The Sun.
London, England, 1839-07-15 00:00:00

THE STEAM SHIP.

The application of steam to the purpose of propelling
vessels through the water was suggested by Jonathan
Hulls a hundred years ago, and the grand experiment
which proved successful was made by Fulton in 1807, on
the Hudson river, but it appears from a publication, en-
titled " Notes on the Western States, by James Hall,"
that John Fitch, a native of Philadelphia, had the merit of
carrying Hulls' suggestions first into effect.
In 1785," the writer states, " John Fitch, a watch-
maker, in Philadelphia, conceived the design of propelling
a boat by steam. He was beth poor and illiterate, and
many difficulties occurred to frustrate every attempt which
he made to try the practicability of his invention. He ap-
plied to Congress for assistance, but was refused ; and then
offsred his invention to the Spanish Government, to be
used in the navigation of the Mississippi, but without any
better success. At length a Company was formed, and
funds subscribed for the building of a steam-boat,
and in the year 1788, his vessel was launched on the
Delaware. Many crowded to see and ridicule
the novel, and, as they supposed, the chimerical
experiment. It seemed that the idea of wheels
had not occurred to Mr. Fitch ; but instead of them, oars
were used, which worked in frames. He was confident of
success; and when the boat was ready for the trial, she
started off in good style for Burlington. Those who had
sneered began to stare, and they who had smiled in deris
sion, looked grave. Away went the boat, and the happy
inventor triumphed over the scepticism of an unbeliev-
ing public. The boat performed her trip to Burlington,
a distance of twenty miles : but unfortunately burst her
boiler in rounding to the wharf at that place, and the
next tide floated her back to the city. Fitch per-
severed, and with great difficulty procured another
boiler. After some time, the boat performed another
trip to Burlington and Trenton, and returned in the
same day. She is said to have moved at the rate of
eight miles an hour; but something was continually
breaking, and the unhappy projector only conquered
one difficulty to encounter another. Perhaps this was
not owing to any defect in his plans, but to the low state
of the arts at that time, and the difficulty of getting such
complex machinery made with proper exactness. Fitch
became embarrassed with debt, and was obliged to aban-
don the invention, after having satisfied himself of its prac-
ticability. This ingenious man, who was probably
the first inventor of the steam-boat, wrote three volumes,
which he deposited in manuscript, sealed up, in the
Philadelphia iibrary, to be opened thirty years after
his death. When, or why, he came to the west we have
not learned ; but it is recorded of him, that he died
and was buried near the Ohio. His three volumes were
sned about five years ago, and were found to contain his
speculations on mechanics. He details his embarrassments
and disappointments, with a feeling which shows how ar-
dently he desired success, and which wins for him the sym-
pa:hy of those who have heart enough to mourn over the
blighted prospects of genius. He confidently predicts the
future seccess of the plan, which, in his hands, failed only
for the want of pecuniary means. He prophesies that in
less than a century we shall see our west rn rivers swarm-
ing with steam-boats ; and expresses a wish to be buried on
the shores of the Ohio, where the song of the boatman may
eril:ven the stillness of his resting place, and the music of
the steam-eegine soothe his spirit. What an idea ! Yet
how naturel to the mind of an ardent projector, whose
whole life had been devoted to one darling object, which it
cuss not his destiny to accomplish I And how touching is
the sentiment found in one of his journals :—" The day
will come when some more powerful man, will get fame
and riches from my invention ; but nobody will believe that
poor John Fitch can do anything worthy of attention.' "

COMPLAINTS AGAINST PERSONS
ACTING AS BROKERS WITHOUT BEING
LICENSED.

Ou Saturday the Lord Mayor presided at the Guildhall
luring an investigation, cariied on within closed doors,

into the important subject of the illegal conduct of great
numbers of persons in acting as brokers without being
licensed. Aldermen Pirie, Kelly, 'White. and Sir
Chapman Marshal, were on the Committee, and we
were given to understand that Mr. Cheesewright, the
Collector of Brokers' rents, gave a great deal of infor-
mation as to the existing practice of violating the law ;
the consequence of which has been that numbers of in-
dividuals have been plundered of their property.
The LORD MAYOR suggested the propriety of going
at once against the transgressors of the law in the most
determined manner, for which purpose the Town Clerk
was ordered to advertise and to post bills offering a re-
ward of fifty pounds to any person who should give such
information against any party as should lead to conviction.
The City Solicitor also received directions to prosecute in
every case of the kind. We believe that three or
four eases have been already selected. It was stated
that there were about 500 practising as brokers without
being licensed.
V

