Fitch wants to raise money to make an experiment on Boats, the countenance that he has met with in Virginia he hopes will enable him to do it, he wishes also to make other experiments, and is willing to enter into engagements to apply a large proportion of the sales of his maps, his principle fund. I believe his passion for this improvement will be ample security for his applying the money in that way; -- all

NAVIGATION. 1045

that I have to request of you Sir, is, that you will give him an opportunity to converse with you, you will soon perceive he is a man of real genius and modesty, your countenancing him will follow of course. I am Sir

Your Excellency's (Subscribed) most obedient and most humble

His Excellency Governor Smallwood. Servant

Favor of THO^ JOHNSON.

M'- Fitch.

From hence it plainly appears that Governor Johnson could not at that time have any idea of my scheme interfering with Mr. Rumsey's as seems to be now insinuated in that gentlemans letter to Mr. Rumsey, No. 14 of his Pamphlet.

I attended the session of the legislature about three weeks after receiving this letter, and on my petition for assistance to execute my plan, they made me the following report or nearly in these words (as may appear by examining their minutes) " However desirous it is for hberal and enlightened legislators to encourage useful arts, yet the state and condition of our finances are such that there can be no advance of public money at present." From this report it is proved beyond all doubt, that the Assembly of Maryland did not conceive my plan the same as Mr. Rumsey's -- finding that I was undoubtedly the first person in America that could be termed the inventor of a steam Boat, either agreeably to custom, or equity, I thought it prudent to apply to the different states for the exclusive privileges for the emoluments of such invention, which were granted by New Jersey in March 1786 by Delaware, New-York and Pennsylvania, in the winter and spring following, and by Virginia in October 1787.