the locomotive had been partially disassembled and packed for 

 shipment to Panama. He confided to Sellers his suspicions of the 

 new management and his belief that since the company had changed 

 its plans the demand for a trial was only a pretext to av^oid payment."'' 

 One misfortune seemed to follow another. Whetstone, who had 

 proved so indispensible during the design and construction of the 

 engines, became ill and had to quit temporarily just as Coleman 

 was trying to complete the two other locomotives. Coleman re- 

 ported that he was doing his best to carry the work along, but that 

 the mill and lathe had broken down and he had been obliged to 

 borrow money to meet the shop's payroll."" A settlement was 

 finally reached whereby Sellers was paid $7,1 1 1 ."^ The locomotive, 

 its adhesion machinery removed, was shipped to Panama as an 

 ordinary engine. Sellers must have returned to Cincinnati with 

 little heart to complete the two other engines for not only would he 

 suffer a serious financial loss on the contract, but he would not see 

 his invention demonstrated."'^ 



In late December 1851 Sellers was told to complete the other 

 locomotives, removing the adhesion machinery, and ship them to 

 Panama as soon as possible. They were needed to assist in the con- 

 struction work. Shipment to New Orleans was delayed by ice in 

 the river, but on February 13, 1852, the Cincinnati Gazette reported: 

 "A splended locomotive and tender, built by Sellers & Co., of this 

 city, was shipped yesterday on the Cincinnafus for New Orleans. It is 

 intended for the Panama Railway, and is called the 'Isthmus'." It 

 was carried to Panama aboard the schooner Fannie, leaving New 

 Orleans on March 14, 1852. A few days later the third engine 

 departed on the brig Mechanic. '^'^^ For what comfort it may have 



^"^ G.E. to Coleman Sellers, August q8 and September 8, 1851, ibid. 



^1'' Coleman to G.E. Sellers, August 26 and 31, 1851, ibid. 



^'^^ G.E. to Coleman Sellers, September 10, 1851, ibid. 



1^5 In his letter to C.K. Lord (see footnote 81 above) Sellers recalled that John 

 L. Stephens, president of the Panama company, had promised him a public demon- 

 stration in this country even though the engines would not be used in Panama, 

 and that this was not done because of Stephens' death. However, Stephens died 

 on October 10, 1852, sometime after the initial rejection of Sellers' plan. 



'2C Panama Railroad, executive committee minutes, March 30, 1852. 



82 



