History of the First Locomotives in America - Chapters 35-39



CHAPTER XXXV.
FURTHER EVIDENCES.

THE following letter is from Mr. David Matthew. It is further evidence 
that the "De Witt Clinton," and not an English engine, was the first one 
to run on the road from Albany to Schenectady, in August, 1831: 

"PHILADELPHIA, February 13, 1860.
"WILLIAM H. Brown, ESQ.

"Dear Sir: Yours of January 17th is at hand. Having been absent, my reply 
has been delayed until this date. I will endeavor to answer your several 
questions as correctly as I possibly can, in the absence of records. 

"First. I did run the 'De Witt Clinton,' on the 9th day of August, 1831, 
and every day that it run from the 2d day of July, when first put on the 
road, to December 1, 1831. 

"Second. There was no English-built engine upon the road, until the 
'Robert Fulton,' made by Stephenson, arrived, which was about the last of 
August. About the middle of September it was tried on the road, and 
commenced regular trips soon after. On the excursion-trip in September, 
the Moulton was assigned to haul the train, but something got wrong about 
the supply-pipe, and my engine, the 'De Witt Clinton,' was called out for 
that duty, and did it well. 

"Third. I did know John Hampson and Adam Robinson. John Hampson was my 
assistant. He left West Point Foundery with me, and when the 'Robert 
Fulton' arrived and was placed on the road, he took her to run. Adam 
Robinson became my fireman on the 'De Witt Clinton' when we began to make 
regular trips. 

"When the 'John Bull' came out, nearly a year afterward, John Hampson took 
her to run. Both of these men are now dead. John Hampson left the Mohawk 
and Hudson Railroad early in 1832. He brought the second engine from New 
York that was run on the Germantown and Philadelphia Railroad. He next 
took the 'Davy Crocket' to the Saratoga Railroad; then took charge of the 
Camden and Amboy Railroad machine-shops at Bordentown. Thence he went to 
the New Orleans and Carrollton Railroad, on a salary of five thousand 
dollars per year, where he remained several years.

"Adam Robinson was killed by accident on a railroad. 

"Will you please procure and send to me one of the drawings, or 
photographs, from the original picture you took in Albany, of the old 'De 
Witt Clinton' and train of cars? I saw the original picture at your room 
in Albany, and was forcibly struck by the accuracy of your likeness to the 
old machine, the cars, and the passengers, several of whom I knew well. 

"If I can give you any other information, write to me at once, and I will 
try to be more prompt in my reply.

"Respectfully yours,
"DAVID MATTHEW,
"205 Pear Street, Philadelphia."

From the freight-bills, custom-house charges, etc., etc., attached by Sage 
& Son to their lithograph copy of a photograph of the original picture in 
the Hartford Institute, the author is inclined to believe that these refer 
to those made upon the first English locomotive for the Mohawk and Hudson 
Railroad, which was the "Robert Fulton." This machine, as we see in the 
following articles from the Albany Argus of that period, arrived by the 
ship Mary Howland, from Liverpool, early in September, 1831. In several 
articles of the Argus, in which this engine is spoken of, it is called the 
"John Bull." This was done in allusion to the country where it was made, 
in the same manner as the Argus also uses the words "Brother Jonathan" 
when speaking of the "De Witt Clinton." These sobriquets are familiarly 
applied and understood by every one when speaking of the natives of either 
country. 

A locomotive named the "John Bull" came from England, subsequently, but 
not for nearly a year after the events we are now recording. 

Messrs. Sage & Son give the following as the costs and charges as per 
invoice of locomotive-engine, per ship Mary Howland, from Liverpool, $3,
763.67. Custom fees, $1,017.25. Freight-bills, September 18, 1831, $88.67. 

The following extracts from the Albany Argus will clearly show that the 
West Point Foundery engine was the first to run upon the Mohawk and Hudson 
Railroad, and that no English locomotive was in existence upon that road 
until the "Robert Fulton," built by Stephenson, arrived about the last of 
August, and was put on the road the 16th or 17th of September after: 

(From the Albany Argus, July 25, 1831.)
"MOHAWK AND HUDSON RAILROAD. We traveled over part of this road on 
Saturday, which is ready to receive the cars on Monday next, the 1st of 
August, if not earlier. The road will be open from the head of Lydius 
Street to the brow of the hill at Schenectady, a distance of about twelve 
males and a half, and traveling upon it will be forthwith commenced. We 
learn that the company have decided on using steam-power alone. The 
company will begin their operations with an engine from the West Point 
Foundery, which we understand will be placed on the road for service on 
Wednesday, the 27th, being precisely twelve months from the day the 
ceremony of breaking ground was performed last year.

"In less than a month the company expect from England one of Mr. 
Stephenson's engines, similar to those now in use on the Liverpool and 
Manchester Railway. 

"The work, we have no doubt, will do credit to the skill of the engineer, 
John B. Jervis, Esq." 

"MOHAWK AND HUDSON RAILROAD. On Saturday this work was completed and 
prepared for the passage of the cars. On that day an experiment was made 
with the locomotive 'De Witt Clinton,' from the West Point Foundery, but, 
owing to some defect in the ignition of the Lackawanna coal, the speed did 
not at any time exceed six or seven miles an hour. On Saturday next, if 
the weather is favorable, the company propose to celebrate the completion 
of the work, so far, by inviting our citizens to a ride through the entire 
line." 

(From the Albany Argus, August 11, 1831)
"MOHAWK AND HUDSON RAILROAD. On Monday, August 9, 1831, the 'De Witt 
Clinton,' attached to a train of cars, passed over the road from plane to 
plane, to the delight of a large crowd assembled to witness the 
performance. The engine performed the entire route in less than one hour, 
including stoppages, and on a part of the road its speed was at the rate 
of thirty miles an hour." 

