Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-10-05
REA1NIscENcE OF FuLToN's FIRST STEAn

Renaissance OF FuLToN's FIRST STEAM
VoYAGE.-The following very interesting re-
miniscence is communicated by R. w. Has
kins for the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser:
Some twenty years since formed a travel
ling acquaintance, upon steamboat on the
Hudson river, with gentleman who, on that
occasion, related to me some incidents of the
first voyage of Fulton to Albany in his steam
boat Clermont, which have never met with
elsewhere. The gentleman's name | have lost;
but urged him at the time to publish what he
related, which, however, so far as | know, he
has never done.
CHANGED, said my narrator to be at Albany
on business when Fulton arrived there in his
unheard craft, which everybody felt so much
interest in seeing. Being ready to leave, and
hearing that this craft was to return to New
York. repaired on board and inquired for Mr..
Fulton. was referred to the cabin, and l
there found plain, gentlemanly man, wholly
alone, and engaged in writing.
"Mr. Fulton, presume"
ayes, sir"
ado you return to New York with this
boat?"
ave shalltr to get back, sir.'
"Can have passage DOWN.
"You can take your chance with us, sir"
Inquired the amount to be paid, and after
moments hesitation, sum, think six dollars,
was named. The amount in coin laid in his
open hand, and with an eye fixed upon it, he re-
NAMED so long motionless that l supposed
there might be miscount, and said to him, "Is
that right, sir!" This reused him as from a
kind Of reyery, and as he looked up at me, the
big tear was brmming in his eye, and his voice
faltered as he said: "Excuse me, sir; but me-
moy was busy as contemplated this, the first
pecunary reward | have ever received for all
my exertions in adapting steam to navigation.
would gladly commemorate the occasion over
bottle Of wine with you, but really am too
poor even for that just now; yet ! trust we may
meet again, when this will not be so."
Some four years after this, when the Cler-
mont had been greatly improved and two new
boats made, making Fulton's fleet three boats
regularly plying between New York and AL.
bany, took passage in one Of these for the lat
ter city.
The cabin, in that day, was below; and as
walked its length to and fro, l saw was very
closely observed by one supposed stranger.
Soon, however, recalled the features of Mr..
Fulton: but without disclosing this, contin-
ued my walk and waited the result. At Length,
in passing his seat our eyes met, when he
sprang to his feet, and eagerly seizing my hand,
exclaimed, II knew it must be you, for your
features have never escaped me- and although
am still far from rich, yet may venture that
bottle now" It was ordered; and during its
discussion Mr.. F. ran rapidly but vividly over
his experience of the worlds coldness, and
sneers, and of the hopes, fears, dissppointments
and difficulties, that were scattered through his |
whole career ofdiscoyery, up to the very point |
Of bis final, crowning triumph, at which he SO
fully felt he had at last arrived. And in re-.
viewing all these, said he, II have again and |
again recalled the occasion and the incident of |
our first interview, at Albany; and never have |
done so, without its renewing in my mind, the |
vivid emotion it originally caused. That SEEM
ID, and still does seem, to me, the turning point
n my destiny-the dividing lines between light |
md darkness, in my career upon earth; for it |
vas the first actual recognition of my useful
,ess to my fellow-men." |
Such then were the events coupled with the |
'ery dawn Of steam nayigat;on--a dawn SO re-
ent as to be still recollected by maryland
uch as Fulton there related them, were the
arly appreciations, by the world, Of discovery
which has invaded all waters, causing reyolu-
ion in navigation which has almost literally
'rought the very ends of the earth in contact.
UIn 1851, Henry Dow was chosen Town
Jerk Of Hampton, New Hamshire Since that |,
lme the office has been in the family, and held
y himself and descendants 100 years. He held