, September 20th, 1875.

DAVID M. MEEKER, Esq.

DEAR SIR: The steam engine of which you possess a relic* was, as you suppose, the first ever erected on this continent. It was imported from England in the year 1753, by Col. John Schuyler, for the purpose of pumping water from his copper mine opposite Belleville, near Newark, New Jersey. The mine was rich in ore, but had been worked as deep as hand and horse power could clear it of water. Col. Schuyler, having heard of the success with which steam engines (then called fire engines) were used in the mines of Cornwall, determined to have one in his mine. He accordingly requested his London correspondents to procure an engine, and to send out with it an engineer capable of putting it up and in operation. This was done in the year named, and Josiah Hornblower, a young man, then in his twenty-fifth year, was sent out to superintend it. The voyage was a long and perilous one. Mr. Hornblower expected to return as soon as the engine was in successful operation. But the proprietor induced him to remain, and in the course of a couple

An enlarged photograph of this letter exhibited at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876, is now deposited with the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark, N. J.

* Deposited in the "National Museum," Washington, D. C.

of years he married Miss Kingsland, whose father owned a large plantation adjoining that of Col. Schuyler. The late Chief Justice Hornblower was the youngest of a large family of children which resulted from this marriage. Mr. Hornblower's father, whose name was Joseph, had been engaged in the business of constructing engines in Cornwall from their first introduction in the mines there, about 1740; and had been an engineer and engine builder from the first use of steam engines in the arts, about 1720. The engines constructed by him and his sons were the kind known as Newcomen's engines, or Cornish engines. That brought to America by Josiah was of this description. Watt had not then invented his separate condenser, nor the use of high pressure. But it is generally conceded that, for pumping purposes, the Cornish engine has still no superior.

After 1760 the Schuyler mine was worked for several years by Mr. Hornblower himself. The approach of the war, in 1775, caused the operations to cease. Work was resumed, however, in 1792, and was carried on for several years by successive parties. It finally ceased altogether early in this century, and the old engine was broken up and the materials disposed of. The boiler, a large copper cylinder, standing upright, eight or ten feet high, and as much in diameter, with a flat bottom and a dome-shaped top, was carried to Philadelphia. The relic in your possession was a portion of the cylinder, and was purchased by some person in Newark.

In 1864, I met an old man named John Van Emburgh, then a hundred years old, who had worked on the engine when it was in operation in 1792. He described it very minutely and, I doubt not, accurately.

It is from his description that I happened to know the kind of engine it was; although from the date of its construction, and the use to which it was put, there could have been but little doubt on the subject.

What changes have been wrought in one hundred and twenty-two years! What mighty power has been created on this continent, in that time, by the multiplication and improvement of the steam engine! We may well look upon this relic with a sort of superstitious veneration, and looking forward as well as backward, wonder what another century will bring forth. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed) JOSEPH P. BRADLEY.

EASTER DAY AND COURT TERMS.

Easter Day is the first Sunday after the first full moon that happens after or upon the 21st day of March, vernal equinox. Easter Day cannot possibly happen earlier than the 22d of March, nor later than the 26th of April.

Lent is a solemn fast of the English and Roman churches, called Lent because it is in the spring, that being the Saxon name for spring. It is composed of forty week days, immediately preceding easter, Sundays not being reckoned fast days because they are commemorative of our Saviour's resurrection. Hence Lent begins on Wednesday, six whole weeks and four days before Easter. This is called Ash Wednesday. On that day they formerly wore sack-cloth and ashes, hence its name. It can never happen earlier than the 4th day of February, nor later than the 11th of March. The first Sunday before Lent, being the seventh

before Easter, is called Quinguagesima, being the fiftieth day before Easter inclusive. The Sabbath preceding that is called Sexagesima, and the preceding one, Septuagesima.

The fortieth day after Easter inclusive is called Ascension Day, coming always on Thursday. The fiftieth day inclusive-the old Pentecost-is called Whit Sunday, or White Sunday, because catechumens on the eve of that day were admitted to the Sacrament of Baptism clothed in white robes. The Sunday after White Sunday, being eight weeks after Easter, is Trinity Sunday, which can never happen earlier than the 17th of May, or later than the 21st of June.

Now, the Easter Term always commences on the Wednesday fortnight after Easter (which is never earlier than the 8th of April, nor later than the 13th of May), and continues till the Monday three weeks after beginning (which is never earlier than 4th May, nor later than 8th June), being in all twenty-seven days, Sundays included, or twenty-three days besides the Sundays.

The Trinity Term always commences on the Friday after Trinity Sunday (which cannot be earlier than 22d May, nor later than 26th June), and continues till Wednesday fortnight after it begins (which is never earlier then 10th June, nor later than 15th July), being in all twenty days, Sundays included, or seventeen days besides the Sundays.

The Michaelmas Term always commences on the 6th of November and continues to the 28th of that month, being in all twenty-three days.

The Hilary Term always commences on the 23d of January and continues to the 12th of February, being in all twenty-one days.