Peale.] 284 [December. 



by the construction of the engine for the City Ice Boat, whose effi- 

 cient services in clearing the channel of the Delaware, as well as her 

 employment by Government during the late rebellion, are well known 

 to the whole community. 



It is not necessary to enumerate the various improvements made 

 by Mr. Baldwin, in the parts, construction, and manufacture of Lo- 

 comotives ; it would be a lengthy enumeration. It is sufficient to 

 say, that the results are seen on all the railroads of the country, in 

 the presence of engines adapted to all the purposes of draught and 

 speed. But a passing remark, reverting to past history, upon the 

 ftict of ascending the inclined plane at Belmont, and manoeuvring 

 upon it, was one of the feats of that early date, exciting surprise in 

 the minds of all, whether natural philosopher, mechanician, or ordi- 

 nary observer. Since that day, the mountain heights of our coal 

 fields, even the Alleghany ridge itself, seem to ofi'er scarcely any im- 

 pediment, either to the ponderous engine, or its cumbrous train of 

 freight. Much of this success in transportation is due to the form 

 and adaptation of the best freight engines, which have had their 

 origin in the magnificent establishment of M. W. Baldwin & Co., 

 in this city. 



It must not be supposed that the career thus imperfectly sketched, 

 was an uninterrupted course of prosperity ; on the contrary, it was 

 attended by financial, and other embarassments, that at times, were 

 nearly fatal in their efi'ects; but it is equally true that Mr. Baldwin's 

 confidence in his own ability, and the line that he was pursuing, 

 never failed, and it is well known that his integrity, appreciated and 

 regarded as it was, kept and sustained him through all the convul- 

 sions of those days, and ultimately crowned his success with the halo 

 of honor, under which he met and extinguished every debt, both 

 principal and interest. 



Terras of partnership were agreed upon, between Mr. Baldwin 

 and Mr. Matthew Baird, on the 26th of March, 1853, which went 

 into operation on the 1st of January, 1854, since which time the 

 establishment has been developed, and extended on a scale that may 

 justly be termed magnificent. 



It might reasonably be supposed, that with such a weight of re- 

 sponsibilities, Mr. Baldwin was fully occupied with the conduct of 

 his Factory ; he found time nevertheless, to take a full share of the 

 duties of a member and officer of the Franklin Institute of this State. 

 He was one of the original members, participating in the proceedings 

 of March the 20th, 1824 ; was placed on the Committee of Science 



