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. I believe his passion for this improvement will be ample security for his applying the money in that way; -- all

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that I have to request of you Sir, is, that you will give him an opportunity to converse with you, you will soon perceive he is a man of real genius and modesty, your countenancing him will follow of course. I am Sir