The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-04-09

Nezu- YORK., Jan. 90, 1911.
We have now the honor to submit to
your consideration statement of facts and
OBSERVATIONS, in relation to certain expert
ments exhibited by Mr. Fulton, as requested
in your letter OF May 4th. 1910
# seems to be generally admitted, that a
snip may be destroyed by sub arne explo
sions but whether Mr.. Fulton's system
can be rendered practically useful, must
as we conceive depend on future discoveries
ana improvements. The only opinion
winch we venture at this time to express
with any degree of confidence is, that this
system rs, AT present. too imperfectly de
monsIrated tojustify the government i'm re-
lying upon 1T as means of public defence.
In expressing this upini we, howe YER.
oisciaIm the intention of attempting to dis :
courage such Investigations aud experirhen ts
as the wisdom OF government. aided by other
| hshts anu inflammation than we have pos
sessed, shall consider fit and useful.
We cannot conclude this report without
suggesting a reflection. which has been
strongly impressed on our minds dun ing this
Investigations, and which We hope will not
be thought unworthy the attention Of 90
Vernment namely. tn necessity of an in
stitution In the United States 10 which sub-
lects OF this nature might be referred. A
| Legislative body rom me nanera,, morr
important objects which demand it's atten-
ton, must be incapable of that patient and
| systematical inves lgasion which is essential
| IN all Improvements of science The manv
| useful andingeBious discoveries made by A
mericans prove their inventive faculties and
powers OF combination; but that they NAV
be usetuiiy directed, national institution
appears to be requisite. Such an ihstitut;
on, Patronized by government, would at all
times be ready TO examine the merit OF anv
plan Tor improvements in civil or mili,arv
science, and perhaps its APPRECIATION o;s,i;
to pvecede the grant of any exclusive mi.
yilege.
Almost every state in Europe has spch
an establishment In England there is .
board OF longitude, an institution for the i'm
Provement of naval architecture, an obser-
vatory, and board Of ordnance, to which
military academy is attached. In France an
academy OF sciences was established before
the Revolution, and since that period the
NATIONAL institute, which includes every
department OF science. 1t is not necessary
to enumerate ether similar institutions IN
different nations of Europe; and i, cannot
be doubted, that astonishing Improvement
in every department of art and science have
resulted from their labors. and thereby en- !.
tailed a debt OF endless gratitude upon man
kind
We. therefore, cannot but express Our
regret thrt America alone, while possessed
OF ample means, should be deprived Of the
advantage and glory which would result
from uniting their efforts to those of other
civilized nations. The present we deem
an auspicious period for commencing IN.
establishment. which we take the liberty 10
recommend to your patronage. as In add;
ton to the resources of talent and learning
already possessed, men Of profound science
in every department might probably be
found, who, discontinued with political
vicissl,udes, would be DESTROYS to find re
fuge in bur country, hitherto happily ex-
empted from the agitations of Europe.
We have the honor to- be, with the
highest respect Sir. your obedient ser
wants.
OiUer TVoleuf,
John KeDih.
Cad7UaN,tder d. Golden.
John Garnet,
Jonathan JSIHiaps.
The honorable