hat I had abandoned the field in
Virginia by my non-appearance there in the next harvest.

"Very respectfully yours, etc.,

"OBED HUSSEY."

[Sidenote: Mr. Roane's Reply]

"Tree Hill, January 23d, 1844.

"Dear Sir:

"I received a few days ago your letter of the 17th inst., on the
subject of your reaping machine; you call my recollection to a
trial between it and Mr. McCormick's reaper at Mr. Hutchinson's in
July last, on which occasion I 'was one of a committee which gave
the preference to Mr. McCormick's machine;' you also advert to a
trial between these rival machines a few days subsequent, at this
place, and request to know my impressions after this second trial.
I presume from the fact of my having ordered one of your reapers
for the ensuing harvest, that it is your purpose to publish this
statement. Averse as I am to having my name in print on _this_, or
any other occasion, I cannot with propriety decline a response to
your inquiry. I had never seen or formed an idea of a reaping
machine until I went to Hutchinson's--I was surprised and delighted
with the performance of each of them, and fully resolved to own one
of them by the _next_ harvest, but their performance that day left
me in a state of doubt which I should select. The report spoke in
terms of high praise of each machine, and I consented to its award
that _on the whole_ Mr. McCormick's was preferable, merely because
being the cheapest and requiring but two horses, it would best suit
the majority of our farmers, who make small crops of wheat on _weak
land_--for I doubted its capacity in _heavy_ grain. After this
report was made I heard your complaint that you did not have a fair
trial, because being unable to bring into the field your large
improved Reaper, which was up the river, you were compelled to
comply with your _engagement_ for the day, with a _small_ and
_inferior_ machine, drawn by an indifferent and untutored team. Mr.
Hutchinson's wheat was badly rusted, and therefore light. I had
ready for the scythe a low ground field of heavy and well matured
grain; partly to expedite my harvest work, and partly to renew the
trial, that I might solve my doubts as to the merits of these
machines, I succeeded in engaging them to be at Tree Hill on a
named day. They both came agreeable to appointment, Mr. McCor