A PARAGRAPH from General Washington's Letter, in answer to mine of the 10th of March 1785.

" It gives me much pleasure to find by your letter, that you are not less sanguine in your boat project than when I saw you in Richmond, and that you have made such further discoveries as will render them more extensively useful than was at first expected, vou have my best wishes for the success of your plan."

{Mo. 14.)

Annapolis, December ISj 1787. •

Sift,

In compliance with your request I mention the principal facts and circumstances, with which I am acquainted respecting your Steam Engine, and your expectation of its effect in boat navigation. I was entirely ignorant of the principle on which you were to gain your power, and your manner of applying it, till our return from .the Great Falls together, in October or November (but I think October) 1785, when you told me that you relied on steam for your first power, and wished me to promote your having cylinders cast at my brother's and my works ; the attempt did not succeed. I considered myself under an obligation of secrecy till in the progress of making copper cylinders in Frederick-Town some time after, when I found, that the designed purpose of the cylinder was a subject of pretty general conversation.

Being on the committee appointed to consider and report on Mr. Fitch's petition, I thought it my duty to mention what was in my memory, of your telling me that you had communicated your