Businessman who became president of New York & Harlem Railroad, and chairman of the board of New York Central & Hudson River and of Michigan Central. Gibbons was a lawyer, politician and an early steamboat operator. DS, two pages, 7.75 x 12.5, May-June 1821. No place indicated. A very early steamboat document signed “C Van Derbilt” and “Wm. Gibbons. The manuscript document is headed “Dr. Cornelius Vanderbilt in account with the Steamboat Bellona,” and lists the ship's expenses and revenues for May and June 1821. Expenses include “Paid for 25 Cords of Wood $75.00” and “William Gibbons in cash $100.00,” as well as food for the ship's dining room. The revenues include “318 Passengers from N.B. to N.Y. $318.00” and “273 Passengers from Amboy to N.Y. $20.37.” The total expenses were $2,051.57 and the revenues were $2051.57. In fine condition with dark ink. There is a small hole near one fold, affecting little. A choice historical steamboat record signed by the Commodore himself. In 1818, Gibbons acquired the steamboat Bellona operated by Commodore Vanderbilt. In 1803, the New York legislature had granted Robert Livingston and Robert Fulton exclusive steamboat rights to the New York state waters. Gibbons sued and hired Daniel Webster as his lawyer. It was ruled that such a monopoly was unconstitutional and threw open all the country's waters to open competition.COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