(From the Albany Argus, August 27, 1831)
"MOHAWK AND HUDSON RAILROAD. The company having received their locomotive 
from England by the Mary Howland, it will, we understand, be in operation 
on the road in the course of a few days. It is called the 'Robert 
Fulton.'" 

(From the Albany Argus, September 3, 1831)
"MOHAWK AND HUDSON RAILROAD. Another trial was made on Thursday with the 
locomotive 'De Witt Clinton.' It performed the passage from Schenectady to 
this city in fifty minutes. Among the passengers was Brigadier-General 
Scott, of the United States Army." 

(From the Albany Argus, September 9, 1831)
"MOHAWK AND HUDSON RAILROAD. The American locomotive 'De Witt Clinton' 
came down yesterday morning in forty-six minutes. The fuel was wood. A 
trial of the English locomotive will probably be made on Tuesday next. The 
power and weight of this engine are double those of the American engine." 

(From the Albany Argus, September 19, 1831)
"MOHAWK AND HUDSON RAILROAD. Trials of the English locomotive were made on 
the 16th and 17th. They were, we understand, entirely successful, and 
particularly so with the use of anthracite coal. The engine was propelled 
with case at the rate of from fifteen to twenty miles an hour, and will 
commence her regular trips this day." 

The next we hear of the English locomotive, after the foregoing 
experiments, relates to transactions of the following week. The author was 
present, and remembers well every incident on that interesting occasion, 
as they are recorded in the Argus, and, had the English machine performed 
the duty which was assigned to her on that day, there is no doubt a sketch 
of her appearance would have found a place in our present volume. But the 
author did not "see it." The Albany Argus, September 26, 1831, says: 

"RAILROAD EXCURSION. On Saturday, September 24th, a numerous company, at 
the request of the president and directors of the Mohawk and Hudson 
Railroad Company, enjoyed a very gratifying ride upon the road. The 
company consisted of the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, members of the 
Senate, now in session as a Court of Errors, our Senators in Congress, the 
Chancellor and Judges of the Supreme and District Courts, State officers, 
the president of tie Board of Assistants and members of the Common Colmcil 
of the city of New York, the Mayor, Recorder, and corporation of the city, 
and several citizens of New York, Albany, and Schenectady. 

"Owing to a defect in one of the supply-pipes of the English locomotive, 
that powerful engine was not brought into service, and the party, having 
been delayed in consequence, did not leave the head of Lydius Street until 
nearly twelve o'clock. They then started with a train of ten cars, three 
drawn by the American locomotive 'De Witt Clinton,' and seven by a single 
horse each. The appearance of this fine cavalcade, if it may be so called, 
was highly imposing. The trip was performed by the locomotive in forty-six 
minutes, and by the cars drawn by horses in about an hour and a quarter. 
From the head of the plane, about a quarter of a mile from Schenectady, 
the company were conveyed in carriages to Davis's Hotel, where they were 
joined by several citizens of Schenectady, and partook of a dinner that 
reflected credit upon the proprietor of that well-known establishment. 
Among the toasts offered was one which has been verified to the letter, 
viz.: 'The Buffalo Railroad, may we soon breakfast in Utica, dine in 
Rochester, and sup with our friends on Lake Erie!' After dinner the 
company repaired to the head of the plane, and resumed their seats for the 
return to Albany. It was an imposing spectacle. It was a practical 
illustration of the great preference of this mode of travel and 
conveyance. The American locomotive started with a train of five cars, 
containing nineteen or twenty persons each, besides the tender, and never 
did 'Brother Jonathan,' as it was familiarly called, perform the trip in 
more beautiful style. It came down with its train in thirty-eight minutes, 
being at the rate of nineteen miles an hour, the last six miles were 
performed in fourteen minutes. The cavalcade with horses came down in 
sixty-eight minutes. 

"'Brother Jonathan,' as it is familiarly called, is as yet decidedly in 
advance of 'John Bull."' 

We give the foregoing extracts from the Argus merely to prove more 
conclusively that the "De Witt Clinton" was the locomotive sketched by the 
author on the 9th day of August, and not an English engine, as some 
parties have represented. On neither of these excursions was the English 
locomotive in use. On the excursion of the 9th of August the English 
engine had not yet arrived, and on the excursion of the 24th of September 
her supply-pipe was not in order, and the American locomotive "De Witt 
Clinton" performed the duty successfully, as is recorded in the Albany 
Argus just quoted. It was on the occasion of the excursion on the 9th day 
of August, 1831, with the "De Witt Clinton," as mentioned in the article 
in the Albany Argus of August 11th, that the author made the sketch of the 
locomotive, the engineer, the tender, coaches, and passengers in the 
train, which was exhibited at his studio, and attracted great crowds for 
several weeks during his professional sojourn in Albany. This picture the 
author soon after presented to the Connecticut Historical Society, where 
it may be seen at the present time. In 1858 or '59 this original picture 
was photographed by J. L. Howard & Company, of Hartford, and a copy 
obtained by the author.



CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE JUDGE'S FIRST RIDE.

SINCE this photograph has been in the possession of the author, he has 
been often asked why the engine and train are represented in the unique 
and sombre style in which they appear in profile, or black outline. To 
this inquiry he will reply by informing those who are not familiar with 
the facts, that, from his earliest recollection, he has been gifted with a 
rare and peculiar talent or faculty (entirely intuitive in him) of 
executing with wonderful facility and accuracy the outlines or form of any 
person or object from a single glance of the eye, and without any 
machinery whatever, but with a pair of common scissors and a piece of 
black paper. 

