In his petitions to the several legislatures, he prayed for no exclusive right, for the use of Steam Boats ; neither did he make mention of Steam, to their committees ; or even suggest an idea of the kind ; as proof of which, I offer the following petition to the Assembly of Pennsylvania, the certificate from General Washington, accompanying it, and the certificate of Manuel Eyre, Esquire, who was one of the committee of Assembly, who reported in M"^. Rumsey's favor.

No. 8.

I have seen the model of M". Rumsey's Boats, constructed to work against streams : examined the powers upon which it acts, been eye witness to an actual experiment, in running water of some rapidity ; and give it as my opinion (although I had little faith before) that he has discovered the art of working boats by mechanism and small manual assistance against rapid currents; that the discovery is of vast importance ; may be of the greatest usefulness in our inland navigation, and, if it succeeds, of which I have no doubt, that the value of it is greatly enhanced by the simplicity of the works, which when seen and explained may be executed by the most common mechanic.

Given under ray band at the towTi of Bath, County of Berkeley m the State of Virginia this 7th of September 1784.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

NAVIGATION. 1047

No 9.

To the Honourable the Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania

in General Assembly "iiiet. Gentlemen,

Whereas your petitioner has formed a plan for facilitating the navigation of rapid rivers ; he therefore doth propose to construct a certain species of Boats of the burthen of ten tons which shafl sail or be propelled by the combined influence of certain mechanical powers thereto applied, the distance of between twenty-five and forty miles per day, against the current of a rapid river, notwithstanding the velocity of the water should move at the rate of five miles per hour and upwards, with the burthen often tons on board, to be wrought at no greater expense than that of three hands ; and as a premium of so useful an invention, your petitioner prays for an act to pass this honorable house, granting to your petitioner, his heirs and assigns, the sole and exclusive right of constructing, navigating and employing boats constructed upon his new invented model upon each and every oreek, river, bay, inlet and harbour within the limits and jurisdiction of this commonwealth, for and daring the term of ten years, fully to be completed and ended, to be computed from the first day of January nextj provided always, that the legislature of this commonwealth may, at any time within the term aforesaid, abolish the exclusive right herein prayed for by the payment of -- pounds in gold or silver.