Third. The tendency of its action to rack the vessel, and render it
leaky.
Fourth. The expense of maintenance.
Fifth. The irregularity of its motion, and the motion of the water
in the boiler and cistern, and of the fuel-vessel in rough water.
Sixth. The difficulty arising from the liability of the paddles and
oars to break, if light, and from the weight, if made strong.
Nor have I ever heard of an instance, verified by other testimony
than that of the inventor, of a speedy and agreeable voyage having
been performed in a steamboat of any construction.
I am well aware that there are still many very respectable and
ingenious men who consider the application of the steam-engine to
the purpose of navigation as highly important, and as very
practicable, especially on the rapid waters of the Mississippi, and
who would feel themselves almost offended at the expression of an
opposite opinion. And, perhaps, some of the objections against it
may be avoided. That founded on the expense and weight of the fuel
may not, for some years, exist on the Mississippi, where there is a
redundance of wood on the banks; but the cutting and loading will
be almost as great an evil.
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