“Steam boat”

Date

1-29-1812

Newspaper

Louisiana Courier

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 1 and 2

Newspaper Location

New Orleans, Louisiana

Serial Number

958

Abstract

Long article on the steam boat New Orleans giving a description of it and reporting that the boat complies with legislation giving Robert Fulton for operating the boat in Louisiana.

Transcript

STEAM BOAT. Whereas the honourable the legislature of the territory of Orleans, did, on the (unreadable) day of April, 1811, pass an act, entitled "An act granting to Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton, the sole privilege of using Steam-Boats, for a limited time, in this territory," Now be it known that his excellency Wm. C. C. Claiborne, governor of the said territory, in virtue of the powers vested in him by the above recited act, did name and authorize Messrs. Thomas Urquhart, W. Donaldson, Jacob, Trimble, Beverly Chew, and Peter Seguin, residents of the city of New-Orleans, to examine the steam-boat "New-Orleans," now in this port, and belonging to Messrs. Livingston and Fulton, & others, of New York, and to report to his excellency, to enable him to ascertain whether the provisions of the said act have been complied with, in such manner as to entitle the said Livingston and Fulton to the exclusive privilege claimed by them. We, the subscribers, in compliance with said request, did this day, to wit; Tuesday the 19th January, 1812, go on board the steam-boat "New-Orleans," and the said boat was got under way at (unreadable) o'clock A. M. and proceeded down the river Mississippi, two leagues below the city, and returned to the place of departure at two o'clock P. M. during which time the wind was blowing a gale against her the greater part of the way, and sometimes direct contrary. From the most accurate observations we could make, and from the documents produced to us by Mr. Roosevelt, the director on board, we certify as follows. That the said boat "New-Orleans," was built on the waters passing through this territory, for account of Messrs. Livingston, Fulton and others; that the said boat about 400 tons, & that she is propelled by steam more than four miles per hour Through still water, and as nearly as we Can determine, at the rate of between (unreadable) and 7 miles per hour. The subscribers beg leave further to add that in the course of the experiment made in their presence, they clearly ascertained that the said boat was propelled by steam, against the current of the Mississippi (which they calculated at three miles per hour) and against a strong breeze ahead, at the rate of two and a half to three miles per hour, which they conceive a satisfactory proof of the complete success of the attempt to propel boats against the velocity of the current of this river. All which they respectfully SEAL. And we do further certify, (unreabable) prices of freight. (unreadable) brought in the boats had on the river Mississippi, at the time of passing the said act, to and from Natchez to this place, was two dollars for a bale of cotton, and the like sum for a barrel, and other articles in proportion; so that the said proprietors will, according to the terms of the law be entitled to receive for freight between New-Orleans and Natchez, in the said steam-boat, at the rate of one hundred and fifty cents for a barrel or a bale of cotton, and other articles in the same proportion. (Signed,) THOS. URQUHART, WM. DONALDSON, JACOB TRIMBLE, BEV. CHEW, PR. SEGUIN.

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