The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-28


oy men whose attachments give authority to Il Il
augment. and that many we'll versed in the theory
snu pracrce OF mechanical science have concurred
successs' ncusion against the probability of their
ths e,oi appncation, think it my duty never
seiess 70 assure you of the earnest and favorable
TnApeosauon your experiment has excited in this
.anent, and to express the very strong hopes
on;,,;n, VAN ~ ,'s nnai triumph all dissenting
SP.noI UNCUT presum5ng to set my own iudg-
ment ABOVE that of those whose studies and mr.
suns enutle them to more weight. I cannot hnt her
ceive that much OF the disrust manifested AGAINST
your undertaking may be ascribed to tho 5ncon
scious influence of prepossessons in favor IF tht
mechanism which is familiarized by uee and To the
natural repugnance with which men even Of the
highest sclenthc accomplishment regard every
striking innovation claimed by new inventor
within the field of usefuart Predictions of failure
In the early experimental essays of great inven.
ton are the usual obstacles it is destined to encouu
ter, and are apt to supply much of the motive to
that perseyering opposition to it which only ceases
when the practical demonstration of its success
leaves no further room for doubt.
The country and the Government have both SO
many inducements to wish for fortunate result 10
your great enterprise. that regard it an obliga
ton upon this Department to contribute whatever
may be appropriately in my power to promote the
full development of your invention and to aid in
the most effectuai means to test its value.
1t was with this conviction that requested you
TO allow your ship TO be brought, at the earliest
day during the present session of Congress-
10 the nelghoorhood OF the seat of Government not
only that it might be and examined by the
public authorities, but that by the voyage hither
trial OF its capacity and quality might be made.
which should enable this Department to form the
best judgment upon the question of the adaptation
OF the principle of its construction to the uses ofthe
service.
1t gives me pleasure to acknowledge the pronnp.
titude with which you have consented to compiv
with this request, and say to you that your com
pliance must inspire an Increased confidence in
your own conviction of your ability to accomplish
the brilliant end to which you have devoted your
labor
learn that you have directed the ship to be dis
patched in time to reach Norfolk by the Goth of this
month | would beg leave to suggest TO you the
propriety of ordering her TO proceed either to the
navy yard at this city, or as near to il as her
draught may allow. This will place her more
conveniently within the reach of the officers of the
Government and the members of Congress, who
am aware will take great interest in visiting
her.
1t will also CRAFTY me to be allowed to place on
board OF her, to accompany her on her passage,
one or more engineers of the naval service, who
may make report to this Department of her per-
formance. and the incidents of her voyage
have the honor to be, with the highest consider
alton and respect, your obedient servant,
JOHN p. KENNEDY.
Captain JOHN ERIcssoN, New York.