Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-09-20

1 lad like to have said, interminab!e wa
ter courses of the western division of our
country. The currents thwartlng course
ceases to be any barrier to the progress OF
this description of vessel and tits there the
currents flow and IT'S there human labor.
and sweat, and toll, must have, been ex-
pended for ages, had not this unriya'ied
design been perfected; and by the move
men,s of its own interior, suspended all
this toll, and bid the laboring boatman
look on and admire this victory over the
force of the current. and his own freedom
from the labors of conquering it.
The certainty, as well as celebrity of
m.boat navigation the cheaper rates
of transportation which it insures; the
satisfaction and comfort of passengers, all
unite to make it an object which must con-
tinue to rise in importance, in the estima-
ton Of the people of these vastregions, and
all having intercourse with them.
" So far as the government OF the United
States is concerned, in its intercourse with
that portion of its territory, (and is deep
ly concerned) steamboats, must continue
to command its attention. For all the pur-
poses of transportation, whether of army
or of Indian supplies, or munitions OF war;
this mode is the best. II is the best, whe-
Their the progress of the expedition, the e.
economy in the expense, or the certainty OF
the period or periods OF arrival at the
points of destination, be consulted. But
these, however important in their place,
are, in this stage of the experiment, far
outweighed in national point OF view (nnd
this ought meter to be lost sight ot.) This
view embraces the encouragement OF one
of the grandest and most useful inventions
of IMAM, which, whilst il delights the admi-
ration of our counlrymen, and contributes
to the advantage and comfort Of the travel
ling parts of them, attracts at the same time
and rvets the attention of the old world 10
this wonderful contrivance ; and sets mon
archs at work to initiate the efforts and de-
velopements of REPUBLICAN genius.
I" Who does not wish success TO the
whole scheme? Who does not think ofthe
herculean undertakings of the JoHNsoNs
with admiration ? Who does not wish sue
cess to these men, not on account OF their
enterprise, only, bat of their valor, their
patriotism Not a wordy yalor not
boislerous patriotism, but practical and
pure such, ! mean, as enveloped them in
victory, and has given renown to Ameri-
can intrepidity throughout the world; and
which can never be forgotten till time shall
moulder history down to the dust, and bury
the noblest deeds of man in one common
ruin, with the final overthrow of the world.
But must come out OF Moravian town, and
from the banks Of our Thames.
When this expedition was fitting,
now and then heard of " detentions,'' of
{" oppreLensions, from their occasionalre-
currence, that the expedition must be aban-
doned. | thought saw in some half
willingness to abandon the m-boat part
of the design, and adopt the old song OF
row brothers, row." But put them all
down to the ardor of the American charac
ter. applauded the spirit, which, in
such a. york, became impatient of delay.
But knew that Atkinson, and Jessup, and
johnson, were there. And | doubted not
but the two first, who are no less distin-
guisbed tor their intelligence than their
bravery, would see the vastness OF the un-
dertaking which rested on the shoulders OF
the third, that suitable allowance would be
made for any accidental mishaps, to which
such extended and diversified operations
were liable, and which no mind but an
Omniscient one could foresee; and no
power, but Omnipotent power could TN
control.
To my great qualification, the whole,
at last, moved off. But what fthey could
only have made ready, this year, it would
only have been like acting under orders for
the next. As to the losses or evil conse-
quences of such delay, they would have
been trivial. compared with the abandon
ment of the steam boat part Of the great de-
sign. The year, however, is not lost, nor
the steamboat part Of the scheme aban-
doned; blu, the JOHNSON has passed Frank
lin in all the grandeur of her mysterious
full Of health and spirits,
pointing. as she goes, the attention OF The