O N

Mr. JOHN FITCH'S

REPLY TO

Mr. JAMES RUMSEY'S

B Y

PRINTED BY. JOSEPH JAMES

CHESNUT-STREET

Mr. Rumsey, before his late departure for England, by an advertisement, begged the candid public to suspend their opinion, respecting the controversy between him and Mr. Fitch, until time should be afforded to state his claim, and answer such objections as should occur, from a pamphlet which Mr. Fitch then had in the press, but had not appeared before he left this city.

Since that time Mr. Fitch has been busily employed in traducing Mr. Rumsey's character, and endeavoring to establish, in the public mind, an opinion, that Mr. Fitch was the first person who actually attempted to apply the force of steam to the purposes of navigation. If this assumption was admitted, which however will be fully disproved, nothing would thence follow prejudicial to Mr. Rumsey's claims; for it would appear from a cloud of testimony, that although both of them entertained the idea of applying the force of steam to the purposes of navigation, their modes of effecting it were as different from each other as possible. Mr. Fitch proposed to apply the action of steam by a number of cranks to oars or paddles ; Mr. Rumsey thought of the force of re-action on the fore part of the boat by a column of water forced through a trunk in the body of it. That Mr. Fitch originally entertained no other idea, than applying the force of steam to the working of paddles, will abundantly appear from his repeated models and experiments ; from the plan published in the magazine, taken from a draught sent to the proprietors of that publication by Mr. Voight ; and from his public declarations, that Mr. Rumsey's scheme could not be made effectual. That Mr. Rumsey had a different mode of applying the force of steam to navigation, is sufficiently apparent, not only from his publications on the subject, but from his apparatus now in this city, which was fitted between two and three years ago, and was last year actually applied to this purpose on the river Potowmack, and produced the desired effect, by propelling a boat, with a burthen of three tons on board, at the rate of four miles an hour, against the stream of that river.

In order to destroy Mr. Rumsey's character and views, which Mr. Fitch has thought dangerous to his interests (altho' fortified by an extraordinary act of assembly) he has published a pamphlet, containing a variety of depositions and certificates, tending to shew that Mr. Rumsey has anticipated a whole year, and by an attempt at witticism, has acknowledged his powers of condensation in this respect. That Mr. Rumsey's narration of facts is true, will be proved (if further proof was necessary) by the several certificates and depositions hereto annexed, to which the reader is referred ; but this is not the immediate object of the present publication : Mr. Rumsey had in the year 1785, prepared a steam-engine upon the plan used and improved in Europe, to propel his boat, but that was prevented by the frost from exhibiting it that fall ; being thus prevented, he employed himself during the ensuing winter, in projecting more easy methods of producing the like effects ; and by experiment, he discovered a mode of generating steam so effectual, as to promise very great advantages to the inventor. To bring this invention to act on his former machinery, required some time, which was employed in perfecting it ; several experiments were accordingly made, and in the end Mr. Rumsey's principle were proved to be good. During this time Mr. Arthur Donaldson, a very ingenious mechanic (whether from the strength of his own genius, or from hearing something of Mr. Rumsey's scheme, is not material in this dispute with Mr. Fitch to ascertain) took up the idea, and made several experiments, which fully proved, that the re-action of a column of water, forced with rapidity from the stern of a boat, would propel her forward so as to answer the end required for navigation. Mr. Donaldson communicated his ideas and experiments to many gentlemen in Philadelphia, who were satisfied of his principles, but they doubted whether the size of the boiler, and the quantity of fewel necessary to keep it heated, would not occupy so large a part of the boat, as to render her freight of no value : to reduce this to a certainty, gentlemen acquainted with Steam-engines in Europe, were consulted, and their opinions confirmed the doubts entertained, so that Mr. Donaldson gave up the idea of prosecuting his scheme. While Mr. Donaldson was employed in his experiments, Mr. Fitch had applied to the assembly of Pennsylvania, for the exclusive privilege of navigating by the force of steam, and was opposed before a committee of the house by Mr. Donaldson, when Mr. Fitch claimed all possible modes, whether invented or to be invented by himself, or others, of using steam for that purpose ; and as Mr. Donaldson, before a report was made by the committee to the house, was convinced by his friends that no boiler then known, would generate steam in a sufficient quantity, and at a cheap rate, to answer the end, he declined his opposition, and a grant was made to Mr. Fitch, of the exclusive use of steam for navigation, in very large and comprehensive words. Since this grant Mr. Fitch, and a large company, who associated with him, have made many experiments to reduce their boat to practice ; all of which were to apply the force of steam (generated in a large boiler, agreeable to the old practice, long used in Europe) to the working a number of paddles, on the sides of the boat, the abortive events of which have been too public to need repetition.

But about the month of January last, Mr. William Askew, of Berkeley county, who had been long acquainted with Mr. Rumsey, and had seen his apparatus, came to this city, and stimulated by curiosity, went to see Mr. Fitch's preparations, and there fell into conversation with Mr. Voight, Mr. Fitch's partner, and operator, and communicated to him such an idea of Mr. Rumsey's new invented boiler, as enabled him to form a plan of one along the same principles. In the month of April last, Mr. Rumsey came to this city, and exhibited with little or no caution, a draft of his boiler, to a number of persons, and after some time laid it before the philosophical society, and was not a little surprized to find that Mr. Voight produced a draft of a boiler, upon the same principles, though a little differing in its form, before the society, the same evening. The several contrivances by which this contemporaneous production of Mr. Rumsey's original invention, and a surreptitious copy from it was effected are well known, and will be proved upon a proper occasion ; it is sufficient for the present to inform the public, that Mr. Rumsey's original boiler is now in this city, and may hereafter be exhibited to them; that its efficacy in producing steam with vastly less expence, and yet in greater quantities than any mode yet practiced in Europe, will be proved ; that Mr. Rumsey is gone to England, to prevent a surreptitious copy of his first invention (which there is reason to believe was sent thither with great secrecy) from being there palmed on the public as an original, and to claim for himself the rights of an inventor.

