In 1833 Dr. Robert Bowie published his BRIEF NARRATIVE, which established William Symington's place as the originator of an effective system of Steam Navigation. Apart from an award of £150 from the Treasury purse, William Symington had received no reward or recognition for his contribution to Steam Navigation.

Joseph Clinton Robertson, patent attorney and author, founded the informative and influential Mechanics' Magazine in 1823. He strongly supported Symington in the pages of his publication. In 1841, Robertson reviewed and roundly criticised John Scott Russell's supplement to the 7th Edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica "On the Nature, Properties, and Application of Steam, and in Steam Navigation." [1]  Within that analysis, Robertson examined the contributions of James Taylor, Symington's classmate at Edinburgh University, Robert Fulton and James Watt. Robertson observed that James Taylor's only contribution to the field of Steam Navigation was to introduce Symington to Patrick Miller of Dalswinton. James Watt made no contribution-Watt considered Steam Navigation to be impracticable. On examining the claims of Symington and Fulton, whom he describes as a "mercenary adventurer", Robertson pronounced: "TO SYMINGTON ALONE WE AWARD THE HONOUR OF BEING THE SOLE INVENTOR OF STEAM NAVIGATION."

Robertson wrote that William Symington had a strong claim on the national gratitude: he cites examples of Compton being awarded £5000 for his invention of the spinning mule, and of £10,000 given to Cartwright for his power loom. Taylor's widow was awarded a pension of £50 per annum for his fictitious claim. A National debt was owed to Symington, and Robertson proposed a Testimonial to the family of William Symington and that a public subscription should be solicited. [2]

By 21 August 1841, several subscriptions had been received by the Magazine and the Editor indicated an intention to form a committee to handle the subscriptions. [3]

Robertson set up a fund-raising association called the "Symington Testimonial." The structure of the Testimonial is revealed within accounts of a law report of the case DUNDERDALE v. ROBERTSON. [4] In the Sheriff's Court at Red Lion Square, the aggrieved Dunderdale, who had been employed by the Symington Testimonial, was seeking unpaid wages.

Dr. Bowie had appointed Robertson as a Secretary of the organization; joint secretaries were Messrs. Parish and C. Payne. Committee members included Doctors Bowie and McLean. Dunderdale was employed as a clerk to collect subscriptions. An office was set up in Cornhill and furniture was procured. Wine was purchased, which Dunderdale enjoyed with Bowie and the Committee.  Dr. Robert Bowie had been the principal individual involved in setting up the Testimonial. However, Bowie's position was conflicted and improper. The aim of the Testimonial was to raise funds for the family of the ill-requited Symington, who was survived by his widow and two sons and two daughters (no mention made of his eldest and illegitimate son, James). As the husband of Symington's second daughter, Margaret, Bowie stood to benefit directly from the proceeds of the Testimonial. Bowie was struggling financially. In 1840 Robert Bowie and his brother, Dr. William Bowie, were before the Bankrupt's Court in London. [5] As was the case for all Bowie's business ventures, the Testimonial failed to flourish and it was Robertson who was charged with the failure to meet Dunderdale's wages. 

Although the members and structure of the Symington Testimonial are revealed in the newspaper reports, the concept and purpose of the "Testimonial" was not explored and the Advertiser's report observed in conclusion "It did not transpire in any part of the proceedings what the Symington Testimonial was."

A family friend, Robert Lyon, produced a printed paper after Symington's death in order to secure a "Testimonial" for his widow. [6]  Lyon's "paper" was probably printed version of the Symington Memorial which was presented to Treasury. (See entry in the correspondence of David Bell and W.H. Rankine). 

THE SYMINGTON TESTIMONIAL PAMPHLET

An eight-page pamphlet was printed to support the Testimonial which had been set up by Robertson and Dr. Bowie. [7] This undated Testimonial was followed by a second printing which included another three pages of evidence, including letters to Dr. Bowie dated 1833 and 1834. Some of this material was reproduced by John Rankine in his 1862 Biography of William Symington.

Copies of the pamphlet, titled SYMINGTON TESTIMONIAL, were kept by descendants of the inventor's son William 1802-1867, who emigrated to Australia. Another copy passed down through the family of Walter Nathaniel Bowie, a son of Dr. Robert Bowie. I have given copies to the Melbourne Museum. [8]

This TESTIMONIAL was printed after Symington's death in 1831 and the object of the publication is made clear: "The following facts concerning the Invention of Efficient Steam Navigation, are submitted to the Public for the purpose of establishing the right of the True Inventor, and his claims to some Testimonial of National Gratitude." The text of the TESTIMONIAL derives from William Symington's 1825 biography which he submitted with his Petition to the Treasury.  The Symington Testimonial pamphlet also reproduces all the affidavits which accompanied his Petition to Treasury and included an additional affidavit, dated 20th September 1827, from Alexander Sclanders who was the helmsman in the seminal trial of the Charlotte Dundas on 28th March 1803:

ALEXANDER SCLANDERS, Boat Builder, residing at Lock No. 16, on the Forth & Clyde Canal, in the County of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, maketh Oath, and sayeth, That in the month of March, 1803 he was employed by William Symington, Civil Engineer to be Helmsman, on board the “Charlotte Dundas”, Steam Boat, in a trip made from Midford Lock (No. 20) along the summit level of the Canal to Port Dundas, the distance being nineteen miles and a half; and which was performed in six hours dragging two laden vessels, the “Active” and “Euphemia,” of Grangemouth, Messrs Gow and Espline, Masters although it blew a strong breeze right a head, while on the passage; so much so, that no other vessel of any description could move to the windward in the Canal that day.

Sworn at Falkirk, in the County of Stirling upon the Twentieth day of September, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Seven, before me, one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the County of Stirling.

ALEXANDER SCLANDERS

W. COUBROUGH J.P

William Symington junior and Robert Bowie also printed a circular letter dated London, November 30, 1844, "TO WHOM THE COUNTRY IS INDEBTED FOR STEAM NAVIGATION." Symington junior kept a copy of this item, which complements the SYMINGTON TESTIMONIAL.

[1] Mechanics' Magazine, No. 940, August 14, 1841 pages 120-138

[2] Mechanics' Magazine, No. 940, August 14, 1841 page 137

[3] Mechanics' Magazine, No. 941, August 21, 1841 page 162 

[4] Morning Advertiser Friday July 25 1845 page 3; Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper Sunday 27 July 1845 page 3

[5] The Times (London) Friday 7 March 1840 Issue 17299 page 3-from the London Gazette Friday 6 March

[6] Note from J.A. Lyon to H.A. Salvesen of Grangemouth, dated 13 December 1890

[7] Sheets measure 20.5 by 25.5 cm; paper not watermarked; sheets sewn at the margin

[8] The Bowie copy now held by descendant of Walter Nathaniel Bowie and his daughter Edith Emily Elizabeth Bowie 

TRANSCRIPT OF THE ELEVEN PAGE VERSION OF THE SYMINGTON TESTIMONIAL PAMPHLET

I have not altered the minor errors or variations in spelling from the original, which I have marked with an asterix *.

