followed entirely with a view to profit. It is, however, at times, very exciting, and the fishermen have a merry time of it. Before the erection of the dams in the Susquehanna, shad-fishing was a regular pursuit for many persons all along the Susquehanna, and some fisheries were among the most productive properties in the State, their annual profits yielding, in a course of years, large fortunes.

The Conestoga, while it is the only small stream in the State upon which steamboats run, is also the first upon which experiments for steam navigation were made. William Henry, of Lancaster, as early as 1760, instituted a series of experiments on this subject, and it is said partially succeeded, but in the midst of them his boat was accidentally sunk in the river, and he himself shortly after died. But while his efforts thus failed, it remained for another son of Lancaster to complete what had only been commenced. About this period Robert Fulton was born, in the township bearing his name. His parents shortly after removed to Lancaster, where Fulton received a good education. He subsequently went to London, and having early evinced a partiality for painting, placed himself under the charge of Sir Benjamin West, the celebrated American artist, then and for a long time afterwards, a resident of that city. He here became acquainted with the Duke of Bridgewater, and other distinguished scientific and practical men, and entered warmly into some of their projects, in reference to canals and internal navigations. He soon after obtained patents for an inclined-plane for transportation, and certain instruments for excavating canals. Removing afterwards to France, he made himself master of the French, Italian, and German languages, and formed a lasting friendship in Paris with the celebrated Joel Barlow, in whose family he resided. In the meantime he acquired a knowledge of the higher range of mathematics, chemistry, and physical philosophy, the result of which was several important improvements in the mechanic arts and submarine navigation, for two of which he obtained patents. He performed many experiments in the harbor of Brest, with his plunging-boats and torpedos, demonstrating the practicability of employing subaquatic explosion and navigation for the destruction of vessels. This invention, remarks Mr. Day, attracted the attention of the British government, and overtures were made to him by the ministry which induced him to go to London, with the hope that they would avail themselves of his machines; but a demonstration of their efficacy which he gave the ministry, by blowing

up a vessel in their presence, led them to wish to suppress the invention rather than encourage it; and accordingly they declined patronizing him. During this period he also made many efforts to discover a method of successfully using the steam-engine for the propelling of boats, and as early as 1793 made such experiments as inspired him with great confidence in its practicability. Robert R. Livingston, Esq., chancellor of the state of New York, and minister of the United States to the French court, on his arrival in France, induced him to renew his attention to this subject, and embarked with him in making experiments for the purpose of satisfying themselves of the possibility. of employing steam in navigation. Mr. Fulton engaged with intense interest in the trial,

THE CLERMONT.

and, in 1803, constructed a boat on the river Seine, at their joint expense, by which he fully evinced the practicability of propelling boats by that agent. He immediately resolved to enrich his country with this invaluable discovery; and on returning to New York in 1806, commenced, in conjunction with Mr. Livingston, the construction of the first Fulton boat, which was launched in the spring of 1807, from the ship-yard of Charles Brown, New York, and completed in August. It was one hundred feet long, twelve feet wide, and seven feet deep. In 1808 it was lengthened to one hundred and fifty feet, and widened to eighteen feet. This boat, which was called the Clermont, (from the seat of the Livingston family,) demonstrated on the first experiment, to a host of at first incredulous but at length astonished spectators, the correctness of his expectations, and the value of his invention. Between this period and his death he superintended the erection of fourteen other steam-vessels, and made great improvements in their construction.

"As I had occasion to pass daily to and from the building-yard," said Fulton, "while my boat was in progress, I have often loitered unknown near the idle groups of strangers gathering in little circles, and heard various inquiries as to the object of this new vehicle. The language was uniformly that of scorn, sneer, or ridicule. The loud laugh rose at my expense, the dry jest, the wise calculation of losses

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and expenditures, the dull but endless repetition of the "Fulton folly." Never did a single encouraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish, cross my path. Silence itself was but politeness veiling its doubts or hiding its reproaches. At length the day arrived when the experiment was to go into operation. To me it was a most trying and interesting occasion. I invited many friends to go on board to witness the first successful trip. Many of them did me the favor to attend as a matter of personal respect; but it was manifest they did it with reluctance, fearing to be partners of my mortification and not of my triumph. I was well aware that in my case there were many reasons to doubt of my own success. The machinery, (like Fitch's before me,) was new and ill made; and many parts of it were constructed by mechanics unacquainted with such work, and unexpected difficulties might reasonably be presumed to present themselves from other causes. The moment arrived in which the word was to be given for the vessel to move. My friends were in groups on the deck. There was anxiety mixed with fear among them. They were silent, sad, and weary. I read in their looks nothing but disaster, and almost repented of my efforts. The signal was given, and the boat moved on a short distance and then stopped, and became immovable. To the silence of the preceding moment now succeeded murmurs of discontent, and agitations, and whispers, and shrugs. I could hear distinctly repeated, 'I told you it was so; it is a foolish scheme; I wish we were well out of it.' I elevated myself upon a platform, and addressed the assembly. I stated that I knew not what was the matter; but if they would be quiet, and indulge me for half an hour, I would either go on or abandon the voyage for that time. This short respite was conceded without objection. I went below and examined the machinery, and discovered that the cause was a slight maladjustment of some of the work. In a short period it was obviated. The boat was again put in motion. She continued to move on. All were still incredulous. None seemed willing to trust the evidence of their own senses. We left the fair city of New York; we passed through the romantic and ever-varying scenery of the Highlands; we descried the clustering houses of Albany; we reached its shores; and then, even then, when all seemed achieved, I was the victim of disappointment. Imagination superseded the influence of fact. It was then doubted if it could be done again; or if done, it was doubted if it could be made of any great value."

Fulton obtained a patent for his inventions in navigation by steam in February, 1809, and another for some improvements, in 1811. In the latter year he was appointed, by the Legislature of New York, one of the commissioners to explore a route for a canal from the great lakes to the Hudson, and engaged with zeal in the promotion of that great work. On the commencement of hostilities between the United States and Great Britain, in 1812, he renewed his attention to submarine warfare, and contrived a method of discharging guns under water, for which he obtained a patent. In 1814 he contrived an armed steamship for the defence of the harbor of New York, and also a submarine vessel, or plunging boat, of such dimensions as to carry one hundred men, the plans of which being approved by government, he was authorized to construct them at the public expense. But before completing either of those works he died suddenly, February, 24th, 1815. His person was tall, slender, and well formed; his manners graceful and dignified, and his disposition generous. His attainments and inventions bespeak the high superiority of his talents. He was an accomplished painter, was profoundly versed in mechanics, and possessed an inventive faculty of great fertility, which was always directed by an eminent share of good sense. His style as a writer was perspicuous and energetic. To him is to be ascribed the honor of inventing a method of successfully employing the steamengine in navigation, an invention justly considered one of the most important which has been made in modern times, and by which he rendered himself both a perpetual and one of the greatest benefactors of mankind. Some of Fulton's relatives still reside near the spot where he was born; which is further interesting from the fact that the parents of the late Mr. Calhoun, of South Carolina, for a long time lived there; some persons allege that it was the place of his birth.

Lancaster is known, also, as the residence of the Hon. James Buchanan, who removed here from Franklin County upwards of forty years ago. Mr. Buchanan lives in a plain, but substantial brick house about one mile from Lancaster. It was lately the residence of Hon. W. M. Meredith, Secretary of the Treasury during General Taylor's administration. The estate, which is a delightful one, is surrounded by fine shade trees. It is called Wheatland, from the splendid agricultural district adjacent. The Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, one of the most brilliant lawyers in Pennsylvania, and at present