Figure 36. — Bottom View of the 1850 Patent Model 

 showing the toggles, adhesion wheels, and the draw-bar. 

 (Smithsonian photo 46884-B.) 



While Sellers was working on his pamphlet and patent in Cin- 

 cinnati, the affairs of the Panama Railroad were developing rapidly. 

 On April 7, 1849, the company was incorporated in the State of 

 New York. In October of that year a preliminary contract was 

 tendered to George M. Totten and John C. Trautwine for con- 

 struction of the road.''" About five years earlier, both had 

 successfully surveyed a canal through tropical Colombia and were 

 therefore not without qualifications to undertake the present 

 project. Norris, who had undoubtedly suffered especially from the 

 heat and pests during the Panama survey because of his age and 

 obesity, was no longer an active contestant for the contract. He 



^^ Panama Railroad, executive committee minutes, October 12, 1849. 



75 



