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the exclusive privilege of constructing and navigating boats impelled by fire or steam, for a limited time" ought to be repealed.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

petition of the said John Fitch, in opposition thereto be rejected.

^ Ordered that a Bill or Bills be brought in, pursuant to the last

resolution, and that the said Committee, do prepare and bring in

the same."

\ A true extract from the minutes

examined

By Gilbert Livingstone

11th. February 1789-- Albany. Endorsed,

Extract from the minutes of the House of Assembly of Virginia on the Petition &c. of James Rumsey.

NAVIGATION. W^b

An ACT for vesting in JAMES RUMSEY, Esqicire, the exclusive right and privilege of making, using and vending divers engines^ machines and devices, by him invented, or improved, for a term of years therein mentioned.

Whereas James Rurasey, of Berkeley county, in Virginia, hath represented to this House, that he hath invented, or improved divers engines, machines, and devices, hereinafter particularly mentioned, upon principles and constructions not before used, and by actual experiments, hath demonstrated the practicability and utility thereof, and hath in the office of plans of the said several inventions and improvements, vnih explanations thereof, in order particularly to designate and distinguish them from other engines, machines, and devices heretofore used for purposes somewhat similar. Which engines, machines and devices, are called by the following names, and known by the following distinguishing characters, viz.