The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-01

tened, we were astonished To learn by the Teyered
name OF Fulton. We have seen one Of those long,
lonk crakeh-iooking North River boats, Of which
some wag observed that Shy the time those ladies'
looking over her tafferel had fairly cleared Castle
Garden, the fellows in her Rows there would be half
way to ALBANY We have our steam pleasure bar
ges oflhiry or forty feet In length gliding keswans
over the surface Of the Schuylkl and the Delaware.
feet long, story above story in height furnished with
all that taste can devise or luxury demand, of The
mostsumpiuous and elegant
Whoever will look althe map ofthe United States
at the great inland seas North Western From
tier, and the almost interminabe rivers which after
repeated bdrcatons, are sill broader, deeper and
more majestic than the largest rivers Of many Euro
pean Countries, and TO them will add the deep bays
CULTS and iniets of our Atlantic border.-wiilsee
good reason why our country should be the native
land Of the steamboat.
But, as II the channels already open, did not give
sufficient scope 10 our enterprise send the great
pioneer of Western navigation, Captain Shreve
with his potent engines 10 disclose passage by
carving his way through The trfng ebst Gle OF one
hundred miles Of close packed solid timber the slow
accumulation Of centuries. His work is done, and
the Red River Is beginning TO call for her quota Of
fifty or hundred steamboats,.
Rumsey and Fitch and Fulton and Evans were,
10 their day, often treated but little better than raw
ing madmen, for predicting the accomplishment Of
about The hall of what we now daily witness One
Of their prophecies foreold the employment ofseam
in crossing the ocean. Having some years ago de-
monstraied before the eyes Of several European ma
ions the truth OF this prophecy, America has len to
those who have more idle capital than herself, 10
prove how far that mode Of prosecuting commercial
enterprises may be probably substituted for the one
hitherto in use.
Once admit that our foreign mercantile voyages
TO be- prosecuted by steam and there is an entire
change in our naval operations. Il were idle in
time Of war to think of protecting or conveying mer
camille steamers by naval sailing craft and parti-
culary ofdefending them by this means against pri-
vateers and pirates, who might invoke the power o.
steam TO aid their depTedations.
The state or things above depicted is indeed graft
flying but is less with view to national gloriica
ton, than with the purpose ofshowing how intimate
~ steam navigation is blending and must continue to
blend itself with all public pursuits, and social
relations that we have taken the preceding glance
at its actual condition We may hereafter ask our
readers reect what obligations this numerous and
increasing interest imposes on the government and
people Of the United States; how the discredh Of
mismanaging, might possibly cancel the honor OF
inventing the steamboat what has already been
done, and what remains to be effected, for avertng
a result which humanity, science, patriotism, and
private interest would alike deplore- National Ga
zette.