About three weeks ago I came to this city, and brought with me most of the following depositions and certificates, the publication of which will, I have no doubt, establish all the facts asserted by Mr. Rumsey in his pamphlet. The circumstance of my superintending the different mechanics who worked for Mr. Rumsey, gave me the advantage of being competent to the explanation of the subject, and I can assure the public that Mr. Fitch has not got a single affidavit or certificate from Frederick Town or Baltimore, that has any relation thereto, except Mr. Christopher Raborg's the coppersmith, No. 21 in his pamphlet.

The certificates and affidavits Mr. Fitch obtained in Frederick Town, Nos. 14, 15, 16, 17,18,19 and 20, allude to an eight foot tube, which Mr. Rumsey had made in the year 1786, for a second machine, an improvement on the one prepared in the fall--and do not at all relate to the first machine fitted on the boat in the fall ; which was actually ready for experiment, and prevented by the ice in December 1785. And from those certificates and affidavits Mr. Fitch endeavours to prove, that as this work was done for Mr. Rumsey in the year 1786, therefore it follows that no other work could have been done for him, by any mechanic whatever before that period ; according to this kind of logic, it could be proved, that Mr. Fitch never can possibly invent a Steam-boat, to answer any useful purpose : for instance, because after sundry fruitless experiments, with his Crank-Boat machinery, he has not been able to accomplish this business ; therefore it follows, from the nature of things, that he never can invent a Steam-boat, probatum est.

I have introduced in the following pages, certificates and depositions, which I trust will be satisfactory to the public. No. 1, 3, 5 and 7, prove the priority of Mr. Rumsey to the pipe boiler.

The silver-smith or watch-maker mentioned in Mr. Askew's deposition No. 3, is Mr. Henry Voight, a partner in Mr. Fitch's intended steam-boat, whose name Mr. Askew (being a stranger) did not recollect at the time his deposition was taken, but whose residence and occupation are therein sufficiently described ; from which it appears what were Mr. Voight's sentiments of Mr. Rumsey's boiler for generating steam at that time ; his doubts concerning its efficacy might either arise from the novelty of the idea, a want of a thorough knowledge of its principles, or from a desire to draw from Mr. Askew a more full explanation thereof ; otherwise he would not have waited from that time until several weeks after Mr. Rumsey came to this city, and had more fully explained the principles of his boiler to many characters here, previous to his sending a plan thereof to the philosophical society, and (as it is said) to Europe, and that nearly in the same form and exactly on the principles of the boiler made by Mr. Rumsey some years ago, and this before he had himself made such a boiler with the necessary apparatus, or tried any experiment of its efficacy.

Certificate No. 2, and the depositions 4 and 6, are pointed to the proof of the time when the cocks were actually made--No. 8 is an additional proof of the time that the Steam-boat with her machinery, was brought down to the Shenandoah falls in the month of December 1785. No. 9, 15, and 16, prove that Mr. Rumsey's ideas and experiments of a Steam-boat were prior to any theretofore suggested by Mr. Fitch--No. 10, is Mrs. Zimmers's deposition, upon whose certificate of the particular workman who turned some of the works, Mr. Fitch lays so much stress, which is explicit as to the time when the first machinery was made, agreeably to Mr. Rumsey's assertions.

No. 11, is Mr. Raborg's deposition, who has been more clear and explicit on this subject than even Mr. Fitch would have wished ; as in Mr. Fitch's pamphlet No. 21, Mr. Raborg has given his belief of the time, which in this deposition is fully confirmed by circumstances since discovered by him.

No. 12 and 17, are also important, the first being Mr. Weir's deposition, proves that he was mistaken in the time he mentions (as to the making of the four brass cocks) in the certificate given to Mr. Fitch, and published in his pamphlet No. 22.

I consider myself happy that Mr. Fitch, by a serious acknowledgement, has acceded to the merit of Mr. Weir, whose character as a man of honor and integrity, I am fully convinced of, and beg leave to mention that the certificate he gave Mr. Fitch, No. 22, introduced in page 28 of Mr. Fitch's Pamphlet, was from the best recollection he then had on the subject, and that this was from memory only, but upon his discovering a receipt, he candidly and ingenuously first informed Mr. Fitch of the mistake, and afterwards gave an explicit deposition, which we presume will satisfy the public. The certificate No. 17, will explain how unhappy Mr. Fitch has been, in his mode of attempting to invalidate Mr. Rumsey's statement of facts, as it retorts the charge of encouraging perjury, upon Mr. Fitch, with the additional turpitude of soliciting the commission of so heinous a crime by the offer of a bribe. How far this conduct will comport with the introductory declaration of Mr. Fitch in his pamphlet, where he says "It is the duty of every man not only to avoid the commission of a crime, but so to conduct himself through life, as to bear the strictest scrutiny", I shall not at present comment on.

Certificates No. 18 and 19, corborate the above fact, and introduce a further proof of Mr. Fitch's conduct in procuring certificates, by an actual commission of bribery being proved against him. No. 13, proves the fact which Mr. Weir's deposition No 12, is adduced to authenticate, which is likewise stronger than from memory, from which alone he gave Mr. Fitch the certificate No. 23, in his pamphlet.

Having now made a short reference to the depositions and certificates annexed, it may be proper to reply to Mr. Fitch's remarks on governor Johnson's friendship towards him, where he disingenuously calls into memory the governor's memory or candour, though he seems modestly to acquit the latter. Whether Mr. Fitch's gratitude appears to advantage in this illiberal attack on so respectable a character, after such an instance of patronage and friendship, is easily decided. I shall take the liberty of stating, that altho' previous to Mr. Fitch's application to governor Johnson, Mr. Rumsey had in confidence mentioned to him his idea of applying steam to the purposes of navigation, and bespoke some of the boat machinery at his iron-works, yet governor Johnson not expecting that either Mr. Rumsey or Mr. Fitch had an exclusive right in the power of steam, as applied to navigation, or any other purpose ; and taking it for granted that their modes of application might be different, held himself at liberty to patronize both Mr. Rumsey and Mr. Fitch, not knowing which might produce the most approved plan, and succeed in so desirable an object. This line of conduct is consistent with the practice of the most enlightened characters in the philosophical world.

