But he failed, and in 1801 went to France, where he found Fulton.

A partnership was formed, and it was largely through Livingston's money and influence that Fulton succeeded where others, earlier in the field than he, had failed.

Yet even so, it was not all easy sailing for him.

"When I was building my first steamboat," he said, "the project was viewed by the public either with indifference, or with contempt as a visionary scheme.

My friends, indeed, were civil, but were shy.