Rumsey's steam machinery will not, on its present construction, weigh more than eight hundred pounds, anil may be worked with a very inconsiderable amount of wood or coals, perhaps not more coals in twelve hours than four bushels; and that ?vlr. Piumsey's boiler need have no more water, at one time, than one pint, or perhaps not so much, to keep the machinery in sufficient motion to stem the stream of a river, sufficiently fast to be safe with a cargo of goods. This deponent is well convinced that the whole of Mr. Rumsey's machinery may be made for twenty pounds, nor will it occupy more space in a boat than four barrels of flour.

Berkeley County^ Virginia.

This day William Askew came before me, one of the Justices

NAVIGATION. 1025

of the Peace for the county aforesaid, and made oath that the above testimony, as far as came within his own knowledge, is true, and so he believes is the information he received from others. Sworn before me, December 8th, 1786,

James Wilson.

Berkeley County^ Virginia^ ss. {Ko. 7.)

To whom it may concern. On application of Mr. James Rurasey and sundry other gentlemen, requesting my opinion, whether Mr. Fitch's or Mr. Rumsev's Steam Boat, agreeable to the present different plans of working each boat, would be of the greatest public utility ; I have, at their importunities, conseni?ed, (as far as ray knowledge of the maiter will admit) to give my opinion, vdthout reserve, to the best of m.y judgment ; and as I have seen both Mr. Fitch's and Mr. Rumsey's steam boats, with the machinery, or at least so much thereof as could be observed, by a common examination, I presume that Mr. Rumsey's plan is much more eligible, simple and practicable. Mr. Fitch's machinery appears bulky, w'eighty, and complicated, leaving little room in the boat in which I saw it for loading.