In pages 14 and 15 of Mr. Fitch's pamphlet, he says "I have been greatly indebted to the assistance of my ingenious friend Mr. Henry Voight of this city ; who has uniformly from my first undertaking to build a boat, afforded me valuable hints ; and has united with me in perfecting my plans ; to his inventive genius alone I am indebted for the improvement in our mode of creating steam, a thought which first struck him above two years ago ; the drawing having been shewn to several persons, for we never made a secret of any part of our works ; but a fear of departing from old established plans, made me fearful of adopting it, until I had found by his invention of creating steam, that a condensor might be constructed on the same principles, (viz. A spiral pipe or worm) only by reversing the agent, for the best way of applying fire to evaporate water into steam , must also be the best way of applying cold water to condense steam, that is the bringing the greatest quantity of fire into action upon the greatest surface of water--or the contrary. And we had an additional inducement to study this subject, because the common way of fixing boilers, required so great a load of brick work, that it overloaded our boat ; therefore the first thought that must occur to every man attempting to raise steam on board a boat, must be to acquire that method which would require the least weight." -- A few remarks on this extraordinary paragraph are subjoined ; first, as it appears from his own words "we never made a secret of any part of our works." If such a boiler had actually been invented, the public would have heard of it long before Mr. Rumsey's arrival in Philadelphia last April ; and a fear of departing from old established plans, it is presumed would not have prevented his making use of it in some of his experiments, had he understood the principles, because the common way of fixing boilers required so great a load of brick work, that it overloaded our boat, more especially, as the first thought which must occur to every man attempting to raise steam on board a boat, must be to acquire that method which would require the least weight. How unhappy is it for Mr. Fitch not to have attended to the first thought which must have occurred to every man on the subject, until he actually was acquainted with the experiments made by Mr. Rumsey ; however we confess this is not much to be wondered at, when he says, he found, that from what he calls Mr. Voight's invention of creating steam, a condensor might be constructed on the same principles, viz. a spiral pipe or worm, only by reversing the agent, which is the true definition of every worm of a common still, and which Mr. Fitch claims as an original invention, though we presume his claim of this invention will scarcely be acceded to by those who have ever seen a distillery, and only shews how far he can carry his bold attempts to deprive others of their rights. This same wonderful spiral pipe or worm Mr. Fitch has made use of to prove, that the thought of creating steam by the reversing the agent, must be known to every man who did but consider the subject, and had seen a pipe used in condensation ; if so, the common worm of a still must have suggested the idea to every man who considered the subject from the earliest period. That is not a truth, facts unquestionably declare.

It may not be improper to remark here, that when Mr. Rumsey applied to the different legislatures, it was in order to obtain an exclusive right to his boat exhibited at Bath in 1784, although previous to that time he had actually conceived the idea of applying steam t the purposes of navigation, but not having fully perfected the most advantageous mode of application, he did not think himself authorised to introduce to the committee of the assemblies an immatured subject, which it appears Mr. Fitch's modesty permitted him to do, for from his pamphlet it is evident he has not brought his plans to any maturity. This will reconcile what was said, in General Washington's letter to Governor Johnson, of Mr. Rumsey's idea of steam, being in his opinion at that time an immatured idea. As to Mr. Rumsey's assertion in his letter to the General 10^th March 1785, as mentioned in Mr. Fitch's pamphlet page 13, "that he was not less sanguine in his boat projects than when the General saw him at Richmond, and that he had made such further discoveries as would render them more extensively useful than was at first expected ;" this can only apply to the machinery of the steam boat, as the use of the pole boat could not be extended so far as Mr. Rumsey in that letter has suggested his improvements would reach. See No. 19 in Mr. Rumsey's pamphlet, in which are these words--

'After mentioning that kind of machine for propelling boats which the General had seen a model of, I proceed to say'--"I have taken the greatest pains to perfect another kind of boat, upon the principles I mentioned to you at Richmond in November last, and have the pleasure to inform you that I have brought it to great perfection.; it is true, it will cost something more than the other way, but, when in use, will be more manageable, and can be worked with as few hands ; the power is immense--and I have quite convinced myself that boats of passage may be made to go against the current of the Mississippi or Ohio rivers, or in the Gulf Stream (from the Leeward to the Windward-Islands) from sixty to one hundred miles per day. I know this will appear strange and improbable to many persons, yet I am very certain it may be performed, besides, it is simple (when understood) and is also strictly philosophical."

What can we think of Mr. Fitch's candour, after this ungenerous violation of it, by alledging that these further discoveries could only allude to the pole boat, notwithstanding this letter is published unmutilated in Mr. Fitch's pamphlet, and Mr. Fitch must be sensible that Mr. Rumsey therein mentions another kind of boat ; and that poles could not be used in the Gulph Stream and from the Leeward to the Windward Islands.

Mr. Fitch goes on to say, that the further discoveries mentioned in General Washington's letter to Mr. Rumsey will not apply to steam, because steam could be no new discovery ; from this mode of reasoning it will appear, that not only Mr. Fitch himself has made no new discoveries, nor ever had a new idea on the subject of steam, (which will readily be granted by any kind of candid man who is acquainted with him) but that no such new idea or discovery has ever been suggested to him by his friends, because as they related to steam, and that being no new idea or discovery, from Mr. Fitch's own relation of the subject, therefore as he has applied the conclusion to Mr. Rumsey, it is fair to hand it over to himself. Mr. Fitch it seems could not comprehend that the discoveries mentioned in the General's letter, could allude to the mode of applying steam to the purposes of navigation. This however is of a piece, with the rest of the false reasoning which spreads very generally through Mr. Fitch's pamphlet, in order if possible, to evade the stubborn facts Mr. Rumsey has adduced. Mr. Fitch, when he finds himself hard pressed in the right of priority, says such a claim is entirely useless, as others "projected it before him, and if bare projections were sufficient to build a claim on, I have no doubt but there are people now in their graves, whose heirs may set up more early claims than either of us." On the contrary, when it is proved that Mr. Rumsey has succeeded earliest in this business, he then says it is shifting the ground, which sentiment will not be strenuously opposed, as it appears clearly to be the true ground on which the dispute will in all probability eventually be determined ; or lastly, he intrenches himself behind what he with great propriety calls "my laws," which were obtained, not because he was the first man who thought of steam in its application to nautical purposes, nor because he first accomplished so desirable an object, but as being the first person who applied to different legislatures in order to obtain an exclusive right to exercise the faculties of the human mind, as far as they relate to steam boats, insomuch that Mr. Fitch has repeatedly in conversation alleged, that if any person in Pennsylvania should invent a steam boat, upon different principles and far superior to his own or Mr. Rumsey's, the inventor dare not produce it to the public without being liable to the full penalties of his law ; and it is alleged that should even a vessel owned and navigated by the citizens of the United States, or by the citizens of any foreign state, arrive at Philadelphia, propelled by the force of steam however applied, such vessel would be liable to the penalties of his law. If this be really the case, the candid public will determine how far the principles of this law can be reconciled on the liberties of a free people, or to that encouragement which all enlightened states afford to every useful discovery in the arts and sciences.