This peculiar style of outline portraiture, or shaping exact resemblances 
of persons or objects with black paper, and commonly known as profiles, 
was invented, according to the elder Disraeli, in 1757, in Paris, and 
called by the French silhouette. In the author this faculty was not 
confined to shaping the mere outlines of persons or faces, but was 
extended to portraying entire family groups, military companies, fire 
companies with their engines and hose-carriages, sporting-scenes, 
racecourses, and marine views, representing a harbor and shipping All were 
executed in black paper, and with a pair of scissors. Hence, in the same 
style he executed the above mentioned likeness of the locomotive "De Witt 
Clinton," with the cars and passengers, and afterward presented the same 
to the Connecticut Historical Society. This rare and peculiar faculty or 
gift was so strongly developed in the author, that all objects, when once 
presented to the eye, are, as it were, photographed upon his brain, so 
much so, and with such indelibility, that it was not actually necessary 
for an individual to be present and stand for a likeness. A glance for a 
moment at an individual in some accustomed position or attitude only was 
necessary, and the likeness could be produced hours, days, weeks, and 
often years thereafter, entirely from memory alone. 

The author, for several years, made a very lucrative business by the 
exercise of this peculiar faculty of taking likenesses, and during that 
time visited all the principal cities of the country. His first object on 
visiting a new field for the exercise of his art was to notice several 
prominent and well-known citizens as they walked upon the streets, and 
place their likenesses most accurately upon paper as evidences of his 
skill in this peculiar art and his wonderful memory of persons and forms. 

It so happened that, on one of the author's professional visits to the 
city of Albany, that a trip, which vas then supposed to be the first train 
of cars drawn by a locomotive in America, was run upon the Mohawk and 
Hudson Railroad. A graphic and particular description of this same first 
trip is given in a letter from a well-known and distinguished gentleman, 
now over eighty years of age, who is one of the few survivors. The letter 
is as follows: 

RIDGEWAY, PA., JUNE 24, 1870
WILLIAM H. BROWN, ESQ.- 

"DEAR SIR: Your note of the 21st inst., asking for my recollections of 
such incidents as impressed themselves on my mind in the ever-memorable 
first trip by locomotive-power from Albany to Schenectady in 1831, is 
before me. In the early part of the month of August of that year I left 
Philadelphia for Canandaigua, New York, traveling by stages and steamboats 
by way of New York to Albany. Stopping at the latter place with my friend 
J. M. Hughes, now of Cleveland, Ohio, I learned that a locomotive had 
arrived there, and that it would make its first trip over the road to 
Schenectady the next day. I concluded to lie over and gratify my curiosity 
with a first ride after a locomotive.

"That locomotive, the train of cars, together with the incidents of the 
day, made a very vivid impression on my mind. I can now look back from one 
of Pullman's palace-cars, over a period of forty years, and see that 
train, together with all the improvements that have been made in railroad 
travel since that time, for I have been a constant traveler for over half 
a century, and have observed the steady and constant progression in motive-
power and railroad facilities up to the present time. And now, taking 1870 
as a Stand point, looking back and forward forty years, who can say that 
the next forty years evils not exceed the past in railroad 
intercommunication, and that Dr. Krumer's theory of using compressed air 
as a motive power may not, ere that, be brought into general use, and that 
the engineer will manage his whole train with the same facility and ease 
that the Mexican caballero starts, runs, and stops his horse?

"I am not machinist enough to give a description of the locomotive that 
drew us over the road that day, but recollect distinctly the general 'make-
up' of the train. The sketch you showed me when I was last at your place, 
taken by you in your peculiar style, is very correct, and brines to my 
mind, as vividly as though only seen yesterday, the engine and train as it 
appeared on that never to-be-forgotten occasion.

"The train was composed of coach-bodies, mostly from Thorpe do Sprague's 
stage-coaches, placed upon trucks. The trucks were coupled together with 
chains or chain-links, leaving from two to three feet slack, and when the 
locomotive started it took up the slack by jerks, with sufficient force to 
jerk the passengers, who sat on seats across the top of the coaches, out 
from under their hats, and in stopping they came together with such force 
as to send them flying from their seats. 

They used dry pitch-pine for fuel, and, there being no smoke or spark-
catcher to the chimney or smoke-stack, a volume of black smoke, strongly 
impregnated with sparks, coals, and cinders, came pouring back the whole 
length of the train. Each of the outside passengers who had an umbrella 
raised it as a protection against the smoke and fire. They were found to 
be but a momentary protection, for I think in the first mile the last one 
went overboard, all having their covers burnt off from the frames, when a 
general melee took place among the deck-passengers, each whipping his 
neighbor to put out the fire. They presented a very motley appearance on 
arriving at the first station. There rails were procured and lashed 
between the trucks, taking the slack out of the coupling-chains, thereby 
affording us a more steady run to the top of the inclined plane at 
Schenectady. 

"The incidents off the train were quite as striking as those on the train. 
A general notice having been given of the contemplated trip, excited not 
only the curiosity of those living along the line of the road, but those 
living remote from it, causing a large collection of people at all the 
intersecting roads along the line of the route. Everybody, together with 
his wife and all his children, came from a distance with all kinds of 
conveyances, being as ignorant of what was coming as their horses, drove 
up to the road as near as they could get, only looking for the best 
position to get a view of the train. As it approached, the horses took 
fright and wheeled, upsetting buggies, carriages, and wagons, and leaving 
for parts unknown to the passenger, if not to their owners, and it is not 
now positively known if some of them have yet stopped. Such is a hasty 
sketch of my recollection of my first ride after a locomotive. 

