The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-02-19

| osrapher, that before his return to A.
nerica he was for many years actively
employed in studying the subject, and
constructing variety of models and
making series of experiments on a
small scale, and when it is recollected
that fifteen years thus elapsed before he
obtained motion much exceeding five
miles an hour, it is a matter of admira-
ton that Rumsey without any reflected
lights should in the short period allow
ed him have effected so much
There was but one person who con-
tested Rumsey's title to precedence. 1t
is stated in the American Supplement
to Recess Encyclopedia-on the subject
of Steam--that Fitch made an expert
ment on the Delaware in 1888. This
is evidently false. Fitch himself, in his
pamphlet on the subject, says, 'that the
idea of steamboat first struck him by
accident about the middle of April,
1885," and he produces the evidence of
two men who were with him at the
time, and to whom he communicated
the thought that then struck him.
The letter of Gen. Washington to
Gov. johnson, written in November,
1887, says: that Rumsry communicated
to him his steamboat invention in No
vember 1854, and that som.tme after
wards Fitch called upon him flaming
Tor himself similar invention, and re-
quested an Introductory letter. (which
ne (Washington) declined giving and
went So far as to inform Mr.. Fitch that,
though he was not at liberty to disclose
the principles of Mr.. Rumsey's discov-
cry, he could venture to assure him, that
he (titch,) was not or: ginal, but that
the idea had been communicated to him
by Mr. Rumscy." Here then we have
uncontrovertble evidence that Rumsev
entertained the idea of navigating bv
steam, at least five months before the
thought entered the mind of Fitch, &C.
cording to his own declaration.
Neither did Rumsey entertain it as
vague idea, but he used every exertion
to reduce it to practice, and made a sue.
cesstul experiment before the exhibition
of Fitch on the Delaware, which was
according to the evidence Of Gen Bloom
field in 1887 or 1888.
On the authority of De Warville, the
correspondent of Jefferson, and an emil
nent French writer of the period, it APP
pears TO have been in the latter year.
In his work-published in 1889, he
states that, being in Philadelphia in Sep
TENDER l78S. he attended by invitation,
and witnessed Fitch's experiment. In
note, written in London. in the Febru-
airy following he says:
ST have just become acquainted with
Mr.. Rumsey, Of Virginia, a gentleman
of great ingenuity, who proposes build
ing vessel in which, without sails, and
by steam alone, he will cross the At
lantic in fifteen days"
This sublime conception, this bold I'M
dertaking of Rumsey, the accomplish
ment of which has created so great SEN
sation of late years, was not unknown to
his friends, but without the high author
ity OF De WarviIle they would not have
dared to name it.
In preparing this notice of Jas. Rum
sey, have consulted the pamphlets Of
Rumsey and Fitch on Standardization,
published in 1888, but have been most
particularly indebted to the Hon. Ed
ward Rumsey, member OF Congress from
kentucky in 1S39-nephew Of James
Rumsey. In that Congress on the fol.
lowing resolu ton introduced by MIR.
Underwood
Resolred by the Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States Of
Amertca in Congress assembled, That
the President be, and is hereby request.
ed to present James Rumsey, Jr., the
only surviving child of James Rumsey,
deceased, a suitable gold medal, COM
memorative of his fathers services and
high agency in giving to the world the
benefits OF the steam boat
Mr.. Rumsey of Kentucky spoke at
length on the claims of his relative, as
exhibited by the evidence BET ore the
committee. The CONCLUSION of his speech
is as follows:
"Mr. Speaker, | will only add that
while many of the representatives Of
James Rumsey are poor, very poor
for, in consequence of his early death,
they never derived any benefits from the
numerous inventions of their ancestor,
except such as have been enjoyed bv
the whole country--there is yet one Of
them whose claims address themselves
to the best sympathies of our nature.
The one to which allude is the only
son, the only living child OF Jas. Rum
sey. While his father was in England
devoting himself with fatal intensity to
the completion of the steamboat that
son, by malignant disease--scar!et fe-
ver-was, in early infancy deprived of
the faculty of speech and of hearing.
Talented, ingenious, ready and dexter