My Lord
At various times I have been necessitated to say much on the importance of forming the Submarine mode of warfare into a regular and permanent System, As there is now full proof of the powerful effects of the carcasses, and the great execution which maybe done with them, a well organized mode of acting should be adopted,
System in this business is the true and best Interest of government, I must also beg leave to state that in System, I have a great and important Interest, for without it there is little hope of my acquiring the emolument from my invention which I have a right to expect,
When I discovered this mode of destroying ships of war, I considered it as the basis of an ample fortune, And every experiment I have made has confirmed me in my opinion of its immense importance, and my high interest In it, Therefore while I frankly give you my opinion on what I conceive the best interest of government I must be excused if I begin to insist on what I conceive my personal rights.
Lord Melville with whome I contracted was Very friendly to my enterprise and I have now no doubt would have wrought it into a form to produce the greatest possible effect, Since his leaving the Admiralty I have waited from month to month, hoping Lord Barham would follow Lord Melvilles measures, but I have reason to believe he disapproves of the whole plan or is indifferent to it which is the same thing in effect, however as to my private Interest and the situation In which I Stand In this country I consider that of little consequence, though it may be of some importance to the nation,
My contract states a certain reward for every Vessel of an enemy which shall be destroyed by my engines in 14 years and His Majesty’s Dockyards and Arsenals are to furnish me the necessary means of applying the carcasses to the destruction of the enemy hence if they do not give me reasonable and efficient means, government do not fulfill their part of the contract, the enemy cannot be attacked nor destroyed however good and simple the engines may be, and my time is consumed to no purpose;
As a Neutral in this country I cannot have a command so as to direct my own enterprise, nor do I desire it nor have I a right to press my plans and opinions on the Admiralty, but I have a right to convert the result of my studies to my own emolument And having demonstrated their certain effects to the conviction of every reflecting mind I cannot undertake to contend with opinions or prejudices nor wait the indeterminate time which maybe necessary to produce a conviction of their utility to this country, I must therefore in justice to myself and in conformity to all my engagements with this government beg leave to state my final resolution, The Submarine mode of warfare must be organized so as to render it effecient, or I must abandon it and direct my attention to other pursuits equally Interesting to me, The principles on which I came to this country were changed from the first week of my arrival I came by the invitation of Lord Hawkesbury to satisfy ministers as to the truth of whether I had or had not invented a destructive engine which might be wielded, either for or against the fleets of this country, and on proving that the engine has powers superior to the methods at present in practice, I was to receive an adequate reward, leaving government to use or bury the invention in oblivion as they might think proper,
After what has been done I hope that the power of the carcasses, and the certain annihilation which must be the consequence of their right application will not be doubted, arrangement and ordinary courage are only wanting to produce the most brilliant success, and were it prosecuted according to the terms of my contract, I should acquire an immense fortune, the destruction of 30 Ships of the enemies line would entitle me to half their Value or more than a Million Sterling, hence were the System pursued to the annihilation of the enemies fleets, and it should be practised to their annihilation or abandoned such would be my reward, but I have no such Ambitious Views, tranquility and a much less sum will content me
I have now directed the construction of a store of engines, shewn their incalculable effects and the simple mode of using them, arrangement time and perseverance are only necessary to destroy every Ship of the Enemy, but as in this part of the business I can be of no use I do not at present see that I can be of any further material service In this system of warfare,
I therefore propose as the most equitable arrangement between his Majesty’s Ministers and me to revert to the principles which brought me to this country and finally settle with them,