Priestley in America

Priestley in America, by Edgar F.
Smith

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Title: Priestley in America 1794-1804
Author: Edgar F. Smith
Release Date: March 6, 2007 [EBook #20751]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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PRIESTLEY
IN

AMERICA
1794-1804

BY EDGAR F. SMITH UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

PHILADELPHIA P. BLAKISTON'S SON & CO. 1012 WALNUT
STREET

COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY P. BLAKISTON'S SON & CO.
THE MAPLE PRESS YORK PA

PREFACE
The writer, in studying the lives of early American chemists,
encountered the name of Joseph Priestley so frequently, that he
concluded to institute a search with the view of learning as much as
possible of the life and activities, during his exile in this country, of the
man whom chemists everywhere deeply revere. Recourse, therefore,
was had to contemporary newspapers, documents and books, and the
resulting material woven into the sketch given in the appended pages. If
nothing more, it may be, perhaps, a connecting chapter for any future
history of chemistry in America. Its preparation has been a genuine
pleasure, which, it is hoped by him whose hand guided the pen, will be
shared by his fellow chemists, and all who are interested in the growth
and development of science in this country.

PRIESTLEY IN AMERICA
There lies before the writer a tube of glass, eleven and one half inches

in length and a quarter of an inch in diameter. Its walls are thin. At one
end there is evidence that an effort was made to bend this tube in the
flame. Ordinarily it would be tossed aside; but this particular tube was
given the writer years ago by a great-grandson of Joseph Priestley.
Attached to the tube is a bit of paper upon which appear the words
"piece of tubing used by Priestley." That legend has made the tube
precious in the heart and to the eye of the writer. Everything relating to
this wonderful figure in science, history, religion, politics and
philosophy is very dear to him. On all sides of him are relics and
reminders of Priestley. Not all, but many of his publications are near at
hand. After perusal of these at various times, and while reading the
many life sketches of Priestley, there has come the desire to know more
about his activities during the decade (1794-1804) he lived in America.
Isn't it fair to declare that the great majority of chemical students think
of Priestley as working only in England, his native land, and never give
thought to his efforts during the last ten years of his life? It has been
said that he probably inspired and incited the young chemists of this
country to renewed endeavor in their science upon his advent here.
There is no question that he influenced James Woodhouse and his
particular confreres most profoundly, as he did a younger generation,
represented by Robert Hare. Priestley again set in rapid motion
chemical research in the young Republic.[1] He must therefore have
done something himself. What was it? Is it worth while to learn the
character of this work? Modern tendencies are antagonistic to the past.
Many persons care nothing for history. It is a closed book. They do not
wish it to be opened, and yet the present is built upon the early work. In
reviewing the development of chemistry in this country everything,
from the first happening here, should be laid upon the table for study
and reflection. Thus believing, it will not be out of place to seek some
light upon the occupation of the discoverer of oxygen after he came to
live among us--with our fathers.
Noble-hearted, sympathetic Thomas E. Thorpe wrote:
If, too, as you draw up to the fire 'betwixt the gloaming and the mirk' of
these dull, cold November days, and note the little blue flame playing
round the red-hot coals, think kindly of Priestley, for he first told us of

the nature of that flame when in the exile to which our forefathers
drove him.
Right there, "the nature of the flame," is one thing Priestley did explain
in America. He discovered carbon monoxide--not in England, but in
"exile."[2] It may not be an epoch-making observation. There are not
many such and those who make them are not legion in number. It was
an interesting fact, with a very