they considered the risque of so little importance, that they went to the attack without any apparent concern; and the sailors, who were offered a few guineas for each gun of a vessel which they should destroy, used all their influence with the officers to be permitted to be of the party. But I will not propose a project so novel, and look to others to execute it. If Torpedoes be adopted as a part of our means of defence, with a reasonable number of men organized and practised to the use of them, if it be thought proper to put such men under my command, and an enemy should then enter our ports, I will be responsible to my fellow-citizens for the courage which should secure success. While I propose this, I wish it to be understood, that I do not desire any command or public employment. My private pursuits are the guarantee of an independence and freedom of action, which is always grateful to my feelings; they are useful and honourable amusements, and the most rational source of my happiness. _Estimate for an anchored Torpedo_ Thirty-two pounds of copper, at seventy-five cents a pound $24.00 A lock in a brass box, water-tight 20.00 One hundred pounds of powder, twenty cents a pound 20.00 Machinery to let it rise to the surface in a given time, rope, cork-box, anchor, and weights 20.00 ------ Total $84.00 In page 22, I have given an estimate for a clockwork and harpooning Torpedo. The Torpedo will cost $150.00 Each boat, armed complete 336.00 _Estimate for an Establishment in our most important and vulnerable Ports._ | | Anchored | Clockwork | Boats | Torpedoes | Torpedoes +-------+-----------+---------- Boston, | 150 | 300 | 300 New-York, | 150 | 300 | 300 In the Delaware, | 50 | 200 | 100 Chesapeake, | 100 | 200 | 200 Charleston, | 100 | 200 | 200 New-Orleans, | 100 | 200 | 200 +-------+-----------+---------- Total, | 650 | 1400 | 1300 650 boats, at three hundred and thirty-six dollars each 218,400 dolls. 1400 anchoring Torpedoes, eighty-four dollars each 117,600 1300 clockwork Torpedoes, one hundred and fifty dollars each 195,000 -------------- Total 531,000 dolls.