Home / O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1849. / Passage

Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II

O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1849. 281 words

As to his advertisement I have fully proved that he made no experiment on his boat with Steam two years ago, his machinery being at that time in Frederick-town -- And his boat so far exceeding mine will also appear a wrong assertion as the greatest distance he pretends to have propelled his small boat per hour is four miles, and that appears to be mere ideal estimation. In my boat, by the same force applied, I let out three miles and a quarter per hour by the log line. This is departing from the merits of the dispute, but to convince the public of his assertion on this head beintjj absurd, I shall introduce certificates N", 24, 25, 26. As to Ms request of suspending the public opinion, I rest my cause on solid and fair conclusions drawn from his pamphlet, a very safe and candid judgment may be formed of the merits of M'". Rumsev's pretentions, it beuig evident that all his false assertions and faJse datings will never prove that two and two are not four.

No. 24. These may certify, that the subscriber has frequently seen M'". Fitch's Steam boat, which with great labour and perseverance he has at length compleated and has likewise been on board whtn the boat was worked against both wind and tide, with a very considerable degree of velocity by the force of Steam only. M-'. Fitclrs merit in constructing a good Steam-engine and applying it to so useful a purpose will no doubt meet with the encouragt^ment he so justly deserves from the generosity of his countrymen, especially those who wish to promote every improvement of the useful arts in America.