Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II

In Virginia I v;aited on his Excellfncy General Washington, who, in the course of conversation, inforsned m'fe, that the thought of applying steam was not original, that ?,['' Rumsey had mentioned Steam to him; but nothing tiiat passed in the conversation with General Washington had the least tendency to convey the idea of M'^' Rumsey's relying on Steam, and Genf lal Washington's letter, page 10, in M^^ Rumsey's Pamphlet, clears up the matter -- for the General himself did not conceive any sueli thing. Knowing that the thought of applying Steam to Boats had been suggested by other Gentlemen lo7ig before, I left his Excellency General Washington with all the elated prospects thai an aspiring projector could entertain, not doubting but I should leap the full benefit of the project, for although I found that some had conceived the thought before, yet I was the first that ever exhibiled a plan to the public; and was fully convinced that I could not interfere with M"^ Rumsey, otherwise the known candor of General Washington must have pointed out to me such interference.

J immediately applied to the Legislature of Virginia for assistnnce, to execute my plan, who signified their wish to encourage mv designs, but that the state of their finances prevented it -- the then Governor of the state, Patuck Henry, Esq"" received from me ?

1044 EARLY STEAM

obligation with provision, that if T procured in that state a sale for one thousand oi my Maps of tlie N. W. part of the United States, at GfS each, J should exhibit a Steam Boat on the waters of Virginia, within nine months or forfeit and pay to the State of Virginia j£350. as appears by the following certificate: No. 6. I certify that John Fitch has left in my hands a bond payable to the Governor for the time being for £350. conditioned for exhibiting his steam Boat w^hen be receives subscriptions for 3000 of his maps, 6^8 each.