S Y M I N G T O N   T E S T I M O N I A L.

     The following facts concerning the Invention of Efficient Steam Navigation, are submitted to the Public for the purpose of establishing the right of the True Inventor, and his claims to some Testimonial of National Gratitude.

     WILLIAM SYMINGTON, the Real Inventor of Efficient Steam Navigation, was a native of Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland;—intended for the church, he received an excellent education, but his predeliction for Mechanics defeated that intention.

     Before completing his twentieth year, he conceived the idea that the Steam Engine could be rendered available for the propulsion of Land Carriages, an idea he afterwards embodied in a Working Model, which (by the advice of Mr. Meason, manager and part proprietor of the Wanlock-Head Lead Mines,) he exhibited to the Professors of the University of Edinburgh, and other Scientific Gentlemen in that Metropolis, who were so much pleased, both with Mr. Symington and his Invention, that they strongly recommended to Mr. Meason not to lose sight of so promising a genius,—a recommendation so much in accordance with that gentleman's own inclination, that he sent him to the University of Edinburgh, the succeeding winter, where it appears by Certificates Nos. 15 and 16, he was matriculated as a Student.  

     Among those who examined the Model in Edinburgh, was Mr. Miller, of Dalswinton, who had spent much time, and no little money in experimenting on Ordnance and Naval Architecture. Among his other schemes he attempted to propel double-keeled Vessels, by turning Paddle Wheels, with a Capstan, but up to the time he saw the Steam Carriage Model, he had used no other propelling power than that of men. After expressing his admiration of the Model, he told Mr. Symington that he too was an Inventor, and described his boats, and the disappointment he felt in the power he employed not being sufficiently effective.—Mr. Symington then said "Why do you not use the Steam Engine?" and proceeded to show how it could be connected with the wheels of the boat, using the Model of the Steam Carriage to explain his meaning:—convinced by this explanation, Mr. Miller expressed a wish that as soon as he could devote attention to the subject, Mr. Symington would construct a Steam Engine of a similar kind to that which he had invented, and fit it into a double-keeled boat, with which Mr. Milller was experimenting.

     It was not until the autumn of 1788 that he could get everything in readiness, being engaged in constructing and fitting up machinery for the Wanlock Lead Mining Company. When the Steam Boat was tried, it proved most successful, (Vid. affid. ii. iii;)—which induced Mr. Miller to give orders that one of his larger experimental Boats, and a Steam Engine of greater magnitude and power, should be got ready:—this was done, and in 1789, amidst the cheers of assembled multitudes, she was propelled on the Forth and Clyde Canal, at the speed of nearly 6 miles an hour, (Vid. affid. iv., v., vi., vii., viii;) but here when success had so signally crowned his efforts, Mr. Symington had the misfortune of losing the co-operation of Mr. Miller, who most unaccountably, wholly and for ever abandoned Steam Navigation.

     From that time until the year 1800, this invaluable Nautical Auxiliary was allowed to lie dormant, the state of its Inventor's pecuniary resources being such as to prevent his attempting to carry it farther unaided;—but It so happened that one day while going to examine a field of coal, he intended to rent or purchase, he heard some one calling to him, and on looking round saw Lord Dundas beckoning to him from the window of his carriage, which had just passed; on going up to the carriage, his Lordship told him that having seen his former Steam Boat experiments, he had come down from London principally on purpose

2

to see him, and learn whether Steam Boats could not be substituted for the horses used in dragging vessels on the Forth and Clyde canal, of which his Lordship was a large proprietor and governor. Mr. Symington, fortunately for his country and the world in general, although most unfortunately for himself and family, gave up all thoughts of the Colliery, and returned home elated with the thoughts of being able to re-embark in his favourite project under such promising auspices. On subsequently waiting on his lordship by appointment, an arrangement was speedily effected, and in 1801, (vid. affid. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. x. xi. xii. xiii. xiv. xv.) the first boat, named the "Charlotte Dundas," (in honor of his Lordship's daughter, afterwards Lady Milton,) built for the express purpose of being propelled by a Steam Engine, after making a trip to Glasgow, was set to work, and towed on various occasions, vessels in the Canal, besides running down into the River Forth, and dragging thence at one time up the River Carron, into the Canal at Grangemouth, four or five Sloops, detained by a contrary wind. Although thus far successful, the Proprietors of the Canal, with the exception of Lord Dundas, fearing its banks might be injured by the undulation caused by the paddle wheels, ordered it to be discontinued.—His Lordship, however, who was not so easily prejudiced or discouraged, advised Mr. Symington to get a Model of his Boat constructed, and take it to London,—an advice which was followed by Mr. Symington himself taking the Model to Arlington Street, (No. 17,) and presenting it to his Lordship, who was so much pleased with it, that he introduced him to his Grace the Duke of Bridgewater:—who not only expressed his admiration of the plan, but immediately gave orders that eight boats of similar construction should be got ready as speedily as possible, for his Canal. Soon after his interview with the Duke of Bridgewater, Mr. Symington returned to Scotland, and completed his second and largest Steam Boat, likewise named the "Charlotte Dundas," for Lord Dundas.—This Boat was tried in March, 1803, when she towed two laden Sloops, the "Active" and "Euphemia," of 70 tons burthen each, from Lock No. 20, to Port Dundas, Glasgow, 19 ½ miles, in six hours, notwithstanding that during the whole time so strong an adverse gale prevailed, that no other vessel in the canal could that day move to windward. But even this farther proof of the efficiency of the Invention, did not remove the objections of the Managers of the Canal Company, and they peremptorily ordered all further trials to be discontinued. The Boat was therefore laid up in a creek of the canal, at Bainsford, and Mr. Symington had to suspend his attempts to introduce Steam Navigation in that quarter,—especially as on the very day he made his successful experiment in towing the "Active" and "Euphemia," he was informed by Lord Dundas of the decision of the Canal Managers, and also of the death of the Duke of Bridgewater.

     The experiments made under the patronage of Lord Dundas were far more perfect than those for Mr. Miller, as a direct acting Engine and Crank, for procuring a rotary motion were substituted for the Engine and Ratchet Wheels, used in the first boats: indeed it maybe said, that here commenced the present system of Steam Navigation.

