NEW SERIES. NO. 4-Vot. I] BALTIMORE, SEPTEM. 20, 1817. [No. 4-Voz. XIII. WHOLE NO. 316.

THE PAST THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. MILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.

Broad Question.

A correspondent requests the following tion may have a place in the REGISTER: "What amendments are necessary to the constitution of the United States?"

Naval rates and actual force. We notice with pleasure the following article in a Liverpool paper of the 2d ult. It is a thing that "is right in itself;" and we trust that the example will be followed by all the maritime nations of the world, and especially by the United states; who, having copied from England the "paltry deception," ought not to be slow in putting the affair upon its real me rits. This is what we have long desired.

It is curious to observe that, however inconques-siderable our naval force is, a continual reference is made to it by the British, so powe: ful at sea. It is very evident that they look to it Perhaps, at this season of profound peace, for a future dispute for the trident; and it when party has so much lowered its tone as to seems likely that, to prepare against it, they be willing to search truth in the essays of its will gradually re-model their whole navy, to opponent, some good might be produced by a enable it to cope with our ships: the project discussion of this question-for some amend- has been proposed by the naval committee. ments seem necessary, at least to prevent fur- From the Liverpool Advertiser of August 2. ther conflicts of opinion at times when it may the shape of proposals and regulations relative to An important official document his appeared in be most essential that we should all act togethe navy, made by the board of admiralty, and sanc

ther.

Attack upon Baltimore.

tioned by an order of council. After going at great length into what may be termed the minutia of the service, there is a reform effected which must give every Englishman satisfaction. After elucidating

that nominal amount, the board, with a just and ber of guns, while their real complement exceeded patriotic feeling, made the following observation. "We, trust we shall be excused for observing to your royal highness that it is wholly unworthy the character of the royal navy of this kingdom, to without any design of deception, yet may give maintain this system which though introduced,

occasion in foreign nations, to accuse us of misres

The anniversaries of the battle at North- the accidental causes which have introduced the Point and of the bombardiment of Fort M.Hen-existing anomaly of rating ships at a certain numry, were duly honored at Baltimore on Friday and Saturday last, the 12th and 13th of Sept. On the 12th, the third brigade paraded on Hampstead-Hill, near the entrenchments, and there, after performing a variety of military manœuvres, with its usual exactness and precision, was divided into two parties and engaged in a sham fight. After which the 27th presentations when we state that a Bri-ish frigate regiment, and several detached companies,pas-of 38 guns, has taken a foreign frigate of 44, when sed round the battle monument, with reversed in fact the British frigate was of equal, if not suarms, to solemn music. On the 13th, the com-perior force." It should be remembered, that panies which had assisted in the defence of though this practice with respect to us, arose from Fort M Henry visited that now very respect-it was practised against us by the Americans, in a the lapse of time, and the change of circumstances, able fortress, where they partook of a splendid late war, as a paltry deception. A proof of this repast, in the presence of commodore Rodgers now appears in the document before the public. It and lieut. col. Armistead, who commanded on is there officially stated, that the American ship that memorable day: and also, in like manner, President had 55 guns mounted on the day of her marched round the monument. The happy capture, though she was rated at only 44. In he occasion was embraced to present to our gal- for it is now ordered that the rule which prevailed British navy this practice will no longer continue, lant friend, commodore RODGERS, the rich ser- prior to 1788 shall be revived, and in future all vice of plate prepared for him by the citizens his majesty's ships will be rated at the number of of Baltimore, in testimony of his services at guns and carronades which they actually carry on the time of our need, an account of which is their decks, quarter decks, and forecastles. We given in the preceding volume of the Register.incerely rejoice in this regulation, for the navy of It is with pleasure we add, that no accident England stands upon a basis too broad and unassailable to require the aid of any little evasive tricks occurred to mar the feelings of those days, so she can never want them as palliatives for defeat, dear to recollection, so honorable to remem- and she should disdain the blots which tarnish her brance, in Baltimore, Iconquests.

