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.
Abraham Shepherd, John Morrow,
William Brice, Henry Bedinger,
David Gray, Thomas White,
Charles Morrow.
Berkeley County^ Virginia^ ss.
Personally appeared before us, John Kearsley and Cato Moore, Justices of the Peace for the county aforesaid, the sundry subscribers to the above certificate, who are all gentlemen of reputation, and by us supposed to be competent Judges of what they have set forth, and they acknowledge the same to be their voluntary act, we were likewise present at the exhibition, and certify the truth of the above certificate. Given under our hands this 13th of December, 1787.
John Kearsley, Cato Moore.
Berkeley County, Virginia, ss, J^o. 4.)