     For several years from this time Mr. Symington resumed his usual Engineering avocations, and would soon have become independent, but for the difficulties in which his Steam Boat experiments had involved him, having cost him not only several thousand pounds of his own monies, but also considerable sums belonging to his family.

     In 1824 he endeavoured to bring his claims under the notice of Government, and through the kind interest, of Sir George Clerk, and Sir Ronald Ferguson, obtained £100 from the privy purse of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, and a further sum of £50, a year or two afterwards. Sir Ronald Ferguson told Mr. Symington there was no doubt the £50 would be continued annually, but no additional allowance was ever granted, although the expense incurred in collecting evidence and coming to London, exceeded all he ever received for his trouble.

     For the last two or three years of his life, he was, with Mrs. Symington, totally dependant* for support on the members of his family, resident in London. He came to London for the last time in 1829, labouring under a painful and dangerous disease, but by medical care, and other attentions he received, he so far recovered as to be able to resume his mechanical pursuits, and soon afterwards to endeavour to procure a Parliamentary investigation of his claims. The latter object, however, he could not attain, a circumstance which preyed so much upon his mind, that his malady made rapid progress, and he died on the 22nd of March, 1831, wounded in spirit, and broken down by misfortunes.

     The merit of having invented Steam Navigation, has been claimed by several individuals, or by their supporters for them. Three of these, Messrs. Miller, Fulton, and Bell, certainly aided in its introduction; but the fourth, Mr. Taylor, a native of Camnock, Ayrshire, there is no doubt did more to retard than facilitate its progress.

     It does not appear that Mr. Miller himself ever claimed the honor of the invention, but his representatives attempted to do so for him. He certainly contributed to Mr. Symington's experiments, boats, and to a considerable extent, money, but did little else, as double-keeled Boats, with paddle wheels, were well known, and described long before his day.

3

     Mr. Fulton, it is proved beyond the possibility of dispute, was on board of Mr. Symington's first "Charlotte Dundas," and in the month of July, 1801, was carried in her 8 miles, on the Forth and Clyde Canal, in an hour and twenty minutes; received explanations, and took sketches both of the boat and her machinery, prior to his being able to succeed in propelling a Steam vessel on the Hudson, in 1807, (vid. affid. 10.)

     Mr. Bell was also often on hoard of Mr. Symington's boats, intruded himself, (even offensively) among the pattern makers and constructors of Mr. Symington's Steam Boat Machinery, in the Carron Iron Works; and had many opportunities, of which he repeatedly availed himself, of examining the Steam Boat laid up in Bainsford Creek, before he succeeded in producing the "Comet," in 1811—at first, a very imperfect Boat, and far inferior on a river both in power and performance to any of Mr. Symington's Boats on a Canal.

     Mr. Taylor contributed nothing whatever to the Invention: he was a Tutor in the family of Mr. Miller, when he was experimenting with his double-keeled vessels. He was intimately acquainted with Mr. Symington, and on the most friendly terms with him—indeed they were fellow students and fellow lodgers, while attending the College classes in Edinburgh, during the session of 1786-7, after Mr. Symington had exhibited his Steam Carriage Model the preceding summer. Trusting to the want of suspicion on the part of Mr. Symington, and to the secrecy of his own proceedings, he attempted to make it appear that he suggested the idea of Steam Navigation to Mr. Miller, after a certain boat race, which took place at Leith, in February, 1787, although as already stated it was in the summer of 1786 that Mr. Miller inspected Mr. Symington's Steam Carriage Model. In a cunningly devised memorial, (which he addressed to Sir Henry Parnell, in 1824, then Chairman of a select Committee on the subject of Steam Vessels,) Mr. Taylor advanced his pretensions to the Invention, but that enlightened Statesman declared that he saw nothing entitling him to remuneration: he afterwards made application to Mr. Huskisson, who likewise rejected it;—but after Mr. Taylor's death, through misrepresentation, "the grand National Mistake" was made of awarding £50 to his Widow, for his supposed services as the Inventor or Introducer of Steam Navigation; although all he ever did to forward it, was the bringing together of Messrs. Miller and Symington.

     To afford a ready means of judging of the respective claims of the parties interested, the following summary is appended.

     In 1786, Mr. Symington exhibited a Working Model of a Steam Carriage in Edinburgh, and suggested Steam

Navigation.

     In 1788, he superintended the construction of a Steam Engine of "his own invention, and the fitting of it into one of Mr. Miller's pleasure boats, which boat was successfully propelled that year on Dalswinton Lake, by the power of Steam.

     In 1789, a larger Boat with a more powerful Engine of the same kind, was successfully propelled by Steam on the Forth and Clyde Canal.

     In 1800, he was engaged by Lord Dundas to construct Steam Tugs for the Forth and Clyde Canal.

   In 1801, the "Charlotte Dundas" Steam Tug was repeatedly tried on the Canal; towed Vessels there, and up the Rivers Forth and Carron, into Grangemouth, and carried Mr. Fulton, the American Engineer, 8 miles on the Canal, in an hour and twenty minutes. In the same year he patented his direct-acting Steam Engine, for propelling vessels.

    In 1802 and 1803, the second "Charlotte Dundas," a larger and more powerful Boat, towed Vessels on the Canal; and on one particular occasion dragged two laden Sloops of 70 tons burthen each, the "Active and Euphemia," a distance of 19 ½ miles in six hours, against a strong adverse gale.

    His experiments were here ended, through the fear of the Managers of the Canal, that its banks might be injured by the undulation caused by the wheels.

      In 1807, Mr. Fulton first succeeded in propelling a Vessel by Steam on the Hudson.

    In 1811, Mr. Bell's first Boat, the "Comet" was tried, and set to work on the Clyde. Mr. Bell as well as Mr. Fulton had been on board of Mr. Symington's Boats, and satisfied himself of their efficiency.

4

Copies of Affidavits respecting the Invention of Steam Navigation.

1.WILLIAM SYMINGTON, Civil Engineer, now residing at Falkirk, in the County of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland; produces herewith and refers to a memorial containing a narrative of his connection with the Invention of Steam Boat Navigation; each page of which memorial is subscribed by the deponent as relative hereto, and he maketh oath and sayeth, That the said Memorial contains a true Narrative of Facts as connected with the said Invention. And he further sweareth that he did not receive any aid or assistance of any kind to enable him to invent and apply a Steam Engine to the propelling of Boats.

     "Sworn at Woodburn, in the County of Stirling, upon the First day of December, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Stirling.

     (Signed,)               WILLIAM SYMINGTON.

                                     JOHN CALLENDER, J. P."

