Page 13. line 14. of Charles Morrow's deposition, he says "About the first of December (1785) it appears to the said Charles that the whole of the machinery was ready to be fixed to the boat which came down to the falls of Shanandoah for experiment ; but the ice then commencing prevented it for the winter :" and line 28 of the same deposition he says, " In the spring of 1786, the machinery was put on the boat and the first trial made, said Charles being on board," Page 15, line 11 of Joseph Bani's deposition he says, 'In December (1785) it was (put on the boat), at Shanandoah falls," These different declarations or different times affixed, at which the machinery was put on the boat, of themselves tend much to destroy the validity of their oaths ; for the time the machinery was put on board, must have been a fact, so notorious, that it could not admit of mistake, in a mind properly impressed with the importance of an oath. In page 10 & 11 William Askew swears that M^. Rumsey's machinery will not weigh more than eight hundred pounds, and that he is well convinced that it may

KAVIGATION. 1055

be made for ^£20. It is a well known fact that of M"". Rurasey's machinery, the greatest part, must consist of copper, or Brass such as cylinders, tubes, cocks and valves, together with curious wrought iron ; now 800 pounds (were it all made of Iron) could not cost less than double the sum. As this evidence is not brought to prove anything about M*". Rumsey's iniorily it is of no importance, and the absurdity it contains might have been spared. Whether his machine or my machine are best, is nothing to the purpose ; I have been daily altering, and never watched kis motions and blunders, as it is evident he did mine.