I esteem myself no ways competent to decide on philosophical or mechanical principles, but if you can simplify the steam engine, render it cheap, and apply its powers to raise water in great quantities for the purpose of agriculture and water works of all kinds, or apply the powers more immediately, as has been much the subject of conversation between us at times, every man may easily perceive a vast field of improvement will thereby be opened, which I most sincerely wish you may largely reap the good fruits of,

I am Sir, your most obedient servant,

Thomas Johnson.

Berkeley County^ Virginia^ ss. {Jfo. 15.)

This day came Michael Bedinger, before me one of the Justices of the Peace for the said county, and made oath, that M^. James

1032 EAKLY STEAM

lie was of opinion that a boat might be constructed to work by Steninj and that he intended to give it a trial, and mentioned some of the machinery that would be necessary to reduce it to practice : athl the said Michael further saith, that he set out for Kentucky, immediately after, in order to survey some lands, and resided there up^v.irds of Eighteen months, and that during the time of his stay there, he frequently mentioned M'". Rumsey's boat scheme : He believes that he also mentioned, that it was to be wrought by steiim.

The above was voluntarily sworn before me, by Capt. Bedinger, who is a gentleman of reputation.

November 28*'' 1787. John Kearsley.