The sophistry in Mr Fitch's reply (should it contain what he informs me it does) is evidently calculated to make impressions, unfavourable of me, on the Public mind, and to wound the reputation of several respectable characters, I must therefore beg the Public's indulgence, to suspend their opinion for a few weeks, when I shall have it in my power to lay before them such additional statement of facts, supported by such respectable testimony, as will incontestibly prove the unjustifiable steps M^ Fitch has taken, to deprive the author of his discoveries, and to injure the reputation of sundry gentlemen.

N°. 19 is added to this publication • it is part of a letter wrote by the editor to his excellency General Washington, dated the lOth. of March 1785, which will show that the editor had fixed on a method of applying steam to prQpel a boat before M^ Fitch knew (from his own account of the matter) that steam had ever been made use of for any purpose whatever ; how then is it possible he should have the prior right to this discovery ? if it is asked who made the most promising experiment ? it would be found that my experiments two years smce exceed the best he has ever made ; must I then be deprived of my discoveries, which are substantial, because I endeavored to keep them secret until perfected '? justice will never suffer it, I therefore with the greatest confidence look iip to my countrynien for their support according to the merits of my cause, and have the honor of subscribing myself their