"M'" David Stuart rt'ported fioni tiit; r'uuiiiiucc to niiora the
]098 EARLY STEAM
petitions of James Rumsey and John Fitch were committed, thj^t the committee had according to order, had the same under their consideration, and had agreed upon a report, and came to several resolutions thereupon, which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the clerks table, when the same were again twice read, and agreed to by the house as followeth :"
"Whereas James Rumsey hath complained to tl^ General Assembly, that the exclusive priviledge granted to John Fitch, by the Act intituled " An Act Granting to John Fitch the exclusive privilege of constructing and navigating boats impelled by fire or steam for a limited time," hath been obtained to the injury of him the said James Rumsey, upon a misrepresentation, that the said John Fitch was the original author of the invention therein mentioned.
And whereas it appears to the satisfaction of your committee, from the testimony produced to them, that the said Rumsey's representation is just, and that he is the original author of the invention mentioned in the said act. --
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee. That the act passed at the last session of the general Assembly, intituled " An act granting to John Fitch the exclusive privilege of constructing and navigating boats impelled by fire or steam, for a limited time" ought to be repealed.
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, That the