lOLATION Or THE METROBOLITAN STAGE CAR-
RIAGE
.ACT.--Wm. George Cole, the proprietor of
five opmbus:s, was summoned by Mr. Whithair, the
superintendent of the City Police, for having neglected
to cause to be affixed upon one of his " busses," in man-
ner directed by the Act of Parliament, a plate with the
words " Metropolitan stage carriage" upon it.
The superintendent stated that it was important to
have a decision upon that and another question relating
to Metropolitan stage carriages, in order to prevent the
defendant from setting the authorities at defiance, and
leading others by an example which they were hut too
willing to follow.
The defendant pleaded guilty to this offence.
The superintendent then charged the same defendant
with having violated the same Act, by having neglected
to cause to be painted or affixed in a conspicuous man-
ner upon the outside of the said carriage, the number
of the Stamp-office plate relating to it, and the number
of passengers which it was licensed to carry in thein-
side and on the outside.
The LORD MAYOR—What have you to say to this
charge ? Defendant—l did not know it was necessary,
and I have given orders to put up the plate.
The LORD MA 10R—You did know that it was
necessary. I some time ago dismissed a summons
against you for a similar offence on account of inform-
ality, and you ace just setting us at defiance, and are
perfectly aware that you ought to have the plate.
The case was proved in the most complete manner,
and the defendant was fined in the penalty of 20s. and
10s. costs.
The Committee directed the superintendent to give
instructions to his officers to summon all who should
violate the Act.
Mr. Withair stated that he had given orders to
that effect.

THE GLASGOW CHARTISTS.

On Tuesday evening a meeting of the Universal Suffrage
Association of this city was held in the Lyceum, for the dis-
charge, as the bills announced, of " very important business."
The chair was taken by a Mr. Cullen ; the Secretary proceeded
to read a bunch of the despatches received in the course of the
last few days from Mr. Moir, dated Birmingham and London,
giving an account of the proceedings in the Convention, and a
detail, in Mr. Moir's own way, of the disturbances which took
place at the end of last week. The communications from Mr.
loir were followed by a letter from Dr. John Taylor, in which
he narrated the circumstances connectertwith his arrest. After
his examination he had been chained by the ancle to an-
other Chartist—was then handed into a carriage, and, sur-
rounded by " dragoons, riflemen, London police, mayor, and
magistrates in glorious array," was driven off to Warwick gaol.
This part of the narration was given in a lively and animated
spirit, but what followed was most lugubriously worded;
and, from the tone in which it was read by the Secretary,
are might suppose the passage marked in italics :—" Judge of
the infamy with which I was treated, when I tell you that
my hair was cut of; and, in other respects, I have been
treated like a felon." The Doctor went on to state the
necessity of preparation for a renewed struggle at no distant
day, and proceeded as follows:—" Arm. then, arm at once,
arm quickly, but effectively, and be ready to defend your town
from the lawless tyranny of Government." After stating
that his trial comes on on the 27th, when he would plead for
himself, and that it was reported forty more warrants had been
issued, he concluded thus :—" Be ready, be cautious, but
determine, till the 15th, when the day for the sacred month
shall be fixed ; again, I say, arm ! arm ! arm !"—( Great cheer-
ing.) A letter was next read from Peter Bussey, also a
member of the Convention, who detailed some circumstances
connected with the riot in Birmingham, and mentioned that
the only offence of which Dr. John Taylor had been guilty, was
saving the lives of two policemen, whom the people were fast
putting out of existence, and endeavouring to quell the tumult.
The documents referred to above having been read,
together with an account of the arrest of Collins and Lovett,
from The Sun Newspaper, the Association proceeded to deli-
berate on the course now to be adopted. It was eventually
agreed that an out-door meeting of the citizens should be called
for this evening (Thursday), to mark their sense of the doings
at Birmingham, and that with this meeting should originate
some plan for calling together delegates from all parts of Scot-
land. Mr. Mackay, however, proposed a resolution as the senti-
ment of the present meeting on the subject. In doing so, he de-
nounced the " moral force" Chartists, observing that they would
have got their rights much sooner, if they had not been de•
luded by those men who said they would get them peaceably.
He was convinced they would never get their rights peaceably,
or by moral means. Mr. Mackay, after stating, that he had
been stung to the quick by the accounts of the barbarous usage
which the men of Birmingham had received, moved a resolu-
tion to the following effect :—That the meeting having heard
the various statements relative to the base, bloody, and brutal
attack on the people at Birmingham while peaceably assem-
bled in the Bull Ring, by a band of police ruffians from London,
headed by Magistrates who were traitors to the people's cause, they
hereby registered their opinion that they could not separate with-
out expressing their indignation at conduct which stamped with
odium those who took part in this base, brutal, and bloody drama.
The Chairman, and several members of the Association, re-
probated the language of this resolution as being too strong.
Ultimately Mr. Mackay agreed to leave the wording of the re-
solution in the hands of the Committee, on their undertaking
that its spirit should be sustained. At this stage, Mr. Ross, the
Treasurer, said he thought a better course still might be fol-
lowed, and he proposed that an address be sent to the Queen,
praying her to issue warrants for the apprehension of the Ma-
gistrates of Brunintagum for a breach of the peace and mur-
der, and that they should be brought for trial before a higher
tribunal, there to be punished,—ay, and to have the hair cut
out of their heads to the bargain. This preposition was favour-
ably received, and it was resolved that the Directors be recom-
mended to bring it before the public meeting to be held this
evening. The meeting then separated.
NEW CHARTIST PRIEST.—The Chartists of Paisley, who
never do anything by halves, have begun to act promptly on
the hint thrown out by Mr. Moir, High Priest of the new
Chartist religion. They have instituted worship on Sundays
in the open air. On Sabbath week one of their number, a
Mr. Osborne, conducted the first of their services, in one of
the suburban streets of Paisley, praying and singing psalms,
and reading one of the published sermons of the Rev. Joseph
Stephens.— Glasgow Argus.

