, 1870-05-08
Fulton,s First steam VoYag'

The following reminiscence OF Fulton's
first steam voyage, and the reception Of tho
passage money, Haa communicated to the
Buffalo Commercial Aduostiser By B. ". Has
4lne- Some 5enrs since formed 4 travelling
acquainca upon steamboat On the hudson
river with gentleman who, on that occasion,
related to mo somo incidents Of the first voy-
ago Of Fulton to Albany, in Lis steamboat the
Clermont, which never met with elsewhere
The genueman's name have now lost, but I
urged him at the time 70 publish what he re-
lated, which, however, go far as know, he
never has done:
II CHANGED" said my narrator, "to be at
Albany on business when Fulton arrived there
in his unheard-of craft, which everybody felt
30 much interest in seeing. Being ready to
to New York, T repaired on board, and in
quired for Mr.. Fulton. was referred to the
cabin, and there found plain, gentlemanly
man xhelly alone, and engaged in writing" :.
.:Ms. Fulton, 1presume."
isYea, sir"
"Do you return to New York with this
boat ?"
"We sha1 Try to get back, SIR"
Can have Z passage doWn?h
Ton can take your chance with us, sir."
I Inquired the amount to pe paid, and, aiteF
\ moments hesitation, sum, think Eli qo!-
il his open hand, and, with an eye fixed upon
it, he remained so long moionless that sup
posed there might be 4 miscount, and said
to him, Is that right, sir 7"
This reused him IS from kind Of reverie,
and as he looked up at me, al tear was trembling
In his eye, and his voice faltered as he said,
"a Excuse me, sir, but memory was busy AZ I
contemplated this, the first pecuniary reward
I have received for al my exertiona in adap-
ting steam to navigation would gladly COM
Inemorate the occasion over a bottle Of wine
with you. but, really, am too poor even for
r nnf IN
when this viii not be go"
Some four years after this when the Cler-
mont had been greatly improved, and two new
boats made, making Fulton's feet three boats
regularly playing between New York and A.
, SsR took Ins 1 Ct R '71 W, fGb bo Rs
and as walked its length to and fro, saw
WAS very closely observed by one I supposed
stranger. Soon, however, recalled the fea-
tuIes OF Mr. Fulton but, without disclosing
this, I continued my walk and waited the re-
suit At 1sngth, in passing his seat, our eyes
seizing my hand, exclaimed, "f knew it must
be you, for your Textures have never escaped
me, and, although am still far from rich, Jet
may venture that bottle now"
It was ordered, and during it's discussion Mr.
Fulton Ean rapidly but wildly over lis ex-
per;cnce Of the worlds coldness and sneers.
ind of tie hopes, fearB, disappointments, and
difficulties that were scattered through the
whole career Of discovery, up to the very point
Of it's final crowning triumph, st which he 80
fully felt he hnd at last arrived. sand IN re,
viewing ali these " said he II have again and
again recalled the occasion and the Incident Of
our first interview At Albany; And never have
done 80 without its renewing IN my mind the
vivid emotion it originally caused. That seen-
cd, and still does seem, to me the turning
point in my destny-she dividing line between
~. and darkness IN my career upon earth; |
1ofik WA the first actual recognition OF my
uaefulresa to my fslioH.men.