     2. ALEXANDER CARLAW, formerly residing at Wanlockhead, in the County of Dumfries, now farmer of Powfoulis in the County of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, maketh oath, and sayeth, That he knew William Symington, Engineer, at present residing in Falkirk in the said County of Stirling. That he has access to know that the said William Symington made certain experiments in the Autumn of the year 1788, by applying a small Steam Engine to propel a Boat on a piece of water near the House of Dalswinton in the County of Dumfries. That in the the* Summer preceding he was instructed by the said William Symington to forge various pieces of iron-work which were employed in the above-mentioned experiment. He further sweareth that the application of a Steam Engine to the propelling of a Boat upon water, was generally said and universally believed the invention of the said William Symington, and who was at that time patronized by Patrick Miller, Esq. of Dalswinton, now deceased; and the deponent understands, and it consists with his knowledge, that the said experiments were further prosecuted upon a larger scale by the said William Symington in the following year, being 1789, upon the Great Canal, near Carron Iron Works, also under the patronage of the said Patrick Miller, Esq,

     "Sworn at Falkirk, in the County of Stirling, upon the Fourth Day of November, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Pence for the County of Stirling.

     (Signed,)            ALEXANER* CARLAW.

                                  WILLIAM COUBOURGH, J. P."

     3. RICHARD YOUNG, residing in Edinburgh, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, Grocer, maketh oath, and sayeth, that he was Gardener to Peter* Miller, of Dalswinton, in the County of Dumfries, in Scotland, aforesaid, for several years prior and posterior to the year 1788. That some time in the course of the said year, William Symington, Engineer, presently residing at Falkirk, then at Wanloch-Head in Dumfrieshire aforesaid, did occupy one of the rooms in the house of the deponent, as a workshop, where the said William Symington constructed a piece of machinery worked by Steam, which he fitted into a boat then lying on a small lake near Dalswinton House.

     That the deponent was present, along with several other persons, when the said boat was propelled by means of the said Engine, apparently to the satisfaction of the said Patrick Miller and the other persons present; and it consists with the knowledge of the deponent, that the said Patrick Miller never did propel any Boat by means of Steam till it was done, as above described, by the said William Symington, and he also knows that several other experiments were afterwards made by the said William Symington upon the Forth and Clyde Canal, when he understood the said William Symington completely succeeded in applying the power of the Steam Engine to the propelling of Boats. That the deponent does not remember to have seen Mr. Miller or Mr. Taylor—who was then tutor in Mr. Miller's family—aiding or assisting the said William Symington in the construction of the said Steam Engine, otherwise than under the immediate direction of the said William

5

Symington; and in the construction thereof, and in erecting it on board of the said Boat, the depositor believes the whole to have been done by Mr. Symington as Engineer, and the workmen under his direction.

     "Sworn at Edinburgh, the Seventh day of September, in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty five, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the City of Edinburgh.

     (Signed,)            RICHARD YOUNG.

                                  JAMES SPITTAL." J. P."

     4. JOSEPH STAINTON Esq., of Biggarshiels, Manager for Carron Company, at Carron in the County of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, maketh oath, and sayeth, That he knows William Symington, Engineer, at Falkirk. That he has access to know that the said William Symington made certain experiments in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine, by applying a Steam Engine to propel a boat along the Forth and Clyde Canal. That the machinery for said experiment was made at Carron under the direction of the said William Symington, and the expense thereof amounting to Three Hundred and Sixty Three Pounds, Ten Shillings and Ten Pence, was paid to Carron Company by the now deceased Patrick Miller, Esq., of Dalswinton. That the deponent has seen the Boat in which the said experiments were made, and has frequently heard the experiments mentioned. That in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and One, or about that time, the said William Symington was employed by the now deceased Thomas Lord Dundas, to erect a Boat and construct a Steam Engine to propel it along the said Canal. That the deponent saw the said Boat when completed, and had access to know that it was employed in the way of experiment, to drag vessels along the Canal. That it consists with the deponent's knowledge, Robert Weir was employed by the said William Symington about the said Boat. That he knew the said Robert Weir, who now resides at Kincardine, to be a man of respectable character and of veracity. That the said William Symington afterwards constructed a larger Boat, and the deponent had access to see both the Boats and to know that they were propelled by Steam.

     "Sworn at Carron, in the County of Stirling, upon the Thirtieth day of November, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Stirling.

     (Signed,)        J. STAINTON.

                             JOHN CALLENDER, J. P."

     5. HENRY STAINTON, Esq., formerly residing at Carron Iron Works in the County of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, presently residing at Carron Company's warehouse, London, maketh oath, and sayeth, That he knew William Symington, Civil Engineer, at Falkirk, in the County of Stirling aforesaid. That he had access to know that the said William Symington made certain experiments in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty nine, by applying a Steam Engine to propel a boat along the Forth and Clyde Canal. That the machinery for the said experiment was made at Carron agreeably to the direction of the said William Symington, then under the patronage of Patrick Miller, Esq., of Dalswinton. That the deponent has seen the Boat in which the experiments were made, and has frequently heard the experiments mentioned. That in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and One, or about that time, the said William Symington was employed by the now deceased Thomas Lord Dundas to build a Boat, and construct a Steam Engine to propel it along the said Canal. That the deponent saw the said Boat when completed, and had access to know that it was employed in the way of experiment, to drag vessels along the said Canal, which he believes came fully up to the expectations of the parties concerned.

     "Sworn at London, upon the Twenty Seventh day of January, in the Year Eighteen Hundred and Twenty Five, before me

     (Signed,)        HENRY STAINTON.

                             JOHN GARRETT, Mayor."

     6. WILLIAM BLACKIE, residing at Edinburgh, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, Pattern Maker at the Carron* Iron Foundry, in Edinburgh, aforesaid, maketh oath, and sayeth, That about the year 1789 he was Pattern Maker at the Carron Iron Foundry in the County of Stirling, in Scotland aforesaid, when William Symington Civil Engineer, presently

6

residing at Falkirk, in the County of Stirling, aforesaid, then residing at Carron aforesaid, gave the deponent directions for the modelling of various pieces of machinery to be used, as the deponent understood, in a Steam Engine. That he remembers witnessing the experiment made by the said William Symington with a Boat propelled by the said Engine, with paddle wheels, upon the Forth and Clyde Canal, in the year 1789. That the deponent thought at the time, and still has reason to believe, that the experiment which he then witnessed was successful, and produced the experiments made by the said William Symington, in the years 1801, 1802, and 1803. That some time in the year 1801, the said William Symington gave the deponent directions for modelling various other pieces of Machinery for propelling a Boat. That the deponent witnessed the experiments made by the said William Symington with the said Boat upon the Forth and Clyde Canal aforesaid, in the year 1801, 1802, and 1803, that the deponent believed at the time, and still believes, that the motion produced in the said Boat, by means of the Engine aforesaid, was equal or similar to the motion produced by the Engines now in common use in Steam Boat Navigation.

