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

NAVIGATION. 1093

by his new invented method of a Pipe Boiler, and further that .they have examined tlie Petition of John Stevens and the Draughts accompanying the same and are of Opinion that the method proposed by him for propelling boats by steam does not materially differ in its principles from the mode proposed by James Rumsey and that he stands fh the same situation with respect to John Fitch as the said James Rumsey and further that- the committee have prepared the draught of a Bill securing to James Rumsey tlie exclusive right to his inventions for a limited time which they have directed their Chairman to report to the House