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FITCH-FULTON-THE FIRST STEAMBOAT.

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John Fitch, an uneducated watchmaker of Philadel- CHAP. phia, conceived the design of propelling boats by steam. He applied to Congress for assistance, but, unfortunately, 1785. was refused; then, with a similar result, he applied to the Spanish authorities of Louisiana. Some years later he found means to construct a boat, and to make a trial trip on the Delaware. The boat went at the rate of eight miles an hour, but unfortunately the boiler exploded. One disaster followed another, and poor John Fitch died, the victim of disappointment, but full of faith that others would yet perfect his invention he desired to be buried on the banks of the Ohio, that boats propelled by steam might pass near his last resting place. In less than twenty years after his death the steamer Clermont passed up the Hudson from New York to Albany.

The Clermont was the work of Robert Fulton, a native of Pennsylvania, once a pupil of West, the painter. He had a decided turn for mechanics, and had studied the subject many years in Europe, where he received pecuniary aid and encouragement from Robert R. Livingston, then American minister at Paris.

1807.

To American enterprise is due the honor of launching the first steamboat and the first Ocean steamer-the Savannah-that crossed the Atlantic. She left New York, 1818. went to Savannah, and thence to Europe, where she was an object of great interest. Twenty years later the April British steamer Great Western came to New York in fourteen days.

Madison's Administration, so full of important events, drew to a close. James Monroe, also from Virginia, had been elected his successor, and Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York, Vice-President. The latter had been Governor. of that State, and in that capacity been most efficient in aiding the country in the war just closed. At one time he sustained the garrison of the city by his credit.

own private

1838

CHAPTER XLVI.

MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION.

A Return to the earlier Policy of the Government.-The President's Tour in the Eastern States.-The Colonization Society.-Revolutions in the Spanish Colonies.-Indian War; the Seminoles.-General Jackson in the Field.-Purchase of Florida.-The Missouri Compromise.-Manufactures. Increase of Tariff.-Visit of Lafayette.

CHAP. SINCE the close of the war, party distinctions were fast XLVI. losing their influence. In the minds of the great majority 1817. of the people, names were giving place to ideas. The na tion was prepared for the quiet revival of the leading principles of Washington's administration. The people had not in so many words thus formally decided;-but to return to the policy of the earlier days of the Government seemed the only means to remedy existing evils, and to guard against their recurrence in the future. This may be said in relation to the revenue as arising from commerce, the finances, the policy toward foreign nations, and in the means of national defence both by sea and land.

Mar.

4.

The new President in his inaugural fully indorsed these doctrines, and they were echoed and re-echoed throughout the land as the true policy, while some of the old Republicans characterized them as being veritable Federalism under another name. The President pointed to the experience of the nation in the last struggle, and unhesi tatingly advised not only fortifications on the coast with garrisons, but a navy strong enough to maintain the dig

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THE PRESIDENT'S TOUR

-COLONIZATION SOCIETY.

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nity and neutrality of the United States, as well as pro- CHAP. tect commerce; he also recommended that a knowledge. of naval and military science should be kept up. In ad- 1817 dition, that domestic manufactures be protected by imposts on foreign merchandise, and also, internal improvements be aided by the national government, if such expenditure was in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution.

Though professing to be much gratified that the party spirit lately so rampant was allayed, the President took good care to appoint none but his most devoted adherents to the offices within his gift. John Quincy Adams was recalled from the court of St. James to become Secretary of State. The other members of his cabinet were William H. Crawford of Georgia, Secretary of the Treasury; Crowningshield of Massachusetts, Secretary of the Navy; John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, and William Wirt, Attorney-General.

The President, some months after his inauguration, mnade a tour through the Eastern States. The sentiments of his address had become diffused, and prepared the way for his receiving a warm reception in the Federal town of Boston, and throughout New England generally. It was enthusiastically proclaimed that the people were once more to be harmonious in their views of national policy.

During the following session of Congress the American Colonization Society was formed at Washington. It was designed to provide a home beyond the limits of the United States for the free people of color who should desire to emigrate. The condition of these people in the slaveholding States, as well as the laws in some of the others, that forbade their settling within their borders, led to the formation of the Society. The enterprise was ardently advocated by Henry Clay, Judge Washington, John Randolph, and other southern statesmen. This So

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