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

d" sentiment is now made manifest. -
Here, at the close Of his remarks, is
palpable misrepresentation. 1t is really
admitted that it was almost the unani-
nous opinion that no steam boats what
ever could succeed in the voyage Col.
Johnson had undertaken. But that they
particularly thought Col. Johnson's
boats unfit, is not true, except the Colo
mel, the St. Louis Bank gentry, and their
particular followers. But to notice his
remarks further, after he closes only no.
tico the Colonel startles again, as if SEN
sible that he had gone too far; that his
intended constituents might suppose that
he had not done the navigation of the
Missouri justice, independent Of Col.
Johnson's steam boats; or that he Ger
tainly was an enemy to the whole enter
prise he breaks off again and exclaims,
Let no one attribute to the difficulty of
the river the wretched progress which
Col. Johnson's steam boats have made
in ascending it. CAPT. Nelson's 10Y
age to Boonslick in the Independence,
GO is proof of the ease and safety with
which it may be navigated in boat
properly built, of competent powers,
and skilfully conducted" Magnani-
nous Colonel all this twice told, it
certainly will be recollected, and believed
too. But how has it SO happened that
the Coloncl's calculations have been SO
remarkably particular about Col. John
sons boats, and not the others? Why did
it not occur to him that to Judge correct
| ly between the boats he seems to try to
eulogize and those he tries to SANDER,
| that it was necessary to tell the public
how long Capt. Nelson was ascending to
| Boonslick, what was her tonnage, what
! burthen did she have OH board and the
same of the Engineer. Is the public
enlightened by his publication? AS he
has taken upon himself the work of COM
parison, why not make it fairly and right
eously? This would have redoundcd to
| his honor: but this course don't seem
| to suit his nature.
| But, to cap the climax, after Colone.
Johnson's boats had assembled upwards
of 200 miles against the most difficult
part of the Missouri, he states that the
sentiments of the people were about to
be made manifest, that the steam boats
were unfit for the Missouri. Poor fell
| low . he here really deserves pity. Who
is it that can't see the man, that preju-
dice, or passion, or some weak faculty
OF the brain, governs him, and that, by
making himself an editor, and publish
ing such sentiments, it exposes himself
in point that otherwise might have re-
manned dormant for ever, or at least until
he reached some of those pleasing po-
litical heights which he so pleasantly
dreams of attaining to at no very distant
| day. But what renders his publications
more contemplate while they are issuing
from his press, Cob Johnson's boats are
progressing on, and persevering through
all the difficulties natural to swift cur
rent, umried navigation, filled with sand
bars, planters, and sawyers, whose shores
are destitute of inhabitants to give any
comfort or assistance, particularly in the
article of wood, notwithstanding have
actually succeeded to pass Fort Usage,
and are still progressing, from the last
| accounts. Will not be most sick cning
andmortifying to the Colonel to find these
hateful steam boats crowned with sue.
cess, independent of his predictions and
petty publications He is advised to
prepare to bear it like philosopher
Indeed he ought already to commence,
for the boats have cutrun him now by
hundreds of miles, and still they are
miserable things most miserably con-
Quoted, but fortunately Capt. Nelson has
| done the business.
The Colonel is bid farewell for the
present. He shall hear again from me
| when it suits me.
A. B. c.
| The editor Of The Missouri Gazette is requested
| to bu6ASh.tiae a6oue.