James Rumsey's Steam Boat, and I had no sniall pleasure to see her get under weigh with near half her burthen on board, and move against the current at the rate of three miles per hour, by the force of steam without any external application whatever : I am well informed, and do verily believe, that the machine at present is very imperfect and by no means capable of performing what it would do if completed : I have not the least doubt but it may be brought into common and beneficial use, and be of great advantage to all navigations, as the machine is simple, light and cheap, and will be exceeding durable, and does not occupy a space m the boat of more than four feet by two & a half.

Robert Stubbs Teacher of the Academy in Shepherds-Town.

Berkeley County^ Virgi?iia^ ss.

The Rev. Robert Stubbs, Gent. Teacher of the Academy at

Shepherds-Town, acknowledged before us, magistrates for said

County, that he did subscribe the above writing. Given under

our hands, 14^^. Dec. 1787.

Cato Moore, John Kearslet.

1022 EARLY STEAM

Berkeley County^ Virginia^ ss. (.A'b. 3.)

Being requested to see an experiment made by M' James RuMSEY's Steam Boat, on Potowmack river, on Monday, the 3d of December, 1787, it was with great pleasure that we saw her get under way, with two tons on board, exclusive of her rauchliiery, and move against the current at the rate of three miles in an hour, by the force of Steam, without any external application whatever : We are well informed, and believe, that the machinery at present is very imperfect, and by no means capable of performing what it would do if completed. We are persuaded it may be brought into common and beneficial use, and be of great advantage to all navigations, as the machine is simple, light and cheap, and does not occupy a space in the boat of more than four feet by two feet and a half.