British Statistics.

Abstract of the Net Produce of the Revenue of Great Britain, in the Years ending the 5th July, 1816, and 5th July, 1817; and also the Total Produce of the Customs and Excise.

Thanks of Congress.

14,226,442 Property tax,

1,087,226 Land taxes

Unappropriated war duties,

371,834 Miscellaneous,

16 Annual duties on pensions, &c.

been seen at different periods; which those who Almost every body has heard of the suffer-did see them,were prevented from saying much ings and marvellous escape of our countryman, about, by the fear ridicule for dealing in the captain Riley, wrecked on the coast of Africa, marvellous. We already have some six or seven seized by the Arabs,transported through the in- of these accounts. The following, being a copy terior, and finally ransomed by Wm. Willshire, of a letter from William Lee, esq. late consul an English merchant, resident at Magadore. of the United States at Bordeaux, and now acCaptain Riley's book is one of the most inte-countant in the treasury department, to Dr. resting publications that has appeared for some Mitchell, of New-York, is worthy of record, years, and has added much to our stock of and may serve as a specimen of the rest. geographical knowledge. He prevailed upon WASHINGTON, September 2, 1817. is Arab master to carry him to Magadore, "My dear sir-The description given in our newswhere he pretended he had a friend that would papers of a sea-serpent, lately seen for several days, pay a large ransom for him. The condition in and about Cape Ann harbor, has brought to my recollection one of this species. was, that if he was not ransomed as expected, "On a passage I made from Quebec, in 1787, in his throat was to be cut immediately! So a schooner of about 50 tons burthen, while standgreat were Riley's sufferings that he took this ing in for the Gut of Canso, the island of Cape Brerisk-he knew no person at Magadore; he ton being about four leagues distant, one of the trusted to accident, and happened to meet with crew cried out "a shoal ahead!" The helm was Willshire, an entire stranger, who even did instantly put down to tack ship, when to our great astonishment, this shoal, as we thought it to be, more for the Arab than had been promised, &c. moved off, and as it passed athwart the bow of our The "Federal Republican" proposes that the vessel, we discovered it to be an enormous sea-serthanks of Congress should be given to this good pent, four times, at least, as long as the schooner. Its Englishman, who has since rescued several back was of a dark green color, forming above the others of our countrymen from Arabian slave-water a number of little hillocks, resembling a ry. We most heartily accord with this idea- much terrified, ran below until the monster was at chain of hogsheads. I was then but a lad, and being the thanks of Congress ought not to be lightly some distance from us. I did not see his head disgiven; but an act like this, of holy benevolence tinctly; but those who did, after I had hid myself" and christian charity, claims a mark of the nain the cabin, said it was as large as the small boat tlonal gratitude.

of the schooner. I recollect the tremendous ripple and noise he made in the water, as he went off from ~ us, which I compared at that time to that occasioned by the launching of a ship.

of your city,

"My venerable friend, Mr. was a passenger with me at the time. He will corwith a better description of this monster; for I well roborate this statement, and probably furnish you recollect his taking his stand at the bow of the vessel, with great courage, to examine it, while the

