“The American Arts”

Date

2-5-1812

Newspaper

The Georgia Journal

Page and Column

Page 1, Column 2 and 3

Newspaper Location

Milledgeville, Georgia

Serial Number

589

Abstract

Long article on the state of steamboat development in the United States in 1812. States the dimensions of the New Orleans were 30 feet in width and 148 feet long. and can carry 140 tons of merchandise.

Transcript

THE AMERICAN ARTS. The misfortunes or the follies of European nations, it has been observed; have contributed much to the good fortune and the prosperity of America-There is truth in the observation-but we must be as careful in guarding against false conclusions drawn from acknowledged facts as against falsehood itself:--A very common inference drawn from the acknowledged consequences of the misfortunes of Europe is, that the effect must be temporary-but this is not true: because the good already derived must continue, if we have only the wisdom to protect it. Another conclusion that is insinuated rather than asserted is, that we owe every thing to Europe; that we can not do without; in short that we must be dependant on Europe for all the productions of art and genius. Those who thus deceive themselves cannot deceive the country. The state of the arts, & the progress of manufactures in the U. S. give evidence of a ripeness and ingenuity in every branch of human pursuit, which requires only the encouragement and protection of provident and efficient laws, to place our arts, and sciences upon equal ground with any nation of modern times. The recent establishment of a stream boat on the western waters, carries in itself consequences much more important and conclusive, than the canal of Languedoc of France or perhaps the celebrated dykes of Holland. The friends to American improvements will be gratified in learning that this steam boat in all its parts, engine, boiler and machinery, has been constructed at Pittsburgh. The western country is indebted to the enterprize of two of our own citizens, Messrs. Livingston and Fulton, for this important improvement in the navigation of the Mississippi. This beautiful vessel 148 feet in length, 30 feet beam, has been tried with 140 tons of merchandise on board, and advanced at the rate of 8 miles an hour against a current of 2-1-2 on the 29th of October, in the presence of many hundred of spectators. She left Pittsburgh for New-Orleans destined to trade between that city and Natchez; and there is little doubt that with care and perseverance, all the difficulties which, were apprehended from snags, sawyers and planters, will be overcome, and the company amply remunerated. Let us now for a moment contemplate this new science; this immense leap forward in the useful arts; only five years ago it was considered impracticable to make a useful steam boat, and Livingston and Fulton were universally ridiculed for the attempt; there are on Hudson's river, Between New-York and Albany, 5 Between New-York and New-Brunswick, 1 On the Delaware, 1 On Lake Champlain, 1 On the Mississippi, 1 Building on St. Lawrence, 1 On Hudson's River as a ferry boat, 1 Building for ferry boats from N. York to Jersey city, 2 Total, 13 This is more than two steam boats a year since 1807, when Livingston and Fulton built their first boat. In every situation where they are established, their benefits are sensibly felt and acknowledged; what would the United States take to be deprived of this new art? Could 100 millions of dollars compensate these states for the eternal privation of only this one American invention? Let the political economist answer this question. Have then two enterprising individuals given to our country an invention in its effects worth 100 millions of dollars? Here we learn to respect the useful arts and the incalculable blessings they bestow? Have we guarded them by protecting and encouraging laws; or are inventors, who are the most valuable members of society, to be forever a prey to rapacious fraud and cupidity? Is not the exertion of mind the highest order of labor? Does it not extend every success to the benefit of whole nations, to millions of individuals? And shall it not in a wise government, among a wise people, find complete protection, while the labor of the hands, even to a peck of grain, is guarded against theft and plunder? The productions of genius must be protected in order to prosper-with the protection the extent of American ingenuity will very soon astonish and surpass all other nations.

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