"Hoping that your contemplated history of early locomotives in America may 
be appreciated by the reading public, and a pecuniary success to yourself, 

"I remain truly yours,
"J. L. Gillis"

The writer of the foregoing letter, Judge Gillis, is a native of the State 
of New York, and is now eighty years of age. He served in the War of 1812, 
and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He moved to Ridgeway, 
Pennsylvania, in 1822, then in Jefferson County, now the seat of justice 
of Elk County. He was an active member of the Masonic fraternity in the 
State of New York previous to his removal to Pennsylvania 

Four years later, in 1826, when political anti masonry took its rise in 
that State, in order to show the extent of the conspiracy for the 
abduction of one Morgan, a bill of indictment was procured against Judge 
Gillis and others at Canandaigua. As soon as he heard of such indictment, 
he returned to the State of New York and surrendered himself to the court 
and was placed under bonds of ten thousand dollars for his appearance at 
the next term. He visited that county nine terms of the court, the 
prosecutors putting the case off at each term. Finally, the trial came off 
in 1829, and he was acquitted, no evidence being found for conviction.(*)
Judge Gillis has served his district in the House and Senate of the State 
Legislature and in Congress. He was an active and ardent supporter of 
internal improvement in the State of Pennsylvania, and one of the earliest 
advocates of the construction of the line of railroad from Philadelphia to 
Erie, which he supported until completed. He was appointed Judge of the 
Court of Jefferson County in 1843, and reappointed in 1844 as one of the 
first Judges of Elk County. In 1862 Judge Gillis removed to Mount 
Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, where he now resides. In 1859 the author, 
having quitted the profession of artist, was living in Huntingdon County, 
Pennsylvania, as an employee of the Huntingdon and Broad Top Railroad. 
Many years had passed away since he had thought of the "De Witt Clinton," 
when he received from an unknown hand a newspaper containing a paragraph 
marked with a pen to attract his attention. It revived in his memory his 
old picture of the "De Witt Clinton" and his visit to Hartford very many 
years before. The paragraph was as follows: 

A RARE CURIOSITY-We were this day shown by Mr. Bradley, Secretary of the 
Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, at Pittsburgh, a photograph copy of the 
first American locomotive ever built in this country and run upon a 
railroad in the United States. The photograph was made from the original 
picture now in the Connecticut Historical Society, and was taken by a Mr. 
Brown in his peculiar style of art. It was cut out of black paper with a 
pair of common scissors. In the cars we recognize the likenesses of 
several of the old citizens of Albany, Thurlow Weed, Esq., ex-Governor 
Meigs, old Hays, of New York, the celebrated thief-catcher, and several 
others. The picture is executed with great skill and fidelity, and is a 
rare curiosity when compared with the locomotives and trains of the 
present day." 

(* It was some time during his trips to attend trial that Judge Gillis 
rode in the cars after a locomotive.)

The author then determined to procure a copy of his old world and applied 
to Mr. Bradley for information, which he obtained, and also to F. L. 
Howard, Esq., of Hartford, from whom he received the following letter: 

HARTFORD, CONN., May 26, 1859,
William H. Brown, ESQ.- 

"DEAR; SIR: We have neglected to answer your very pleasant letter of the 
5th of March, not from any hesitation in complying, with your request, 
which we are happy to do, recognizing a right in the grandfather to have 
one of his own children's children, but, anticipating an opportunity of 
sending it as far as Altoona free of cost, like the present, we have 
allowed time to pass. 

"Have you any memorandum of the precise time this train was run? 1832 is 
as near as we can locate the time. Please say if you have any memorandum 
of the persons who are represented in the cars. We personally remember you 
well, having had our figure cut out by you when in this city. 

With respect, and very truly yours, 
JAMES L. HOWARD & Co. 

A few days after receiving the above letter, the picture arrived by 
Adams's Express, free of cost and charges. The author is at a loss how to 
describe his pleasurable feelings of pride and satisfaction when, after a 
lapse of twenty-eight years, he placed his eyes upon this specimen of his 
handiwork which he never expected to behold again, rescued as it was from 
almost absolute forgetfulness. Every curve and angle in the outline became 
as vivid as on the day when it was executed. The likenesses of the 
citizens represented in the cars were as fresh in his memory as if only 
seen the day before, and he was, as it were, transferred again to Albany 
and its associations.



CHAPTER XXXVII.
LETTERS FROM OFFICIALS.

Desirous of receiving some authentic statistics of this first locomotive, 
the author addressed a letter to Erastus Corning, Esq., who was president 
of the road at that time, and the following answer was received: 

NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROADS PRESIDENT 9 OFFICE, ALBANY, December 9, 1859.
MR. WILLIAM H. BROWN- 

DEAR SIR: Yours, respecting the introduction of the first locomotive on 
the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, and asking information in relation 
thereto, was duly received. 

I referred your communication to John T. Clark, Esq., of Utica, who was at 
the time resident engineer and superintendent of transportation, 
requesting of him such information as he might be able to furnish. I send 
you herewith his reply, and by American and Adams's Express a photograph 
copy of the sketch in the Hartford Athenaeum. I remember well your 
original cutting in black paper of the first locomotive, the 'De Witt 
Clinton,' and her train of cars. I was forcibly struck on viewing it by 
its accurate resemblance to the engine and train of cars attached. 

Yours very respectfully,
ERASTES CORNING

The following is Mr. Clark's reply to Mr. Corning's letter. It was 
forwarded to the author: 

UTICA N. Y., November 21, 1859, HON. ERASTUS CORNING, Albany,  

MY DEAR SIR: I received, on the 18th inst., your note, with Mr. Brown's 
letter to you, seeking for information as to the time when the first 
experiment was made, with a locomotive-engine, on the Mohawk and Hudson 
Railroad, and other particulars in relation to the early history of the 
road. 

