Your petitioner deems it unnecessary, in this stage of his application to your honorable body, to enter into a detail of the r>ature and principles of the improvements, to which his present petition relates : He therefore takes the liberty of referring to the printed papers, herewith presented, for farther information on the subject, and he flatters himself, that on mature consideration, your honorable body will be fully satisfied, both of the practicabifity of his plans, and of their importance, as an object of great public utility -- Under tliis impression, he respectfully solicits the patronage of the Legislature of this state.
Your Petitioner therefore prays, that the honorable Legislature, US the guardians and trustees of the pubUc prosperity, will be pleased to enact a law, granting as a reward for his before mentioned inventions and improvements, un exclusive right to him, his executors, administrators and assigns, of constructing, naA'igating and employing, for a certain term of years, within this state, the several boats, engines, and machines, by him invented and improved.
And your petitioner humbly submits to tlie judgement of this house whether in consideration of the great expence he has already incurred in the prosecution of his objects, and the further charges which must necessarily attend the completion of his plans, the exclusive right prayed for should not be vested for such a term, as
NAVIGATION. 1097
might afford him an honorable compensation, proportioned to his services.
JAMES RUMSEY. Endorsed, 1788
James Rumsey's Petition In Assembly Dec. 18'^ 1788