Having contemplated the Federal government of the united States; the Vast country comprised in them which gives room for 120 Millions of inhabitents; Seeing the rapid increase of their population and consequently of their industry and commerce; A people without colonies and who did not desire to have any; Without Enemies on their frontiers, and having nothing to contend for but a rational intercourse with foreign nations by sea; which intercourse would be interrupted on every war which might take place between England and France or between European nations; and cause Vexatious feuds and parties in America, which might lead to marine and army establishments, to alliences offensive and defensive with European states, thereby direct the ambition of individuals to Military fame and the people to warlike pursuits; and all their complication of evils; which might finally divide the states, and destroy a system which should progress as near as man is capable, to the perfection of civilization.
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I was to prevent the possibility of all such consequences; by destroying the principles which lead to them; that induced me at first to contemplate a plan which might destroy all Military marines and give liberty to the seas; But I did not hope to neutralize military marines by a confederation of maritime states; Henry the Fourt of France, and the Abbey St. Pierre with all their influence endavoured in vain to preserve peace in Europe by a confederation of States and a congress [of st] to decide on grievances;
I therefore looked to the arts for effecient means; and after some months study found that only two things were wanting: First to navigate under water, which I soon discovered was within the limits of physics, Second to find an easy mode of destroying a ship; which after a little time I discovered might be done by the explosion of some pounds of powder under her bottom; Being convinced of the practicability of two such engines, I commenced drawings on their combinations; and calculations on their power and effects; which occupied me near nine months. I then began my experiments first on a small and then on a large scale; and in two years was so wellsatisfied with my success and that everything which I had contemplated might be performed; that I wrote to the Earl of Stanhope and gave him general Ideas of my plan and experiments; His Lordships mathematical mind soon opened to him the practicability and ultimate consequences of such a System; he felt alarmed and as we all know spoke of it in the house of Lords; which excited much public curiosity And Some ridicule; on the justice of which Gentlemen will now have the opportunity of judging; however still anxious on a subject which his talents gave him a facility to understand; he took the trouble about the year 1803 to form a committe of Gentlemen to consider the principles and powers of my inventions, and get all possible information on the progress I had made, which committee I believe made a report to the then Minister Lord Sydmouth; whose attention was awakened to it; about this time May 1803 there was an english Gentleman in London who had known me for some years in Paris; Dr. Grigory became acquainted with him; had many conversations with him on my plan and its consequences if carried into effect; the Dr. Communicated what he had learned to Lord Sydmouth and it was agreed to send the Gentleman to Paris to induce me to come to London; when he communicated his mission to me, he said the British Government wished to us my submarine Vessel against the French fleets; I replied that in this there must be some mistake that it was neither the interest nor policy of the British government to Introduce such a Vessel into practice; he Said on consideration that might be true; but Ministers wished to be fully acquainted with the properties of my inventions; and wished me out of France and in England; that would I go over and explain to them my engines I should be rewarded in proportion to their Value; I asked if he had any written proof that such was their intention; he said no, that it was too dangerous to carry letters on such a subject; but as a proof of their liberality and the prospect which I had of being treated in like manner; they had given him 800 £ to pay his expences and mine in bringing me over; Knowing the Gentleman to be a man of Integrity; I believed such might be the wish of Ministers, Yet I would not move without some plan and written proof of their intention. I therefore desired him to return with the following proposals and if Ministers agreed to them I would come over,
First, For leaving France and the pursuits which at present occupy me, and for going to England I [demand] require the sum of Ten thousand Pounds;
Second, On my arrival in London Government shall within three weeks, mane a committe to examin the following principles of submarine Navigation and attack;
First Principle
That a Submarine Vessel 35 feet long, 10 feet wide, an 8 feet deep, capable of containing 6 persons, shall have the property of sailing like an ordinary fishing Boat;