other passengers were intent only on their own, and for some years Mr. Fulton was a member of safety. the family of Mr. Barlow. He projected a panorama, "At Halifax, and on my return to Boston, when which proved successful and beneficial, and made frequently describing this monster, I was laughed some experiments upon the explosion of gunpowder at so immoderately that I found it necessary to re-under water. The French directory gave him hopes main silent on the subject, to escape the imputa- of patronizing these attempts, but at length withtion of using a traveller's privilege of dealing in the drew their support. He offered the project to the marvellous." Dutch government, but it was declined. It was That a serpent encountered the army under then offered to Bonaparte, who had become first Regulus, in Africa, in the first Punic war, is consul, and he appointed a commissioner with a well established historical fact. He was at While, in France, and probably about this period, funds and powers to give the required assistance. length killed; and the skin, 120 feet long, with he formed an intimate acquaintance with Chancellor the jaw-bone of the monster, sent to Rome. Livingston, and at that period those gentlemen laThat serpent probably came from the sea, be-bored conjointly in their attempts to introduce ing first discovered on the banks of the river steam navigation, which was afterwards attended Bagrada. We also frequently hear of the Ana-with such brilliant success. la 1801, he made conda of the East-Indies, from 30 to 50 feet several experiments with a plunging boat, designed long; which, we are told, attacks and kills, which 'seems to have been satisfactory to himself. for a sub-marine warfare, with a degree of success with entire ease, and devours, at once, the The following very flattering account was given by largest tygers of that country, the fiercest and St. Austin, a member of the tribunal. most formidable of quadrupeds. The diving boat in the construction of which he The sea-serpent still keeps on the eastern is now employed, will be capacious enough to concoast of the United States, feeding on herrings tain eight men, and provision enough for twenty and other small fish. He has been seen lying to enable him to plunge 100 feet under water if days, and will be of sufficient strength and power on the surface of the water, coiled up and ap-necessary. He has contrived a reservoir of air, parently reposing. which will enable eight men to remais, under water eight hours. When the boat is above water it has two sails, and looks just like a common boa; when sue is to dive, the mast and sails are struck.

orizon

The late Robert Fulton. From a review of "Colden's life of Fulton," published In making his experiments, Mr. Fulton not only in the New York Monthly Magazine, the follow remained a whole hour under water with 3 of his companions, but had the boat parallel to he ing interesting extracts are made. Robert Fulton was born of bish parents, in Little at any given.distance. He proved that the compass Britain, in the county of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, points as correctly under water as on the surface, in 1765. His family is said to have been respecta and that while under the water, the boat made way ble, but not rich. Mr. Colden says that his peculi. at the rate of half a league an hour, by means con ar genius manifested itself at an early age, and that trived for that purpose.

his leisure hours in childhood were spent in mecha. If we may judge of the future from the past, it nics' shops or devoted to the pencil. This latter would seem necessary for the success of these proemployment seems at that time to have possessed jects, to obtain the consent of those who are to be the greatest attractions, for from the age of seven-decomposed" which has not yet been done. Mr. teen to twenty one, he painted portraits and land. Fulton was therefore never able to demolish an Engscapes, at Philadelphia, for profit. He then pur.lish ship, although he watched long and anxiously chased, with his little earnings, a little farm in such as approached the French coast, for that purPennsylvania, upon which he established his mo. pose. The rulers of France being at length disther. We rejoice to record this circumstance, as couraged and Mr. Fuiton thinking that the ali-imwe can scarcely conceive one more honorable to the portant object was to blow up ships, and so that character of a young man. It proves early indus was effected, it was no great matter to what power try, frugality, and great strength of filial affection. they might happen to betong, turned his eyes for In the same year he went to England to improve patronage to the English government-or they himself in his profession, as a painter, under the pa- turned their eyes to him. Mr. Colden seems very tronage of Mr. West. He was for some years an properly aware that this conduct of his fifend might inmate in the family of that gentleman. After leav.make an unpleasant impression on the minds of ing it, he removed to Devonshire, and remained in those who were not like his biographer, acquainted that place, and in other parts of England, for some with the elevation and philanthropy of his views, years longer-it does not clearly appear how many and seeks to justify him by the following defence. -and then went to France. During the latter It must be recollected, that Mr. Fulton's en part of his stay in England he seemed to have thusiastic notions of the advantages of an universal relinquished his profession, and to have busied him-free trade and liberty of the seas, had led to the self about several projects relating chiefly to canal inventions which he was then endeavoring to emnavigation. In 1793, he addressed (we presume ploy, and which as he supposed, would annihiliate from France) some general speculations on French naval armaments, the great support in his estimapolitics, to lord Stanhope, who appears to have tion of what he calls the war system of Europe. been his intimate friend-but tho' designed for the He was persuaded, that if this system could be public they attracted little of the public attention, broken up, all nations would direct their energies as his biographer does not even know whether they to education, the sciences and a free exchange of were ever, in fact published or not. In 1797, he their natural advantages. He was convinced, that took lodging at an hotel in Paris, with Mr. Joel if on the contrary, the Europeans continued to Barlow, with whom he formed so strong a friend-cherish this war system, and to support and augship, that when Mr. B. soon after removed to his ment their great naval armaments, his own counown hotel, he invited Mr. F. to reside with him try would be driven to the necessity of protecting

