And on the question will the house adopt the same report 1

It was carried in the negative

Extract from the minutes J. Shallus Ass* Clerk.

Your Committee on the Petition of John Fitch report.

That they have viewed his boat, which he proposes to propel against the Stream by the agency of Steam, and altho' the apparatus necessary to the same is not yet so compleat as to afford demonstration, yet your committee entertain no doubt of a full and effectual Completion thereof.

In order therefore to encourage a further improvement in so useful an Art propose the following resolution.

Resolved, That the petitioner have leave to bring;^ m a Bill agreeably to the prayer of his petition.

The above is a true copy of the original remaining • on the files

NAVIGATION. 1087

of the General Assembly and whereupon the Resolution of the House of the sixteenth of November last was founded, Philadelphia February 20th, 1737.

J. Shallus Asst Clerk, of the Genl Assembly.

The Committee to whom was referred the petition of John Fitch of Bucks county in Pennsylvania

Report

That having examined the certificates and other papers presented to your Committee by the said John Fitch, they are of Opinion that in order to encourage a further Improvement in so useful an Art ; a Bill be brought in for the purpose of granting to the said John Fitch an exclusive right of Navigating boats by the force of Steam or Fire for a certain time, agreeable to the ])rayer of his petition.