During this year he produced his first publication, “A Treatise on the Improvement of Canal Navigation,” and signed it “R. Fulton, Civil Engineer.” Much time was spent over this production for he illustrated it with seventeen plates and sent it broadcast to the distinguished men of the world. In several instances he wrote personal letters to accompany the book, by which he hoped to awaken wide interest.
He sent one letter to Governor Mifflin of Pennsylvania, another to Napoleon Bonaparte, and a third to George Washington, then President of the United States. This letter is interesting as showing how great a system of canal extension Fulton had in mind:
London, Sept. 12th, 1796.
To His Excellency, George Washington, President of the United States:
Sir;
By my Friend, Dr. Edwards, I beg leave to present you with this publication; which I hope will be honored with your Perusal at a leisure hour: the object of which is to Exhibit the Certain mode of Giving Agriculture to every Acre of the immense Continent of America By Means of a Creative System of Canals:
When this Subject first entered my thoughts, I had no Idea of its Consequences: But the Scene gradually opened and at length exhibited the most extensive and pleasing prospect of Improvements; hence I now Consider it of much national Importance; and View it like the application of those particular principles which produce certain effects:
Thus the discovery of the Mariner’s Compass Gave Commerce to the World.
The Invention of printing is dissipating darkness and giving a Polish to the Mass of Men.