The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-07-31
SDnrt1f8ttr.
To the Governor, Mayor, and nemberJ Of THE
CORPORATION of Nkav.ferk.

= v bHe SOUfINOys mayor, ana VGcWEcTy " We
Corporation Of Ntev-f'0rk.
GENTLEMEN,
" Yeiterday my dedre to fatisfy pubic curl
oGty at the ftated minute was as great as my
never ceaGng anxiety to fee our habours and
coat placed beyond the power of foreign in
fuits; and i lament exceedingly that num-
bers were disappointed by the expIolion not
taking place on the firft attack. But it has
given me much additional confidence in my En-
snes, and hope it will be fome fstisfattion to
you and the public to know that the failure of
the frft attack was occaGonod by the trihing
Circumstance of the lock being placed snder
the torpedo, 70 that when it truck, the pow
der fell out of the pan and did not take fire.
On taking the torpedoes out of water where
they had been for two hours, found the locks
and powder perfectly dry, and Immediately
discovered the caufe of the failure which cor
reeted by placing a piece of quick-match in the
charge which the lock contained. Thus ar
ranged, the fire was communicated to the 10
pounds OF powder in the body of the torpedo.
An exploiion took place and the brig was de-
competed.
You have now feen the effect Of the exploit.
on OF powder under the bottom of veflel, and
this | bc!ieve, is the beft and mott fimple mode
OF uflg it with the greatef effect in marine
wars (; tor right application of one torpedo
"'il dHuihiidtS d mp OI tne nor ieaVe a man
to relate The dreadful catskropbe. Thus
ihou!d nip of the line containing 500 men
contend with 10 good row boats each with a
torpedo and 10 men, ihe would riik total ami.
hi'alion, while the boats under the cover
or the night and quick movements would riik
only lew men out of 100.
" When two ihips Of equal force engage it
my be doubtful which will gain the victory ;
frequently one hundred men are killed on each
SIDE, ao many woundsS, and the ihips much
i'JGr,d /. uui even tne yapqulilied veHel will
admit OF being repaired, and thus the number
81 ihips OF war are not diminifhed, but CONT
rue 10 increafe, and tyrannl(e over the rights
OF neutras aud peaceahie nations. Having
now CLEARLY demonfrated the great effect of ex
Ploiion under water, it is eafy to conceive that
10y Organization and practice, the application
ofthe Forpsdoes will, ike every other art, pro-
grcis TO perfection. Little difficulties and er.
rors viii occur in The commencement, as has
been the cafe in all new inventions, but where
there is 10 little expence, 70 little rifk, and 70
much to be gained, it is worthy of confidera.
ton, whether this fyftem fhould not have a
fair trial. GUnpowder within the laR 500 years
hastotaliy changed the art Of war, and all my
reflections have led me to believe that this ap-
pication of it will in few years put a ftop TO
maritime wars, and give that liberty on the feas
which has been long aud arxiouly de6red by
every good man, and fecure to America that Ii.
berty of commerce, tranquility and indepen-
deuce which will enable her citizens to apply
their mental and corporal faculties to ufeful and
hunane Purfuts, to the improvement of our
country, aud the happiness of the whole peo-
pie.
Gentlemen, with Difference fpbmit this view
Of the futjed to you and every thinking Anne
rican. | have the honor to be, with profound
refpeft, your mott obedient and very humble
fsrvaut,
ROBT. FULTON"