Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-10-18
DE CAUS, IN THE PARIS BEDLAM y
FOR THE NATIONAL ISrELLIeENcEa.

NATIONAL IsrELLIeENcER.
Why general repugnance TO- and through all time
pressed against inventors! Is envy But why inquire
into the of evil obvate The original
dscovere the expansive power Of steam perhaps saved
from peshng with hunger and nakedness by place in the
Bicee Reading this morning in the National Inelgencer
the very humiang bat true display of human nature, it
brought to mind incident in which humble actor
and fo which, from its Appropriateness the OCCASION must
solicit an insertion in your paper.
It was, think, in l7s9 might have been year earlier
but not aerhat the MOTHER BROTHER and sister of
FuLTos removed to Washington, in West Pennsylvania,
the town wherein and vicinity raised The sister was
the wife Of David Norris long respected nnkeeper Of that
borough and where believe the three persons found
final resting place.
The circumstances which induced to give publication
was as follows: was spending evening with Mrs. Norris
in company with Mr.. William Porter and William Kerr
and as we we're sitting tea, the very FIRST pubica-
on made by Robert Fulton the subject of propulsion by
steam was handed to his sister. We all young men,
and of course unable decide with knowledge for against
Mr. Porter and myself had shared public curiosity and were
ejoiced at the incident Mr. Kerr had made up his mind to
join in dcue, nearly justify the assertion that
it was universal So far indeed did he carry bis ests that
we were compelled check his career which had very
verely hurt the feelings Of Mrs. Morris.
AT the time stated $780, the idea not alone of the diff
Guilty. but Of the mpossbiy) of propeng vessels by steam
was the minds Of Of those who gave thought to the
subject viewed little less than insanity. Happily Fulton
had convinced few great minds and the world received from
their noble and fortunate perseverance present little
Peced and never deserved The sacred band in
defiance of anost universal nceduly and the history Of
the world was permanently changed.
At the time before u.s. Mr. Porter and myse were prepar
I'M m 40 oT To,i.,o 81
and made the voyage of the old fiat boats Therefore
have TO say that avesed the Ohio and Mississippi before
there was steam-vesse in on either river The interim
is no unmporant fraction Of ime Half century has pass
cd, and endowed history with of most important
Psges lncreduly has been superseded by full conviction
The explosive power Of gunpowder had performed mira
ces during the three preceding centuries and has now re-
ceved and united with auxiliary force of similar terrific
power In the former apparel Of maritime war; as displayed
by rstrae ship Of the line, but faint idea of power
bned within Of steam could be formed by any exeon
of the human faculties.
But when the mind gappes with this mighty subject and
combines with the prevailing winds from the west over the
Atlantic ocean, the dawn bursts forth Of an entire new day
in human revolution.
cannot consider pecessary to claim indulgence while
transacted ywo years past whilst myself
and companions floating down the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers in clumsy fiat boat and, with such dim lights
then possessed discussing the mooed subject of the agency
osteam motive power. Thwared he was, and shell
tered 10 premature grave from age which deserved him
not with congeneate fame Fulton is name immortal
that of Archmedes In reality, there doubt but
that steam must operate far more extensive and durable
change than was produced on the relations of human affairs
BY gunpowder That fact has already been in great de-
gree. rendered apparent Steam, both land and water
mas distance into me and by rendering animal force
less necessary, has provided for indefinite increase
ana means OF motion to he human, extent beyond the
stretch OF iancy This is the creates, revolution effected
on the motive power of Robert Fulton was born at
Little Britain Lancaster county Pennsylvania in l765, and
died IN lslS aged s. It may be tite, but true Fulton
gave millions to the world and ecsved perhaps no, as many
iann'nes IN return. WILLIAM DARBY.