Now My Lord permit me to give you my opinion It has been proved by the most satisfactory experiments, that were an Enemy in possession of all the means which I exhibited to the Arbitrators they could at any time in two months embarrass the commerce of England in the most distressing degree, Or should they think proper to persevere in the practice of such Engines they could destroy the whole British Marine And I thing it cannot be doubted that The french Emperor whose most ardent wish is to get freedom for his commerce would practice such engines were he acquainted with them, knew the modes of using them and the immense advantages they would give him, That he has not such a Knowledge is in some degree proved by his not making any move in the manufacture, practice or use of them,—For although I made some experiments in france they were always thought more curious than useful and the French never were impressed with the Idea that any advantage could be drawn from what I had done, which opinion prevails in this country at present, The feilure at Boulogne has also spread the Idea that the engines are harmless, but the want of success at Boulogne was in consequence of not having experience, and no defect in the principles of the Engines, hence under these impressions in france and England I believe these inventions may lie silent for many years—
From this I infer that it rests with me and my friends in America whether these inventions shall sleep or or be rendered fameliar to all nations, of this Gentlemen can Judge on investigation
When I was invited to this country a prospect of emolument was held out to me in some degree proportioned to the Value of my engines but in consequence of Lord Melville going out of office, The death of Mr. Pitt the change of Ministers and opinions on this subject the agreement with me has not been fulfilled. Therefore My Lord after Seven Years Labour, Experience Expence and Successful experiment It is reasonable and right that I should convert my inventions to my own use in every honorable way, your Lordship or any other man in my situation would act in like manner, And it is right now to assure your Lordship that I never will Suffer these inventions to rest till I Succeed; But as I have no desire to introduce these inventions Into practice unless my country should have need of them and which I hope will not be necessary as long as England and America understand the true interest of their commerce I still offer my neutrality to this government on Condition that Ministers will meet the Ideas held out to me on coming to England,
This my Lord is placing the security of the Commerce and fleets of England in the Balance against a few thousand pounds Or an Annuity, which Annuity to be continued to me only so long as such engines are not used by France or any other nation against England, The resting my pecuniary hopes on such conditions is perhaps the best proof which can be given of my conviction that such engines are not yet sufficiently known to be turned against this nation. In Such an arrangement It should be a condition that government Should not permit such engines to be used by any british subject least they should be made known, and turned against this country Or should the present or future ministers use them they should fulfill the terms of the contract for fourteen years as Stipulated in Said contract—
But Should terms to this effect not be Acceeded to I must from necessity place the whole system in such a position as will give it to the world I must also publish this letter, the nation will then Judge whether I have acted frankly And whether Ministers have done Justice to the public and to me,
My Lord having made you this communication your honor and future fame is involved in this question, the high situation which you hold as one of his Majesty’s Ministers and your Consequent responsibility to the nation together with my full conviction that what I have here said is not only practicable but easy is the reason I have taken the liberty thus to address you,—
I now beg your Lordship to believe that although this business has been treated in a manner extremely disagreeable to my feelings and I have been much disappointed in not finding the calm and rational investigation which I hoped for, yet I have not one feeling of enmity towards this nation or any one of his Majesty’s Ministers I make every allowance for established opinions and Ideas of art which particular education fix on the human mind And my wish ever has been that this subject should be one of reason and not of passion or prejudice And for this reason I again submit it to your Lordship and His Majesty’s Ministers before I leave the Country which will be in a few days.
September the 3d 1806
Believe me my Lord impressed
with the greatest respect for