OF ANY BURTHEN AGAINST RAPID CURRENTS WITH GREAT VELOCITY.

GREAT VELOCITY.

The same principles are also introduced with Effect, by a Machine of a simple and cheap Construction, for the purpose of raising Water sufficient for the working of

GRIST OR SAW MILLS.

AND for WATERING MEADOWS and OTHER AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES.

By JAMES RUMSEY,

OF BERKELEY COUNTY, Virginia.

PHILADELPHIA,

PRINTED BY JOSEPH JAMES: CHESNUT-STREET.

M,DCC, LXXXVIII.

ADVERTISEMENT.

HE following pages are taken from a pamphlet published in Virginia, to

THE

prove the author's prio right of applying steam, to propel boats &c. as well as to establish the principles on which he has done it, a few copies were then thought sufficient for that purpose, but as Mr. Fitch intends to answer the pamphlet, it is therefore necessary to re-publish as much of it as respects Mr. Fitch, which is done with no other variation, from the original, than to correct a few of the errors and mistakes that were introduced into the first publication, the reason for which it was done, (as the author at that time could not attend the press) and was circulated with an apology annexed to the postcript, for the imperfection of the impression; of these corrections, perhaps, Mr. Fitch may take some notice, if he should, such part of the old pamphlet shall be reprinted (verbatim) to convince the Public that the subject has not been varied; but a little better explained. The sophistry in Mr. Fitch's reply (should it contain what he informs me it does) is evidently calculated to make impressions, unfavorable of me, on the public mind, and to wound the reputation of several respectable characters, I must therefore beg the Public's indulgence, to suspend their opinion for a few weeks, when I shall have it in my power to lay before them such an additional statement of facts, supported by such respectable testimony, as will incontestibly prove the unjustifiable steps Mr. Fitch has taken, to deprive the author of his discoveries, and to injure the reputation of sundry gentlemen.

No. 19 is added to this publication, it is part of a letter wrote by the editor to his Excellency General Washington, dated the tenth of March 1785 which will shew that the editor had fixed on a method of applying steam to propel a boat, before Mr. Fitch knew (from his own account of the matter) that steam had ever been made use of for any purpose whatever; how then is it possible he should have the prior right to this discovery? if it is asked who made the first

I endeavored to keep them secret until perfected?

never suffer it. I therefore with the greatest confidence look up to my countrymen for their support, according to the merits of my cause, and have the honor of subscribing myself their

most devoted humble servant

Philadelphia, May 7, 1788.

JAMES RUMSEY.

A

SHORT

TREATISE

ON

THE APPLICATION

O F

STEA M, &c.

To the PUBLIC.

THOSE who have had the good fortune to discover a new machine,or to make any material improvements on such as have been already discovered, must lay their account to encounter innumerable difficulties; they must arm themselves with patience to abide disappointments; to correct athousand imperfections (which the trying hand of experience alone can point out) to endure the smarting shafts of wit, and, what is perhaps more intolerable than all the rest put together (on the least failure of any experiments) to bear up against the heavy abuse and bitter scoffs of ill-natured ignorance. These never fail to represent the undertaker as an imposter, and his motives the most knavish: Happy for him if he escape with so gentle an appelative as that of a madman.

This is the fate of the unlucky projector, even in the cities of Europe, where every material is at his command, and every artificer at his service. A candid public will then consider my situation, thrown by hard fate beyond the mountains, and deprived of every advantage which, that grand mover, money, produces, they will easily perceive how my difficulties have been multiplied, which is the only reason of my not exhibiting my long promised BOAT before this; and which I hope will be a sufficient apology. Even now, these difficulties render my machinery very incomplete; but Mr. Fitch's endeavoring to procure pa

[ 4 ]

tents for his boat, by uncandidly representing, to the different Assemblies, that my boat had nothing to do with steam, although be had been informed that I was before him, both in the idea and the application of steam, and he had actually procured an exclusive right from two respectable Assemblies, who had granted me the same in the year 1784, before I was aware what he was about, such treatment obliged me, circumstanced as I was, to make an experiment, in order to secure to myself my own discovery, by shewing my principles, as Mr. Fitch's conduct gave me reason to fear that he would adopt my plan, as soon as he found his abortive. And my machine, with all its misfortunes upon its head, is abundantly sufficient to prove my position; which was, "that a boat might be so constructed, as to be propelled, through the water, at the rate of ten miles in an hour, by the force of steam; and that the machinery employed for that purpose, might be so simple and cheap, as to reduce the price of freight at least, one half in common navigation; likewise, that it might be forced, by the same machinery, with considerable velocity, against the constant stream of long and rapid rivers.

Such a machine I promised to prepare, and such a boat to exhibit; this I have now so far performed, in the presence of so many witnesses, and to the satisfaction of so many disinterested gentlemen, as to convince the unprejudiced, and deprive even the sceptic of his doubt.

If the reader will be pleased to turn to the annexed certificates, No. 1, 2, 3, he will be convinced that on Monday, the 3d day of December last, my boat was propelled with near half her burthen on board, against the current of Potowmack river, at the rate of three miles an hour, notwithstanding the bad order the machinery was then in ; and by the certificates, No. 4 and 5, on the eleventh of the same month, by what little repairs I could give it, in a country where conveniences were not to be had, her progress against the same stream was encreased to four miles in an hour, with more than half her burthen on board. What additions may not be expected, if I am enabled, by the generosity of the different Assemblies to perfect my plan?

In the month of September, 1784, I exhibited the model of a boat before his excellency General Washington, at