Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-05-16
Correspondence of the Herald.
AMERICAN HOUSE PITrsFoRD, }
VERMONT, May 9. 1867. {

AMERICAN HOUSE PITTsFoRD,
VERMONT, May 8, 1867.
Editors Rutland HeraM The following
story, in relation to the breaking up of
the monopoly Of steam navigation on
the Hudson River, was related to me by
an old gentleman well informed upon the
subject, AS have never seen it in
print, l send it to you, for publication, If
you wish
"In the year 1920, wealthy and pub
lie spirited gentleman of Elizabeth, N.
j., Thomas Gibbons, Esq, owned a steam
boat called the "Olive Branch" which
he was running from New York city to
New Brunswick. Knowing Of the i'm
mense travel on the Hudson River, he
chafed greatly at being debarred the
privilege Of running boat on the river,
by the laws of the State Of New York
which granted perpetual monopoly
charter to the Fulton Steamboat Co. He
determined to test the Constitutionality
Of the act, and accordingly advertised
his boat to run for passengers from New
York to Albany for one-half the fare
charged by the Fulton Co. On her first
trip to Albany the Olive Branch carried
q full load of passengers but on reach
Ing the Albany dock, the Chancellor Of
the State granted an injunction against
the boat in favor of the Fulton Compa-
ny, and caused the Olive Branch to be
fastened to the dock until the Injunction
should be dissolved. The case was tried
in the State courts and decided against
the Olive Branch in each court, where
upon Mr.. Gibbons carried his case to the
United States Supreme Court, and en-
plOyed Daniel Webster of Massachusetts,
to argue the question, which he did, in a
ma sterly manner, before Chief Justice
Marshall and the full bench. The Su-
preme Court reversed the decision of the
State courts, and from that time, not
only the Hudson river, but every river,
lake or navigable waters were made
forever Tree 10 every one.
One OF the points to Mr.. Webster's ar
guments was that river or other navi-
gable waters, were public highways,
belonging to the people, and that the
legislature of any State had no right to
abridge the rights Of the public in the
one case more than in the other.
Mr. GihhOnu 6iad fnyp ~, 4, %.
this celebrated decision, beQueathing to
his son, VIM. Gibbons, Esq, of New
York, large fortune, and in his will
epjoined his son to prevent to his ut
most ability any combination to raise
the fares on the Hudson river, or the
Sound, or between New York and New
Brunswick. This enjoinder has been
faithfully carried out by the son, who
has many times broken up such combi-
nations by running boats at such rates
Of fares as to compel the other lines to
come down to the regular rates, and
pay him damages"
This little town, of Pittsford, though
somewhat noted for its magnificent
distances between the houses" is des-
tined, at some not very distant day, to
become "big thing" and there is no
reason why it should not. In this town
there is, undoubtedly much marble which
will be great source of wealth to the
town and largely increase its popuIa
ton aud business.
Aside from its marble, Pittsford has
many attractions in its fine scenery,
splendid farms and farm buildings, it's
beautiful and romantic drives, which
seem laid out expressly to attract to it's
hospitable soil the denizens of the cities,
who, tired of city life and wishing a
relaxation from the toll of business, seek
Gust such spot for such a purpose"
The American House by scofeld, with
the best of fare and accommodations, is
another inducement to this class to so.
j0urn here during the heated term"
CYPH,