"Before answering your letter, I wished to consult Mr. John B. Jervis, of 
Rome, to procure from him some facts in relation to details in the 
construction of the first locomotive. I went to Rome on Saturday for that 
purpose alone, but, not finding him at home, I send you to day such facts 
as I can gather from memory, and some papers in my possession. 

"The first experiment with steam upon the road was made with the 
locomotive 'De Witt Clinton' in the latter part of July, 1831. This engine 
was built at the West Point Foundery Works, New York. A Mr. Matthew had 
charge of the hands fitting up the machine, and came with it in charge to 
Albany. This engine was contracted for by John B. Jervis, Esq., the chief 
engineer of the road. The estimated weight of the 'De Witt Clinton' was 
about six tons. It was mounted on four wheels, of about five feet diameter 
each, and had single drivers. The hubs and rims of the wheels were of cast-
iron, with wrought-iron spokes and tires. I feel certain that the 'De Witt 
Clinton' had an iron tank or tender on four wheels. The first locomotive-
engine which came from England, and was afterward put on the road, was 
made by Stephenson, and was called the 'Robert Fulton.' This engine was 
double the size and weight of the 'De Witt Clinton.' It arrived about the 
latter part of August, 1831, and was put on the road about the 10th to the 
20th of September following. On the occasion of an excursion which was to 
take place the latter part of September, great preparations were made for 
a large crowd of passengers, as the Governor, judges of the courts, and 
members of the Legislature, were expected to participate in the ride, and 
consequently the most powerful engine, the 'Robert Fulton,' pull the 
train. But it did not so happen: something (I do not remember now) got 
wrong with 'Robert Fulton,' and 'De Witt Clinton' took his place at the 
head of the train, which being too heavy for so small a machine, a part 
only was attached to the 'De Witt Clinton,' and the remainder were drawn 
each car by a horse, making a very amusing-looking cavalcade. I think 
'Fulton' would have done better and have been more at home upon the Hudson 
River than on the stand upon the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad. However, on 
that occasion the little 'De Witt' acquitted herself well, and got to the 
end of the road long before her companions by horse-power arrived, and did 
the same in returning. Mr. Brown's sketch was taken on the first excursion 
with the 'De Witt Clinton,' before the time of this second excursion, and 
the arrival in this country of the first locomotive from England, the 
'Fulton,' for our road. The second locomotive which came from England 
arrived nearly a year after, perhaps not so long, but I remember it was 
late in the fall of the year. This second engine came without a tank or a 
tender. A temporary arrangement was made for supplying this English engine 
with water by means of a cask with the capacity of about three hundred 
gallons, made in the usual form and manner of a cask, and resting on 
saddles of wood fastened to a frame of the same material; and the whole, 
being mounted on four light cast-iron wheels, presented a very novel 
appearance. 

"This English locomotive was called the 'John Bull,' and had four driving 
wheels of four feet diameter. The hubs and naves of the wheels were made 
of cast-iron, the spokes and rim or felloes were made of wood and secured 
by wrought-iron flanged tires. It is, perhaps, needless to say that after 
this engine was put in use, those parts of the wheels made of wood gave 
audible complaint of hard service. The 'shrieking' of the machine caused 
no little merriment among the knights of the whip, who were yet reluctant 
in believing that the beautiful tandem teams which they had the honor of 
driving formerly over the road, at the rate of twelve miles an hour, 
'could ever be superseded by such a cursed-looking iron concern as that, 
as it was broken-winded already!' 

The first regular trip for the public with a locomotive was on the 9th day 
of August, 1831, with the 'De Witt Clinton.' A few experiments had been 
made with her previous to that date. Mr. John B. Jervis was chief engineer 
of the road, and the undersigned was resident engineer and superintendent 
of transportation; and he had the honor and satisfaction of receiving, 
with his own hands, the first fifty cents for regular established 
passenger-fare ever received on any railroad in the United States, as he 
believes. The names of the first three engine-drivers employed by the 
company were David Matthew, who first run the 'De Witt Clinton,' John 
Hampson, and Adam Robinson. 

It has been said by some that the first locomotive-engine actually run in 
this country in the transportation of passengers on a railroad, was upon 
the Charleston Railroad, in South Carolina, drawn by an engine called the 
'Best Friend,' but this I believe is a mistake. The fact can easily be 
obtained by Mr. Brown addressing a letter to Horatio Allen, Esq., now of 
the Novelty Works, New York. Mr. Allen was the chief engineer of the 
Charleston road in its commencement, and would know of this incident. 

"I recollect seeing Mr. Brown's sketch of the 'De Witt Clinton' and her 
train of cars executed in black paper, in his peculiar style, when he was 
in Albany; and I could not but admire the wonderful correctness of his 
likenesses to the engine, engineer, and the old citizens of Albany, who 
are represented in the cars as passengers.

I am very respectfully and truly yours, 
John T. Clark, Utica.

We will now add the following letter from John B. Jervis, Esq., the chief 
engineer of the road, showing that the sketch of the engine and train of 
cars which appears in our work is the "De Witt Clinton," an American 
locomotive, the first ever run in the State of New York, and not, as has 
been represented in Sage & Son's lithograph, the "John Bull," an English 
engine and the first attached to a passenger-train in the United States, 
or as published since that time, by the Antique Publishing company, of 
Boston, in 1870, as the "John Bull." 

