The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-14
SAM HOUSTON.
PRECEPT, RECORD AND REPORT OF
THE COURT OF INQUIRY TO I'm
VESTIGATE THE CIRCUMSTAN
CES CONNECTED WITH THE AC-
CiDENT ON BOARD THE PRINCE


CiDENT ON BOARD THE PRINCE
TON.
We spread before the public, through our CO.
cmns TO day. the entire Of these papers. The
latter not only acquits Capt Stockton, his OIL
GERS, &C., Of all censure in the matter, but is
highly complimentary TO the former gentleman,
for his great caution and prudence from the time
he first contemplated the fabrication Of one Of
the large guns, well as for the lofty patriotism
which prompted him to the undertaking. The
high standing and well known character Of the
officers who composed the Court, impari a
weight TO the report which cannot iail to
command the most profound respect wherever
it is read.
The facts contained in the evidence given be-
fore the count, we regard of high national i'm
portance. They show the tests 10 which the
gun first made, has been subiected-the man
ner in which they, under peculiar circumstances
were withstood, and also the power, strength
and capacity Of wrought iron guns when properly
fabricated. We cannot discover any reason
whatever for abandoning their use, because Of
the recent accident, unless it shall be discover
ed, by scientific processes and examinations,
that the iron in the course Of fabrication, under
goes change that reduces its strength and wea-
kens It's reslsive qualities Until then We think
the experiment should be continued by the fab.
rcating Of new guns 10y the Government, under
the immediate superintendence Of proper per
: ms appointed for that purpose. We repeat
we regard this matter as purely national, and Of
vast importance. The use Of the great gun,
connected with steam power in propellpg
ships of war will lead to an entire change ia the
long established and existing mode of nava
warfare.
We particularly invite the attention Of read
ers TO the letter of Colonel Bomford, a practi.
cal scientific gentleman, whose mind has been
long engaged in projecting large guns for the
use OF forts and baibor defence.
1t has been well observed that the introduc-
ton Of almost all great schemes Of improvement
has been attended with accidents and disasters
Would II have been regarded as an act of wis
dom to have discarded the use of steamboats, i'm.
mediately after the first disasters caused by the
explosion ofther boilers 2 Or would not the pro-
position to abolish the use Of railroads and loco
motives be regarded as absurd, because
occasionally one runs of the track-or they
come in collision with each other, producing
serious caIsmities7 Shall, then, an invention
which promises such vast and unreasonable
utility to the nation be condemned and sban.
doned because Of The occurrence Of single &C.
cident1 II such bad been the policy pursued
heretofore, the country would now be reaping
the value Of very few Of the great inventions
which have, in an essential degree, contributed
to enhance the value Of its products. TO facili.
tate and accelerate the intercourse between the
citizens Of the remotest sections, and to aug
ment the wealth Of all classes.
The importance Of the testimony contained
in the record, will, we doubt not, insure it an
extensive circulation through the public Jour
nails
We are authorized 20 say that the proceed.
ings and report Of the Court meet the full sp-
probation Of III. President Of the United
States.