Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-09-11

J
the object of the Colonel, would not this
circumstance have been named He is
remarkably particular in some instances
Of Col. Johnson's boats: why then step
over the circumstance of the boats being
detained by getting on a sandbar This
would have been offering an apology for
the steam boats, which that paper has no
inclination 10 do. disqualification abounds
with misrepresentation ltfurther states
that " the Missouri presented sheet of
water deep enough for vessels Of one
thousand TONS" Would to God this was
true! Col. Johnson would succeed as
certain as fate. Let Us look at the cor
RICHNESS of this remarkable statement
The Jefferson and Expedition are YES
sells Of $50 tons each, but if very heavily
loaded can carry 900 tons. There was
some difficulty in passing two places be-
tween Belle Fontaine and St. Charles,
because the water was shallow, and from
no other cause. What then would be-
come of the Colonel's vessel of 1000
tons? His blunders or misrepresentation
become familiar. They will be harm
less when known by the public. The
Coloncl's next blunder is, that multi
tudc of citizens had assembled at St.
Charles, and Witnessed the slow progress
of these boats," sc. The fact is, that III
approaching St. Charles, no steam boats
iii the western country, of the same ton
mage, ever run more beautifully against
so bold current, than the Expedition
and Jefferson. The Johnson had arrived
the day before. Numerous spectators
Witnessed their rapid progress to that
port, and were delighted with them--ex-
cept the poor Colonel, whose iaundiced
eyes would not suffer him to enjoy HIM
self. He certainly will become privi-
legged order man. Many, however, of
these misrepresentation arise from a
rnalevolent heart to Col. Johnson or the
expedition, or to both. They insensibly
creep upon him: of course some excuse
ought to be allowed to crazy men--We
must forbear being too censorious, fer
they hardly know what they do. About
this time the Colonel seems to get lit
tie the better of his crazy fit, and begins
10 explore little his back track in do
AAiS Will iC dOuOlo WiCtIlCi llC 1871
INDUCED little too free for his own
safety, in carrying and supporting the
idea that the Missouri was not navigable
by steam boats. He breaks off as il some
atom or pumice had struck his noddle,
and endeavors to do away what the scope
of his publication would insinuate, and
exclaims, Our citizens have fresh
cause to congratulate themselves on the
enterprise of Capt. Nelson, who ascend
cd the Missouri in May, and established
its character for steam boat navigation
before the arrival of Col. Johnson's
boats. In this short sentence we find
another error of the Coionel's. Col.
Johnson had arrived, and was ready to
discharge his loading, and ascend the
river also, but was prevented by causes
which perhaps hereafter will be better
understood by the public. Imost hear
tily join in praise to Capt. Nelson for his
enterprise, and will most heartily Join to
praise every other enterprising character
who affords as much interest to this coun-
try. But it is somewhat uncomfortable
how the Colonel can praise one and SLAM
der another for the identical same act
1t notorious that Capt. Nelson has done
no more than Col. Johuson's steam boats
Nay he has not done so much to posi-
tive certainty. His steam boat of 200
tons has reached Usage and is progress
ing on. The Johnson, larger boat
than Capt. Nelson's, was within 30 or 80
miles of the same place, from the last
accounts, at least 100 miles higher up
the Missouri than Capt. Nelson's steam
boat assembled, and worse season too,
and Capt. Nelson's smaller steam boat
considerably than either Of Col. John
sons: yet by Col. Benton one is the
subject of praise, while the others are
the subject of his vindictive and malig-
nant animadyersion. Werepeat that we
will be as forgiying of the Colonel as pos
siblc, seeing he is ruled by passion and
not by judgment. Perhaps he cannot
help his nature. 1t is source of regret
to sec man his own worst cnemy-it
appears unnatural. If his own con-
science and his intended constituents,
forgive him, the subject may not be
pressed. an
1t appears useless to notice all the
flashes and squibs which the Colonel has
aimed at Col. Johnson and his boats since
being in this country; it would be bur-
thensome. Suffice it to pass them as
as vapors proceeding from an impure
fountain; while we pass to late publ