It is an exercise of malevolence in the extreme thus publicly to prefer charges against an innocent person without previously knowing or enquiring for the defence of the supposed offender, and shows an inability in the accuser to support his charges. Unfortunately for M*". Rumsey, I trust we are now before an impartial Public, where Justice, unbiassed by party or undue influence, will decide between us -- Conscious of my conduct, in the prosecution of this business, beino that of an honest man, it is incumbent on me to recite the circumstances, and facts relative thereto.

I confess the thought of a Steamboat, which struck me by mere accident, about the middle of April 1785,* has hitherto been v«'ry unfortunate to me ; the perplexities and embarrassments throuq-^h which it has caused me to wade, far exceed any thing, that the common course of life ever presented to my view. After pondermp-

• Vid* No. land 2.

TO J- n, 66

J 04 2 EARLY STEAM

some (lay3 on the thought, I made a rough draught, but not daring to trust my own opinion too far, I consulted M^. Daniel Longstreth, the Rev^. Nathaniel Irvin and sundry other Gentlemen of Bucks county Pennsylvania.

About the beginning of June 1785, I went to Philadelphia and shewed it to D^. Ewing, M^". Patterson and other respectable characters in the city, from whom I met with no discouragement. In June and July I formed models and in August laid them before Congress, as will appear on their Files. In September I presented them to the Philosophical Society, as per certificate.