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

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HISTORY OP THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVES IN AMERICA.
tread is the tread of a giant, from hill-top to hill-top. We speak
of the array of a conqueror: where is there a conqueror like
steam ? Its panoply, too, is of iron ; man has made it not less
than mortal, as it performs the work of one hundred thousand of
men's hands, and, as it is impatient of delay, it rushes through
and through the bosom of the hills, its white and feathery plume
is the ensign of a daring, a courage that treads its way through
the forest, or climbs the side of the mountain, and a power which,
while it may find its comparison in the crest of Henry IV. at
Ivry, is the precursor of the triumphs, not of war, but of peace, as
they build up the fame, not of heroes, but of the people. . . .
That the fruition of these hopes will disappoint no reasonable expectations,
but surpass them all, who of us can doubt ? The West
built up Baltimore—first with the pack-saddle, then with the
county road, then with the turnpike—as it is now about to employ
the greatest agent of modern times to realize for' us the destiny
appointed by Providence, when the waters of the fountains of the
Potomac are made to flow from the same hills that sent their
tribute to the Ohio."
In what language would Mr. Latrobe (wlio still lives
to see it) express the wonderful results of the sixteen
years whicli have succeeded the events we have just
recorded ? What comparison now would he draw of
the daily transit over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
with that daily wagon-load of from two and one-fourth
to two and a half tons, and the ultimate prospect of it
reaching five wagon-loads per day ?
Again, on this memorable occasion, the completion
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the arrival of
the first locomotive and train from Baltimore at Wheel-
ing, a guest from Cleveland, James A. Briggs, Esq.,
made these appropriate remarks in allusion to the
march of internal improvements in railways and loco-
motives :
"This is an occasion of no common interest. The men of
Maryland, and Virginia, and Ohio, and Pennsylvania, have met
here to commemorate the completion of one of the great lines of
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