Two important works in the early age of steam. In his catalogue entry for the second pamphlet, Church outlines the argument between Johns Rumsey and Fitch over who had invented the steam-powered boat.
“This is a tract of great importance in the history of the use of steam as a means of propelling boats prior to the experiments of Fulton and Watt. In 1786 Fitch, aided by a Dutch watchmaker named Voight, was in Philadelphia working on his idea of a steamboat. He began his first practical experiments on the Delaware, where they were watched by members of the Federal Convention during its recesses.
“At the same time, James Rumsey, another inventor, was experimenting in a different manner on the Potomac. Rumsey early in 1788 published a pamphlet entitled A Plan wherein the Power of Steam is fully shown, etc. (Sabin, 18, No. 74126), to prove his prior right of applying steam for the propulsion of boats, etc. This pamphlet is Fitch’s reply, in which he accuses Rumsey of falsifying dates, etc. In his preface he says: ?Agreeably to a promise made in the Independant Gazetteer, I now present to the Public a reply to the Pamphlet published by Mr. Rumsey, of Virginia,—and as I have no matter to conceal, or disguise, and wish my Readers to have a full and fair view of the whole controversy, I have reprinted and annexed Mr. Rumsey?s Pamphlet, which will discover, to every impartial person who will take the trouble to examine the subject, that he hath no sort of just pretension to the claims he hath exhibited.—His skill in the mechanism of a Steam Engine, may possibly be greater than mine, and in the article of CONDENSATION I freely acknowledge he is my superior, having acquired the art of condensing (with the dash of his pen) one whole year into the compass of six days.” (Church).
cf. Church, 1228.
