On the 23rd of January, 1806, Pitt died and was succeeded in office by Lord Grenville. This necessitated new approaches by Fulton. Charles Grey became First Lord of the Admiralty in the ministry then formed. His father, Sir Charles Grey of Howick, had served as a British General in America during the revolution and was raised to the peerage as Lord Grey of Howick in 1801. In April, 1806, he was created Earl Grey, when his son adopted the courtesy title of Lord Howick. Fulton’s letters, therefore, to Mr. Gray (misspelled for Grey) and to Lord Howick are to the same person.
During February, Fulton recommenced his efforts for a settlement by writing Mr. Grey. At the same time he enclosed copies of letters previously sent to Mr. Pitt, assuming that Mr. Grey, being new to the office, it was necessary to acquaint him with what had gone before.
Ibbotsons Hotel Vere Street Oxford
Road Feby 22d 1806
Mr. Gray
Sir
In my letters to Mr. Pitt the copies of which I had the honor to present you there are some Assertions on the powers of submarine attack which men in general will be inclined to doubt, few men will believe that any plan can be carried to Such perfection as totally to annihilate the present system of Military marines and maritime war. And I presume most men in my Situation would endavour to conseal this part of the Business from every member of a Government the consequence of which depends on her marine.
But as I have been invited to this country to give Ministers full information on the nature and powers of submarine Attack, I have been disposed from the first candidly to explain every principle and mode of practice which Occured to me on the subject, And then leave Ministers to Judge for themselves Whether fleets can be destroyed by my means, and how much of my System they may practice with safety, or what part of it conseal from public knowledge I therefore conceive it the most prudent and prompt measure, first to go into a full and Satisfactory examination of the principles of Submarine navigation and attack, their practicability and consequences and from such investigation judge of what this nation has to hope or fear from the System; and on what ground I found my Claims; such a mode of proceeding will place this Subject clear before the mind. I therefore Advise that you will have the goodness to Invite such of your friends as you conceived best acquainted with Mathematical and Physical Subjects. I will meet them and explain the whole Machinery and mode of operating and from their decision ministers can Judge how to Act. This I conceive necessary for every reason, first to Obtain a clear knowledge of facts; Second to Judge of the policy of practicing my System; and third whether My deamnds are reasonable; and which demand, I presume must be setteled by the privy council council—
To go into the investigation it is not Necessary to have Many persons. 3 or 4 will be Suffecient for the less number who become acquainted with the Mechanism of the submarine Vessel, the less it will be talked of or become publicly known.
I hope Sir you will form such a committee as soon as possible and when formed favor me with a line,—