After mentioning that kind of machine for propelling boats which the General had seen a model of, 1 proceed to say, -- " I have taken the greatest pains to perfect another kind of boat, upon the principles I mentioned to you at Richmond in November last, and have the pleasure to inform you that I have brought it to great perfection ; it is true it will cost something more than the other way, but, when in use, will be more manageable, and can be worked with as few hands ; the power is immense -- and I have quite convinced myself that boats of passage may be made to go against the current of the Mississippi or Ohio rivers, or in the Gulf Stream (from the Leeward to the Windward-Isla7ids) from sixty to one hundred miles per day. I know this will appear strange and improbable to many persons, yet I am very certain it may be performed, besides, it is simple (when understood) and is also strictly philosophical.

The principle of this boat I am very cautious not to explain, as it would be easily executed by an ingenious person.

The plan I mean to pursue, is to put both the machines on board of boats* built on a large scale, and then, sir, if you would be kind

•There were two boats connected, in the model I exhibited in September 1784, which is the reason I speak of boats in the plural, as experiment has convinced me that a single boat would not succeed on that principle,