Robert Fulton and the SubmarineParsons, William Barclay
History
Robert Fulton and the Submarine
Parsons, William Barclay
Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815; Submarines (Ships)
The prosecution of this system will put maritime nations on equal
means of offensive war, will give them equal means of distressing each
others commerce or destroying their Ships of war and consequently will
produce the liberty of the Seas. What I mean By the liberty of the
seas, is that all Vessels of all nations should carry any kind of
Cargo to any port of any and every nation whever (wherever?) the
owners thought proper to Send her if In such port she could not
dispose of her cargo or found a duty equal to a prohibition then let
her go elsewhere, unmolested for the perfect liberty of trade is the
real interest of all mankind. Under such a system Infinate stupid
causes of war will be done away, and the genius and millions which are
now Expended on wars, will then be directed to useful enterprises—
With such immense and humain objects In View and which has been the
great Stimules to my prosecuting of this subject, It may be necessary
to give a reason for offering to abandon these inventions to the
British government to use or not as they might think proper.
My first reason is that my country does not at present seem to require
such engines And although I had written to Mr. Jefferson twice on the
progress I had made and the final happy consequences of such a system
I never had an answer from him nor do I know that I shall have the
least encouragement in America to systematize these plans for the use
of the Country.
Second, Untill my country feels the importance of these engines and
seeing the power which they possess to give liberty to the seas, and
will unite with me in introducing them effectually into the world, and
considering the immense advantages which America would gain from a
perfect liberty of the seas, and would make my friends a reasonable
compensation for the Sums they have advanced to enable me to prosecute
my experiments, Untill my (“country,” undoubtedly omitted) sees such
advantages and does such things It is right that I Should do
everything in my power for the interest of such friends and even to
guard my own Interest Will any American or liberal minded man call
such actions sorded and wish me to abandon years of Industry to the
public good while neither he nor the government have offered one
Shilling to promote so glorious an enterprise?
Third.
As my country has not immediate use for such engines and the
prosecution of my system may now be considered on the broad scale of
general good It is no abandonment of my plan to take some years to
reflect on it and give give it to the world with every demonstration
of probable success.
Fourth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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