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

FIRST TRUCK-ENGINE 313
the author fully sustains all the facts connected with
the early history of the English engine " Stourbridge
Lion," and the first three American engines built in the
United States, viz., the "Best Friend," the "West
Point," and the "De Witt Clinton;" and no further
evidence is required to establish these facts.
CHAPTEE XLI.
FIRST TEtrCK-EH"aiNE.
These experiments on the South Carolina EaUroad
paved the way for several others which soon after
followed, and at this day they are looked upon as more
remarkable, from the early date in locomotive enterprise
in which they were attempted, and with such surpris-
ing results. One of the most important of these early
efforts was the introduction of the truck under the
front part of the machine, to assist in sustaining the
weight of the boiler, and to give direction to the
machine in running upon curves.
As this truck attachment has now become so univer-
sally adopted, and has never been patented, we will give
a description of the first machine ever built which used
it. We' take it from a letter received by the author
from Mr. David Matthew, who superintended the hands
while constructing the machine. Mr. Matthew thus
writes
:
"American locomotive "No. 1, second series, was built at the
West Point Foundery Works, for the Mohawk and Hudson Rail-
road, from plans sent by John B. Jervis, Esq., chief engineer of that
road. I left New York in August, 1832, with the engine in charge
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