James Rumsey's Steam Boat, on Potowmack river, on Tuesday the 11th of December 1787, it was with great pleasure we saw her get under way with upwards of three tons on board, and move against the current at the rate of four miles 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 that it may be brought into common and beneficial use, and be of great advantage to navigation, as the machine is simple, light and cheap, and does not occupy a space of more than four feet by two and a half.

Charles Morrow, Robert Stubbs, Henry Bedinger, Thomas White, Abraham Shepherd.

Berkeley County, Virginia.

Personally appeared before us, two of the Justices of the Peace for the county aforesaid, the sundry subscribers to the above certificate, who are all gentlemen of reputation, and by us

1024 EARLY STEAM

supposed to be competent judges of what they set forth, and they acknowledge the same as their voluntary act. Given under our hands tliis 14th Decemberj 17S7.

Cato Moore, John Kearsley.

Berkeley County^ Virginia^ ss. {JVo. 6.)

The affidavit of William Askew, of Berkeley County, and State of Virginia, sheweth, that he was in the city of Philadelphia, as well as he remembers, in the month of S<'ptember last, when he had an opportunity of seeing what is called the Steam Boat, said to be constructed by Mr. Fitch ; on taking a view of^ which boat, (and from the information of a' gentleman, who appeared to be concerned in the said machine) this deponent is of opinion, the boiler will hold five hundred gallons of water.