In page 23 of Mr. Fitch's pamphlet, after some remarks on the principles on which exclusive privileges are founded in justice and policy ; he proceeds in an uncandid manner to state the modes established in England, by which an inventor may claim the full benefit of what he had already invented ; and endeavour to give so spacious a turn to the period, as though a patent obtained in England would give a person the exclusive privilege of things invented or to be invented.

Should any one in England make application for an exclusive right in a steam boat, he must of necessity frist file of record a plan or model of the machinery by which she was to be propelled, in which alone he could have an exclusive right ; and should he afterwards make further improvements therein, it would be necessary for him to apply for a patent for those second improvements, as has been the case in other instances ; and should a person applying alledge (agreeable to Mr. Fitch's ideas) that althoughhe might not be the first person who thought of steam boasts, neither had yet perfected any thing effectual, but that he was uncertain whether he should not try twenty different modes of obtaining some one useful model, and that he would therefore with an exclusive right in any or all of them when invented ; and that as a reward for his being the first person who had applied thus to register his thoughts on the subject, he considered that he ought in justice to be legally invested with the right of invention to the exclusion of all others ; the officer to whom such an application should be made (if permitted in) would require no other mark of the applicant's insanity. As a proof that Mr. Fitch's ideas on the subject were not so matured as to authorize him in justice to apply to the legislatures, it is sufficient only to add, that he repeatedly shifted the machinery of his steam boat, since he exhibited the model before the Philosophical society in the year 1785, and that he at length made an experiment in the river Delaware, with a boat moved by paddles and cranks, which, notwithstanding his victorious accounts of her wonderful performance, he has since deserted, as totally incompetent to any useful purpose, and it is said he is now about making an experiment with another boat, wherein it has been suggested that he designs using a boiler nearly in the form, and exactly on the principles, of the one invented by Mr. Rumsey, but still paddles and cranks are introduced. Should this plan not succeed, Mr. Fitch says in his pamphlet, page 22, "I am now trying an experiment, and the machine is nearly finished, to propel a boat, not by expelling water but air, and I hope Mr. Rumsey will allow that this is a mode peculiar to myself." From this one would suppose, that Mr. Fitch is not content with the exclusive privilege already obtained by a law, constituting him prince of the power of water or steam, but is desirous of being also created prince of the power of the air : and when this title is extinct in the present possessor, Mr. Fitch may step forward it is presumed on clear and indisputable grounds, and his right of succession will not be disputed by Mr. Rumsey -- but in the mean time, should his air boat fail, he may at length resort to Mr. Rumsey's plan of a trunk, &c. (in which he will meet with more difficulties than he may expect, although well described by Mr. Rumsey in his pamphlet) for which he appears to be paving the way by introducing Mr. Clymer's certificate No. 13, which he will say was originally Dr. Franklyn's plan. Mr. Rumsey, to whom Mr. Fitch had read the whole or part of his pamphlet previous to its publication, that he had taken his ideas from the Doctor's communication of such a plan to the philosophical society, to which it is supposed Mr. Fitch must allude in page 22 of his pamphlet, where he also says the thought came originally from France, but by whom brought or how communicated he does not tell us ; Mr. Rumsey therefore before his departure for Europe (as I am informed) waited on Dr. Franklin, and mentioned that his plan of a Steam-boat was as to him an original invention, and assured him that before he came to this city, he had neither seen nor heard of his communication to the philosophical society ; when the Dr. with his usual candour and politeness presented him with one of his pamphlets written on this subject.

Mr. Fitch's assertion relative to the mode of drawing water in at the bottom and pushing it out at the stern and his contending the right of using it with Arthur Donaldson, before the assembly of Pennsylvania, as Mr. Donaldson was desirous that Mr. Fitch should only have an exclusive right to his own particular inventions, and not avail himself of the privilege of using any discovery or improvement invented or to be invented, by others : Mr. Fitch contended for the exclusive right of applying the agency of steam to the purposes of navigation, in every possible mode, and alledged, that he did not know but he might try twenty methods of effecting this object. This vague manner of application, if it means any thing, certainly amounts to a desire to engross not only the right of inventing, to the exclusion of all others, but to a claim of property in their inventions. Not withstanding, aat the time Mr. Donaldson and Mr. Fitch were before the committee of the assembly, the latter appeared acquainted with the principles of a Steam-boat, as laid down by Mr. Donaldson, as Mr. Clymer expresses himself in No. 13, page 22, of Mr. Fitch's pamphlet ; this only proves what otherwise might have been doubted, that Mr. Fitch is capable of understanding the principles of a thing when communicated to him, which communication can be proved to have been made him previous to this period--tho' this was long after Mr. Rumsey had bespoke some of his works for his Steam-boat, as will appear from the various certificates on this subject.

It may be necessary now to add that the heavey charges of perjury, falshood, want of memory or candour, which are so illiberally brought by Mr. Fitch, against the fairest characters, were made by a man, who not only attempted to bribe a gentleman of character to swear to a falshood, but who actually committed this heinous offence, in order either to avail himself of Mr. Rumsey's invention, or to prevent him from deriving the emoluments due to his ingenuity. How Mr. Fitch can after this instance of flagitious conduct, expect the patronage of any honest man, I am at a loss to determine.

