Roosevelts on the Mississippi
The First Steamboat Voyage in 1811 Made by
Nicholas J. Roosevelt
To the Editor of the New York Times:
It may be worthy of note, in connection with President
Roosevelt's journey on the Mississippi, that the first
steamboat voyage on that river was made by a Roosevelt --
Nicholas J. Roosevelt -- of New York, one of Fulton's most
useful and gifted associates. The steamboat was built
at Pittsburg under Mr. Roosevelt's directions, and was ready
for its journey in September, 1811. Mr. Roosevelt was
accompanied on the journey by his wife, to whom he had been
recently married. The steamer was called New Orleans, and
Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt were received at the different places
along their route with an enthusiasm not less than that with
which President Roosevelt has been greeted. The
pioneer steamer reached New Orleans safely, and ran for some
years between that city and Natchez. It was an
enterprise that called for indomitable courage and energy,
which Nicholas J. Roosevelt evidently possessed in no less a
degree than his illustrious namesake.
HENRY MANN
New York, Oct. 4, 1907
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