To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitch, 29 January 1788
From John Fitch1
New York 29 January 1788
Honoured Sir
Having exausted considerable sums of money in forming a Boat to be propelled by the force of steam a considerable part of which has been expended in experiments in learning to make a Steam Engine that being so useful a Machine for most great works, I humbly flatter myself it is deserving the notice of Congress and that it will in time superceed the greatest part of Water works as well as all other Boats on our Western Waters. This is Sir to inform you that I am about to present a petition to Congress for some assistance and so far as you shall judge the honour and interest of our Empire requires the notice of my petition the subscriber humbly begs your Patronage and would not forget the obligation.2 He flatters himself and believes he can make it appear very evident that he has carried his Boat sufficiently fast to merit that reward held up by Congress on the petition of Mr. Ramsey.3 But should there be doubts on that head the testimonials accompyning his petition will undoubtedly justify Congress in granting something to enable him to pursue it a little further on the same principles that Mr. Harrison received a premium for a partial improvement for his Time-pece.4 And further the information and certificates that I shall put on the files of your House will undoubtedly raise the Lands in our Western Territory in a greater or less degree more than if the scheem was returned into the Chaos of Night at it was before I suggested the Idea which appears to me but just that I should have some compensation for and be it ever so small I never shall need it so much as at the present time. And as I have exhibited to the World what was never seen before I am of opinion it ought to be noticed if it promised no success as it may lay the foundation for future improvements. But where there is every prospect of Success not only for Vessels of all Sizes but in all great Works he thinks that the propriety of his prayer is very obvious and humbly begs leave to submit to your Consideration his representation of the matter to the President of Congress
Which will Oblige your most Devoted Humble Servant
John Fitch
The Honoble. Alexander Hambleton Esqr.
ALS, John Fitch Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Fitch was an inventor and metal craftsman. In 1785, after a varied career he settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and devoted his efforts to the invention of a steamboat. In August, 1787, he launched a steam-powered boat on the Delaware River. He was, however, in constant financial difficulties, and repeatedly sought to obtain subsidies from various state legislatures and the Continental Congress.
2. Fitch’s letter “praying Congress to grant him a premium for his invention of a steam boat” was dated January 24, 1788, and was referred to a committee on February 5, 1788. The committee reported on March 5, and Congress in accordance with its recommendations instructed the Board of Treasury to grant Fitch an unspecified number of acres of the land belonging to the United States (, XXXIV, 26, 80).
3. In 1785, James Rumsey, like Fitch, had begun experimenting with the use of steam power for a boat. In December, 1787, Rumsey demonstrated his boat on the Potomac River. If, as Fitch states, Rumsey drew up a petition to the Continental Congress, he did not submit it, for the Journals of the Continental Congress mention no petition from Rumsey.
4. John Harrison, an English horologist, who was awarded £10,000 by Parliament in 1773 for his invention of a “time piece” to measure longitude. Harrison died in 1776.