Description:

"The Balance and Columbian Repository" Criticizing Fulton's Steamboat

An issue of "The Balance and Columbian Repository", No. 42, Volume VI, pp. 329-336. 8pp, measuring 9.25" x 11.5", Hudson, New York, dated October 20, 1807. Printed by Harry Croswell. With a letter to the editor about Robert Fulton's steamboat. The faint writing of someone's name, possibly "Charles Brinkley" can be seen along the edge on the front page. The newspaper has flattened folds, with light toning, foxing, and soiling throughout. Minor chipping at the spine. Some small areas of dampstaining. Very good overall.

In part:

"Mr. Editor, the steam-boat, which has now been afloat for several weeks, and has lost her wheels but twice in the whole time, has excited the wonder and admiration of all the people along shore, from New-York to Albany. Her praises have been reiterated by all classes of citizens - her utility certified by scores of passengers, and her performances recounted in all the papers of the aforesaid cities. And yet, Mr. Editor, John Richard Deborus Huggins has issued neither a proclamation nor a bulletin on the occasion. How it happens, that this potent emperor has not yet noticed this flagrant infringement of his rights and privileges? How happens it, that this wholesale dealer in hot water, the steam-boat projector, should thus long escape the keep iron-y of the Imperial razor?!?!"

In response to the letter criticizing the steamboat, the paper issued the following statement: "We are willing to gratify the writing of the following communication, although we do not approve of the manner in which he treats the steam-boat, and its inventor. Whether the project proves successful or not, Mr. Fulton and his patrons are certainly entitled to credit for their exertions. The boat now in operation was built merely for an experiment, and it should not be deemed strange, if she is not perfect in all her parts. Several improvements on the plan, it is said, are in contemplation."

Robert Fulton (1765-1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the world's first commercially successful steamboat. It is very likely that the writer of this piece is making allusions to Fulton's previous work with Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1800, Napoleon commissioned Fulton to design a submarine, which he named the "Nautilus". Fulton ultimately switched allegiances four years later, and went on to aid the British Royal Navy in opposition to Napoleon's invasion.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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