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. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall pray.

JAMES RUMSEY.

The foregoing is a true copy of the original petition remaining on the files of the General Assembly and read in the house November 26, 1784.