ROME, N. Y., April 20, 1869.
WILLIAM H. BROWN, ESQ.,  

DEAR SIR: 

Yours of the 15th inst. was duly received. I have no memoranda to refer 
to; but my memory serves me that you are correct in saying that the first 
engine or locomotive run upon the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad was named the 
De Witt Clinton, and the date of the first trip correct, viz., the 8th day 
of August, 1831. The engine was built under a contract I made as chief 
engineer of the road with the West Point Association in New York City. 
Late in the same year, the English engine the 'John Bull,' was imported 
from England, for the same road. Mr. David Matthew was the machinist who 
put up the 'De Witt Clinton,' and run it, and no doubt his statements upon 
the subject are reliable. I do know, positively, that an American-built 
locomotive was put in successful use upon a railroad in this country prior 
to the 'De Witt Clinton;' my own impression is that there were two on the 
South Carolina Railroad. 

"Respeetfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN B. JERVIS."



CHAPTER XXXVIII.
ADDITIONAL LETTERS.

HAVING heard a short time since from an old citizen of Albany, who knew 
the individuals whose likenesses appear as passengers in the sketch of the 
"De Witt Clinton" and train, that, excepting Judge Gillis, whose letter we 
have already given, only two now survive that memorable event, namely, 
Erastus Corning, Esq., and Thurlow Weed, Esq., the author addressed them 
upon the subject, calling their recollections to his professional visit to 
Albany in 183l, and his original profile cutting of the first locomotive 
and train. He soon received the following interesting replies, which serve 
to prove the authenticity of his original in the Connecticut Historical 
Society:

"ALBANY, N. Y., May 30, 1870,
"WILLIAM H. BROWN, Esq.,  

"MY DEAR SIB: I have before me your letter of May l9th, 1870, referring to 
your proposed 'History of the Early Locomotives of America.' 

"It gives me great pleasure to testify to the correctness of the 
photograph copy of your original cutting of the locomotive 'De Witt 
Clinton,' and the train of cars which passed over the Mohawk and Hudson 
Railroad, I think in August, 1831. 

"I submitted a letter on the subject, written by you, in the year 1859, to 
Mr. John T. Clark, and sent you his reply, with a photograph copy of your 
picture. The likenesses of the passengers in the train are excellent, and 
probably the only collection of the kind in existence. Your forthcoming 
book will be a very interesting one and a valuable addition to railroad 
literature. I look for the appearance of it with the anticipation that it 
will be profitable and instructive. 

"Yours very truly,
"ERASTUS Corning."

The second letter was from Thurlow Weed, Esq., and was written by the 
veteran's daughters Miss Harriet A. Weed, who acted as his amanuensis:

"NEW YOrK February 6, 1870.
"MR. WILLIAM H. BROWN,

"DEAR Sir: My father, who is not himself able to write, desires me to 
express his thanks for your interesting and welcome letter. He remembers 
you as temporarily residing at Albany. He also remembers your peculiar 
skill in fashioning paper pictures. 

Early in the day of photographs, a copy of your picture was sent to us 
from Hartford. My father has often been applied to for the names of the 
passengers, but could not remember them all. He does, however, remember 
Lewis Benedict, John Townsend, William Alexander, John J. Boyd, John Meigs 
(high constable of Albany), John J. De Graffs, and Hugh Robinson, of 
Schenectady. He thinks also that Billy Winne was one, and he remembers 
your being there looking at the engine. The best likeness we have of my 
deceased brother James is from your sketch of him as a member of the 
Burgess's Corps of Albany. 

"The photograph copy of your Albany and Schenectady Railroad engine, 
copied from the original in the Connecticut Historical Society, now hangs 
in our library, looking precisely as my father remembers it while being 
fired-up for its first trip to Schenectady, thirty-eight or thirty-nine 
(nobody here can tell whether it was in 1831 or 1832) years ago. 

"My father says that he shall look for your book with much interest. He, 
too, as fast as his impaired health permits, is putting his recollections 
together, with the material for history in his possession, on paper, with 
a view to publication. 

"Truly yours,
"HARRIET A. WEED."

Before we close this portion of our evidence, we can not refrain from 
giving to our readers a second letter from John B. Jervis, Esq., who was 
chief engineer of the road, in reply to the author, who had transmitted to 
him some documents for his examination. This letter reads as follows: 

"ROME N. Y., August 24, 1870.
"WILLIAM H. BROWN, ESQ.,  

"MY DEAR SIR: Yours of the 22d inst. came to hand this A. M. I have been 
quite interested in reading the letters and papers you sent me. The 
photograph picture of the first locomotive and passenger-train that 
certainly was the first run on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad (Schenectady 
and Albany, now a portion of the New York Central Railroad) is a good 
representation. 

"The engine was the 'De Witt Clinton' (and not the 'John Bull,' as the 
newspaper scrap from the Boston Advertiser gives it). There can be no 
doubt on this point, engine, tender, and cars, are unequivocal 
delineation. 

"I have had a copy of this picture for several years. 

"I cannot speak as to exact date when the train was run, but it was about 
midsummer of 1831. 

"I have no doubt Mr. Clark is correct as to the date trials were made, the 
latter part of July. The excursion-train was most probably made, as Mr. 
Clark states, on August 9, 1831. Mr. Clark's account of the building of 
the engine, at the shops of the West Point Foundery, in New York, is 
correct. I think, indeed I am certain, the English engine 'John Bull' did 
not arrive until the spring of 1832. 

"I was quite interested in your biographical remarks, and hope the great 
labor you have given to prepare a correct history of the locomotive may 
prove amply remunerative. I shall be glad to see your book. It is a very 
important subject. Great progress has been made, and there is yet much to 
be done. I sometimes feel a desire to resume attention to this matter, but 
my age (seventy-five years) admonishes me that it is better to be quiet. 

"Very truly your friend,
John B. Jervis."

