Should the committee find the properties here specified within the laws of physics, and by the ordinary course of improvement reducable to simple practice, the investigation will there finish; but should it so happen that I cannot make the committee feel these truths without Occular demonstration, I reserve to myself the power of building a submarine Vessel, for which the Government shall allow a sum not exceeding ten thousand pounds; to be paid progressively as I may think proper to call for it to proceed with the work,
Of the Submarine Bombs,
That a copper case containing from one hundred to three hundred pounds of powder, coming into contact with the bottom of a Ship of any size and explosion there taking place will completely destroy her; that the machinery attached to such Bomb is so contrived [to] as to cause explosion when the bomb strikes the Vessel, or when the Vessel strikes the bomb; or at any time desired from 4 minuets to 13 hours or, 8 days; If the Committee are not to be convinced of this without experiment and will appropriate any kind of Vessel I will blow her up with a submarine bomb to give demonstration;
When the properties of the Submarine Vessel and Bombs are demonstrated and admitted by the committe, a new succession of Ideas will of course result, it will be seen that England may draw advantages from these inventions, or they may be turned to the total destruction of the British marine; in either Case it is of importance to the British Government to have the entire command of Such engines to do with them as they may think proper;
But as these inventions are the produce of my labours for some years, I now consider them as rich gems drawn from the mines of science and which I and my friends have a right to convert to our own advantage and which I now offer for sale to the British Government; For putting the Government in full possession of all the combinations and movements of the submarine Vessel; so that any Engineer of good talents can construct one, and navigate her; also for explaining the combinations of the submarine bomb, and the modes of attack which time and experience will multiply and perfection; I [demand] require the sum of one hundred thousand pounds Sterling—;
When the Gentleman departed with these proposals it was agreed that I should go to Holland and wait his return, I did so, and staid at Amsterdam three months; contrairy winds prevented his arrival; I Abandoned the negotiation and returned to Paris where he arrived in a few weeks with the following letter from Lord Hawkesbury Hawkesbury—
Sir:
Your proposals have been considered with that attention which the merit of the invention deserves, you must well know that it would be contrairy to Established rules to grant such sums as you require, before your invention authenticated by actuel experiment in presence of persons appointed by this Government, in order that a fair opportunity may be granted of appreciating its merit and adiquacy to the end proposed; The responsibility attached to his Majesty’s Ministers in their official capacity renders it impossible for them to advance the sums which you have required; in the form pointed out by you; without exciting such public attention as must be equally unpleasant to you and His Majestys Ministers; if however you have sufficient confidence in His Majestys Government to offer them your invention, you may rely on being treated with the utmost liberality and Generosity. Though this Government and you, have every reason to be satisfied with the zeal and activity with which your friend has conducted the business, Yet a negotiation personally conducted would smoothe many difficulties, and every facility and protection you can desire shall be granted you,
And should you be disposed to accept Active employment from the British government you may rely on the most liberal treatment, proportioned to your efficient Service;—