The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-28
FuIuOn,s First steam Voyage.

The following reminiscence of Fultons first
steam voyage, and the reception of the pas
sage money, was communicated to the Buffalo
Commercial Advertiser by r. w. Hasl1ins
Some years since 1 formed n travelling
acquaintance upon q steamboat on the Hud-
son river with gentleman who, on that
occasion, related to me some incidents of
the first voyage of Fulton to Albany, in his
steamboat the Clermont, which 1 never met
with elsewhere. The gentlemans name 1
have now lost, but urged him at the time to
publish what he related, which, however, so
far as know, he never has done:-
81 CHANGED, said my narrator, ''to be at
Albany on business when Fulton arrived
there in his unheard-of craft, which every
body felt so much interest in seeing. Being
ready to leave, and hearing that this craft
was to return to New York. 1 repaired on
board, and inquired for Mr.. Fulton. 1 was
referred to the cabin, and there found
plain, gentlemanly man wholly alone, and en-
gagged in writing.
"Mr. Fulton, presume"
eyes, sir. :"
'Do you return to New York with this
boat?"
''We shall try to get back, sir"
''Can have a passage DOWN"
'tYou can take your chance with us, sir. "
inquired the amount to be paid and, after
moments hesitation, q sum, | think six
dollars, was named. The amount, in coin,
laid in his open hand, and, with an eye fixed
upon it, he remained so long motioness that
1 supposed there might be a miscount, and
said to him, SIS that right, sir?"
This reused him as from kind of reverie,
and as he looked up at me tear was trem-
bling in his eye, and his voice faltered as he
said, Excuse me, sir, but memory was busy
as contemplated this, the first pecuniary
reward l have ever received for all my
exertions in adapting steam to navigation.
I would gladly commemorate the occasion
over bottle of wine with you, but really
am too poor even for that just now; yet
trust we may meet again when this will not
be So.
Some four years after this, when the Cler-
mont had been greatly improved, and two
new boats made, making Fultons fleet three
boats regularly plying between New York
and Albany, l took passage in one of these
for the latter city. The cabin in that day
was below, and as 1 walked its length to and
fro, saw was very closely observed by one
1 supposed stranger. Soon, however, re-
called the features of Mr.. Fulton; but with
out disclosing this 1 continued my walk and
waited the result. At length, in passing his
seat, our eyes met, when he sprang to his
feet, and, eagerly seizing my hand, exclaimed,
Il knew it must be you, for your features
have never escaped me, and although 1 am
still far from rich, yet 1 may venture that
bottle now"
1t was ordered, and during its discussion
Mr.. Fulton ran rapidly but wildly over his
experience of the worlds coldness and sneers,
and of the hopes, fears, disappointments, and
difficulties that were scattered through the
whole career of discovery, up to the very
point of its final crowning triumph, at which
he SO fully felt he had at last arrived. ''And
in reviewing all these, said he, 81 have again
and again recalled the occasion and the Incl
dent of our first interview at Albany; and
never have done so without its renewing in
my mind the vivid emotion it originally
caused. That seemed, and still does seem, to
me the turning point in my destiny-the di-
viding line between light and darkness in my
career upon earth; for it was the first actual
recognition of my usefulness to my fellow.
men"