1To Thomas Jefferson from James Rumsey, 6 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have letters from america as late as the 24th of april, and as the Ship Came from philadelphia, I thought it posable that you might have had none of so late a date; I therefore Concluded that the little news that they broght me might be (under such circumstances) acceptable to you. The amount of it is; “That his Excellency General Washington arived at philadelphia on the 20th of april,...
2To Thomas Jefferson from James Rumsey, 22 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I receivd your favor of the 10th inst on Saturday last. This being the first post day since that time, will make it I fear too late for this to find you in france; but I have no doubt but you have receivd a letter I wrote you by Mr. Morris on the 8th, which will inform you of the situation my vessel was then in, and the cause of such great delay in the Experiment. I still meet with...
3To Thomas Jefferson from James Rumsey, 8 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
You Should have heard from me long before this time, had it been in my power to have given you any information worthy your attention, respecting my Experiment; which has been most unfortunately kept back, by the ungenerous Conduct of a person who undertook to assist me with some money Towards the accomplishment of it, on Conditions by which he would have been a gainer, had the Vessel Success,...
4To Thomas Jefferson from James Rumsey, 9 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Rumsey has the honor of returning Mr. Jefferson his most Sincere thanks for the freindship and attention he has receivd from him, Mr. Rumsey has taken the liberty to direct that if a letter should come to the hotel where he lodged for him, That it be fowarded throgh Mr. Barlow to Mr. Jefferson so that should a letter come from the Minister Mr. Jefferson will receive it, and will much...
5To Thomas Jefferson from James Rumsey, 22 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The first leasure have I had, after my return from paris to london, was Employed to find out a person that would advance some money for the Tooth drawers, (that I had the honour of receiving from you) for the use of the inventor of them. Several persons seemed willing to give something for them, provided that they would answer the purpose well on Experiment, and wanted me to put them into...
6To Thomas Jefferson from James Rumsey, 4 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have by the august packet, received a letter from one of the gentlemen, whome I am connected with in America, informing me that the Rumseian Society was upon the point of trying an Experiment, near Philadelphia, with my improved Barkers mill upon a large scale; and from the account I have receivd of the hight of the water, that is to work it, the dementions of the machine, and the purposes...
7To George Washington from James Rumsey, 17 December 1787 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Coppies of two Certificates of what the Boat performed at Sum tryals we have been making I have a number more but as they are the Same in Substance I thought it not nessasary to Coppy them, we Enhibeted under many disadvantages and Should not have Come forth publicly untill Spring if it had not been for Mr Fitches Stealing a march on me in Virgine I have Sent Down a number of...
8To George Washington from James Rumsey, 24 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
With this you will Receive five pamphlets Respecting My Boat and other plans, the Subject is not handled Quite to my wish as I was Obliged to get a person to Correct my Coppys In Doing which my Ideas in Several places ware new modled but not So much as to Injure the truths I wished to Introduce, But has made Sum things Rather Obscure. I hope Sir that the nessisaty there was of Such an...
9To George Washington from James Rumsey, 5 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
I was Verry Sorry to hear that it was Sickness prevented you from Comeing to The meeting at Seneca, Go venor Johnson and Lee was also Sick and Could not attend therefore Their was no Board. It would Oblige me much if The next meeting was to be at the great falls as their is Several persons whose presence will Be Nescessary that Objects to going Over to the maryland Side an account of the Bad...
10To George Washington from James Rumsey, 19 October 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been geting of Mr Herbert a few Coarse Clothes for my workman, and A Few materials towards Building, and has Taken the Liberty to Draw on you in his favour, for forty pounds Curencey payable at twenty Days Sight. I thought It my Duty to give you notice of it—The honor you Did me at Bath by giveing me So ample a Certificate I Shall Eve[r] most greatfully acknowledge It Convicts almost...
11To George Washington from James Rumsey, 15 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
When I Last had the honor of writeing to you I was about Seting out on a Very uncertain Expedition. I Came to this place with an Intention of astablishing my prior Right to The Invention of the Steam boat and have met with great Oppozetion from Mr Fitches Company who Seem to Stop at nothing to Carry their point[.] by advice of Several freinds we attempted an N[e]gotiation of the matter and I...
12To George Washington from James Rumsey, 10 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 22d Ultimo has Just Came to hand And it gives me much Uneasyness that I Should though unintentionly, have gave you So much trouble abought Ryans note, as well as not Comeing up to my promis in the Repayment of the money you Lett mr Herbert have on my acount, I am also hurt that from the present apearance of things you have Reason to think me a person not posessed of the...
13To George Washington from James Rumsey, 24 June 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of Receiving your favour of the 5th Inst. with the Inclosures and am happy To find that you Excuse my Imprudence Respecting Mr Ryans note. But the following acount I fear will give you Sum Disapointment the number of houses I undertook was four yours included that was Large[.] the Stuff for the hole was Sawed But from the Badness of the Roads ocationed by So much Rain the...
14To George Washington from James Rumsey, 29 March 1786 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr Brindley, we have had the pleasure of his, and Mr Harris’s Company Since yesterday, and they Boath approve of what is Done and proposed Here. On Sunday Evening the 26th of this Inst. I Receivd your fovor of the 20th Respecting The Conduct of the people working here, It Distress me that you had Accation to Write on Such a Subject. what follows is as near what...
15To George Washington from James Rumsey, 19 September 1786 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote you from alexandria on the Sixth Inst I was on my way to the Southward and Did not Return to this place untill Last Evening which was the Reason you Did not hear from me Sooner what Suckcess we had in the Experiment I mentioned to you in that Letter that We Expected to have with the Boat. Mr Barnes got her Readey on Saterday the 9th Inst and put about three tuns of Stone in her...