The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-02-19
SATURDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 10 1853

fed by DR.. Alexander of Baltimore,
who was on board, and who says: "Ev.
cry person present believed that Mr..
Rumsey had accomplished all his wishes.
The first efforts of Fulton in Ameri-
ca. more than twenty years afterwards,
were but little more successful. II was
not until after repeated trals-great and
extensive notifications and improve
ments, requiring much time and mon.
ey, and testing to the utmost the liberal
patronage of Livingston, that he sue.
ceeded in obtaining a velocity reasona-
bly, useful.
After his successful experiment on
the Potomac, Rumsey beng satisfied
that skllful workmen, and perfect ma
chlnery were alone wanting to the most
complete success, and sensible that sucl.
could not then be procured in America.
resolved to 60 to England. With slen-
der means he there resumed his great un-
dertaking. He procured patents flom
the British Government for steam navi-
CATION, and various inventions embra-
cling improved steam engines and boil
ers. These patents bear date the be-
ginning of 17Ss. Many of his inven-
tions in one modified form or other are
now in general use. For instance: the
cylindrical boiler, SO superior to the old
tub or sill-boiler, in presentation of fire
surface, and capacity for holding highly
raritied steam, is described both single
and combined, in his specifications.
Difficulties and embarrassments of a
pecuniary nature, and others such as in.
varlably obstruct the progress of a new
invention, attended him in England.
He was often compelled to aban don,
Temporarily, his main object, and turn
his attention to something else, in order
to raise means to resume it. He under
took with the same power, but by its
more Judlcious application to produce
higher results in several water-works,
in all of which he succeeded, realizing
thereby some reputation, and some funds
to apply to his iavorite project.
A another time in order to avoid a
"London JAIL" and the delay, fnot de.
feat OF his high hopes, he was compel
led to transfer at what he considered
runous sacrifice, large interest in his
lnventions-a contract which entangled
and embarrassed him during the remain
der of his short life. Still, however,
he struggled on, undismayed; had con-
structed boat of about one hundred
tons burden, and pushed forth his ma
chinery so near the point of completion,
as to be able 10 indicate a day not very
distant for public exhibition, when
MS sudden death from appopIexy en-
sued, while discussing the principles of
one of his inventions, before philo-
sophical society of London.
With his life. the whole project ceas-
ed, there was no one present to admin.
lister; there was no one interested in his
undertaking posse ssed of skill and abli-
ty to carry 1t out. Most men looked up
on 1t as wild and visionary. Few would
have been willing to incur the rdicule
OF attempting to complete it. All that
he left-his very boat and machinery,
barely sutliced to satisfy anxious and
greedy creditors. 1t is known that F ul-
ton, was for many years during and af.
ter this period, residing in Europe, and
spending much of his time in London,
and in the absence of all other proof it
could scarcely be believed that he, with
talent for these things; with mind
directed to such objects, would have
failed in becoming acquainted with, and
interesting himself in the operations of
his countrvman, who was occupying
position of painful prominence; so much
so that, he states in letter to his broth
er, his project was the frequent subject
OF newspaper remark, and even of"play-
house wit" But all doubt is removed
by the letter of Rumsey to his friend
MIR. West, in America, in which he
speaks of Fulton as fthey were on terms
of intimacy.
Does not the conclusion follow, that
from this association with Rumsev, and
acquaintance with his plans, Fulton was
advanced in knowledge, was led to re-
fleet, and ultimately to act on this subject
And whether his application Of steam was
identical or dlssimi lar-original or d.
rIved-wholly new or notifications and
improvements on some of Rumsevs
plans-stlll it would be cruel injustice
to the memory of this perseverIug, ar
dent, talented, but unfortunate man
unfortunate in being cut of in the prime
oflife and in the midst of his career
to say that the world was under no OBJ.
legation to him for an invention so in
calcuIably important.
Fulton was engaged on the steam.
boat, in London, in 1893, very shortly
after Rumsey's death, as is apparent
from his correspondence with Lord
Stanhope, who, himself made some tx.
perimant in 1895. Fulton went 10 Eu.
rope for the purpose of introducing his