Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-04-09
NO. Sc.

'ho hio"'iCHiSaI governments oil Europe,
this purpose is commonly effected either
by pension, or by comforting some Of
flee that is little better than a sinecure.
But neither of these modes of remunera-
ton Is in use in this country, or is like
ly to be SO, without great change In
public opinion. The injustice as i,owo~ar
not the less felt, and calls for remedy
The preceding rehexions were sugges-
ted to the writer by the recollection OF
conversation which took place some time
since among party of gentlemen in
steam boat. The day was fine; The are
good the company agreeable and as tn,
boat was cutting her way on the broad
Potomac, the very common topic was in
troduced of the incalculable benefit which
Fulton had rendered to mankind. twas
agreed by all the company, as it might
well be, that every individual who, in pur-
suit of business or pleasure. or health, is
now induced to travel, is enabled to do so,
with more ease, more expedition, and Mt
less expense, by means of the mechanical
genius and perseverlng efforts of Fulton
who has thus added to the pleasnrablc
sensations of milions-that he may almost
be said to have pvt money into every mans
pocket-that while he has augmented both
the commercial and social intercourse of
the whole country, that OF the western states
has been advanced by him an hundred years
in wealth and mprovement-and that not
outstanding all these benefits, moral and
political. it was public reproach that his
family should be in narrow circumstan-
ces. One of the party then proposed that
rInfID ch, L.. =
on foot among those who were present,
and that the public should be invited,
through the newspapers, to follow the cx-
ample. 1t was supposed by one gentle
man that Twenty-Five cents could be OBJ
tanned from every steam boat passenger in
the United States but he spoke from his
feelings rather than his Judgment, and
when the appeal to his benevolence had
tho -eASiting freshness Of novelty. besides,
it was found, on further reflexion, that a
sum much smaller than that, and better
squaring with the sel6shness and necess-
ties Of the great mass of mankind, would
effect the desired purpose-that even a
single cent from each passenger, would in
two or three years, perhaps in single year,
make the most ample provision for Fulton's
family. Thus let us suppose that there
are 400 steam boats in the United States,
and, as there are three hundred on the west
ern waters and in the State Of New York
alone, the number is more likely to be
greater than less. Let then each one be
supposed to have an average of so daily
passengers, and the whole amount of con-
tribution would be $500 day. Estmat-
ing the number Of days they are employed
in year at 200, the annual amount would
be $4,000. An average Of only 25 pas
sengers to each boat each day, would of
course give $4,000 year. If any part
Of this estimate be considered too high,
the error may be corrected by extending
the time. it was then agreed to propose
such contribution to the public.
But is the scheme feasible !? We would
fam hope that it is, and that at all events
it is worth the trial. We would then re-
spectfuily, but earnestly, submit the follow
ing propositions to the owners of steam
boats, and all who travel in them.
1. That the proprietors of each boat
provide box to receive contributions FOR
the benefit of Fulton's heirs.
9. That every passenger be invited, with
out importantly, to contribute one cent,
8. That one cent of the passage n.onev
OF every passenger who may not choose to
contribute, be set apart to supply the de-
fciency.
a. That the proceeds thus contributed
be remitted on the LIST day of every month.
or as soon after as practicable, to the bank
of the United States in New York, on ac-
count of Fulton's children.
in this way liberal provision NAV be
made, without being fe!tby any body, for the
family OF one ofthe greatest, If not the very
greatest, OF our public benefactors. Had
Fulton been a subject Of the emperor of
Russia, he had probably been enobled, and
certainly enriched. Had he been a sub
lect of Great Britain, he would have ex-
pefienced the bounty both of king and
| parliament; and being a citizen of our re-.
| public, there seems to be a peculiar fitness
and propriety that the reward of his useful
labours should be bestowed by The people,
Such spontaneous act on their part would
be honorable to the character of the ma
ton both for intelligence and liberality.
They are urged moreover, to take this
measure oftardy Justice into their own hands,
by the facts that the legislative provsion,lirst
made by the state of New York for the
benefit of Fulton, (the exclusive right of
using his steam boats in that state,) pro;ed
abortive, by IFS having been adjudged I'M
constitutoDal-tfa the bill introduced
lately into the legislature Of the same
state, to provide for FuIton's heirs, was re-
Iected by the Senate, upon some refined
arguments Of policy or highland that no
other state has attempted the same object,
! though in scvera! of them the addition Of