The depositions and certificates which follow, fill, it is hoped, be sufficient to establish the principal facts stated by and in behalf of Mr. Rumsey, until a competent jurisdiction shall require a more full and pointed state of the case.

Whether Mr. Rumsey's or Mr. Fitch's patrons have committed themselves too unreservedly to strangers, time alone will determine ; but as Mr. Rumsey has been happy enough to cultivate and possess the friendship and esteem of some of the most eminent characters in the United States, so he has expressed the highest sense of gratitude for the honorable patronage afforded him, tho' a stranger, by a number of respectable characters in Philadelphia ; and I am well assured, he will so conduct himself in the new and untried scenes of life, into which he is now about to enter, as not to cause a blush in the countenance of one of his friends, either in Europe or America ; and he will expect the patronage of those friends, no longer than he shall himself support the character, not only of an ingenious, but of an HONEST MAN.

JOSEPH BARNES.

July 7^th, 1788.

VIRGINIA, BERKELEY COUNTY, ss.

MOSES HUNTER.

(No. 1.)

At the request of capt. Charles Morrow, I have examined the books of Richard Henderson and Co. respecting the time when capt. James Rumsey had some iron bars drawn here, in the shape, and about the size of gunscalps. I find accordingly that he had.

1786. lb.

January 26^th, 2 scalps weigh. 27 1/2

February 1^st, do. do. 84,

4^th, 6 do. do. 67,

At the time Mr. Rumsey applied for the above, I understood he wanted it for some of the purposes of his machinery. Given under my hand, the date above.

JOHN RITCHIE.

Berkeley County, May 17^th, 1788.

We do certify that Mr. John Ritchie, Manager of the Ante Eatum iron works, in a letter to us directed, set forth the very same facts, which are stated above on this paper in his hand writing, and mentioned to us in his letter, that if necessity required he would come into this county to acknowledge the same.

Given unto our hands, date above.

JOHN KEARSLEY.

CATO MOORE

(No. 2.)

WE the subscribers, were at capt. Charles Morrow's house at the time he received a letter from Mr. James Rumsey, dated at Philadelphia 8^th day of May, 1788, wherein he informed the said Morrow, that Mr. Fitch had obtained an affadavit from the founder that cast some large cocks for said Rumsey, setting forth that they were cast in March 1786; said Morrow then produced his books, and turning to Mr. Rumsey's account in which said Rumsey was charged with nine pounds, sixteen shillings, paid Mr. Raborg for cocks the 29^th of October, 1785.

JOHN MARK.

ABRAHAM SHEPHERD.

I certify, that the above signers are men of good fame; that they are personally known to me, and acknowledged their signatures before me this 17^th day of May, 1788.

CATO MOORE.

(No. 3.)

Berkeley County, ss.

THIS day William Askew, of the county aforesaid, came before me John Kearsley, one of the justices of the peace for said county, and made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that he was in the city of Philadelphia, in the month of September 1787, when he had an opportunity of seeing the Steam-boat (said to be constructed by Mr. Fitch) which boat was shewn to this deponent by a gentleman, a silver-smith, a German, who said he was in connection with Mr. Fitch in the undertaking of the boat aforesaid, and was so obliging as to invite this deponent to see the performance of said boat : the external incumbrance of the boat, the weight of the boiler, and the necessary quantity of wood, this deponent conceived would render Mr. Fitch's boat of little utility, as he has endeavoured to set forth in his deposition, No. 6, in Mr. Rumsey's pamphlet. The gentleman alluded to as aforesaid, Mr. Fitch's partner, the silver-smith or watch-maker in second-street, on the opposite side of the way from Messrs. Wager and Hawbacher, wine-merchants, whom this deponent had a considerable discourse with, on the subject of Mr. Rumsey's Steam-boat; the said silver-smith or watch-maker seemed to be of opinion, that Mr. Rumsey had borrowed his knowledge of the Steam-boat from said Mr. Fitch : this deponent then informed said silver-smith or watch-maker, partner to Mr. Fitch, that he personally knew Mr. Rumsey had been about three years before that time at work on said Steam-boat, and that he had been endeavouring to perfect said boat since that period, under a variety of difficulties, for the want of mechanics, resources, &c. This deponent further saith, that he was again in the city of Philadelphia in January and February last past, and that he then told the said silver-smith or watch-maker, that the boiler in said Fitch's boat was of too much weight, and would require so much wood to boil the same, that of course it would be of little or no use. This deponent drew the model of Mr. Rumsey's pipe-boiler, and explained the manner of its working, and advised them to adopt a similar mode of making steam, and lay aside the mode of making steam in their way, which form said silver-smith or watch-maker seemed to be an entire stranger to. After a day or two spent, and often talking on the subject of steam, the silver-smith aforesaid endeavoured to convince this deponent, that a pipe-boiler could never be of any use, and argued the impossibility of its answering the least good purpose; this deponent as strictly urged the practicability of the advantages of the pipe-boiler, and said the boat in his opinion would be more perfect if they would adopt Mr. Rumsey's new invented mode of making steam, which mode the said silver-smith or watch-maker reprobated, and said it would not answer the purpose, and shewed this deponent several modes of making steam, as practised in Europe, and said they were preferable to the pipe-boiler. And further this deponent saith not.

This 15^th day of May, 1788, William Askew, the above deponent, came before me and made oath according to law, that the above deposition is just and true, according to the best of his knowledge and belief.

JOHN KEARSLEY.

(No. 4.)

Berkeley County, ss.

THIS day came Charles Morrow before me, Cato Moore, on of the justices of the peace for said county, and made oath, that to the best of his memory, Mr. Joseph Barnes returned from Baltimore, early in the month of October 1785, where he had been sent by Mr. Rumsey to get some parts of the machinery cast for his Steam-boat, that the said Barnes on his return, told this deponent that he had got four large cocks cast, that he had been disappointed in procuring money that he expected to receive in Baltimore, had therefore left the cocks with Mr. Raborg (the gentleman who had got the founder to cast them) that they should be sent for the first opportunity, that he imagined they would cost somewhere about ten pounds; and this deponent further saith that shortly after Mr. John Thornbury was going to Baltimore with his waggon, that this deponent wrote to Mr. Raborg (Mr. Barnes being absent) either in his own, or in Mr. Barnes' name (he is not certain which) for the cocks, and sent the money by said Thornbury; and this deponent further saith, that upon examining his books, he finds Mr. Rumsey charged the 29^th October 1785, with @9 16 0, paid Mr. Raborg for cocks, which entry this deponent is persuaded must have been after the said Thornbury returned with the cocks, as the sum they cost could not have been ascertained until then; and further this deponent saith not.

