THE RUMSEIAN SOCIETY, PHILADELPHIA, TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY N. Y.

September 23d 1788.

James Rumsey an ingenious Gentleman a native of Maryland but lately from Virginia in December last exhibited before a number of respectable characters in Maryland and Virginia the effects of Steam in propelling a boat of considerable Burthen against the Current of the River Powtomack, and models of machines for the Raising Water to a great height and in large Quantities by the force of Steam, in both which a Boiler upon entirely new Construction invented by himself is used with the greatest apparent probability of far Exceeding all others heretofore known, not only in point of Force but in the Smallness of the Quantity of Fuel necessary to generate the Steam.

He came to this City some months ago with Drafts and descriptions of his Several Inventions and communicated them to a number of, Gentlemen here who Struck with the Simplicity of his several Contrivances and the great advantages with which they might be applied. to many useful purposes agreed to afford him Some Assistance in carrying his schemes into Execution. To this end the persons a list of whose names, is herewith sent formed themselves into a Company by the name of the Rumseian Society and appointed us -a Committee of Correspondence to further. the .design in distant places.

As steam Engines are now used in Europe not only for the purpose of raising water from. Mines of Great depth but for a variety of other mechanical purposes where a strong force is necessary and where water Falls were formerly applied--

We thought it advisable that James Rumsey should immediately go thither to secure himself any advantages which might result from an Invention so extensively useful in that Country and he accordingly sailed in the month of May in a vessel bound for, London : before he took his Departure be signed a Petition which will be presented to the honorable the Legislature of your State stating his several Inventions and praying an Act may be passed granting him the exclusive priviledge of making and vending them for a reasonable Term of years-And at the same time a Power of Attorney was Executed and sent by him to Doctr James McMechin, Joseph Barnes and Charles Morrow Esqr authorising them or either. of them to attend in person and Solicit for him the granting the Prayer of his Petition. Joseph Barnes we are informed is a very ingenious mechanic who has been employed by James Rumsey in Constructing his several machines and is perfectly acquainted with all his Inventions and has abilities adequate to the Construction of them in the absence of the Inventor. He is also in possession of the models and Drafts necessary to show the Utility of them and as soon as Exclusive Rights therein for a reasonable Term of Years shall be obtained from the honorable the Legislature of the State of New-York, he will be ordered to attend as well to carry the said machines into Effect as to instruct suitable Persons to Construct them in his absence.

As the promotion of useful Discoveries in the Arts and sciences is an Object worthy the Attention of Enlightened men and accordingly has in all ages and Countries met with Patrons amongst those most distinguished for their knowledge, good sense' and Patriotism, we doubt not but that a Scheme, that promises so much improvement will meet with advocates and support in the general Assembly of New York, over which you so honorably to yourself and to them preside--And we therefore take the Liberty to request your Countenance to James Rumsey's Petition so far as the prayer thereof shall seem to you Consistent with the public good, and if it should not be Contrary to the Rules of the House, we should take it a particular favor that this Letter be read from the Chair in order to bespeak the favorable attention of the Honorable members to the Subject,

We are With the greatest Respect

Your assured Friends and obedient humble servants

MIERS FISHER
BENJAMIN WYNKOOP
LEVI HOLLINGSWORTH

The HONOble John Lansing Esqr
Speaker of the House of Assembly

A LIST OF THE RUMSEIAN SOCIETY.

His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.
Arthur St. Clair
William Bingham
Benjamin Wynkoop
James Tunchard
John Jones
Levi Hollingsworth
Joseph James
John Wilson
Geo Duffield
Reed & Forde
Woodrop & Joseph Sims
William Redwood & Son

William Barton
Richard Adams
Samuel Wheeler
Samuel Magaw
Adam Kuhn
Miers Fisher
M. F. for Robert Barclay of
Charles Vancouver
Burgis Allison
John Vaughn
John Ross
William Turner

I Endorsed

A Letter from Miers Fisher and others of the Rumseian Society at Philadelphia to the Speaker of the Assembly in New York.

In Assembly Dec 18th 1788.

Read & referred with the Petition of James Rumsey to Mr. Livingston Mr. Havens and Mr. Van Cortlandt.