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.

J. SHALLUS, Ast. Clk.

N« 10.

Philadelphia, 6th May, 178S.

This may certify that I the subscriber was in Assembly for the year 17S4, and was appointed one of the committee to report or. Mr James Rurasey's petition for his boat to go against the stream? of rapid rivers, and that there was no mention nor any idea held'

104S EARLY STEAM

up to the committee that it was to be propelled by the force of steam.

(Signed)

MANUEL EYRE.

Now T ask, whether it does not amount to a positive proof that Mr Riirasey had no sort of reference to, or dependence on Steam'? General Washington says, "It is so smp/ethat it maybe executed by the most common 7nechanic f vihich certainly his excellency would not have said of a Steam-Engine ; a machine that has cost me two years to understand and compleat. If we examine the Petition, we ^liall find, that it confirms the General's idea of simplicity ; for Mr Rumsey says " it may be wrought at no greater expense than that of three hands," plainly indicating, that the expense of fire was not in contemplation ; and to put the matter out of all doubt, M' Eyre declares, " There was no idea held up to the committee that it was to be propelled by SteamP