The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-10-09
N O.. 5 o .
Fulton's first Steam voyage.

uASoai . Lhe1 0t6dlu v CydES.r
Twenty YEARS since, more or Icss--for
carnot FIX the date with more certainty
formed Il travelling acquaintance, upbn
steam Loaf nppti the Hudson river, a,t:i u
gentleman who, on thai occasion, related
t" me some Incidents of the first voyage of
Fulton to Albany, in bis steam boat, the
Clernon;, which have never mct.wtit
elsewhere. The gcntlernan's name havd
lost; but urged him at the tin,e TO publish
whit he related; which, however, SO far as
know, he has never done. lhave several
times repeated the facts as they wafGtold
to me, and have bean often requested Gi se--
cure them from Oblivion by giving them 10
the press.
! cliai1ced. said my narrator, tn be at ~.
bany OH business, when Fulton arrived
there, in us unieard craft Of, which every
body felt SO ,nucli interest in seeing Be.
ing ready to leave, and hearing that this
craft was to return 10 New York, repair
cd on hoard. and inquired for Mr. Fulton.
was referred TO the cabin, ard here ionnd
plain, gen,cmanly man, wholly alone,
and engaged in writing.
Mr.. Fulton, Iprcsu,ne.
/, Yes, cir.
Do you return 10 New York Aith this
boat
We shall try 10 get back, sir.
Can have passage doHnt
You can take your chance with ns, sir
inquired the amount to be PAID. and az
ter inuincnts hesitation a sum,I think
SIX dollars, was nnined. The amount in
coin, laid in his oncn hand, and SiIb his
eye fixed upon it, he remained solorg1no.
tion!rss that supposed there might be a
'nscouni, and said to him, is ,harrgll,, siri
Ihis reused him ns from kind Is. reverie,
and as he looked up 1T inc, The big tear
WAS br mining III his eye, ami his toce
ia't"red as lie sad, excuse me, sir: hit
nIemury was husy as contemplated this,
The first perGniary reward have ever fe-
rewei Tor all nay CSer'ions in adapting
steam 10 navigation. would duly COM
me'Eoratr the occasion over Il bottle Of
wine with ynn. bu, am too poor, even for
| that jus. now; yet trust we may mpat
again whcn this will not be go
The voyage to New-Ynrk was success.
fil. as III know, and Terminated wi;llnut
accident ..5.is =! t$
ri,
s. II sSSs
her tSo d, her b
TTePtunc and lie Parag hcef Ii ~
making Mr.. Fuiton's fieet fhree hpsie rern
iarly plying between New York ard Alba
ny, took passage upon onc OF there for
the latter city. The cabin. u.lnsthat day.
was below; aud as walked It's length, to
and fro, saw was very closely observed
by one supposed n stranger. Soon, how
ever, recal Ell the features Of Mr.. Fulton:
but, without disclosing myself, Iconiinued
my walk md awaited the result. At length.
in passing his seat. our eyes met. wten he
sprang to his feet, and eagerly sczing my
hand. exclaimed, knew it must be you,
for your features have never escaped me:
and although am sill far from rich, yet
may venture that bottle, tInw. 1t twas or
| dered, and during its discussion, MIR. Full
ton raE rapidly but vividly over his expe.
rience OF the worlds coolness, and snecrs.
and OF The hopes, fears, dsappointments.
and difficulties that were scattered through
his whole career Of discovery, up to the
very point OF. his final, GROWING ,rinmp!a,
al wh..h he so fully feit he had at las, ar
rived @ f
IN reviewing all these. he said, i have
again and agnin recalled the occasion and
!nc 'nridp!it of our frs, interview, at Aha
ny and r.:ver have done go without its
renewing in my nipI, the vivid emotion It
- ,h'aiiS iH3en. MAJ sHetfcd, AM sttll
GAGS seen. The tnrl,ng point OF my. destiny
the dividing Lac he'wecn ligln and dark
ness, M MT career upon Garth; for II was
my tirstsActual recognition OF my psefuis
ness taSliss ca men.
sssSuesI, the events coupled with
the steam navIgalion--n
dawn s'freGetitas 10 be reco!leGted by ma
ny and such as Fulton there related, were
The early anprcciltions, by the world. Of
| discovery which has invaded all water,
causing revolution in navigation which
has almost lerai!y brought the very ends
OF The cath III Bag Ba!o l'ommsr-
cat idscuiser.