Sworn to before me this 16^th of May, 1788.

CATO MOORE.

These are to certify that the within named capt. Charles Morrow, has lived in Shepherd's Town many years, great part of his time has been spent as a merchant and has served in offices pertaining to the public. We believe, in every one of his employments (and as a citizen) he has distinguished himself as a gentleman of strict honor and veracity. Given under our hands this 17^th day of May 1788.

THOMAS WHITE, JOHN KEYES,

JOHN MARK, ABRAHAM SHEPHERD

CATO MOORE, WILLIAM SPALDING,

JOHN KEARSLEY, CORNELIUS WYNKOOP,

SMITH SLAUGHTER, WILLIAM MORGAN,

HENRY BEDINGER, HORATIO GATES,

DANIEL BEDINGER, HORATIO GATES,

FRANCIS HAMILTON, MOSES HUNTER.

(No. 5.)

Berkeley County, ss.

THIS day came Michael Entler before me John Kearsley, one of the justices of the peace for said county, and made oath, that as well as he remembers, about the beginning of February 1786, he and Jonathon Osborn began to weld some pipes for Mr. James Rumsey; the pipes were about the size of gun barrels, and he well remembers, that at the time the last six scalps were brought to him from the forge, that he and said Osborn, were at work at the first bought scalps; that, after they were welded, he and said Osborn cut the male screw on one end, and a female screw on the other end of each barrel, in order that they might be all screwed together, that after they were so far finished, they lay in my shop six months, or perhaps longer; after whichm, Mr. Joseph Barnes came to me, and told me he wanted them put together; said Barned then prepared a block, and assisted me to screw them together and bend them, they were bended nearly in the shape of a worm of a still, with this difference, that the rounds were placed so close, as nearly to touch each other; and this deponent further saith, that he understood that the above pipes were for the use of the Steam-boat, and further this deponent saith not.

Sworn before me May 16^th, 1788.

JOHN KEARSLEY.

We the subcribers have been long acquainted with the above named Michael Entler, and have found him a worthy, honest, sober man, and a man of truth.

THOMAS WHITE, ABRAHAM SHEPHERD,

JOHN MARK, THOMAS SHEPHERD,

HENRY BEDINGER, JOHN KEYES,

CORNELIUS WYNKOOP, JOHN MORROW,

WILLIAM SPALDING, CATO MOORE,

WILLIAM MORGAN.

I certify that these signers acknowledged their signatures before me, this 17^th of May, 1788.

CATO MOORE.

(No. 6.)

THIS day came Conrad Byers before me Cato Moore, one of the justices of the peace for this county, and made oath, that about the latter end of October or beginning of November, one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, Mr. James Rumsey or Joseph Barnes, brought to my shop, two large brass or copper cocks, and requested that handles be made for them, which the said Byers, being assisted by Philip Strider, did make; they also made two spings which the deponent understood was for the opening and shutting the same; and this deponent further saith, that toward the latter end of November aforesaid, he made (being assisted by said Philip Strider) two pistons of about thirteen inches diameter, to which he brazed Flanches, about one and a half inch broad; and this deponent further saith, that he made sundry other things, which he understood were all of them parts of the machinery for Mr. Rumsey's Steam-boat.

CATO MOORE.

We the subscribers have been long acquainted with the above mentioned Conrad Byers, and certify that he has supported a character of a worthy, honest man, and a man of truth.

THOMAS WHITE, THOMAS SHEPHERD,

JOHN MARK, JOHN KEYES,

HENRY BEDINGER, JOHN MORROW,

CORNELIUS WYNKOOP, JOHN KEARSLEY,

WILLIAM MORGAN, WILLIAM SPALDING,

ABRAHAM SHEPHERD.

I certify that the above signing was acknowledged before me this 17^th day of May 1788.

CATO MOORE.

(No. 7.)

Berkeley County, ss.

THIS Day came Jonathon Osborn before me John Kearsley, one of the justices of the peace for said county, and made oath, that as well as he remembers, about the first day of February, seventeen hundred and eighty six, this deponent and Michael Entler begand to weld some pipes, for Mr. James Rumsey, they were about the size of gun-barrels, and this deponent well remembers that at the time the last six scalps were brought to them, from Ante Eatum Forge, they were at work at the scalps that was first brought to them; that after they were welded they cut a male screw on the one end, and a female screw on the other end of each pipe, as they were all to be screwed together; that after this was done they were left in said Michael Entler's shop six months or upwards; that after this Mr. Joseph Barnes and said Entler put them together and bended them round a block in shape resembling the worm of a still; this deponent understood that these pipes were for some of the purposes of said Mr. Rumsey's boat machine, and further this deponent saith not.

Sworn to before me this 16^th day of May 1788.

JOHN KEARSLEY.

We the subscribers have been long acquainted with the above named Jonathon Osborn, and certify that he supports the character of an honest man.

JOHN MORROW, CATO MOORE,

THOMAS WHITE, WILLIAM MORGAN,

JOHN MARK, ABRAHAM SHEPHERD,

HENRY BEDINGER, THOMAS SHEPHERD,

CORNELIUS WYNKOOP, JOHN KEYES.

WILLIAM SPALDING,

I certify that the above signing was acknowledged before me this 17^th day of May 1788.

CATO MOORE.

(No. 8.)

Berkeley County, ss.

