Mr.Fulton had built his steamboat one hundred and nine feet long; and he could get to New York and back in a day, if nothing happened to his boiler, which was all the time in danger of bursting.

Then if the boiler bursted, very likely the boat and all in her would go to the bottom.

Just let that happen once in the Tappan Zee, and there would be an end to Mr.Fulton and his invention for getting people to New York quick.

Just let him set the Tappan Zee afire once, and people would make such a storm that nothing more would be heard of his inventions.

When there was such danger of losing one's life travelling in this way, what careful farmer, who had a family depending on him, would think of either going himself or sending his produce to market in such a way?
There was no wisdom in the thing.