     "Sworn at Edinburgh, the Twenty-ninth day of October, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the City of Edinburgh

     (Signed,)       WILLIAM BLACKIE.

                             ALEXANDER BERWICK, J. P."

     7. JAMES BLACKIE, residing at Edinburgh, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, Manager of the Calton Iron Foundry at Edinburgh, aforesaid, maketh Oath, and sayeth, That some time in the year 1801, he was one of the Pattern Makers at the Carron Iron Works, in the County of Stirling, in Scotland, aforesaid, when William Symington, Civil Engineer, presently residing at Falkirk, in the aforesaid County, then residing at Kinnaird, County aforesaid, gave the deponent directions for the modelling of various pieces of machinery. That the deponent after adapting the said pieces of machinery to a Steam Engine, placed in a Boat then lying in the Forth and Clyde Canal, in the County of Stirling aforesaid, did witness an experiment made with the said Boat, propelled by the said Engine, under the direction of the said William Symington. That it consists with the knowledge of the deponent, that the said Boat was moved upon the Canal by means of the said Engine, a considerable number of miles, but the deponent cannot charge his memory with the precise number. That the deponent believes the motion produced in the said Boat by means of the said engine, was equal, or similar, to that produced by the Engines of a like power now in common use in Steam Navigation. That some time thereafter, the deponent made a complete model of the said Boat and Steam Engine, all under the direction of the said William Symington. That the deponent thereafter witnessed various experiments made by the said William Symington in the years 1802 and 1803, which the deponent knows to have had an equal or greater success than the preceding experiments.

     "Sworn at Edinburgh, the Twenty-seventh day of October, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the City of Edinburgh.

     (Signed,)        JAMES BLACKIE.

                            ALEXANDER HENDERSON, J. P."

     8. DAVID DRYSDALE, residing at Bainsford, in the county of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, Mariner, maketh oath, and sayeth, That in the month of October, 1789, he acted as Helmsman on board of a Boat then lying in the Forth and Clyde Canal, in Stirlingshire aforesaid. That this Boat had been built upon a particular construction, and was propelled upon the water by means of a Steam Engine. That the deponent understood that William Symington, Civil Engineer, now residing at Falkirk, in the County of Stirling, constructed the said Steam Engine. That the deponent remembers, while he acted as Helmsman, the said William Symington superintended the whole operations performed in the course of the experiment, and it consists with the knowledge of the deponent, that the boat so propelled moved at the rate at which Boats are generally dragged on Canals, or as near as the deponent can remember, at the rate of 4 ½ or 5 miles an hour.

     "Sworn at Bainsford, the Thirteenth day of October, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Stirling.

     (Signed,)        DAVID DRYSDALE.

                             JOHN CALLENDER, J. P."

7

     9. ALEXANDER HART, residing at Grangemouth, in the county of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, Ship Builder, maketh oath, and sayeth, That some time in the year 1801, William Symington, Civil Engineer, now residing at Falkirk, instructed the deponent to build a Boat of a peculiar construction, adapted for the reception of a Steam Engine. That the deponent accordingly did proceed to build such a Boat under the direction of the said William Symington. That he adapted a Boat for the reception of a Steam Engine, and thereafter he assisted to place the Steam Engine into the Boat previous to Its removal to the Forth and Clyde Canal.

     "Sworn at Grangemouth, the Nineteenth day of October, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Stirling.

     (Signed,)        ALEXANDER HART.

                             JOHN MOREHEAD, J. P."

     10. ROBERT WEIR, residing at Kincardine, in the County of Perth, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, maketh oath, and sayeth, That he is acquainted with William Symington, Engineer, at Falkirk. That he was employed by him for several years. That in the year 1801, he remembers of Mr. Symington erecting a Boat and fitting a Steam Engine into it, and dragging two Vessels along the Forth and Clyde Canal, by means of the said Steam Boat. That the deponent was employed as Engine Fireman on board of the said Boat. That during the experiment the now deceased Thomas Lord Dundas and several gentlemen were on board the Steam Boat, deposes that the following persons now living were also on board, viz; Alexander Hart and John Allen, Shipbuilders, Grangemouth, and John Esplin and William Gow, Shipmasters, there. That some time after the first experiment, while the Boat was lying upon the Canal, at Lock No. 16, it was visited by a stranger who requested to see the Boat worked. That the said William Symington desired the deponent to light the furnace, which was done, and the stranger was carried about four miles along the Canal and brought back. That this stranger made inquiries both as to the mode of constructing and of working the Boat, and took notes of the information given him by the said William Symington. That the deponent heard the stranger say his name was Fulton, and that he was a native of the United States of America. That the deponent remembers Mr. Symington remarking, that the progress of the Boat was much impeded by the narrowness of the Canal, to which Mr. Fulton answered, that the objection would not apply to the large rivers of North America, where he thought the Boat might be used to great advantage.

     "Sworn at Blair Castle, in the County of Perth, upon the Twenty-third day of October, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Perth.

     (Signed,)        ROBRT* WEIR.

                             ROBERT DUNDAS, J. P."

     11. JOHN ALLAN, residing at Grangemouth, in the County of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland maketh oath, and sayeth, That sometime in the year 1802, William Symington, Civil Engineer, now residing at Falkirk, instructed the deponent to build a Boat of a peculiar construction adapted to the reception of a Steam Engine, that the deponent did proceed to build such a Boat under the direction of the said William Symington, and that he adapted the Boat for the reception of a Steam Engine, and thereafter he assisted to place the Steam Engine into the Boat, previous to its removal to the Forth and Clyde Canal.

     "Sworn at Grangemouth, the Nineteenth day of October, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Four,

before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Stirling.

     (Signed,)        JOHN ALLAN,

                            JOHN MOREHEAD, J. P."

     12. JOHN ESPLINE, residing at Grangemouth, in the County of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, Shipmaster, maketh oath and sayeth, That some time in the year 1803, he was Master of the Sloop "Euphemia," of Grangemouth, aforesaid, that he was in the way of proceeding from thence, upon the Forth and Clyde Canal, to Port Dundas with the said vessel, having on board a full Cargo. That the vessel, along with the sloop "Active," of the said Port, being also

8

deeply loaded, were taken in drag at Lock No. 20, by a Steam Boat onboard of which William Symington, Civil Engineer, now residing at Falkirk, superintended all the operations during the time the vessels were in drag. That so far as the deponent remembers the vessels arrived at Port Dundas in the space of six hours, or thereby, from the time of their being taken in drag at Lock No. 20, a distance of 19 ½ miles.

