Robert Fulton died whilst in the service of the United States Government, and although he had been engaged for years in devoting his time and talents to what he and the Government officers knew and believed to be the best interests of our country, still the public records show that this Government was indebted to his estate upwards of $100,000, for moneys actually expended and services rendered by him, agreeably to contract.

The bill, which was for the relief of the heirs of Robert Fulton, Esq., was ten years in Congress before it finally became a law, although it had repeatedly passed both Houses of Congress; and when this bill was under discussion in the House of Representatives, on its final passage, in July, 1846, the American Aristides, the venerable sage of Quincy, rose in his seat, and stated to the House that "he had thoroughly examined the bill and the proof in support of it, and the claim was founded both in law and justice, and that it was a disgrace to the nation that it had not long before been paid.”

The Hon. John Strohm, the member from Lancaster county, Pa., had also carefully examined the bill, and urged its passage, as a just claim against the Government; because the steamboat "VESUVIUS," owned by Robert Fulton, plying between New Orleans and Louisville, in Kentucky, whilst

pursuing a most profitable business, - being the only steamboat then upon the Mississippi - was forcibly seized by General Jackson, during the war, and taken into the service for the defence of New Orleans; nor had Mr. Fulton ever received any compensation for the use of his patent for the floating battery, or his services in the construction of this great defensive structure.

Congress passed a joint resolution referring the subject to the Secretary of the Navy, who made report, allowing the heirs, as a balance due the estate, $100,000. The committee of claims brought in a bill for $76,300, to carry into effect the Secretary's report; and the bill allowing the heirs their just claim for $76,300 was passed in the House by a vote of ninety to sixty-seven, and in the Senate by eighteen majority, thirty-one years after the death of Fulton, although honestly due him at the time of his death.

Mr. Fulton had secured to himself the right of a patent for constructing steam frigates, the whole benefit of which resulted to the United States; and yet the extraordinary efforts of the great and successful inventor were disparaged, whilst the authors of a revolver or California speculation have been promoted and protected in the enjoyment of millions of dollars; and the poorest specimen of hu

manity, with a tinselled epaulette on his shoulder, for having butchered a few poor Indians, had received a pension for life, been honored with the richest offices, and at his death a conspicuous monument was erected to his memory. Is it possible that Robert Fulton died penniless, although he was the inventor and builder of some fifteen or twenty steamboats, which cost from fifty to eighty thousand dollars each, and which were in successful operation?—that the hero of inventors, who displayed so much talent, industry, perseverance, and interest for his country's good, in steam and inland navigation, should die in poverty, destitution, and want, and his family impoverished? It is not true. By his superhuman efforts he did amass a fortune, he did accumulate wealth; but the ungrateful and envious robbed him of it; whilst his discoveries and the result of his labours survive for the benefit of mankind, and will extend to unborn generations, to upbraid their ingratitude; and the great legacy which the immortal Fulton entailed upon his countrymen-"to be a great inventor"-will some day be shown upon a towering monument, emblazoned with his unparalleled and eternal motto: "THE

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS WILL BE THE HAPPINESS OF THE EARTH!"

18

CHAPTER XI.

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ROBERT

FULTON.

NEW YORK, December 13, 1814.—I, Robert Fulton, being in good health and possessing my usual understanding, make this, my last will, hereby revoking all other wills which I have made:

Out of the annual profits arising from my steamboats, and, in case of that not proving sufficient, then out of any other property or profits arising from my real or personal

I leave to my wife, Harriet Fulton, born Livingston, nine thousand dollars a-year during her life, and then devolve to my heirs, as hereinafter stated.

Out of the profits of my steamboats, or any other of my property, real or personal, I leave to my said wife five hundred dollars a-year for each of my children, until they respectively attain the age of twelve years; and from that age until each in succession attains the age of twenty-one years,

one thousand dollars a-year for each, which sum shall be made use of as his or her legal right to pay for education, clothing, boarding, lodging, and all other expenses.

All my household furniture, carriages, horses, plate, pictures, and everything which constitutes my household establishment, as also my town house, should I purchase or build one for my residence, I leave to my said wife during her life: at her death, my house, with its fixtures, pictures, library, and plate, shall go to the eldest son which I shall then have living, and the residue of said establishment may be disposed of as my said wife may think proper, in her will. Should I not have

a son then living, my PICTURES shall go to an academy of arts, when such academy shall be established at the place which shall be the seat of the Government of the United States; and all my other property, connected with my household establishment, may be disposed of by my said wife as she shall think proper. My said wife's annuity, and the annuities for the maintenance of my children, being permanently settled, then, out of the surplus of my estate, if any—

I leave to my brother, Abraham Smith Fulton, three thousand dollars.

To my sister, Elizabeth Scott, I leave one thou