Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-12
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING., JULY II, 1859.
STEAM NAVIGATION.


In an old back OH New Travels IN the
United States Of America. performed hy j.
z. Bnssol de Warvihe," We find the follow
ing interesting passage on steam naviga-
ton. Mr. Rnmsey, whom he meutirns, was
remarkable genius and a prophet Of undoub-
ted sagucity:
SErrEHaEs l. l1ss. lPHIL,pELru,A
IL breakfasted with Samuel Ameiand.
Emlen, one ofthe richest and m,,st benef.
cent ofthe Svciety Of Friends. He is II pu-
Pill Of Anthony Bcnezet he speaks OF him
with enthusiasm, and treads in his steps,
He takes an active part III every useful insti
tuition. and rejoices in the occasion of doing
good; he loves the French nation, aud speaks
their language. lie treats me with the
greatest friendship; offers Inc his house. his
horses, and his carriage On leaving him,
l went tosee an experiment. hear the Della
ware, on boat, the object of which is u
ascend rivers against the current. The i'll
yentor WAS Dir. Fitch. who had found Com
pany to support the expense. One OF the
most jealous associates is MIR. Thornton. Of
whom have spoken. This invention was
disputed between Mr.. Fitch aud Mr.. Rum
sey, of Virginia. However it be, the ma
chine which | saw appears well executed
and we'll adapted To the design. The steam
engine gives motion to three large oars OF
considerable force, which were to give sixty
strokes per minute.
IL doubt not but, physically speaking. this
machine may produce part OF the effects
which are expected from il: but doubt It's
utility in commerce; for. notwithstanding the
assurances of the undertakerS, it must re-
quire many men to manage it, and much ex-
peuse in repairing the damages ocaasioned
by the violence and multiplicity of the frie-
ton. Yet | will allow that, il the move
ments can he simplifed and the expense
lessened, the invention may be useful in
country where labor is dear, and where the
borders Of rivers are not accessible, like
those in France, by horses to draw the boats.
This idea was consoling to Dr.. Thornton,
whom saw assaile3 by railleries On account
of the steawboa These railleries appear
to me very ill placed The obstacles to be
conquered by genius are every where 50 CON
siderable the encouragement So feeble, and
the necessity Of supplying the want Of hand
labor in America 80 evident, that | cannot,
without indignation, see the Americans dis
courasing. by their sarcasms, the generous
efforts nf one of their tellow-citizens.
"* Since writing this letter | have seen
Mr.. Rumsey in England. He is Il man Of
great ingenuity; and. by the explanation
which he has given me, it appears that his
discovery, though founded on similar prin-
ciple with that Of Mr.. Fitch is very differ
ent from it. and far more simple in its exc
cution. Mr.. Rumsey proposed then Feb
ruary. 1857 to build II vessel which should
90 to America by the help only Of the steam
engine. and without sails. 1t was TO make
the passage in fifteen days. | perceive with
pain that he has not vet executed his pro-
ject, which when executed will introduce into
commerce rs great cliangeas the discovery
Of the Cape OF Good Hope" AUTHOR.