The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-11-12
BRIEF SKETCHES or
RORERT FULTONs
WHO BUILT THE FIRST STEAMBOAT OF PRACTICAL
.aas VALUE. ....

Fulton was born in Little Britain, Lancas-
ter County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1865
His father emigrated from ireland when
young, and settled in Pennsylvania, where
he married. .-r .r..
The subject Of this sketch, was sent to
school at Lancaster, where he received the
rudiments of an English education. In his
childhood, all his leisure hours were passed
in mechanics shops or in painting,
At IL years Of age, he went to Philadelphia,
where he was occupied in painting portraits
and landscapes, until he was Of age. With
the means thus acquired, he purchased a small
farm in Washington county, where he located
his mother, his father having previously died.
Leaving his mother thus provided with
comfortable home, he embarked for England,
in the 22d yearof his age. He took letters of
introduction to our illustrious countryman,
Benjamin West, by whom he was most corr
daily received. Mr.. West was so well plea
sed with his amiable qualities and his genius,
that he invited him to take up his abode in his
house, where he remained an inmate for sew
eral years, After leaving Mr.. West he made
portrait painting his chief employment,
Fulton resided two years in Devonshife, at
which place he made the acquaintance Of the
renowned Duke of Bridgewater, who con-
structed the first important Canal in Great
Britain.
He also formed the acquaintance of Lord
Stanhope, celebrated for his love of the me-
chanic Arts, with whom he long correspond
ed upon subjects to which both their minds
had been directed.
So early as the year 1893, Fulton had turn
ed his attention to the subject Of steam navi-
cation.
In May, 1884 he obtained from the British
government, patent for double inclined
plane, to be used for transportation.
He resided eighteen months in Blrming-
ham, where he acquired much practical know
ledge Of the mechanic arts which was Of great
advantage to him in after life.
From this period he devoted a great por-
tiOn Of his time to the subject Of civil engi-
neering, for which his talent for drawing gave
him great aid.
He is said to have been an elegant and &C.
curate craftsman. About this time, he pub.
| lished work upon Canals. Three subjects
appear to have occupied his attention for the
last twenty-five years Of his eventful life, viz
Steam Navigation-Canal Navigation, and
| the use of Torpedoes, for coast and harbor de-
fence in time Of war,
In 1897 Fulton went to Paris, where be
was invited BY our distinguished fellow coun-
tTyman, the Poet, Joel Barlow, to take up his
abode with him, which be accepted, and con-
k.ANSN " Aoo-No tAASt0 AuAAhB AAo AoAB IVY -
France.
Fulton has been censured for edeavoring ia
Introduce system Of sub marine warfare, a'
aviolati0n Of the laws Of War. His object,
however, was TO put an end to wars, by rem
dering the destruction Of human life so GER
tam, that nations would abandon altogether,
this iRhuman practice, and turn their attention
TO cultivating the Arts Of Peace.
Fulton was amongst the first who pointed
out the value and importance Of connecting
the Great Lakes with the Atlantic, BY means
ot Canal navigation. In fact, at one period,
this subject appears to have been uppermost
in bis mind
Whilst at Paris, Fulton was desirous that
BonapaFte, then First Consul, should aid him
in carrying into effect his great plan Of Steam
Navigatlon. For this purpose, he prepared 9
memorial to the First Consul, setting forth the
great advantages France would derive from 1t,
both in peace and war. His memOrials he re-
qnestea BouFienne. Private Secretary, to pre-
sent to him. 3
B0urienne, who was . classmate Of Bona
| paItes at the Military School at BFinne, resi-
ded in the family Of the First Consul for many
ydags, as his Private secFetaryf and has since
published, Memoirs Of NapoleOn." bou-