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

All M^ Rumsey's laws were obtained, in consequence of his model, shewn to General Washington at Bath; which, as I have said, was nothing but water wheels, cranks and setting poles ; therefore he could have no pretension to the use of Steam, under tliose laws. With the same propriety, his claim might extend to every power, and every machine in the United States ; as soon as any man had invented one that would suit his purpose. So that upon his plan of law making, no other man would be safe in expending his money, but all must be swallowed up by his pretendedly ambiguous laws. But I am happy in knowing, that his laws as well as his claims^ cannot interfere wiihmine, for had he professed any reliance on Steam ; or any intention to apply it to his boats, he certainly would not have neglected inserting so important a part of the scheme, in his petitions to the different legislatures. Nor would he have prayed to be invested with the exclusive privilege, to use boats, constructed on such different principles from those he really intended to pursue. In M' Rumsey's act passed in Peimsylvania, it is stiled " The exclusive right of constructing, navigating and employing boats built and to be built on his new invented mode," ^ and this new invented mode (viz. cranks, water wheels and setting poles) is all he was entitled to under that law.