The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-07-08

AS early as July or August, 1888, he con-
ceiyed the idea of navigation by steam,
and from this time until the hour of his
death, his whole soul was absorbed III this
great subject. At this time the mechanic
arts in regard to steam machinery were in
their infancy in America, aud Rumsey had
to invent-to orig in tie every thing-to
procure from different places. and though
not practical mechanic, to fashion and
modify with his own hand, the various
parts of a work, both difficult and COM
plicate. Under the circum> tances he
succeeded, in 1874, in making a private,
but very imperfect experiment on the
Potomac in order to test some of his prin-
ciples.
AT the October session of the Virginia
Legislature of that year, he applied for
and obtained an act giving him the exclu
sive right of his invention in navigating
the waters of that State. About the same
time he communicated his intentions to
Gen. Washington, and SO bold, SO new, so
original and unheard of was it that Wash
+ ington, in his letter to Governor johnson,
| of Maryland, declared that he considered
it I" rather as an ebullition of his genius"
than as any thing likely to be available.
In January, 1885, he obtained a patent
from the State of Maryland, and immedi
ately commenced preparations on larger
scale. He did not, however, get ready for
a public exhibition until 1856, which, all
things considered, was quite successful
He succeeded in propelling his boat by
steam alone against the current four or
five miles an hour. This experiment was
made on the Potomac, near Shepherds
town, in the presence of hundreds of spec
tators. 1t is described in the letter of Mr..
Bednger, and is certified by DR.. Alexan-
der, of Baltimore, who was on board, and
who says "every one present believed that
Mr.. Rumsey had accomplished all his
wishes"
The first efforts of Fulton in America,
more than twenty years afterwards were
but little more successful 1t was not
until after repeated trials, extensive modi
tications and great expense, testing to the
utmost the liberal patronage of Livingston
that he obtained speed reasonably useful.
Rumsey being now satisfied that skillfu
workmen and perfect machinery were alone
wanting to complete success resolved to 90
to England With slender means he then
resumed his great undertaking, and Oh
tanned patents for his invention, and for
improvement of steam Neutrality-suspicious.
patents bear date the beginning of 17SS
He was often compelled to abandon his
main object and turn to something else to
raise money.
While discussing the principles of one
of his inventions before philosophic soci-
ETY. in London, he was struck down with
apoplexy, and his labors brought to an
end. There was no one to finish his boat:
it had been the subject of derision and
even of playhouse wit. Fulton was in
Europe for years before and after this time
introducing his torpedo for blowing up
ships, and it is reasonable to suppose
would become acquainted with his coun-
tryman who was occupying a position of
painful prominence, but all doubt is re-
moved on the subject by the letter of Rum.
sey to his friend West, in America, in
which he speaks of Fulton as if they were
on terms of intimacy. The conclusion
follows that from this association with
Rumsey, Fulton was led to reflect and
ultimately TO act on this subject. There
was but one person to contest the priority
of Rumsey, and that was John Fitch, who
made an experiment on the Delaware, in
1887, one year after Rumsey's trial on the
Potomac. When Rumsey was in England.
he wrote to friend that the day was not
far distant when the Atlantic would be
crossed by steam alone in ten days.
LESLIE, TIE ARTIST.
About the year 1865, Robert Leslie OPEN
ed shop in Elkton as clock and watch
maker. He was selftaught, but a very
ingenious mechanic. He and his wife,
Lydia Baker, were both natives of Cecil
county. His wife's father, Jethro Baker,
had been appointed to collect blankets for
the army, during the Revolution, and from
them caught the small pox, and died. In
l1S6, Robert Leslie removed to rhiladel-
phia, where he succeeded so we'll that he
took partner and went with his family
to London, to make purchases for his house
in Philadelphia, and it was there that his
son, Charles r. Leslie, was born, in 1894.
After his return to Philadelphia, Robert
Leslie found his partner was dead, and his
business in a sad condition. He died in
1904, leaving widow, three daughters and
two sons, Charles and Thomas. Charles
was bound as an apprentice to Bradford &
Inskeep, booksellers. Bradford was, at
that time, the most enterprising publisher
in Philadelphia, and treated his apprentice
kindly, but seemed displeased when he
saw him engaged in drawing pictures, of
which he was very fond. The circum-
stances which changed his opinions grew
out of the arrival in America of the cele-
brated actor, George Frederick Cooke
The excitement in Philadelphia, on his
first arrival, was extraordinary.
Leslie drew a likeness of Cooke that at
tracted much attention. The sketch was
carried to the Exchange Coffee House and
the attempt was thought surprising for a
boy, and in a few hours his fame was
spread among the wealthiest men of the
itxrn md nrI l41.z-
raising fund to enable him to study
painting two years in Europe
He received some instructions from Sully
before he left Philadelphia, and his first
instructors in London were West and All
ston. His first large picture was Saul and
the Witch of Endor. 1t sold for one hun
dred guineas. He arose rapidly in public
estimation as painter, and was elected a
member of the Royal Academy, which hon
orable position he held to the day of his
death, which occurred in 1859.
He was most excellent man, and truly
devoted to his friends and fellow artists.
He painted many excellent pictures,
amounting to hundreds, among which may
be named Sir Roger de Coverly Going to
Church, May Day in the time of Queen
Elizabeth, Sancho and the Duchess, Slender
and Anne Page, Merry Wives of Windsor,
Uncle Toby and the Widow Wadman,
Reading the Will, and Martha and Mary.
Many of the pictures brought high prices;
one selling for eleven hundred and fifty
guineas. Those who feel an interest in
such matters may see one of his pictures
in the picture gallery at the Centennial
Exhibition. 1t was lent by Queen Vic
toria to the Exhibition. 1t is the "May
Day Revels in the time of Queen Eliza
beth " The foreurOund is n knol from