Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-06-14
THE FIRST STEAMBOAT.


much for the commerce of the world, and con-
tributed largely to the Tightening Of labor and
the SUM of human enjoyment:
"At Sheperdstown, 10 Jefferson county, w.
Va, the first steamboat was built, Gen. Wash
ington and Governor johnson, of Maryland,
were the Patrons OF the enterprise. After the
war they procured together the Incorporation
of the Potomac Company by their respective
States And in 1855 Rumsey demonstrated
to them on the Potomac, the discovery that
boat could Ibe propelled by steam up stream
against the current. The boiler and machinery
for Rumsey's steamboat were made at the Ca.
toctin Iron Furnace, 10 Frederick county, own
ed by MIR. johnson and some Of bis brothers.
The gentlemen OF the Potomac country then
used to 60 to the Baltimore Springs, to drink
the waters, and this experiment Of Rumsey's,
of steam navigation, was certified to have been
success by Washington, johnson aud other
eminent men then present. The first steamboat
was propelled on the Potomac; the first boiler
was made 10 Frederick county, twenty years
before Fulton perfected the idea and applied it
on the Hudson"
We believe that this statement is literally
true. Years ago, we heard similar statements
from old citizens of Jefferson, our native coun-
ty, aud saw portion of the boiler OF Rum
sey's engine, then 10 possession OF Hon. A.
r. Boteler. ln Sparks edition of Wash
ington's works, may be seen a letter to Rum
sey on the subject, while, under date OF March
18th, 1885, Gen. Washington, writing to Hugh
Williamson, M. c., and aluding to Rumsey's
steamboat, says:
IF model of thing, in miniature, is
just representation of greater object 10 prac-
tice, there is 20 doubt of the utility of the 10
venton. A view of his model, with the eX-
planation, removed the principal doubt ever
had of the practicability of propelling against
stream, by the aid of mechanical power but
as he wanted to avail himself of my introduc-
tion of it to the public attention, | chose, pre-
viously, to see the actual performance OF the
model in descending stream. before passed
my certificate, and having done so, all my
doubts are satisfied"
This was many years before Fulton, the re-
puted discoverer Of the principle of applying
steam for the propulsion Of boats, made his
trial tri p on the Hudson.
The subsequent history of Rumsey is q sad
one. Thoroughly satisfied with the merit of
his invention, he went to England, and after
long struggle with poverty and disappoint-
ment, succeeded finally in getting the ear OF
those who we're able to furnish the means
requisite to enable him to make it sue
cessful, aud through their persuasion, he
was induced to give public exposition
at LVeEpUOl, vi tle upou
be relied for success The hour came,
aud one of the largest halls 10 Liverpool
was filled with the learned and fashion
able of that great seaport, to hear man
from the New World discuss his novel theory.
And now success seemed certain Rumsey
arose, With visible emotion. His agitation was
observed, and bystander handed hlm glass
of water. He returned thanks u few lncohe-
rent sentences, and then sauk 10 his chair, never
to speak again. Two days afterwards, this
pioneer in service that has aDnlhllated time
aud distance, and revolutionized the world, was
dead l-Lyachbrg Virginian.
LEPRosY IN CANADA. In the Arcadian vii
lage of Tracadie, near the mouth OF the Mira
michi river, there have been lepers for the last
benefit is supported by the local government.
The leprosy which they suffer is eephantasis
grocorum, so called from its tendency to make
the limbs swell to elephantine proportions.
This disease is understood to have been brought
there by French vessel, which, on its return
voyage from Smyrna touched at the Island OF
MityleDe, aud took 10 a quantity OF clothlng'
and some other stores, and on her way to Bau-
baris Island, French military port, she was
wrecked near the mouth of Miramlchl The
people 10 the neighborhood played the part of
wreckers, and helped themselves to the clothes
cast ashore, which we're supposed to be tainted
with leprosy, the consequence OF which was
that the disease soon broke out among them
Another account is that the vessel brought two
Iepers from ST. Maloes, and that every leper
known 10 Tracadie descended from one or the
other of these men.
The opinion there is that the disease IS not
contagious, but simply hereditary. The people
have no dread of it, aud persons engaged about
the lepers for years never contract 1t. Not only
do the lepers marry among themselves, but
such is the feeling among the poor Freoch ID
Tracadie that there is 90 repugnance In many
cases among perfectly healthy people to taking
lcpcs for husbands and wives. The taint gen.
erally manifests itselfin every alternate genera
ton. In this way the disease has become per-
manently seated 10 the locality, while the gen.
eral poverty and not very ceanly habits OF the
French population tend to excite aud inten-
sify it. ;,
1t first shows itself 10 the form of small white
spots on the breast, then the face assumes
puffy appearance, and there is much pain, Ian
guor and drowsiness. The fingers become
crooked, the neck swelIs, the limbs show all
the symptoms of dropsy, the nails fall on and
at last the throat and lungs are attacked anu
the sufferer dies, mere mass OF ioathsoae
disease Its duration varies from i've to tWeh-
ty-fve years, according to the strength OF the
constitution.
Leprosy is not nearly so rare disease ss IS
generally supposed 1t is on the increase 10
many of the British dependencies. ln some
parts Of India one person in every hundred Is
aleper, and 10 some parts of the West Indies,
as we'll as in the Sandwich Islands, it is also
very PREVALENT Toronto Globe
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