Fitch knew (from his own account of the matter) that steam had ever been made use of for any purpose whatever ; how then is it possible he sbouhl have the prior right to this discovery 1 if it is asked who made the most promising experiment? it would be found that ray experiments two years since exceed the best he has ever made; must I then be deprived of my discoveries which are substantial, because 1 endeavoured to keep them secret until perfected? justice vill never suffer it. I therefore with the greatest confidence look up to my countrymen for their support, according to the Merits of my Cause, and have the honor of subscribingmyself their •

most devoted h"mbi<» s(>-vint

UUt'S RUMSEY.

Philadelphia, May 7, 1788.

SHORT

TREATISE,

THE APPLICATION

STEAM, & C

To the PUBLIC.

THOSE who have had the good fortune to discover a new machine, or to make any material improvement on such as have been already discovered, must lay their account to encounter innumerable difficulties ; they must arm themselves with patience to abide disappointments ; to correct a thousand imperfections (which the trying hand of experience alone can point out) to endure the smarting shafts of wit, and, what is perhaps more intolerable than all the rest put together, (on the least failure of any experiments) lo bear up against the heavy abuse and bitter scoffs of ill-natured ignorance These never fail to represent the undertaker as an imposler, and his motives most knavish : Happy for him if he escape with so gentle an appellative as that of a madman.