The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-06-05

together neglected, as IL has some
times happened that such persons
have devised very successful expo
dents. when put to a push. i re-
member to have heard of the master
of London buttcr-and-chcesc ship,
who being attacked by an cncmy's
privateer, and having no shot on
board, hit upon the whimsical idea
of charging his guns with salt but
ter, which rendered the decks and
rigging of the enemy so slippery,
that the crew could not keep their
feet, which gave time to the English
captain to get clear off.
There is another story of New
castle English collier which was at
tackled by French ship of superior
force. The captain had expended
all his shot, but, like a true John
Bull, he scorned to strike while
there was any chance left; as a for
lorn hope, he rammed into the last
gun all the tobacco boxes he could
collect from the crew, and fired them
off; upon which, to his great aston
ishmcnt, Monsieur hauled down his
colors. Upon boarding the enemy
he discovered the cause of this sud-
den and unexpected reverse of for
tune. One of tho tobacco boxes,
with an inscription Of ".Newcashe
andMe Coaihade forerer," coming
in forciblc contact with the French
commanders cheek, had left there
on reversed impression of the mot
to in gilt letters, encircled in a
wreath of oak. This so astonished
Monsieur and his crew, that they
were seized with a sudden panic,
which was increased in no slight de-
gree, by their being unable to un-
derstand the mysterious words of
this Birmingham spell!
These two instances may be con-
sidc,ed by some Of your readers as
mere romance; but | shall not stop
to dispute the point with them; be-
cause there are some people who
will believe nothing but what they
understand, which is very little in
deed.
The plan have to offer is certain
~ pranticablv, and believe tho idea
is so perfectly original, that | count
upon being ranked by posterity
amongst those patriotic bcnelactors
of the human race, to whom we are
indebted for the invention of gun
powder, and other warliIlc discovc.
ries FOX promoting the great law OF
nature, which have laid down.
must candidly admit that gun
powder has done considerable good ;
yet there is an agent in nature inf
nitcly more potent, although its pow
er and properties have hitherto been
confined to the grovcling tasl, of
promoting arts and manufactures ;
| alludc to steam, which trust will,
on my suggestion, he introduced in
to the field of battle, where it will
produce effects more astonishing
than thoscdit has achieved in the me-
chanical world.
trust shall be excused, at pre-
sent, giving more than an outline OF
my plan, not having yet determined
whether | shall take out patent for
the discovery. would have you
understand, however, that am not
in any degree influenced by '6aSe
Mcre.' Like certain great and be-
nevolent advertisers OF the present
day, | have no private ends in view ;
the good of mankind is my sole OBJ
ject-in proof (which | hereby pro-
fess myself ready to waive all the
profits which would undoubtedly
arise from my patent, and to publish
my grand discovery as soon as suf-
iicient number of subscribers shall
come forward, at only $50 each
Until see how my subscription list
fills, you must excuse me giving
more than an outline of the plan.
would have steam engines mtroduc,
-. IN board all our ships, where
they will answer better than in the
field, on account of the facility o
obtaining water. By means of thes,
formidable machines, should throw
immense quantities of boiling water
upon the enemy, as soon as we come
to pretty close action, which tn,
Yankee tars never fail to do this
besides scalding the enemy from hi
quarters, and da,aping his ardor
would at the same time damp hi
powder, so as to prevent his cannon
playing upon us, while we coul'
blaze away as merry as ever. w
should thus. be enabled to keep on
Toes IN perpetual hOt ,0ater, an,
command the sovereignty QfMe seas
of which the French and the proNI
! johnny Bulls are so jealous.
| | have an infinite variety Of othe
, suggestions for the benefit of man
t kind, and for promoting the nobl
7 art Of War; such, for instance, a
the occasional use Of nitric acid, {
: he discharoed from NV sto,u or