The history of the first locomotives in America. From original ...

183 HISTORY OF THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVES IN AMERICA,
CHAPTER XXXV.
FUETHEE EVIDENCES.
The following letter is from Mr. David Mattiew.
It is farther 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
"William H. Beown, Esq.—
" Philadelphia, February 13, 1860.
" Dear Sie : Yours of January 1 '7tli 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 Pulton,' 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 Fulton 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
18iJ2. 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 Borden-
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