“Steam Boat”
Date
4-3-1812
Newspaper
Western Intelligencer
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 1
Newspaper Location
Worthington, Ohio
Serial Number
1209
Abstract
Article about granting a license to Robert Livingston and Robert Fulton for operation of the steam boat New Orleans in Louisiana territory.
Transcript
STEAM BOAT The legislature of Orleans Territory have granted to R. R. Livingston and R. Fulton "the sole privilege of using steam boats for a limited time within the limits of that territory." This is, to me, a very incomprehensible [unreadable] of affording them encouragement; and is in the true style of modern economy. I question very much their right of shutting the Mississippi against all others that may choose to navigate it in this manner. In what way will this act of exclusion operate? If a person should arriver there, with a cargo of Monongahala flour and whisky for instance, would they levy contribution upon it? If so let us know before hand what may be the [unreadable]---Whether it is to be [unreadable]--If otherwise let them specify the articles and the percentage.-Will they have a tarif--or will they confiscate the whole property? Let us know what their orders of council are. Would it be allowed to a boat to carry back her cargo and dispose of it where she procured it? As this municipal regulation of theirs may affect the trade of the Western country to the amount of many thousands of dollars, we ought to petition, to know, whether a tribute similar to that paid to the Dey of Algiers, for instance, would induce them to open the navigation to us. People have to purchase the patent right of constructing such engines---That is quite right, because it is a remuneration to the inventors, paid by those who derive advantage from the inventions. Hereafter they will be obliged to purchase the patent right of territories to exercise them in. What transit duty will the legislature of Orleans territory lay on the people of this country for allowing the waters of our rivers free ingress and egress through their dominions? What would they take for allowing a person the exclusive patent right of using, upon his own body, Mr. Lee's patent Itch Ointment?---Pittsburg Mercury.
Recommended Citation
"“Steam Boat”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 1162.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/1162
