Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-10-17
FultOn's First Steam VOyaae.

some twenty years since, formed a trav-
elug acquaintance, upon steamboat on the
hudson Hver, with gentleman, who, on that
occasion, related TO me some incidents OF the
hrst voyage OF Fulton, to Albany, in his
steamboat, the Clermont, which have never
met with elsewhere. The genlIemen's name
have lost; but urged him, at the time, TO
publish what he related; which however, SO
tar as know, he has never done.
lchanced, said my narrator, to he at Alba
ny on business, when Fulton arrived there in
his unheard craft, which everybody felt so
much interest in seeing. Being ready 10
leave, and hearing That this craft was to re-
turn TO New York, repaired OH board. and
enquired for Mr.. Fulton. | was referred to
the cabin, and there found plain, gentle.
| manly man, wholly alone, and aqed in
writing.
MIR. Fulton, presume.
Yes, sir.
Do you return to New York with this boat !?
We shall try TO get hack, sir.
Can have passage down?
You can take your chance with US, sir.
| enqured the amount to he paid, and af-
| ter moments hesitation, a sum, think SIX
dollars, was named. The amount in coin,
laid in his open hand, and with an eye fixed
upon it he remained SO long motionless that
| supposed there might be miscount and
said to him, is that right sir? This reused
him as from kind OF revery and as he look
ed up at me, the big tear was brimming 10
his eye, and his voice fatered as he said, ex-
cuse me, sir; but memory was busy as
contemplated this, the first pecuniary reward
| have ever received, for all my exertions in
adapting steam to navigation. would glad
ly commemorate the occasion over a bottle
Of wine with you, but really l an too poor,
for even that, just nov; 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 Fulion's feet three
boats 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
| walked its length, i saw / was closely OBJ
served by one supposed a stranger. Soon,
however, recalled the features of Mr. Full
ton but wilhou, disclosing this continued
my walk and waited the result. AT length,
in passing his seat, our eyes nIet when he
sprang TO his feet, and eagerly seizng my
hand, exclaimed, knew il must be you. for
your features have never escaped me aud
although am still tar from rich, yet NAV
venture that bottle now. Il was ordered:
and during its discussion, Mr.. F. ran rapidly
but wildly 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 discov-
cry up to the very point of his final, crown
ing triumph, at which, he 50 fully felt that
he had at last arrived. And in reviewing all
these, said he, have again and again recall.
ed the occasion and the incident of our FIRST
interview, a, Albany, and never have done
so, without It's renewing in my mind, the viv-
id e,notion il originally caused. That seem.
cd, and still does seem to me, the turning
point in my destiny the dividing lines be-
tween light and darkness, in my career upon
earth; for it was the i 81 actual recognition
of my usefulness 10 my fellow men.
Such then were the events coupled with
the very dawn of steam navlgaton-a dawn
so recent rs 10 be still recollected by many
and such as Fulton there related them.
were the early apprecialions, by the world,
Of discovery which has invaGed all waters,
causing q revolvtion in navigation which has
almost literally brought the very ends Of
earth in contact.--Bufdio Com. Adr.