We will now add to our history of the early locomotives built in America 
by giving Mr. William Kimball's letter to the author upon the subject. Mr. 
Kimball was superintendent and manager of the West Point Foundery Works, 
in the city of New York, during 1829 to 1831, and for many years after.

"WEST POINT FOUNDERS OFFICE,
"NEW York, June 12, 1871.
"MR. WlLLIAM H. BROWN,  

"DEAR SIR: Your letter informs me that you are about to publish a history 
of the early locomotives built in America, and ask me for some particulars 
respecting the first locomotives built at our shops. 

"It gives me great pleasure, sir, to comply with your wishes on that 
subject; and I will commence by saying that the first locomotive ever run 
in this country was imported from England, and was called the 'Stourbridge 
Lion.' It came out in the spring of 1829; was in charge of Horatio Allen, 
Esq.; was landed from the ship John Jay at our wharf and put up at our 
works. This locomotive was for the Delaware and Hudson Canal and Railroad 
Company. 

"The first locomotive ever constructed in this country and for actual 
service upon a railroad, was undoubtedly built at our works. It was 
contracted for by Colonel E. L. Miller, of Charleston, South Carolina, for 
the South Carolina Railroad. It was commenced early in the summer of 1830, 
and completed and sent to Charleston by the ship Niagara in the month of 
October of that year. This engine was called the 'Best Friend'.

The second locomotive constructed in America was also built at our works, 
and for the South Carolina Railroad. This engine was contracted for by 
Horatio Allen, Esq., the chief engineer of the road, and was built from 
drawings sent out by him. This locomotive was called the 'West Point.' It 
was finished and sent to Charleston by the ship Lafayette, in February, 
1831.

"A third locomotive was soon after constructed at our shops. This machine 
was contracted for by John B. Jervis, Esq., chief engineer of the Mohawk 
and Hudson Railroad, and was finished and forwarded to Albany in June or 
early in July, 1831. Thus engine was called the 'De Witt Clinton.' Mr. 
David Matthew, who had charge of the hands fitting up all these engines, 
went on to Albany with the 'Clinton' to put it on the road and to run it.

"There can be no doubt whatever but that these locomotives, the 'Best 
Friend,' the 'West Point,' and the 'De Witt Clinton,' were the first ever 
built in America for actual service on a railroad. Prior to and during 
that time, from 1829 to 1831, several small machines for experimental 
purposes were built and tried, but the three above named were the first 
ordered to be built in America for actual service upon a railroad. 

"Hoping these facts may be of service to you in your forthcoming work, I 
remain, dear sir,

"Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM KIMBALL."



CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE AUTHOR'S ART.

THE following are a few of over a thousand newspaper comments and letters 
upon the author's skill in the various departments of his art. They are 
given here merely as proofs that our readers may rely upon the accuracy of 
the representation of the "De Witt Clinton" engine, cars, and passengers 
which accompanies our work, and appears in simple black outline. 

(From the Albany Argus, August, 1831)
"Decidely the best thing we have seen for many a day we met with yesterday 
in dropping into the rooms of Mr. Wi11iam H. Brown the artist on State 
street. He has taken some of the best likenesses of a number of our 
citizens in his pecu1iar styles namely, cut out of back paper with a pair 
of common scissors. The one of our old and esteemed neighbors Job Gould, 
is decidedly the most striking picture we have ever looked upon. The 
facility and correctness with which Mr. Brown takes these likenesses are 
rea11y astonishing. 

"We recognized also, at a sing1e glance others as natural as life itse1f. 
for instance, the venerab1e penny postman, Bil1y Winne, Jerry Jewe11, Mr. 
A1exander, little Chapman, the dwarf, Mr. Carter, of the Clinton, John J. 
Quackenbush, ex-Governor Meigs, Thurlow Weed, Genera1 Root, Mr. Phe1ps, 
Mr. Van Zant, and a host of others and, what is the most astonishing 
feature about them, they were all taken from memory. These individuals 
were pointed out to Mr. Brown upon the street as well-known characters in 
our city, and, after several1 hours were transferred by his magic scissors 
upon paper, if not quite as large as 1ife, at least twice as natura1." 

(From The Albany Evening Journal)
"Our friend Mr. Wi11iam H. Brown, the inimitab1e artist has fairly taken 
the Patronage of our citizens by storm. From morn to night his rooms are 
besieged by anxious applicants, awaiting their chance for the operation of 
his magic scissors. For every one accommodated three stand ready as 
successors. We are gratified at the resu1t of Mr. Brown's visit among us, 
not more for the encouragement extended to Superlative skill than the 
satisfaction of witnessing individual worth so highly appreciated. He has 
recently taken in one large picture the entire Burgess's Corps with staff 
and band in full Parade, in which the likeness of each individua1 member 
is presented with an accuracy truly surprising, and stamps Mr. Brown as a 
perfect master of his profession. Those who have not seen his portraitures 
shou1d embrace the earliest opportunity as he remains, we regret to say, 
but one week longer, his departure for that time being deferred for the 
purpose of taking the likenesses of Engine Company No. 2. The courteous 
and cheerfu1 deportment of Mr. Brown toward his visitors renders a visit 
to his rooms most agreeable and instructive." 

