Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-28
"REMINISCENCES
OF Fulton's First Steam Voyage and the Recep
tion Of his First Passage Money.

tion Of his First Passage Money.
Some twenty years since, found travel.
ling acquaintance, upon steamboat on the
Hudson river, with gentleman, who, on that
occasion, related 10 me some incidents of the
first voyage of Fulton, 10 Albany, in his
steamboat, the Clettnont, which, have never
met with elsewhere. The sentleman's name
| have lost but urged him, at the time, to
publish what he related which, however, 40
far as know, he has never done.
CHANGED, said my narrator, TO Be at Alba.
ny on business, when Fulton arrived there In
his uuheard craft, which every. body fel, 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 there found a plain, gentlemanly nan
wholly alone, and engaged in writing.
Mr.. Fulton, | preshhe.
Yes, sit.
Do you return to New York With this
boat?
We shall try TO get back; sir.
Can have passage down2
You can take your chance with us, cir.
inquired the amount to be paid, and after
moments hesitation, sum, think six dol
lars, was named. The amount, in coin, laid
in his open hand, and with an eye fixed upon
it he remained 40 long motionless that sup
posed that there might be misconut, and
said 10 him, is that right; sir! This reused
him as from kind of resefy, and as he look
ed up at me, the big tear was brimmIng in his
eye, and his voice faltered as he said, excuse
me, sir; but memory was busy as contem.
plated this, the first pecuniary reward have
ever Received fer all my exerlions in adapting
steam 10 navigation. | would gladly com:
memorate the occasion over a bottle of wine
with you but really I am loo POOR, even For
that just now ; yet trust we may meet again,
when this will not be SO.
Some four tears after this, when the Cler-
mont had beeh greatly improved and two new
boats made, making Ful,on's feet three boats
regularly plying betweeh New York and AL
bany, took passage in one of these for the
hitter city.
The cabin, in that day, was below; and as
I walked its length TO and fro, l saw was
very closely observed by one SUPPOSED a
stranger Soon, however, recalled the fea-
tnres of MIR. Fulton; but without disclosing
this, continued my walk and waited the re-
suit. At length, in passing his seat our eyes
met, when he sprang to his feet, and eagerly
seizing my hand, exclaimed, knew it must
be you. your features have never escaped
me, and although am still far from rich, yet
l may venture that bottle, now. 1t was or
dered and during its discussion Mr.. F. ran
rapidly but vividly over his experience Of the
worlds coldness, and sneers, and of the hopes,
fears, disappoiniments and difficulties, that
were scattered through his whole career of
discovery, up 10 the very point OF his final.
crowning triumph, at which he so fully felt
he had at last arrived. And in reviewing all
these, said he, have again and again re-
called 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
seemed, and still does seem, 10 me the turn
ing poin, in my desliny-the dividing lines
between light and darkness, in my eafeer
upon earth; for it was the first actual tetcs-
nilion of my usefulness 10 my fellow men.
L MIL Al ~ al.
the very dawn Of steam natigation.a dawn
so recent as to be still recolletied by MANY
and such as Fulton there related them, were
the early appreciations, by the world, of a
discovery which has invaded all waters,
causing revolution in navigation which has
almost literally brought the very ends of :he
earth in contact Communicated to Buffalo
Conimercidi /