Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-12
ALBERT.
STE iAi-BOATS.
20 de Editor qft.e Richmond Compile,

STEiai-BOATS
70 tie Elifor ef he Richmond Compiler.
hthe interesting travels of Brissot, Ia
nlsth%ni>hcr french rcvOlutlonist)m America
about ~ years ago, he has noticed the steam
boat. went TO see IN, Experiment. near the
Delaware, on a boat the object of which is 10
ascend rivers against the current. The invent
or was Mr.. Fitch, who had formed companvto
support the eNponce. One of the most Jealous
associates is ur. Thornton, of whom have spo-
ken. This invention was disputed between
Dr.. fitrh and Nh Rnnsey of Virginia. How
ever IT be, the machine which SAW appears
well cIecltcd and adapted 10 the design The
steani-engine gives motion to three large oars of
considerable force, which were to give sixty
sstiokrS per minute. doubt not bnt. physical
iyspcihing, TINS machine may produce part of
the effects which are expected from il but
doupt us utility III commerce ; for, notwith
standing the assurances of the undcrtakcrs. it
hiust require many men 10 massage il. and much
eNpcnce IN repairing the damages occasioucdby
teeVln!cucc and multiplicity OF tue friction
yet viii allow, thai il the movements can be
sinpliiled, and the cNpcncc lcssenei tic inven-
ton may he useful III ii country where labor is
dear, ana where the borders Of rivers are NOT
accessible, like those in France, by horses to
draw the boats. This idea was consoling 10 Dr.
1h1rntoh, whom saw assailcd with railleries on
account of the steamboat These railleries
apped: 10 be very Ill placed. The obstacles to
pe conquered ny genius are very where so con
Stdsii'nic, tiie encouragement 30 feeble and
the necessity OF supplying the want of hand la
Dor IA america, 50 evident, that cannot with
CUT indignation, see the Americans discour..-
gimS, by tner sarcisnis, the generous efforts of
one OF THEN fellow citizens. When willmen b,
reasonable enough to enc ouraee each other Law
their mutual AID, ndincrease tlie general stock
OI thDitc good, by mutual inildneSs and beuey-
oience =
Nofc hg The fuihor.F' Since writing this let
tter' h.Neseen MI kumScy IA England. He
. 4 IA i -
ti0n Which he has given me il appears thai Iii
discovery, though founded on a similar princi-
PIE Win that or Mr.. Fitch is very different
from II, and tar more simple III its execution.
Eir. kuiuSey proposed t!iem1.Sy) to bnlda yes
sci which should go Ia America by the helm on
lyof ii steam engine, aud without sails Ii was
10 make Tie passage in 10 days. ] perceive
WIN pam that he has not yet executed his pro-
iect, winch, when executed, will introduce into
commerce as grcata change as the discovery
ct the Cape of Good Hope"
I9te by tie English Editor.-Vari0us schemes
OF ms Kind, Of great promise, have proved a.
portiFe,"hsG brought to the test of experience
nor haVewe any reason to believe that the A
inerican projectors have been more fortunate
than in England
Note by tie AmcIic0R publisher IN ait is
some years since steamboats, have sunk INTO d.
blivion.'
What, Nr. Compiler, should be the note on tie
above subject this present year 1916? think il
probable Virginia has d fair claim to the nvcn-
Yours MECHANIC.
NOTE UPON 4 NOTE
THE CoupIIFn
We cannot but smile at the idea which fb;s
Annotat0r had of the steamboat Colnpare
what he says oft with whatwc see oft before
our eyes, aldhear Off from so many parts of
Europe 1t is seen in most of our rivers most
Of our coastng shadows, connecting distant
places ny certain, easy and comfortable com
munication. The greatest triumph it eniovs
among ourselves. is on the western waters
where II stems tine currents of the NiiSsissipu'
and opens new prospects To that rcgion. And
vet IL or Is years ago, this grand invention was
supposed TO have sunk into oblivion! How blind
are frequently the most arrogant men!
a. To Runlsey, we should wish to know more
othis history. Werecoected that his case had
been before the Legislature of Virrinia and ON
consulting the Rolls, found the following petiti-
on, lnhiS own handwriting:
10 tie Honorable the Representatives. of the state
fg'nia, "a Generm assembly met
GENTLEMEN,
heTeas vOlir humble petitioner has formed
plan fOf facilitating the navigation of ranid
MYERS; be therefore doth propose to construct
certain species of.b0at Of the burthcn of ten
tons, whlch shall sail OF be propelled bv the
combined influence of certain mechanical pow
ctS thereto applied, the distance of between
twenty-five and forty miles per day against the
current OF a rapid river, notwithstanding the
velocity Ofthc water should move at the rate of
I'VE mites per hour and upwards with the bur
thcn of ten tons on board, to be wrought at no
greabr cNpeDce than that of three hands
AND a premium for so useful am invention
,Dur petitioner prdSs for an act to pass this
honorable House Of Assembly grintinr To
your petitioner, his heirs, executors admins
traitors nnd assigns, the sole and exclusive riglt
OF constructing, navigatiHgand employing boats
constructed upon this new invented m0dcI to
The sole use, benefit and advantage of Your DC
ttiOneT, MS heirs, eNCcutOrs, administrations aud
assigns, unon each andeyCry creek river inlet
bay, and hdrboT, within the limits of this com
pOit"ealth, for aud during the full term and
time OF icB years, fully TO be completed and
ended from the first dav OF Jamuary next ei,su-
Ing the date hereof; or Furthermore that if il
stall be the opinion Of this Honorable House
tiiat aH exclusive right MAY not be- granted t0
tohf humble petitioner, as above recitcd that
f8cB, IN such case, this Honorable House. az
Assembly will grant unto your petitioner, his
heirs, @r. Snch premium as YOU IN your wisdom
stall deem adequate 10 the merits OF this in
yciitiOn-ADd yOuT petitioner shall ever pray.
JAMES RUMSEY.
Richmond, Nor. 5, 1881.
Tic above petition was referred 10 the Com
fD.eice of Propositions, who made q report up-
on it, ir the following words
Resoieed That Tie prayer &c the said petii-
on b. reasonable, under prOyisO that the cx-
cigsiyc privilege TO be given 10 the petitioner
may "a any time be- abolished BY the Ierisla.
...,su.. 10 llem the sum of 10000 cur