Why were townshend acts passed?

So that the British could pay off their costs from the French and Indian War, and supply their people.

Initially passed on June 29, 1767, the Townshend Act constituted an attempt by the British government to consolidate fiscal and political power over the American colonies by placing import taxes on many of the British products bought by Americans, including lead, paper, paint, glass and tea.

Explanation:

Steamboat

The first person to pilot a steam boat was Nicholas Roosevelt. He piloted  it from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. This was in the year 1811, after which it become the fastest means of travel between the two areas.