Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-10-10
"Reminiscences
Of Fulton's First Ssam Poyags and the Rscep-
ton Of his First Passage Money.

Of Faton's First &sam Toyags and the Rscep-
ton Of his First Passage Money
Some twenty years since, l formed travelling
acquaintance, upon steamboat on the Hudson riv-
er, with gentleman, who. on that occasion, related
TO some incidents of the first voyage of Fulton
to Albany, in his steamboat, the Clermont, which
have never met with elsewhere. The gentleman 5
name have lost; but urged him. at the time, TO
publish what be relaed which, however, so far as
know, he has never done.
Glanced, said my narrator, TO be at Albany on
business, when Fulton arrived there in his unheard
craft, which every body felt much interest in see
ing. Being ready TO leave, and hearing that this
craft was TO return 10 New York, | repaired on
board, and inquired for Mr. Fulton. was referred
to the cabin, and there found plain, gentlemanly
man, wholly alone, and engaged in writing.
Mr. Fulton, presume.
Yes, sir.
Do you return TO New York with this boat?
We shall try 10 get back, sir.
Can have passage down!
You can take your chance with us, sir.
inquired the amount 10 be paid, and after a mo-
ment's hesitation, sum, think six dollars was
named. The amount in coin, | laid in his open
hand, and with eye fixed upon it he remained so
long moionleSs that supposed there might be a
miScount, and said 10 him, is that right, sir? This
reused him from kind OF revery, and as he look
ed up at me, the big tear trimming in his eye,
and his voice ialtered as he said, excuse me, sir
but memory was busy as contemplated this, the
first pecuniary reward have received for all
my exertions in adapting steam 10 navigation.
would gladly commemorate the occasion over bot
lie of wine with you, but really 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 Clermont had
been greatly improved and two new boats made,
making Fulion'S fleet three boats regularly plying
between New York and Albany, / took passage in
one of these for the latter city.
The cabin in that day was below: and as walk
ed its length TO and fro, was very closely OBJ
served by one | supposed stranger. Soon, how
ever, / recalled the features of MIR. Fulton; but
without disclosing this, i continued 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, knew il must be you,
for your features have never escaped me; and al
though am still far from rich, yet i may venture
that bottle, Ii was ordered; and during lis
discussion Mr.. F. rapidly but wildly over bis
experience of the worlds GOODNESS, and sneers and
OF the hopes, fears diSappontments and difficulties,
that were scattered through his whole of dis
coyery, up to the very point OF his final, GROWING
riumph at which he so fully felt he had at last ar
rived. And in reviewing all these, said he, have
again and again recalled The occasion and the Incl
dent of first interview at Albany; and never
have done so without IFS renewing in my mind the
vivid emotion it originally caused. That seemed,
AMI still does seem, to me the turning point of nv
destiny-the dividing lines between light and dark
ness, in my career upon earth; for it the first
actual recognition OF my usefulness to my fellow
men.
Such then were the events coupled with the very
dawn of steam navgation-a dawn so recent as to be
still recollected by maryland such Fulton there
related them were the early appropriations, by the
world, of discovery which has invaded all waters
causing revolution in navigation which has almost
literally brought the very ends of the earth in con-
TACT Communicated to Buffalo Commercial.