same time, irt the manner and upon the principles by him invente«l & defmed in the said Draft Explanation ami Specification. And your Petitioner &.c^

James Rumsey, By Joseph Barns.

his attorney. Endorsed, No. 52. 1788

A petition of James Rumsey by Joseph Barnes his attorne} praying an exclusive Right of making constructing and using machines for raising water (by means of steam) for all purposes whatever.

In Assembly December 23^ 1788. Read and Referred to M' G Livingston Mr.- Havens and M' Van Cortlandt , . .-i.-..^^

Ttie Committee to whom were referred the Petition of James Rumsey setting forth that he hath invented a new method of pro pelling Boats by Steam, and hath made improvements in divers Engines and Machines and Praying for an exclusive Right to the same for a limited time, and tlie Petition of John Fitch praying that the Prayer of the Petition of the said James Rumsey may not be granted ; and the Petition of John Stevens setting forth that he hath invented a method of propelling Boats by steam that he does not interfere with the pretensions of either the said James Rumsey or John Fitch -- Report

That they have examined the Petitions of the said James Rumsey and John Fitch whh the papers and affidavits accompanying the same and are of opinion that the said James Rumsey hath by actual experiment ascertained the practicability of propelling boats by the agency of Steam in a mode and on principles different from those heretofore used by the said John Fitch, but that the act securing to John Fitch the exclusive Right of propelling Boats by the force of Fire or steam fpr a limited time, is conceived in such general terms that it would be improper to vacate any part of the said grant without giving both the Parties a hearing ; but the Committee are further of opinion that nothing in the said Act securing to John Fitch the exclusive Right of propelling Boats by Fire or Steam can be construed to prevent the Legislature from securing to James Rumsey for a limited time the exclusive right of generating steam