Although refused by the Arbitrators, he made a final effort with Lord Grenville, on September 3rd, to obtain his pecuniary award, by again offering what he called his “neutrality.” (pages 137–8.)
But the best exposition of Fulton’s position is given by himself in the concluding pages of his Notes, this part being written after his letters to and audience of Lord Grenville on September 3rd. This quotation was his final word:
“I have now said sufficient of this System to enable any ingenious man to make and arrange the Engines and any maritime nation to carry the whole into effect. If I live it is my intention to give this system to the public engraved with every necessary detail and I have made these sketches and this loose description which is litte more than a sketch of my studies on this Subject. In order that they may not be lost to my country and mankind in case of any accident to me.
The prosecution of this system will put maritime nations on equal means of offensive war, will give them equal means of distressing each others commerce or destroying their Ships of war and consequently will produce the liberty of the Seas. What I mean By the liberty of the seas, is that all Vessels of all nations should carry any kind of Cargo to any port of any and every nation whever (wherever?) the owners thought proper to Send her if In such port she could not dispose of her cargo or found a duty equal to a prohibition then let her go elsewhere, unmolested for the perfect liberty of trade is the real interest of all mankind. Under such a system Infinate stupid causes of war will be done away, and the genius and millions which are now Expended on wars, will then be directed to useful enterprises—
With such immense and humain objects In View and which has been the great Stimules to my prosecuting of this subject, It may be necessary to give a reason for offering to abandon these inventions to the British government to use or not as they might think proper.
My first reason is that my country does not at present seem to require such engines And although I had written to Mr. Jefferson twice on the progress I had made and the final happy consequences of such a system I never had an answer from him nor do I know that I shall have the least encouragement in America to systematize these plans for the use of the Country.
Second, Untill my country feels the importance of these engines and seeing the power which they possess to give liberty to the seas, and will unite with me in introducing them effectually into the world, and considering the immense advantages which America would gain from a perfect liberty of the seas, and would make my friends a reasonable compensation for the Sums they have advanced to enable me to prosecute my experiments, Untill my (“country,” undoubtedly omitted) sees such advantages and does such things It is right that I Should do everything in my power for the interest of such friends and even to guard my own Interest Will any American or liberal minded man call such actions sorded and wish me to abandon years of Industry to the public good while neither he nor the government have offered one Shilling to promote so glorious an enterprise?
Third.
As my country has not immediate use for such engines and the prosecution of my system may now be considered on the broad scale of general good It is no abandonment of my plan to take some years to reflect on it and give give it to the world with every demonstration of probable success.
Fourth.