W. part of the United States, at GfS each, J should exhibit a Steam Boat on the waters of Virginia, within nine months or forfeit and pay to the State of Virginia j£350. as appears by the following certificate: No. 6. I certify that John Fitch has left in my hands a bond payable to the Governor for the time being for £350. conditioned for exhibiting his steam Boat w^hen be receives subscriptions for 3000 of his maps, 6^8 each.

November 16^^ 1785.

(Signed) P. Henry.

I then returned to Maryland and acquainted Governor Johnson of my expected assistance in Virginia, and that I intended applying to the Assembly of Maryland then sitting, to promote and patronise my scheme -- Governor Johnson gave me the following Letter to General Smallwood, the then Governor of the state. N°. 7.

Frederick Town November 25th 1785.

Mr John Fitch of Bucks county, in Pennsylvania, called on me in his way to Richmond; he has gone through a variety of scenes in the back country, which has enabled him to collect a knowledge of a great part of the new states, on which and other helps he has made a map useful and entertaining; his ingenuity in this way strongly recommends him, but his genius is not confined to this alone, he has spent much thought on an improvement of the Steamengine, by which to gain a first power applicable to a variety of uses, amongst others to force vessels forward in any kind of water; if this engine can be simplified, constructed and made to work at a small expense, there is no doubt but it will be very useful in most great works, and amongst them in ship building. M"". Fitch wants to raise money to make an experiment on Boats, the countenance that he has met with in Virginia he hopes will enable him to do it, he wishes also to make other experiments, and is willing to enter into engagements to apply a large proportion of the sales of his maps, his principle fund.