(From the St. Louis bulletin.)
"Great Doings at Brown's.-This wonderful artist-yes, we will out with it-
the immortal brown-has just completed the most splendid thing in his line 
that was ever seen in this city. It is nothing less than a profile 
likeness of the St. Louis engine, the two hose-carriages, and sixty-five 
members of that valiant and invincible corps. The members are all in the 
uniform of the company, forty attached to the drag-ropes of the engine, 
thirteen to the ropes of one hose-carriage and twelve to the other. We 
will take the liberty of styling it a panoramic view of the St. Louis Fire 
Company, and we are compelled to say that in this kind of panorama all 
other artists must bow in humble submission before the scissors and the 
skill of the unequaled Brown. This method of styling it will not be deemed 
inappropriate when we tell you that the whole picture occupies a space of 
twenty-five feet in length. The representation of the engine is beautiful 
indeed, and true to the very letter, and is all the work of a pair of 
small scissors and black paper. On the opposite side of the artist's room 
may be seen another specimen of his skill in a second picture of the same 
kind, representing the Missouri Fire Company, with her engine, hose-
carriage, and tender, with fifty-nine men in all. The company are 
represented in their winter costume as returning from a fire or drill, the 
whole picture presenting a fine and novel appearance, and are perfect and 
characteristic likenesses. The two pictures are intended as decorations 
for their several engine houses."

ARMORY NATCHEZ FENCIBLES.
"At a called meeting of the Natchez Fencibles, held at their armory on 
Thursday evening, June 13, 1844, the following resolutions were 
unanimously adopted: 

"1. Resolved, That the thanks of this company be tendered to Mr. William 
H. Brown for the admirable picture of this corps, just completed by him, 
which, in all its details, fully sustains the high artistical reputation 
of Mr. Brown, and has won the undivided admiration of the members of the 
Natchez Fencibles. 

"2. Resolved, That the foregoing resolution be published in the Daily 
Courier.

"LEVI S. HARRISON, 
"Secretary Latches Fencibles."

"WASHlNGTON, September 20, 1843.
"WILLIAM H. BROWN, Esq.,  

"MY DEAR SIR: Yours, postmarked Philadelphia, 1st September, addressed to 
me at Accomac Court-House, Virginia, I found on my arrival here last 
evening. I am under very many obligations to you for not publishing or 
printing the letter referred to by you without giving me the opportunity 
which you have so kindly done to correct its many imperfections. I do not 
desire it to-be published while it contains a single hard word or thought 
of any human being. I never have deliberately and wantonly wounded a 
fellow-being, though I have often done so, sometimes from a sense of duty 
and sometimes impetuously. Even if I were inclined to lash any one for 
'lashing's' sake, I do not think your intended volume would be the proper 
place for it. I do not prize my fame for the faculty of saying severe 
things very highly; and he who is gifted with the power and constrained by 
the necessity of saying harsh things, or even of speaking out his mind and 
feelings strongly, however honestly, in this world, is not apt to be 
blessed with the mild judgments of men himself. I trust now that, having 
passed the profile stage of life, and got into the author's line, you can 
look at the world full-face. I have often seen and admired your 
productions and the wonderful faculty of fixing the resemblance of men on 
paper with the aid of your scissors and black paper only. I have never 
failed to recognize a striking likeness to the original in all I have seen 
even of the most casual acquaintance. 

"With thanks for your kindness, and the flattering notice you propose to 
take of my humble self, I am, 
"Gratefully yours,
"HENRY A. DEVISE."

"Lindenwald, September __, 1843."
William H. BROWN, ESQ.,

"DEAR SIR: It affords me much satisfaction to embrace the opportunity you 
have presented me, to express the very favorable opinion I entertain of 
your skill in your peculiar style of profile cutting; and with my best 
wishes for your success in your forthcoming work. Very truly yours,

"M. VAN BUREN."

"WASHINGTON: January __, 1845.
"WILLIAM H. BROWN, ESQ.,  

DEAR SIR: I take pleasure in bearing testimony to your great aptitude in 
taking likenesses in your way, and the fidelity with which they are 
executed. I wish you great success in the work you are about to publish, 
and do not doubt but that you will make it worthy of public patronage. 
With great respect,

"I am, etc., 
"J. C. CALHOUN"

"WASHINGTON CITY January 13, l843.
"WILLIAM H. BROWN, Esq.,  

"MY DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 3d instant is before me, and in reply I 
will say that the likenesses of the members of Congress and other public 
men of the times, taken by you in your peculiar and characteristic style, 
are remarkably correct, and easily recognized at a glance. My friends 
unite in saying that the one you took of myself is a striking likeness. I 
cannot, however, see its resemblance to the original as I do in all the 
others. It is an old and very true saying, 'that if we could see ourselves 
as others see us,' etc. 

"I wish you great success in your contemplated work. It cannot otherwise 
than prove acceptable to the public, who feel an interest in the records 
of men who have devoted their best faculties to their country's service, 
which your 'Portrait Gallery' will exhibit. With great respect, 

"Yours truly,
"DANIEL WEBSTER."

"LEXINGTON, KY., October 13, 1843.
"WILLIAM H. BROWN, ESQ.,  

"DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 2d instant is received. I well remember your 
collection of the likenesses of our public men, members of Congress, the 
Cabinet, and other officials in and about Washington City, and I will say 
that I was particularly struck with their truthfulness. That of the Hon. 
John Randolph, of Roanoke, is the very perfection of your art. I shall not 
soon forget the amusement you afforded the visitors at the Blue Lick 
Springs last summer, by your delineations of many of them in your peculiar 
and characteristic style of portraiture, unequaled by any other artist in 
that way I have ever seen. 

"The work you propose to publish will, no doubt, be an interesting 
acquisition to the reading public, and I request you here to put my name 
down in the list of your subscribers for a copy as soon as it is ready for 
distribution. With great respect, I remain,

"Yours truly,
"Henry Clay."

The foregoing letters are in allusion to a "Portrait Gallery of 
Distinguished Public Men," published by the author a few years after. They 
are referred to in this work merely as further evidences of the author's 
skill in his peculiar art of sketching in black paper outline or profile, 
that our readers may rely upon the correctness of the representation of 
the "De Witt Clinton" and train, which we insert.