Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-02-12
Mr.. C. Fr.r.:Ixo.


STR-I ilSe delayed answering your letter Of the
lTth ut; III the boEe that among ms old fapers,
might ind something to assist feeble memory, and
TO elucidatc and Gcveiopc the subject OF enquiry
in al which have faiica. Sometime prior TO the
revolution Mr. james RuIRSey, then lad emigra-
ted with his father and family, from The Eastern
Shore Of Maryland and settled in !Sicp5sTdStc:sz:
where James. the first who ever attempted 10 1Tytv
steam - ProPeliiCg boats, grew up 10 manhood, and
at early period often manifested by his actions
the possession OF otexIraordinaTy genius mechanical
powers, and spirit Of eRtaCpriZe
Soon after the revolutionary war when the Poto-
mac Company vas formed he was employed as the
Superintendent of all the works carried cn-be-
i,g there superseded he returned TO She pherdstowns
Ills said thai while in that service, having frequent
y prior 10 thai period passed MP and down by water
10 his mill at the rnoath OF Sleepy Creek that
he conceived the idea OF pTopcllinE boats through
and against rapid water by Stca7s.
Mr.. James RSImscy possessed lit:le property OF
value. bad small family TO MAINTAIN, and 20
wealthy connections, yet unEeT these circumstances
he commenced. the untTied the difficult task OF pro
pelling boats by the application OF steam. He was
compelled 10 invent and form with his own hands,
all the complex machinery, composed OF HYUod Iron,
Brass and Steel. He iittie assisted 10 the
mechanical part OF the labor, by Joseph Barns, his
brOther-in-law. who vas kind Of secondary charac
ter but no doubt nsetuI by directions from Ar Rur-
sey. All the work was performed and a variety OF
experiments made with closed doors whilst the mass
of his acqUaiDtances deTded his schemes pited his
folly, denounced his temerity, called him coneeit-
ed protector, &c, nothing however COULD or did di-
vert him, from this most ardent pursuit; he peTse
vered for perhaps year and half, before he per-
fccted the machinery. He and Barns then built
boat so GO feet long, fiat bottom, but drawn TO
point each eud, in The stern they placed short
Ruddcr or Steering Oar. This boat they launched
at the ferry landing, placed therein or tons OF
stone, together with all the variety of machinery
necessary for creating steam. Notice was then giv
en- that on certain day the boat was to be PToPeI
ed by the force of steam and the people OF the vi.
ciniy were thus invited TO view its progress and
passage up the river against the stream The bank
of the river on the day appointed, was lined with
anxious Spectators several ladies, were taken into
the boat; Capt. Charles Morrow placed himself at
the helm and James Rumsey near the boiler Of the
engine the boat let loose, and began nrsE SIad-
nally and then little more rapidly to move against
the stream, while loud plauditS were bestowed 6y
those on shore, The boat thus propelled by the
force of steam asccuded the river TO sone distance
t1p about quarter of a mile. when Capt. Morrow,
at the helm, turned the boat with the head down
stream and returned her TO where she had started
Having now convinced his neighbors Of the pTaefi
cabjliy of steam navigation he obtained certificates
signed by prominent characters who witnessed the
moving OF the boat propelled by steam. Among
others. thai Of Gen. Horatio CAFES, Col John Nor
row. Capt. Abr. Shepherd John keaEsiey, John
Mark &c. The certificate, II recoIleet right spc-
cited the size ofthe boat the buthen in her the dis
tance she ran against the stream, and that u was
performed bv the application Of steam; also the
time IN which the boat performed the distance OF,
say quarter of a miie.
i was aithe time believed to be the first a.temp;
or experiment made TO Propel boats By steam, and
II was as great measure of surprise that .2EIEJ
Ramssg should accomplish this, With his very Iinii
led means and imperfect machinery. Mr- Rumsey
hoped that after This exhibition, he could by some
means raise funds Put his Invention into pTaei-
cal and beneficial use, and although there was ocU
lar demonstration Of its Praeiieabiliiy, ii was .t;l
treated as visionary thing by many. and he failed
IN his application The main prin iple Of apply
ing steam 70 boats was however sin retained IS
s,rrst by Afr James Rumsey, and for this he had
good reasons no patent law existing AZ that time By
Which he could secure 10 himself the benefits OF The
Invention He applied to the Legislature OF Viz
ginia without saccess after which he went 70 Lon
don where had helived, he would have accomplish
"a All his wishes. having made considerable pro
gree ty The aid Of friends and the best Of 1aeehan
les there One day In making elaborate and peGes-
sary explanation 10 the society, be fell senseess on
the ,aooI and soon thereafter e1piTedt
Some years passed,hefore ihename Of FuleoD be
came eo1spicuoas and Il 5 betieysdby The friends
al Rt1nsseystiat Fuitons fame Is boltotned on the
5n,rsertions aud experiments of James Rntnsey
whose fate, has deprived ms posseEilT q
ne BENEFITS bestegeti a sneeessoT. ,.s5 -
Y6n viii pardon the Inaccuracies OF his statemept
ilanr years have passed since beoecpErencestaeEe
IN related took place. tszt-E.
YeFy Peetfully yours. &c
Il BEBfNlEER@ z
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