How long and anxiously the world waited for human genius to control and utilize material nature! How slow is philosophical progress!

Though the properties of steam were treated of, and mechanical effects produced by its agency, more than two centuries previous to the beginning of the Christian era, the steam engine proper was not patented until the time of Watt (1768-9), and not successfully applied to the use of navigation until 1807. It is amusing, in these days of rapid travel, to think of the early ferries of New York, and the slow progress made on all the rivers and lakes. Until 1810, rowboats and pirogueswere the only ferry-boats plying between New York and Long Island, or used anywhere else on the rivers. Horse power was introduced in 1814, the boat being constructed with a wheel in the centre, propelled by horses, who operated on a sort of horizontal treadmill. The first steam ferry-boat was the Nassau, constructed by Fulton, and placed on the ferry bearing his name May 8, 1814; but as steam was considered too expensive, no additional boats of this kind were added for more than ten years.

Experimenting in steam navigation had been going on in New York under the direction of Stevens, Fitch, and Robert R. Livingston, for more than twenty years previous to the successful attempt of Fulton. A monopoly had been granted to John Fitch in 1787, but in 1798 the legislature of New York transferred to Chancellor Livingston, who claimed to be the discoverer of this new power, the exclusive right of steam navigation on all the waters of the State for twenty years, provided that he should within the next twelve months place a boat on the Hudson river, with a speed of not less than four miles per hour. This he failed to do. Several years later he made the acquaintance of Fulton, in France, who, though born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and essentially an American, had hitherto gained all his notoriety in the old world. Fulton had studied painting under Benjamin West, the new canal system under the Duke of Bridgewater, had been intimate with Watt, the inventor of the steam engine, had invented machines for making ropes, spinning flax, excavating channels and aqueducts, and had spent much time in inventing and patenting a torpedo. Fulton has been described by those who knew him as tall and slender in form, graceful in manners, simple in all his habits, and so intelligent and prepossessing as to readily captivate the young and win golden opinions from the talented and learned. Entering into an arrangement with Mr. Livingston, he returned to New York, planned and launched the "Clermont," the first steamboat that ever ploughed the Hudson, and thus obtained the monopoly on the waters of the State. The vessel was constructed at Jersey City, amid the jeers of the populace, who derisively christened it "the Fulton Folly." Scarcely any one believed he would succeed; but he knew the fate of men who live in advance of their time, and coolly proceeded with his undertaking. On the 7th of August, 1807, he announced his vessel ready for the trial trip to Albany. Thousands of eager spectators thronged the banks of the river, to mingle their glee over the long-predicted failure; but as the machinery began its movement, and the vessel stood toward the centre of the river, the cry of "she moves! she moves!" ran all along the line, and it is said that some sailors on vessels anchored in the river, and not acquainted with the secret, fell down on their knees and prayed to be delivered from this wheezing monster. The passage to Albany was made in thirty-two hours, the banks of the river being thronged much of the way with excited thousands, witnessing with peculiar pleasure this marvellous triumph of human genius. But while Fulton won the first laurels with the "Clermont," Mr. John Stevens, and his son, R. L. Stevens, launched the Phoenix immediately after, which they ran to Philadelphia, gaining equal notoriety; and as soon as the State monopoly was abolished they launched an improved steamboat with a speed of thirteen and one-half miles per hour, thus producing a complete revolution in the system of navigation. Fulton died suddenly in the plenitude of his powers, February 24th, 1815, in the fiftieth year of his age.