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

most devoted humble servant

JAMES RUMSKY.

Philadelphia, May 7, 178S.

2S[AVIGATI0N. 1075

As to his advertisement I have fully proved that he made no experiment on his boat with Steam two years ago, his machinery being at that time in Frederick-town -- And his boat so far exceeding mine will also appear a wrong assertion as the greatest distance he pretends to have propelled his small boat per hour is four miles, and that appears to be mere ideal estimation. In my boat, by the same force applied, I let out three miles and a quarter per hour by the log line. This is departing from the merits of the dispute, but to convince the public of his assertion on this head beintjj absurd, I shall introduce certificates N", 24, 25, 26.