However faulty my works might be, and however perfect his own, it would have no force in the determination of our title to the invention ; but argues a wish in him to gain an advantage on principles different from those on which our dispute must be ultimately decided in the opinion of the world. -- But even this position of M'' Rumsey's I will not allow j for on a comparison of the velocity and bulk of both boats and the force applied it is evident that mine exceeded in the proportion of more than two to one. I had a bulk of water to remove equal to above 12 tons, whilst he had to contend with no more than 3 tons, if I am rightly informed ; and our cylinders or (moving powers) were- nearly, if not quite, equal ; yet my boat was urged forward with nearly the same velocity of his boat ; -- tlierefore his mode hath hitherto no superiority. As to his drawing water in at the bottom, and pushing it out at the stern of a vessel, it is no new invention, but was long before presented to the
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Philosophical Society at Philadelphia. The thought came originally from France, of which I was acquainted before he bespoke any of his works for steam, and contended the right of using it with M'" Arthur Donaldson, in the beginning of 1786, before the Assembly of Pensylvania, as he attempted at that time, to assume the discovery to himself.