Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-20

The following is an extract from discourse
Of Judge Story published in the LIST vol. of the
American Library Of useful knowledge. tire
fers to an incident known perhaps to all, ard wit
messed by many, yet it will be deemed interest
ing as the narrative, in some sort, by Fulton him
self of the first successful trial of the first steam
boat.
II was in reference to the astonishing impulse
thus given to mechanical pursuits, that DR.. OAR
win. more than forty years ago, broke out in
strains equally remarkable for their poetical en-
thusiasm, and prophetic truth, and predicted the
future triumph of the steam engine.
"Soon shall tby arm, unconqncred steam, afAr
Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car;
Or on wide waving wings expanded bear
The flying chariot through the fields of sir:-
Fair crews triumphant, leaning FROM above, tmove,
Shalt wave their 8u't,ring kercLiefs they
Or wxrior bands alarm the gaping crowd,
And Armies shrink beneath the shsdowy cloud"
What would he have said, if he had but lived to
witness the immortal invention OF Fulton, which
seems almost to move in the air, and to tly on the
wings of the wind? And yet how slowly did this
enterprise obtain the public favor. myself have
heard the ilustrious inventor relate, in an animal
ed and affecting manner. the history OF his la.
bors and discouragements. when. SAID ne,
Tas building my first Steamboat at New York.
the proJect was viewed by the public either with
indifference, or with cOutempt, as visionary
scheme My friends, indeed, were civil, but
they were shy. They listened with patience to
my explanations, but with settled cast Of incre-
dulity on their countenances. felt the force Of
the lamentation of the poet,
"Truths would you teach, to save sinking land,
All shun, none aid you. and few understand"
As had occasion to pass daily to and from the
building yard, while my boat was in progress l
have often loItered unknown near the idle groups
ct strangers, gathering in little circles, and heard
various inquiries as to the object of this new We
hisle. The language was uniformly that of scorn,
or sneer, or ridicule. The loud laugh often rose
at my expense, the dry jest, the wise calculation
Of losses and expenditures; the dull but endless
repetition Of the Fulton Folly. Never did
single encouraging remark, bright hope, or
warm wish, cross my path. Silence itself was
but politeness, yelling its doubts, or hiding its
reproaches. AT length the day arrived when the
experiment was to be put into operation. Tome
it was most trying and interesting occasion.
invited many friends to go on board to witness !
the ilrst successful trip Many Of them did me
the favor to attend, as matter Of personal re-
spect; but it was manifest, that they did it with !
reluctance, Tearing to be the partners Of my NOR.
tiilcat'on, and not of my triumph. l was well
aware, that in my case there were many reasons
to doubt Of nay own success. The machinery
was new and i'll made; many parts Of il were con-
'tructed by mechanics unaccustomed to such |
work; and unexpected difficulties might reasopa.
bly, be presumed to present themselves from 9th.
sr causes. The moment arrived, in which the
word was to be given for the vessel to move
Ny irierfts were In groups on the deck. There
vas anxiety mixed with fear among them. They
s ere silent, and sad, and weary. read in Their
ooks nothing but disaster, and almost repented
# my efforts. The signal was given, and the
'oat moved on short distance, and then STONED.
nd became immoyable.
10 the silence OF the preceding moment now
ucceeded murmurs Of discomfort, and agitatons.
I'D whispers and shrugs. | could hear distinct.
repeated, 81 told you it would be so-t is a
polish scheme-l wish we were we'll out of il. -
elevated myself upon platform, and address.
the assembly. lstated that knew not what
'as the matter; but IT they would be quiet, and
idu'ge me FOR half hour, would either 90 on. /,
abandon the voyage for that time. This short ,
spite was conceded without objection. I
ent below. examined the machinery, and disco. /
,red that the cause was slight adjustment
some of the work. In short period il was I
'viated. The boat was again put in notion
he continued TO move on. All were still inere-
lious. None seemed willing to trust the ev;.
nee OF their own senses. We left the fair eitr l.
New York; we passed through the romantic II
ID ever-varyng scenery Of the highlands; we
scried the clustering houses of Albany: we Il
ached its shores; and then, even then. when I,
seemed achieved, was the victim of disan.
intment. Imagination superseded the influence
fact. 1t was then doubted. il il could he