THIS day came Francis Hamilton before me, John Kearsley, one of the justices of the peace for said county, and made oath, that as by a review of his the said Francis's day-book it appears, that in the month of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, Mr Joseph Barnes and James McMechen brought down the river Potowmac, to the Shannandoah Falls, a boat of about six tons burthen, with a variety of machinery on board, amongst which were two cylinders of copper, about thirteen inches diameter, and near three feet long, a copper boiler, four large brass or copper cocks, pumps, &c. where the said machine to said Barnes and McMechen, under the direction of Mr. James Rumsey, continued adapting and suitably fixing said machine to said boat, until the seventh of January 1786, when the ice driving in the river obliged them to desist proceeding further for that season, and they accordingly that same day drew the boat in the mouth of a run, took off the machinery, and laid it in my cellar for and during the winter : Further, that on the fourteenth day of March a trial was made on the same, with some alteration in the machinery; that she moved against the current some distance, though not to much satisfaction, owing to the imperfection of the machinery. Furthermore, that said Barnes and McMechen were on board, likewise captain Charles Morrow, and I myself steered--and further saith not. Sworn to before me May seventeenth, 1788.

JOHN KEARSLEY.

We the subscribers have been long acquainted with the above named Francis Hamilton, and have ever found him a gentleman of strict honor and veracity.

THOMAS WHITE, DANIEL BEDINGER,

JOHN KEYES, HENRY BEDINGER,

ABRAHAM SHEPHERD, CORNELIUS WYNKOOP,

CATO MOORE, JOHN MORROW,

SMITH SLAUGHTER, WILLIAM MORGAN.

JOHN MARK,

May 19^th 1788.

I have been acquainted with Mr. Francis Hamilton twenty six years, and found him a person of veracity and respectable character.

ADAM STEPHEN.

I believe Mr. Hamilton to be a gentleman of integrity and character.

MOSES HUNTER.

I certify that the above signers are personally known to me, that they are men of good fame, and acknowledged their signatures before me this 17^th day of May 1788.

CATO MOORE.

(No. 9.)

I DO hereby certify, that in November 1784, being at Richmond, attending the assembly as a representative from the county of Berkeley, I was in company with Mr. James Rumsey, he being an acquaintance, and from the same county, and that he then informed me (as I understood, in confidence) that he intended to construct a boat which was to be wrought altogether by steam; that he had tried the principles, some of which he mentioned, but I cannot ascertain the particulars; upon the whole of our conversation, I understood from him at that time, that his principal dependance, in the operation of his boat, was upon steam. Given under my hand in Berkeley county, this 19^th day of May, 1788.

MOSES HUNTER.

Witnesses present at signing,

JOHN MORROW,

ABEL WESTFALL.

(No. 10.)

THIS day came before me, Jacob Young, justice of the peace in and for this county of Frederick, and state of Maryland, Elizabeth Zimmer, and being duly qualified on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, declared and said, that one week before the twenty third of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, Mr. James Rumsey engaged my husband to make a quantity of copper work, among which was two round copper things of about three feet long and better, and one foot wide and may be better, all which parcel of work was finished before Christmas of the same year, and taken away. This deponent also well remembers of a certain John Peter, and artificer in tin work, to have been engaged to do some tin work, relative to the same machine, at the same time, and which was likewise finished before Christmas of the same year. This deponent likewise remembers to have seen three or four large cocks of metal, the same as still cocks, fixed to the same machine before it was taken away, and further this deponent understood, that the machine was to drive a boat, and that the round things was to raise water; this deponent likewise remembers of a certain gentleman of a certain spare thin complexion, and black hair, some time in April last, of this year one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight, asked her relative to the above subject, to which I answered in manner as herein recited, and further saith not. Sworn before

JACOB YOUNG.

May the 16^th 1788.

I certify being present when the above deposition was taken.

THOMAS PRICE

Maryland, Frederick County, to wit. I do hereby certify, that Jacob Young, gentleman, before whom the within deposition was made, and who hath thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time thereof one of the justices of Frederick County Court, duly authorised and qualified, &c. In testimony, whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the public seal of Frederick County Court, the 16^th day of May, 1788.

WILLIAM RITCHIE Clk.

(No. 11.)

State of Maryland, Baltimore County, ss.

On the 9^th day of June 1788, came Christopher Raborg, of Baltimore town, copper smith, before me the subscriber, one of the justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, and made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that when he gave his certificate to Mr. John Fitch, on the 26^th of April last past, that he the said Christopher had got four brass cocks made by Mr. Charles Weir and Co. in the fall 1785, but not having made any charge thereof, to ascertain the time exactly, could not be more particular, but that he, the said deponent, hath since been able to ascertain the time when the said four cocks were made, for Mr. James Rumsey, by order of Mr. Joseph Barnes, and doth swear and declare, that the said four brass cocks were made some time in the months of September or October, of the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five; and it hath since appeared to this deponent, that the said four brass cocks were for the use of Mr. Rumsey, to be employed in his steam boat--and further this deponent saith not.

Sworn to before me George Gouldth. Presbury.

Baltimore County, to wit.

I do hereby certify to all whom it doth or may concern, that George Gouldth. Presbury, gentleman, before whom the within deposition was taken, and who hath thereto subscribed his name, was at the time of the taking and signing thereof, and still is one of the justices of the peace in and for the ocunty aforesaid, and to all certificates by him given as such, due faith and credit is and ought to be given, as well in courts of justice as thereout. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand, and affixed the seal of my office, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty eight.

WILLIAM GIBSON.

Clerk, Baltimore County.

(No. 12.)

State of Maryland, Baltimore County, ss.

On this ninth day of June 1788, came Charles Weir of Baltimore Town, founder, before me, the subscriber, one of the justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, and made oath, on the holy evangelists of Almighty God, that when he gave his certificate on the twenty sixth day of April last past, of having made four brass cocks, to Mr. John Fitch, he could not then recollect the exact time when; but that he, this deponent, by means of a receipt for money paid by him, which he has since found, can declare the time with precision, and doth positively make oath as aforesaid, that he made the said four brass cocks by the direction of, and for Mr. Christopher Raborg (for the use of Mr. Rumsey's Steam-boat as he has since learnt) and delivered the said four cocks to said Christopher Raborg, on or about the fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, and this deponent further saith, the money mentioned to be received in the receipt above all alluded to, and dated the seventeenth day of October, seventeen hundred and eighty five, was money received by this deponent, of the said Christopher Raborg, for the said four brass cocks, and further this deponent saith not.

