The invention of the steam engine had a significant impact on transportation in the 19th century, leading to various innovations in how goods and people moved. Analyzing the options you provided:
A. Robert Fulton's invention of the steam-powered locomotive may travel across land much quicker: While Fulton is known for his steamboat, the steam engine indeed led to the development of steam locomotives, which allowed trains to travel over land more quickly and efficiently than horse-drawn carriages.
B. Henry Shreve's modified steamboat could carry more without getting stuck on the riverbed: Henry Shreve made significant improvements to steamboat design, allowing them to navigate shallow waters and carry larger cargoes, enhancing river transportation.
C. John Finch's steam engine may travel along the river faster but it was more expensive: This statement could refer to the general notion that while steam-powered vessels could be faster, they also incurred higher operational costs.
D. DeWitt Clinton's invention was faster but people preferred to travel along the routed roads: DeWitt Clinton was instrumental in the construction of the Erie Canal, which facilitated faster transport of goods over land and connecting waterways, but it doesn't specifically address steam power.
In summary, while all these innovations were tied to the steam engine and enhanced transportation in different ways, Robert Fulton's contributions primarily pertained to river travel with his steamboat, whereas the advent of steam-powered locomotives represented a crucial development for overland transportation. Each option highlights a distinct aspect of how steam power revolutionized transportation.