ILLEGAL PROCESSIONS, &c.

(IRELAND.)

We see in the Irish papers (from which we subjoin some
extracts) some inconsiderable exceptions to the peace which
generally prevailed throughout Ireland on the Ist of July.
In the vicinity of Downpatrick, on the evening of the Ist,
the firing of guns, commingled with cheers, was heard in
the vicinity of the town, and a bonfire blazed or. the adja-
cent hill. At Killileagh also a flag was hoisted on the
market-house, and a body of Orangemen marched through
the streets with music. After firing a feu de joie they dis-
persed quietly to their homes.

- Seven lodges of Orangemen celebrated the anniversary
of the battle of the Boyne, in Macosquin, county Derry,
on Monday last, in their lodge-room. They passed a re.
solution not to walk in procession on the 12th.
The Ist of July was observed throughout the different
towns of this county by the Orangemen dining together
at their respective lodge-rooms. Preparations are making
on an extensive scale for the celebration of the 12th ;
no public procession will take place, but in many towns
the brethren will attend divine service, and spend the
remainder of the day in their lodges, where they will
dine.—.Newry Examiner.

On the right of the Ist July, the Orangemen mustered
in considerable force in the parish of Dnnaghisnaore, near
Newry. They had music and fire-arms, and they played
their customary offensive tunes, and indulged in their cus-
tomary abominable vociferations. The house of a man
named Haughey appeared to be the particular object of
their hostility. They fired various shots against it, and one
fellow discharged his gun in Mrs. Haughey's face, but hap-
pily without doing her any mischief. We are informed
that the Orangemen of this district are preparing to make a
demonstration on the coming twelfth, and that they have
already been collecting subscriptions in order to get up a
sham-fight. It behoves the local authorities to look about
them.— Ibid.

Notwithstanding the proclamation of the Lord•Lieute.
nant, the Orangemen of Killileagh determined to violate
the law. After placing a flag on the market-house, they
marched in procession through the town, accompanied by
flags and music. Some of them bore fire-arms, which they
discharged occasionally. In the neighbourhood of Down-
patrick bonfires blazed on the hills in several directions,
and ever and anon the yells of those who were present,
and the report of fire-arms, rose above the sounds of the
fife and drum which were practising, so as to be in rea-
diness for the coming twelfth.

A gentleman, who Passed through Dromore on Monday, in
the morning and in the evening, has just informed us that
on both occasions he saw a purple and orange flag dis-
played from the church steeple We had hoped that we
were to have no Orange demonstrations this year, seeing
that the Lord Lieutenant intends to give Ulster a fair trial
—a locus penitentice—without sending any additional troops
among us.—. Northern Whig.

