I am now fully of opinion that Steam-boats may be made to answer valuable purposes in facilitating the internal navigation of the United States, and that M''. Fitch has great merit in applying a Steam-engine to so valuable a purpose and entitled to every encouragement from his country and countrymen.

ANDREW ELLICOTT. Philadelphia^ December 13ih 1787,

Copy of M^. Rumseijs Extract .M". 19. The following is part of a letter, wrote by the editor, to his

Excellency General Washington, dated the lOth. of March 1785.

After mentioning that kind of machine for propelling boats which the General had seen a model of, I proceed to say -- " I have taken the greatest pains to perfect another kind of boat, ^ipon the principles 1 mentioned to you at Richmond in November last, and have the pleasure to inform you that I have brought it to great perfection ; it is true, it will cost something more than the other way, but, when in use, will be more manageable, and can be worked with as few hands ; the power is immense -- and I have quite convinced myself that boats of passage may be made to go against the current of the Mississippi or Ohio rivers, or in the Gulf Stream (from the Leeward to the Windward-Islands) from sixty to one hundred miles per day. I know this will appear strange and improbable to many persons, yet I am very certain it may be performed, besides, it is simple (when understood) and is also strictly Philosophical.