     "Sworn at Grangemouth, the Nineteenth day of October, Eighteen Hundred and Twenty Four, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Stirling.

      (Signed,)       JOHN ESPLINE.

                             JOHN MOREHEAD, J. P."

(* there is no affidavit 13. GS)

     14. ALEXANDER SCLANDERS, Boat Builder, residing at Lock No. 16, on the Forth and Clyde Canal, in the County of Stirling, in that part of the United Kingdom called Scotland, maketh Oath, and sayeth, That in the month of March, 1803, he was employed by William Symington, Civil Engineer, to be Helmsman, on board the "Charlotte Dundas," Steam Boat, in a trip made from Midford Lock (No. 20) along the summit level of the Canal to Port Dundas, the distance being nineteen miles and a half; and which was performed in six hours, dragging two laden vessels, the "Active" and "Euphemia," of Grangemouth, Messrs. Gow and Espline, Masters, although it blew a strong breeze right a head, while on the passage; so much so, that no other vessels of any description could move to the windward in the Canal that day.

     Sworn at Falkirk, in the County of Stirling, upon the Twentieth day of September, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Seven, before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Stirling.

     (Signed)         ALEXANDER SCLANDERS.

                             W. COUBROUGH, J. P."

Mr. GOW, Master of the Sloop "Active," also expressed his willingness to make affidavit as to the experiments in which he was concerned, but died before it could be done.

9

The following Evidence has since been collected.

     15. Mr. JAMES FLINT, "James Watt" Steam Boat.           "Edinburgh, 20th April, 1833.

Dear Sir,-I have examined the College Album, and find that William Symington is registered as a Student In Dr. Black's Class for the year 1786.

I am, Dear Sir, Your's truly,

     (Signed)         COLIN CAMERON."

     16. From SIR JAMES EYRE to ROBERT BOWIE, Esq.    "Edinburgh, Oct. 20th, 1833, 10, Hill Square.

My Dear Sir, True to my promise, I searched the College Books for the names which you desired me to look for William Symington I find in 1786, as a Student in Anatomy, Chymistry, and Chirurgery, and James Taylor (the only one there) is entered as a Scholar in the above branches also in 1784. 1785. and 1786, the last is the same year as Mr. Symington. There is a J. Taylor also, medical, but whether John or James does not appear, in 1786 only. These are all the persons of the name I could see. Mr. Snodgrass, an Engineer, of York Street, Glasgow, saw your Pamphlet in my hands, and after perusing it, said, he was so satisfied of your Father-in-Law's claim that he should keep the book and take it with him to America, and read it to the people of the Country. His remark was, and his judgment is much esteemed, "what a pity but this matter had been brought forward sooner." * * * * * * * * and believe me to be

     My Dear Sir, Your's, very truly,

     (Signed,)        JAMES EYRE."

The portion of the letter left uncopied refers altogether to professional matters, and is perfectly unconnected with Steam Nagivation.

     17. "Mr. ROBERT BOWIE, Bishopsgate Street.    Leith and Glasgow Wharf, 25th June, 1833.

Dear Sir,—In answer to your application, 1 cannot have the least hesitation in stating, that I remember perfectly well accompanying the late Mr. W. Symington when he presented the Model of his Steam Boat to the late Right Honourable Lord Dundas, at his house in Arlington Street. This circumstance took place sometime between the years 1801 and 1803; and during the examination and Mr. Symington's explanation of the application of various parts of the machinery, his Lordship expressed himself highly satisfied and convinced that Steam would speedily be brought into use afloat. At the same time stated to Mr. Symington, that he had had a conversation with his Grace, alluding to the Duke of Bridgewater; and that if he, Mr. S., whould* wait upon his Grace, he would get an order for two or more Boats immediately.

     I am, Dear Sir, your's* truly,

     (Signed,)        JOSEPH ADAMS."

     18. "I remember having seen Mr. William Symington's Steam Boat, built for Lord Dundas, in the year 1801 or 1802, and called the " Charlotte Dundas, tow into the Harbour of Grangemouth, from the Watermouth, a distance of at least three miles, four or five Sloops, attached to each other; and also drag from Grangemouth to No. 10, three Sloops, a distance of four miles; both of which operations were performed with the greatest ease.

     At any time I am willing to make Oath to the truth of this statement.

     London, May 15th, 1833.          (Signed,)            ALEXANDER FRASER."

10

     19. MR. BOWIE.

Sir,—I hereby certify, and if it be necessary, am willing to declare upon Oath, that I remember Messrs. William Symington and James Taylor being at Carron Works during the construction of Machinery for a Steam Boat, in the year 1789. That all instructions and drawings given respecting the said Machinery, were by Mr. Symington. And that I considered Mr. Taylor as a spy placed upon Mr. Symington's conduct by Mr. Miller, an opinion which was very generally entertained.

Carron Warehouse, London, May 13th, 1833.           (Signed,)            HENRY STAINTON,

                                                                                                              15, Upper Thames Street."

     20.                                                                                                             "50, Broad Street, January 31st, 1834.

Dear Sir,—I have perused with great interest and attention the statement and affidavits left with me, and have great pleasure in saying, that my view of the question corresponds fully with your own. The purity of Mr. Symington's attention to the subject is firmly established; and the claims of Bell, Miller, Fulton, and Taylor, are completely set at rest by the clear and decisive affidavits which you have produced. That Steam Navigation was attempted by Jonathan Hulls, cannot be denied; but that it was first brought into effectual application by the excellent experiments of Mr. Symington, appears to me to be indisputable. That he has consequently, large claims upon the substantial gratitude of his Country, will be readily admitted by every one who casts his eyes over all the rivers and seas which have ever yet been navigated.

     With every good wish for the success of your efforts in behalf of the family of this very ingenious mechanic,

     I remain, very faithfully your's*

Robert Bowie, Esq.                                                     (Signed,)            GEORGE BIRKBECK.

     21.                                                                                                "21, Great Coram Street, 15th February, 1834.

Dear Sir,—In answer to yours of the 5th Inst., I can only say, that so much time has elapsed since any conversation passed between Mr. Fulton and myself on the subject to which you allude, that I have but an indistinct recollection of what occurred between that gentleman and myself respecting his first idea as to the practability* of Steam Navigation. The impression, however, is on my mind, that he received his first hints from some experiments that he had witnessed in Scotland. I do not remember of his ever having mentioned any one being concerned in making these experiments in that Country but Mr. Symington.

