In following it along the quay, the speed against the current of the Seine appeared to us about that of a rapid pedestrian, while in going down-stream it was more rapid; it was manœuvred with facility, turning to the right and left, came to anchor, started again, and passed by the swimming-school. One of the boats took to the quay a number of savants … who will make a report which will give to this discovery all the praise which it deserves; for this mechanism applied to our rivers, the Seine, the Loire, and the Rhone, should result most advantageously to our internal navigation. The tows of barges which now require four months to come from Nantes to Paris, would arrive promptly in 10 to 15 days. The author of this brilliant invention is Monsieur Fulton, an American and a celebrated mechanician. Napoleon’s watchful eye was upon Fulton for he wrote on July 21st to the Councillor of State in the Department of the Marine as follows: “I have just read the project of Citizen Fulton which you have sent me much too late _in that it may change the face of the world_. However that may be, I desire you immediately to confide its examination to a commission of members chosen by you from among the different classes of the Institute. It is here that learned Europe would seek for judges to solve the question under consideration. As soon as the report is made it will be sent to you and you will forward it to me. Try and let the whole matter be determined within a week as I am impatient.” We may be sure that Fulton welcomed the questions of these learned men, and sent them “an invitation to see the experiment of a boat ascending the stream by means of a steam engine,” as their records show. He had previously made an offer to Napoleon to convey his troops to England for an attack, saying: “The sea which separates you from your enemy gives him an immense advantage over you. Aided in turn by the winds and the tempests he defies you from his inaccessible island. I have it in my power to cause this obstacle which protects him to disappear. In spite of all his fleets and in any weather I can transport your armies to his territory in a few hours, without fear of the tempests and without depending upon the winds. I am prepared to submit my plans.”