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trate it. Ona small saucer is a picture of the ‘‘Chancellor 
Livingston” steamboat—a small side-wheel vessel which 
undoubtedly resembled closely the “Clermont,” which Rob- 
ert Fulton invented in 1807 and which made regular trips 
between New York and Albany. Chancellor Livingston 
was the financial backer of Robert Fulton. ‘The Livingston 
family in those early days controlled all the steamboats ply- 
ing up and down the Hudson River. ‘Thomas Gibbons, 
Grandfather of Mrs. Ward McAllister, tried to establish 
a competing line of boats, and a long litigation ensued. 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
June, 1911 
stitutional Governor. On May 30, 1908, the body of 
Governor Clinton was removed from the National Capitol 
and buried in Kingston, New York, the ancient capitol of 
the Empire State. The credit for promoting and carrying 
through the construction of that great waterway which 
connects Lake Erie with the Hudson River—a distance of 
363 miles—belongs to Governor De Witt Clinton more 
than to any other one man, and the whole story, which would 
make volumes of interesting history, is suggested by the 
crude pictures which the Staffordshire potters have given us. 
“St. Patrick’s Cathedral,’ Mott Street 
St. Paul’s Chapel,’’ Medallion of Washington at 
“St. Paul’s Chapel”’ in lower Broadway 
top; Erie Canal at Little Falls at bottom 
Daniel Webster represented Thomas Gibbons and was suc- 
cessful in the final appeal before Chief Justice Marshall.” 
Thomas Gibbons then started a line of steamboats on the 
Hudson and Cornelius Vanderbilt was his com- 
manders and his ““Commodore.”’ The picture on the saucer 
brings to mind another important historical event. In the 
gallery of old Federal Hall, which stood at the head of 
Broad Street fronting on Wall, where the United States 
Sub-Treasury now stands, on April 30, 1789, General 
Washington was inaugurated first president of the United 
States. Chancellor Livingston administered the oath of 
ofice to the president. The country seat of Chancellor 
Livingston was called ‘‘Clermont”’ and this is the origin of 
the name of our first steamboat. 
The building of the Erie Canal and the important part 
which Major General George Clinton took in that great 
enterprise are recorded on this old blue china. Three views 
along the canal are shown and there are two inscription 
plates eulogizing Governor Clinton—New York’s first Con- 
one of 
Many other plates are equally rich in historical sugges- 
tion. Almost every kind of collecting has an insidious charm. 
One possessed of ample means can buy libraries of rare 
books and choice works of art in unlimited quantities. High 
bids will often secure the masterpieces of Rembrandt, Hals 
and other great masters of painting from the galleries of 
Europe. But the rarities of old blue Staffordshire are un- 
procurable. They are not in the market and cannot be 
bought. 
In conclusion a word of advice to new collectors: Never 
buy a cracked or broken plate unless it be one of the 
greatest rarities. Avoid plates which are a bad color— 
particularly the purplish blue. A poor blue plate is only 
worth one-half as much as the same plate in a rich dark 
blue color. A chipped or cracked piece, or one where the 
glaze is badly scratched by knife marks, is not worth having 
in a collection. Aim to have only proof specimens and 
never deviate from the rule unless the piece offered be of 
such rarity that a slight blemish could be overlooked. 
