Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-24
The First Steamboat.

One hundred miles north OF Greenfield
writes correspondent, up the dark rolling
Connecticut, iu the town Of Fairlee, W., AMI
embosomed among the mountains, lies the
most beautiful lake that ever gladdened the
ueart of the fisherman. At its southern point
the mountains open just wide enough for an
outlet which, after furnishing the motive
power for number of mills, passes into the
Connecticut.
few rods from the lake, by the side of
this streamet, stands an old fashioned house,
that was, long ago, the abode Of Capt. Samuel
Morey a very Ingenious though somewhat
eccentric gentleman of the very ancient re-
gime.
la the early part of May, l774, the Cap
tain might have been seen suugy seated at
the stern Of a large log canoe, or dug-out,
which was laying on the placid bosom Of the
Connecticut, close by the shore. He was
very busily employed in arranging some Curl
Gus machinery which rumor said he had
been at work upon all winter but the old
gentleman had so many crotchets in his head
that the people were not disposed to mind
much about him or his fandaDgoes
This, however, soon proved an exception,
for after he had got all things ready-atter
the smoke had cleared away, aud the tea
kettle, or tin kettle, or whatever else he had
had begun TO sss--the master OF ceremonies
let 90 Of the bush, and with his paddle showed
the craft into the stream.
Thus far this was mere common place af.
fair, but presently he grasped what we should
call starting bar, gave 1t pull, and to the
Inexpressible establishment Of an man and
mis- son, who had stopped their team at the
eud of the furrow to see the old man take
rhe boat ride the wheel at the side began to
turn, the steam began to squlzzle, aud the
rods began to splangle, and, shade Of the moh-
er of witches the dug-out began to move
On up stream.
Je.ru-sa.lem, father said John see the
old cap'n 90 right agin the kurrant and
sure enough away he went--the old veteran,
who had studied, aud thought and thought
aud contrived while others slept. Day after
day the old canse was seen gliding up aud
down the river, guided by the old man, with
his drab coat aud Quaker hat, and was pro-
PEELED by the steam power That Mr.. Edi-
tor, am sure, was the first steam boat that
ever moved on American waters.
Capt. Morey was the inventor Of numerous
other machines among which was one carried
by smoke the remains Of which may be seen
to this day. The thing although it wouldg 60,
he saw that il ended in smoke.
In fact, he was known far and near to
be a man of great inventive powers, and
Robert Fulton was one among the very
many who visited him for the purpose Of
securing his aid 10 unraveling some knotty
points Of mechanism, and at the same time
assist Morey in his various plans, he (Ful.
toDl being a practical mechanic. Tho old
home alluded 10 was their studio, labratory
and place Of consultation, and very many
days they were closeted there, for reason
Of which the curiosity OF the people was
greatly moved But il was not until the
year 1907 that Fulton tried his great eIper-
iment on the Hudson River, which has revo-
Iuiionized the world.
A discriminating aud generous public
should award at least moiety Of the credit
to Morey, of which Fulton has been the re-
cipienti and the twain should hereafter be
named together in connection with the sub
ject Boston True Flag.