302 Literary and Philosophical Society. 



ably invoke a calm review of the steps taken by the author 

 of that success, as well as of those who had been engaged 

 in the pursuits of employing steamers in Europe and 

 America. 



*■ The first steamboat established as a packet for pas- 

 sengers between New York and Albany was the '* Clare- 

 mont," built in 1806, and launched in the spring of 1807, 

 and continued to run during the remainder of that year. 

 As it was not until 181 5 that the first steamer was seen 

 in English waters, the successful application of steam to 

 navigation was therefore ^/^///j^^e^ri- sooner in the American 

 waters ; and the honour of that success can hardly be 

 denied to Robert Fulton, who achieved it, and whose pre- 

 ceding labours had gradually led him to its accomplish- 

 ment. I propose to notice a few of Mr. Fulton's previous 

 experiments and speculations upon the subject, without at 

 all calling in question the merits of other ingenious men 

 engaged in the same inquiries, though none of them had 

 succeeded in practical steam navigation, so that either by 

 the turn of fortune, or by the exercise of superior judg- 

 ment and skill, Robert Fulton is justly entitled to rank as 

 the author of steam navigation ; and when the above facts 

 are fairly considered, I doubt not that the English people 

 will willingly accord the meed of praise due to him for 

 the genius that conceived, and the persevering labour that 

 led to his triumphant command of the elements, that 

 enable us now " to walk over the oceans in the midst of 

 their stormy terrors." 



'In the year 1793 Mr. Fulton communicated his scheme 

 for navigating by steam to Lord Stanhope, and received 

 his lordship's thanks for the same, in September of that 

 year. In 181 1 I communicated with his lordship on the 



