Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03
s621, but evidently no attention was paid
to it and he returned to New York.
Thos. Jefferson's Interest.

ThOS. j enerSOnS interest.
Under date of Monticello, August Is, 1908.
Mr. jefferson apologies for the indiffer-
ence Of the Secretary of the Navy to Full
toms inventions the ground Of the
meager appropriations of Congress and
says:
"You are sensible too, that harassed as
the offices are daily by the vision of un-
sound heads. even those solid inventions
destined to better our condition feel the
effect Of being grouped with them.
.'Wishing every success to your expert
ments, I salute you with esteem and re-
spect. TIL. JEFFERSON.
Fulton next submitted to Jefferson an
elaborate method of firing guns under wa
ter and received a favorable reply. Their
correspondence was volumfnous and the pa
pers possess scientific as well as historic in
terest,, particularly to students of the sci
ence of warfare.
Fulton was living at Kalorama, the home
of Joel Barlow in the northwest suburbs of
the city of Washington at that time, and
was conducting his experiments in that
part of Rock Creek between Massachusetts,
avenue and the Geological Gardens.
January "a, 1909, he writes President JEFF
ferson from Kalorama, submitting an esti-
mate for 1.-The expense of fair experiment
in the practice and efficacy of torpedoes.
Should they prove to be discovery which
will give liberty to the SEAS what bless
ing beyond calculation would 1t be to these
states, to this great continent and all it's
future millions. by preventing every embar-
rassment with European and foreign ma
TONS In my mind the conviction is full
and strong that if practiced to its ultimate
power 1t will completely annihilate military
marine maneuvers and give all the liberty
to commerce that can be desired by the
most benevolent and philosophic mind.
Hence, sir, If there is but the faintest
CLEAN of hope to effect so vast an object,
is so inconsiderable. do hope the admins
tration will give it warm and nourishng
support and take measures to let me act
without embarrassment"
These estimates call for an old vessel of
200 tons to be blown up while sailing, $500;
clockwork locks Uen). 500; ten copper tor
pedo cases, $500: 400 pounds Of powder, $120;
rope line harpoons $500; two boats. $500:
one month at $40 month, $40; total, 81, go.
Appropriation by Congress.
Congress made an appropriation Of $1,000
on the recommendation of the President and
on February 8, 1909, Fulton advises Pres
ident Jefferson that he has invited some
members of the Senate and House Of Rep
resentatives to call at Kalorama on Sunday
at o'clock to see some experiments in har-
pooning and investigate the principles of
torpedo attack. As this will probably be
the only opportunity which shall have of
exhibiting to you my system by model and
by experiment, by which, III our calm and
honorable retreat You will be aided in re-
fiecting on its practicability and utility,
shall feel happy should it be convenient and
il you will have the goodness to call at that
time
Model and experiment give clearer con-
ceptions than drawings and conversation.
with great respect and every good wish
ROBERT FULTON"
During the last days of Mr.. Jefrerson's
term there was great deal of activity in
ND late
carried out a series of experimental demon
strations of torpedo and submarine warfare
in the harbor Of New York. He had his
headquarters on Governors Island and
| blew up vessel provided by the govern
ment for that purpose. or "decomposed it,
as he said. An autograph report upon
| these experiments by Stephen Decatur,
| dated May g. 1918. may be found In the
Congressional Library. Mr.. Fulton also
made a most elaborate report on the SUBJ
/ ject, the original of which. illustrated with
| many drawings, is now in the possession
1 of Mr.. Robert L. Thurston. his biographer
and among the correspondence is a clipping
from the American Citizen, a New York
| newspaper. dated October Ii, containing an
account of the experiments. Mr.. Fulton
| also published pamphlet addressed to the
| President of the United States and the
/ members of Congress, which claims per-
| haps the most thorough and detailed de-
| scription Of his torpedoes and his expert
ments. Mr. Jefferson probably alludes to
/ that publication in the following letter.
| His sarcastic reference to Connecticut is
characteristics:
| Il have duly received your favor Of Feb
4 ruary % covering one of your pamphlets
| on the torpedoes. I have read 1t with
pleasure. This was not necessary to give
i them favor in my eyes. ! am not afraid
of new inventions dN improvements, nor
| bigoted In the practice of our forefathers
/ 1t is that bigotry which keeps the Indians
| in state of barbarianism In the midst OF
the arts: and has kept us In the same
| state even now. and still keeps Connecticut
where their ancestors were even when they
landed on their shores. am much pleased
| that Congress Is taking mp the business.
When new invene1on b supDozted By well.