     I remain, your's*, very truly,

Mr. Bowie.                                                                  (Signed,)            JACOB PERKINS."

The two succeeding Letters were only lately discovered; and they prove that neither Mr. Miller nor Lord Dundas considered Mr. Taylor the proper party to whom to apply for information concerning the origin of Steam Navigation.

     22. Letter from Mr. P. MILLER to Mr. W. SYMINGTON.                             "Edinburgh, 3rd February, 1824.

Sir, As I was not at home when you was employed by my father to erect a small Steam Engine for him in a pleasure boat of his, at Dalswinton, with which the first steam experiment, now on record, was made in the year 1788; nor had I an opportunity of being present at the second experiment, made the subsequent year, on the Forth and Clyde Canal, likewise under your management; may I request you to be so obliging as to inform me if you was acquainted with any practical system of Steam Navigation that existed prior to that period, from which you could have derived any assistance in earning my father's project into effect; or, if you considered the speculations you were then engaged in as original in themselves at the time, for I never heard of any of the individuals who were engaged in the matter, that had either ever seen or ever heard of Mr. Jonathan Hull's pamphlet.

     Being credibly informed that a Mr. Henry Bell, of Helensburgh, near Glasgow, has publicly stated that my father's experiments failed; might I also request you to be so obliging as mention what could have given him a handle for a groundless and unfounded mistake, for at least such did not happen at Dalswinton, as I can shew by abundance of living testimony at this very day. I also know that there are many still alive who witnessed the experiment both days after the wheels were

11 

repaired, who are ready to bear evidence, that every thing the reverse of failure took place on that occasion, and that these two day's experiments were as complete in success as any that have hitherto been made; and I would at the same time thank you to say, if you know whether this Mr. Bell was ever amongst the spectators upon the occasion.

     I have learnt, however, that some years thereafter he applied to you to see the vessel you constructed for the Canal Company, and that you shewed and explained every thing particularly to him, from whence he derived the skill he possesses in this matter; and likewise understand that Mr. Fulton, the American Engineer, was also at Carron, and had the benefit of seeing the vessel and receiving instructions from you on the Steam system, which he so promptly and successfully carried into effect.

     I hope it will be convenient for you, on receipt of this, to give me the information of which I at present request the favour; and be so good as to address to me at the Albyn Club, Princes Street, where I shall be for a few days, previous to my return to Dalswinton.

     I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant,

To Mr. W. SYMINGTON.                              (Signed,)            PATRICK MILLER."

     23. From the RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS LORD DUNDAS to Mr. SYMINGTON, Civil Engineer.

Dear Sir, I was extremely sorry to hear that you had been at the House while I was from home; I beg to explain the cause of my absence, and the step I had taken to meet the chance of your arrival, and I must first state, that not having heard from you, I hardly thought you were able to accept the appointment I had made. Having accepted an invitation to sleep at Dunmore, on Friday, I came over here during that day and requested my Son's Tutor to receive you in the event of your coming to breakfast. Mr. Simpson, however, was not aware that you had been at Carsehall, or he would have done all in his power to make up for my absence, and if possible, would have induced you to remain till my return.

     It was well known to me that you the first person who propelled boats by Steam; and I well recollect the trial boat lying near the Drawbridge; the present model is a different one from that possessed by you; but I do not know if Mr. Bell used at first the "eccentric" now in common use.

     The "Auletic Wheel" I do not understand, but I will have the pleasure of calling upon you on Wednesday, when I shall be happy to receive your lecture, how much or how little of it may be within my sphere of comprehension.

     I am, Dear Sir, your very obedient Servant,

                                                                        (Signed,)            THOMAS DUNDAS."

LETTER FROM WILLIAM SYMINGTON AND ROBERT BOWIE DATED 30 NOVEMBER 1844

To complement the Symington Testimonial pamphlet, William Symington's son William had the following letter, together with  an extract from the Mechanics' Magazine, published as a pamphlet.  The same circular, now dated London, January 11, 1845 was forwarded to the Fife Herald, where it was published "without comment" on 16 January 1845. The Herald was mistaken in stating that William Symington senior was a native of Kettle. In fact, it was his son Andrew who lived in Kettle and it would have been Andrew who submitted his copy of the circular to the Herald. This article was followed by a piece published in the Fife Herald on 22 May 1845 which reported that William Symington's claims had been "taken up by a committee of gentlemen in London, as being the first person who successfully applied the steam-engine as a propelling power of vessels." See Appendix below.

                                                                                                                                             London, November, 30, 1844.

     As it appears that a Committee has been formed in Ayr, for the purpose of procuring a Testimonial for the Family of the late James Taylor, the alleged Inventor of Steam Navigation, we would request your attention to the appended Extract from the Mechanics' Magazine, of Oct. 26,* disproving the assertion made by the Editor of the Ayr Observer, (a member of the committee,) in his paper of the 5th. inst.,—"that it is a fact, beyond dispute, that the world are debtors to Taylor, for the Invention of Steam Navigation."

     Having amply proved the right of the late William Symington, not only to the Invention of the Steam Boat, but also of the Steam Carriage, and being fully prepared to show the deceptive arts practiced by Taylor and his Supporters, we affirm, unhesitatingly, that a "grand national mistake" has been made, in granting the sums which Government seems to have done, to the Taylor family; and that any Testimonial which may be received by the Taylor Testimonial Committee, on behalf of that family, will be considered by those best acquainted with the subject, an act of gross injustice.

     We remain,

     Your most obedient Servants,

     23, Dean Street, Commercial Road.                                                                        WILLIAM SYMINGTON 

     12, Billiter Square.                                                                                                      ROBERT BOWIE.

TO WHOM THE COUNTRY IS INDEBTED FOR STEAM NAVIGATION.

     "Invention of Steam Navigation.—It appears from a printed circular, which has just been sent us, that the merit of this discovery is due to a man named Taylor, a native of Cumnock, who first succeeded in propelling a boat by steam, in the year 1788. In acknowledgement of this claim, a pension of 50/. per annum was settled upon his widow by Government, and a donation of 50/. was subsequently made to each of his four surviving sisters; but as this is justly deemed a poor remuneration for such important services, it is suggested that a National Testimonial should be made to the widow and family of Mr. Taylor."— Times, Oct. 19.