The Northern Star, the principal organ of
the Chartists, speaking of what is characterised in that
paper as the " Government attack and noble self-defence of
the people of Birmingham," declares that " the Govern.
ment of this country arc determined to excite the people to
resistance; resistance that must be effectual, if undertaken
by men, firm in purpose, determined in courage, and,
above all, united in forces. They have begun the fight,
and on their heads be all the blood which may be
shed. They have drawn the sword, we will throw
away the scabbard. What madness can instigate them
to act thus ? . . . . The most sacred popular rights
have been invaded in every manner. Customs, laws,
privileges, have been trampled upon too long, and the
oppressed are determined to stop these invasions before
they grow beyond cure." The language here employed
is corroborative of the comments that we have frequently
felt it our duty to make in connexion with the danger of
a finality doctrine, a stand-still policy, and an injudicious
craven courie of action, compromising the most important
interests in the country.

THE LATE DREADFUL FIRE AT COLLUMP-
TON.—FURTHER PARTICULARS.—We understand it has
been ascertained that 145 dwelling-houses are burnt to the
ground, and in addition to that number, including out-
houses, barns, &c., upwards of 170 buildings have been
totally destroyed. It is impossible to calculate the amount
of loss; when it is considered that, not only the buildings,
but also a great deal of the furniture and stock in trade in
them must have been burnt, scarcely 1001. for each build-
ing will be sufficient to cover it, and th 4 will make a total
loss of somewhere about 15,0001. We fear, however, it
will be found to be much greater. W.l arc informed that
the respectable inhabitants in the town vied with each
other in their exertions to save the furniture of the poor
from their burning cottages, many of whom were in a state
of most deplorable distress and anguish. It is truly fortu-
nate that this awful calamity did not occur in the night, or
the loss of life might have great. Business is quite at a
stand-still in the town, and the scne of clesoletion is truly
distressing, no object presenting itself to the eye in every
direction but blackened rafters, dismantled buildings, and
ruins still smoking.— Western Luminary.

ANTI-TOBACCO SOCIETY.---A Society under
this title has been establi3Led at Neweastic-upon-Tyne.
Its members are, we suppose, those who cannot enjoy
the " weed." A meeting was held on Tuesday evening,
to found the society, when the following resolutions and
pledge were adopted :—" That the use of tobacco, being
ultimately associated with the causes and practices of
intemperance, as well as being a source of drunkenness
in itself, this meeting, deploring the evil results arising
from the common use of this and other narcotic drugs,
approves of the formation of a society to counteract
those effects. That it be called the Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Anti-Tobacco Society, having for its object to point out
the physical and moral evils resulting from the use of this
and other narcotic drugs, as opium, &c., but, mere espe-
cially, that by an example of abstinence, it may be the
means of inducing those who are habitual users to abstain.
That the pledge be—' We agree to abstain from tobacco,
snuff, cigars, and opium. We will not traffic in them,
nor will we provide them as an article of entertainment;
and we will, in all suitable ways, discountenance their use
throughout the country."

It is a well known fact in natural history, that in
large lakes and rivers where swans abound, the parent
birds at the end of fifteen or eighteen months drive cff the
larger Cygnets, and compel them to seek for new abodes.
A beautiful pair of such youthful emigrants lately estab-
lished themselves on the splendid lake at Stamford Court,
in Worcestershire, the seat of Sir Thomas Winnington,
Baronet. These birds appear about two years old, still
retaining a portion of yellow down on the neck and body,
and are so reconciled to the new situation they have
chosen, that they approach the margin of the lake with
much confidence and speed onfoi signal from the gardener,
who has received orders to feed and attend to them.
THE NEW MARRIAGE ACT AND THE NEW
Pooh- LAIN, COMMISSION.-In compliance with the provi-
sions of the N.'w Marriage Act, a notice of the intended
marriage of Mr. Edwin Chadwick, the Secretary to the
Poor-law Commissioners for England and Wales, was
on Thursday read, among other similar notifications, at
the usual weekly meeting of the Board of Guardians of
the Kensington Union. From the notice it appears that
the ceremony is to be performed at a Unitarian Chapel in
Manchester, where the bride elect at present resides,