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

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80<br />

HISTORY OF THE FIKST LOCOMOTIVES IN AMERICA.<br />

<strong>of</strong> Mr. Jervis, lie addressed a letter to C. F. Young, Esq.,<br />

<strong>the</strong> present general super<strong>in</strong>tendent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Delaware<br />

and Hudson Eailroad and Canal Company. Previ-<br />

ously to receiv<strong>in</strong>g Mr. Young's answer, <strong>the</strong> author ad-<br />

dressed a letter to Thomas Dickson, Esq., <strong>the</strong> president<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company, to which he received <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />

reply.<br />

" Delaware and Hudson Canal Company,<br />

"SCEANTON, February 26, 1870.<br />

" Wm. H. Beowit, Esq.,—<br />

"Dbab Sir: I have yours <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 19th <strong>in</strong>st. C. F. Young, <strong>of</strong><br />

Honesdale, PennsylTania, our general super<strong>in</strong>tendent, has been<br />

look<strong>in</strong>g up, for you, <strong>the</strong> matters you refer to, and has doubtless<br />

written you ere this. In a conversation 1 had with Mr. Young, a<br />

few days ago, he told Ae that <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> trial-trip he had<br />

found positively to have been between <strong>the</strong> 3d and 8th <strong>of</strong> August,<br />

1829. That it was <strong>in</strong> 1829, and on one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> days mentioned, <strong>the</strong>re<br />

is not <strong>the</strong> shadow <strong>of</strong> a doubt, and that it was <strong>the</strong> <strong>first</strong> locomotive<br />

run upon this cont<strong>in</strong>ent is beyond question.<br />

" We take pleasure <strong>in</strong> afford<strong>in</strong>g you every opportunity <strong>in</strong> mak-<br />

<strong>in</strong>g your <strong>in</strong>vestigation ; and, that <strong>the</strong>re may be no mistake, I will<br />

enclose your letter to Mr. Young, that his attention may be called<br />

to it aga<strong>in</strong>.<br />

" Very truly yours,<br />

" Thomas DicKsoif, President."<br />

Almost <strong>the</strong> same mail brought <strong>the</strong> long-looked-for<br />

letter from Mr. Young ; and, as he gives <strong>the</strong> date <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>first</strong> day's trial near to <strong>the</strong> consummation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> author's<br />

desire upon that subject, we will, as we promised our<br />

readers, present Mr. Young's letter, just as it was writ-<br />

ten, as every portion <strong>of</strong> it is <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest<br />

" Wm. H. Beown, Esq.,—<br />

" Office op Genekal Sopemntendent,<br />

" Delaware and Hudson Canal Company,<br />

:<br />

" Honesdale, Pa., February 23, 1870.<br />

" Dear Sir : I owe you an apology for <strong>the</strong> long delay <strong>in</strong> fur-<br />

nish<strong>in</strong>g you what <strong>in</strong>formation I might be able to obta<strong>in</strong> respect<strong>in</strong>g<br />

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