     "We have read the preceeding announcement with no small surprise, or rather, to say the truth, with extreme disgust. The pretensions of Taylor have been long since so completely scouted by the engineering world, that it argues no ordinary degree of hardihood and folly in his family, to attempt to revive them. They would do wisely to rest content with, and be grateful for, the singularly good luck which they have already experienced. A "National Testimonial," forsooth! Yes, when nations are in the habit of rearing monuments to undoubted pretenders and impostors, and cities and towns of contending for the honour of having given them birth—then doubtless will a testimonial of the first order be due to Taylor, and Cumnock become as sacred to pilgrim's feet as Stratford-on-Avon, or the Banks of Doon. The simple and incontestable truth is this, that all that Taylor did in the matter, was to lend the real and true inventor, William Symington, the slight help of an introduction to an influential patron—that he afterwards did his best to rob Symington not only of the honour, but of the profit of the invention—and that, by his artful representations, he so far prevailed with Government, as to induce them to commit the grand national mistake of conferring on the Taylor family, rewards due only to that of Symington. Such of our present readers as may desire to know more particularly, on how slender a foundation the claims of Taylor rest-how powerfully supported the rights of Symington are by all contemporary testimony, while the only vouchee Taylor could ever produce was Taylor himself—will do well to refer to the 19th. and 30th. volumes of our journal, where they will find the whole matter thoroughly and (we do not hesitate to add) impartially investigated."

•Also Nos. 511, 529, 559, 561, 566, 583, 940, 941, 942, 958, and 1107 of the same Journal.

APPENDIX

Fife Herald 22 May 1845 page 2

STEAM NAVIGATION

     Some time since we inserted two or three letters from a correspondent on the subject of, "To whom is the Country Indebted for Steam Navigation?" We now have much pleasure in stating that the claims of the late Mr William Symington, a native of Leadhills, Lanarkshire, have been taken up by a committee of gentlemen in London, as being the first person who successfully applied the steam-engine as a propelling power to vessels.

     The endeavours of the committee were called into active operation in consequence of the relations of a Mr Taylor, a native of Ayrshire, calling upon the country to raise a national testimonial in honour of his memory, as being the real party to whom this distinguished honour is due. In order that our readers may form an opinion on the subject, we will briefly state the nature of the evidence collected by the London committee in favour of Mr Symington.

     Mr Symington, it appears, was educated for the church, but, owing to his predilections for mechanics, this intention was departed from. Before he reached his twentieth year, his attention was directed to the probability of applying steam power to land carriages; but as railways were not then in use, his experiment failed. The model of the engine which he constructed for that purpose was exhibited to the Professors of the Edinburgh University and other scientific gentlemen, by the advice of Mr Meason, manager of the Wanlockhead lead-mines. This model gained Mr Symington so much notice, that Mr Meason was induced to send him the following year to the University of Edinburgh, where he matriculated as a student. It was during this period that he became acquainted with Mr Taylor who was attending college at the same period, and who, no doubt, from the intimacy which then sprung up, became somewhat conversant with the plans of Mr Symington.  Among those gentlemen who visited the carriage model was Mr Miller of Dalswinton, who had expended no little money in experimenting on ordnance and naval architecture. At this period Mr Miller was engaged in endeavouring to propel a double-keeled by paddles turned by a capstan, but no idea of using anything else than manual labour had ever entered his mind. On speaking on the subject to Mr Symington, that gentleman advised Mr Miller to try steam power, and at the same time explained to him the mode in which an engine of the same description as the model he had seen could be applied; and Mr Miller at once gave orders for Mr Symington to proceed at his earliest convenience with a steam engine to be constructed and to be fitted into a pleasure-boat on Dalswinton loch. The experiment proved completely successful; and thus was the foundation laid of that power which has worked so important a change on the management of our national and mercantile navy.

     It may be proper here to observe that Mr Taylor was, at the time the experiment was tried, Tutor to Mr Miller's family – that he was present, along with many more, at the successful trial, and that there was no whisper, at the time, of any one being connected with the matter but Mr Symington. This is borne out by various affidavits, collected by the London committee, made by parties who were engaged solely by Mr Symington in completing parts of the machinery by his direct orders and instruction. The experiment was made in the autumn of 1788.

     After this Mr Symington received several orders for engines of the same description, but of a more powerful and practical nature. In 1789, he completed one which was also successfully tried on the Forth and Clyde Canal, amidst cheers of assembled multitudes, and, in 1800, Lord Dundas paid Mr Symington a visit, in order to consult him as to the practicability of fitting up a vessel with steam power, capable of towing vessels along the Forth and Clyde Canal in lieu of horses. A vessel, in consequence, was built, named in honour of his Lordship's daughter, "The Charlotte Dundas," and this experiment also was completely successful. Other experiments followed under his Lordship's patronage, and of a more perfect nature than those undertaken under the patronage of Mr Miller, as a direct acting engine and crank for procuring a rotatory motion was substituted for the engine and Ratchet wheels. Here it may be said commenced the present system of steam navigation.

     Mr Taylor, from his acquaintance with Mr Symington, laid claim to the honour of the invention, and even went so far as to apply to Government for some consideration. But in the face of facts connected with Mr Symington, his application was not listened to, and his claim considered specious. After his death, however, his friends brought the subject before Government, and, by misrepresentation, an annuity of £50 a-year was given to his widow. It is on this fact that the friends of Mr Taylor chiefly depend.

     We may state that all the first mechanical and scientific writers have justly allowed Mr Symington to be the only party deserving of the honour. The object of the London committee is to raise a national testimonial to Mr Symington's memory, as, were the claims of Mr Taylor's friends admitted, an injustice would be perpetrated, and the memory of one upheld to posterity as being as being the originator of this great national advantage, who actually did more to retard its progress than otherwise. There appears to be no doubt as to Mr Symington's claims, and if a national testimonial is to be erected, why, then, "Honour to whom honour is due."

     We conclude at present by the following extract from the Report drawn up by the London committee in favour of Mr Symington: -

     "In 1824 he endeavoured to bring his claims under the notice of Government, and, through the kind interest of Sir George Clerk and Sir Ronald Ferguson, obtained £100 from the privy purse of his late Majesty King George the Fourth, and a further sum of £50, a year or two afterwards. Sir Ronald Ferguson told Mr Symington there was no doubt the £50 would be continued annually, but no additional allowance was ever granted, although the expense incurred in collecting evidence and coming to London, exceeded all he ever received for his trouble.

     "For the last two or three years of his life, he was, with Mrs Symington, totally dependent for support on the members of his family, resident in London. He came to London for the last time in 1829, labouring under a painful and dangerous disease, but by medical acre, and other attentions he received, he so far recovered as to be able to resume his mechanical pursuits, and soon afterwards to endeavour to procure a Parliamentary investigation of his claims. The latter object, however, he could not attain, a circumstance which preyed so much upon his mind, that his malady made rapid progress, and he died on the 22d of March 1831, wounded in spirit, and broken down by misfortunes."