The accomplishment of ærial navigation, then, is within reach; its practicability can no longer be denied. It will be one of the most glorious and fruitful conquests, and of the highest value and importance to civilized nations. But all inventions, and particularly an undertaking of such gigantic nature, require pecuniary assistance. This should not, in our age of progress, be lacking for a single moment; because, if for no other reason, the first promoters of it will reap such great financial benefits therefrom as must be beyond their calculation. Singer, Howe, Colt, McCormick, and hundreds of others, all, with thousands of friends so immensely wealthy, bear out this assertion. Let not this enlightened age look upon a great invention as was done in Robert Fulton's time, when he proposed the steamship to Napoleon in 1801. The plan was laid before a scientific commission, and these learned men reported it as "visionary" and impracticable. Such was the reception which steam navigation, that has achieved such immense results, first received at the hands of philosophy and capital; but France lost thereby, indirectly, the control of Europe, and Napoleon his crown; while another nation--America--more wise, ten years later commenced to reap the benefits emanating from Fulton's genius. Means, then, being necessary for the accomplishment of this great object, let them be forthcoming at once, that California may enjoy the honor and the first fruits of this great invention. In conclusion, let me thank you for the kind attention you have bestowed upon a weak exponent of a great subject. Transcriber Notes Passages in italics were indicated by _underscores_. Small caps were replaced with ALL CAPS. Throughout the document, the oe ligature was replaced with "oe". Errors in punctuations and inconsistent hyphenation were not corrected unless otherwise noted below: On page 4, Koenigsberg was replaced with "one from Koenigsberg", and "some days ago" was replaced with "some days afterward", both per the Errata page. On page 7, "gass" was replaced with "gas". On page 10, "nade" was replaced with "made". On page 12, the comma after "M" was replaced with a period. On page 13, "indiscribable" was replaced with "indescribable". On page 13 "aeronaut" was replaced with "æronaut". On page 14, the semicolon after "eye can reach" was replaced with a comma. On page 14, "posititons" was replaced with "positions" On page 15, "intensily" was replaced with "intensely". On page 16 "aeronaut" was replaced with "æronaut". On page 22, "charletans" was replaced with "charlatans". On page 25, "strenght" was replaced with "strength". On page 28, "XI" in the chapter title was replaced with "XV". On page 31, "XVI.--" was added in the chapter title. On page 31, "by" was replaced with "fly". On page 34, "opperations" was replaced with "operations". On page 35, "meahanism" was replaced with "mechanism".