Sworn before me

GEORGE GOULDTH. PRESBURY.

Baltimore County, to wit.

I hereby certify to all whom it doth or may concern, that George Gouldth Presbury, gentleman, before whom the within deposition was taken, and who hath thereto subscribed his name, was at the time of taking, and signing thereof, and still is one of the justices of the peace, in, and for the county aforesaid, and to all certificates by him given as such, due faith and credit is and ought to be given, as well in courts of justice as thereout. In testimony whereof I have hereuto set my hand, and affixed the seal of my office, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, seventeen hundred, and eighty eight.

WILLIAM GIBSON,

Clerk, Baltimore County.

(No. 13.)

State of Maryland Baltimore County, ss.

ON this 10^th day of June, 1788, came Isaac Cursten, of Baltimore town, founder, before me, the subscriber, one of the justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, and made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that the certificate this deponent gave mr. John Fitch, respecting four brass cocks made 29^th March, 1786, by the deponent and co. for Christopher Raborg, could not be the cocks alluded to, for, on further examination of my books, I find the price charged does not agree with the amount ascertained of the cocks made for Christopher Raborg at the time he was employed by mr. Joseph Barnes, neither does the time; for I am now satisfied, and do positively declare, and make oath as above, that the cocks were made some time at or about the 14^th of October 1785, that was for the use of mr. Joseph Barnes, as we then thought, but have since learned it was for the use of mr. James Rumsey's steam-boat, and from every circumstance I find they have never been cahrged or booked, as it appears the cash was received at the delivery of said cocks, and further this deponent saith not.

GEO. GOULD. PRESBURY.

Baltimore County, to wit.

I hereby certify to all whom it doth or may concern, that George Gould'th. Presbury, gentleman, before whom the within deposition was taken, and who hath thereto subscribed his name, was at the time of the taking and signing thereof, and still is one of the justices of the peace, in and for the county aforesaid, and to all certificates by him given as such, due faith and credit is and ought to be given, as well in courts of justice, as thereout. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand, and affixed the seal of my office, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred, and eighty eight,

WILLIAM GIBSON,

Clerk, Baltimore County.

(No. 14.)

Berkeley County, ss.

I DO hereby certify that having an occasion of boarding with Mr James Rumsey in the month of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, where amongst many of his curious experiments, one I remember very particularly, which was, he caused to be made a hollow square tube (made of pine boards) about eight feet long, and about one inch and a half diameter in the cavity of the tube, which he suspended upon fine cords, and having a common gimlet hole bored, at the end of said tube and on the one side of the same, and hanging some weights over a small pully by a thread tied to the end of said tube, whereupon pouring water by hand into said tube, it drew up a certain weight; which being repeatedly tried, I asked Mr. Rumsey what he meant or intended by this experiment, to which he made answer, that by that principle he would make the boat go, and after some small matter of conversation, he took his pen and ink, and retired to make his calculations as was his custom after experiments made, many of which he made during the winter; in testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand this 19^th day of May 1788.

NICHOLAS ONICK.

We the subscribers to these presents, do hereby certify, that we have been long acquainted with the within mentioned Nicholas Onick, and have every reason to believe him to be a gentleman of strict honour and integrity.

ADAM STEPHEN, JOHN MORROW,

HORATIO GATES, JOHN MARK,

MOSES HUNTER, JOHN COOK,

GEORGE ROOTES, DAVID GRAY,

PHILIP PENDLETON, CORNELIUS WYNKOOP.

Berkeley County, ss.

We do certify that we received a letter from Nicholas Onick, saying that he drew the within certificate himself, and that if called on he would make oath to the same. Given under our hands this 19^th of May 1788.

CATO MOORE

JOHN KEARSLEY.

(No. 15.)

I DO certify that Mr. James Runsey of Berkeley County, Virginia, in a conversation I had with him at the Warm Springs in the latter end of July, or beginning of August 1783, told me that he intended to construct a boat to go by the power of steam, and pointed out the great expences it would save in water-carriage.

JOHN WILSON.

Philadelphia, July 4^th, 1788.

(No. 16.)

I DO certify that John Wilson of Philadelphia on his return from the warm springs in the summer 1783, told me that Mr. James Rumsey was about to construct a boat that would go by strength of fire and steam, which the said Rumsey intended to have completed soon.

JULIANIA STEWART.

Philadelphia, July 4^th, 1788.

(No. 17.)

THIS is to certify, that at the time I gave my certificate to Mr. John Fitch, in April last past, respecting having made four brass cocks, as per my certificate in Mr. Fitch's pamphlet No. 22, and page 28; that the said Fitch then urged me to prove what I had therein certified, I told said Fitch that I was not then positive of the time they were made, therefore could not prove it. Said Fitch persisted in soliciting of me, and said he would give me any thing I would ask, only to prove it, and I should be handsomely rewarded; but I positively refused. And further, that at the time Mr. Fitch called on me on his way to Annapolis in May or June last, that I then shewed him a receipt I had found since he had my certificate, that enabled me to be positive as to the time said cocks were made, and he said he was very sorry for it, that they would make a handle of it, and asked if they had called on me respecting it, I told him not.

CHARLES WEIR.

This certificate was voluntarily subscribed and

acknowledged in our presence; this fourth

day of July, 1788.

ALICE WEIR (her mark X)

JOHN LINOILD

Baltimore, July 4, 1788.

(No. 18.)

I CERTIFY, that Mr. Fitch came to our shop to get John Frymiller, an apprentice of Mr. Raborg's, to swear about something concerning a steam-boat that Mr. Rumsey erected, for which he gave him, to the best of my knowledge, half a dollar, and treated him well, as the said Frymiller said; and afer he had been gone the best part of the afternon, he returned to the shop again, when he appeared to me to be somewhat in liquor, and said he would not care to swear in the same manner oftener, if he could be always so treated.

CHRISTOPHER BRUDENHART.

Baltimore, July 4, 1788.

(No. 19.)

I ALSO recollect well of John Frymiller being groggy, when he returned from the magistrate in the evening, where he had been to swear for Mr. Fitch, as per his pamphlet No. 19, page 26. Given under my hand, this fourth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight.

CHRISTOPHER RABORG