herself by similar establishments, which as he out effect-a circumstance which Mr. Fulton atthought would be iuimical to her republican in-tributed to a slight, and easily rectified mistake. stitutions, and destructive of her happiness. With-To evince the correctness of his opinion, in Octoout reference, therefore, to the merits of the then ber, 1805, he did blow up with complete success a existing contest, the grounds which of were con- brig provided for the purpose. Still, however, the stantly changing, without feeling a partiality or enmi- British ministry were incredulous, and Mr. Fulty to either of the belligerents, he was desirous of ton, wearied with incessant applications, disappointengaging one the nations at war, to give him an op-ments and neglect, at length embarked for this portunity of trying the efficacy of his inventions. [country."

If they were proved to answer his expectations, he Mr. Colden here fairly stateswas indifferent as to the temporary advantages it It would be doing injustice to the memory of might give either over the other. He believed that Fulton, as well as that of another ingenious native the result would be the permanent happiness of all, American, not to notice, before we leave this suband that in the general good, his own country would ject, that Mr. Fulton did not pretend to have been largely participate. He considered himself as in the first who discovered that gunpowder might troducing a new military science, which he wished be exploded with effect under water; nor did he to prove, and which he had a desire to perfect pretend to have been the first who attempted to himself, for the benefit of his country and of man- apply it as the means of hostilily. He knew well kind. His sentiments on this subject were not novel, what had been done by Bushnel in our revolutionary nor without the sanction of the nations which they war. He frequently spoke of the genius of this most immediately concerned. Neither France nor American with great respect, and expressed a conEngland has hesitated to encourage their citizens viction that his attempts against the enemy would with a view to their improvement in military have been more successful if he had had the advanscience, to serve in the armies and navies of foreign tages which he himself derived from the improvestates at war, when they have been neutral. ments of nearly forty years in mechanics and mechanical philosophy.

"Whatever" says Mr, C. "may be the just force of this reasoning, it swayed the mind of Mr. Ful- We cannot but think, that it is a very exaggerated ton to honest conviction." It is doubtful whether estimate of the efficiency of Mr. Fulton's contriit will produce a similar effect on any other mind. vances which induces Mr. Colden to suppose, that From the following passage we infer, that the the "British ministry never truly intended to give negociations between Mr. Fulton and the English Mr. Fulton a fair opportunity of trying the effects ministry were clandestine, and were carried on at ofhis engines."

a time when he resided in France, and was ostensibly The object may have been to prevent their being attached to her interests:

placed in the hands of an enemy and if that was accomplished, it was the interest of England, as long as she was ambitious of maintaining the proud title of mistress of the seas, to make the world believe that Mr. Fulton's projects were chimerical. Nothing could be more likely to produce this effect, than abortive attempts to apply them. This would prevent other nations from making similar experiments and discourage the inventor.

It has been mentioned, that the earl of Stanhope had taken great pains to inform himself as to Mr. Fulton's proceedings in France. This nobleman's mathematical and mechanical mind, perceived what consequence might result from the application of Mr. Fulton's inventions. The information be ob. tained was communicated to the British cabinet, and excited alarm. It was determined by the British ministry, if possible to withdraw Mr. Fulton In June the British ministry appointed a comfrom France. Lord Sidmouth who was then one of mission to examine Mr. Fulton's projects. The the ministers, contrived to have a communication commissioners were sir Jos. Banks, Mr. Cavendish, with Mr. Fulton, while he was in Paris, and ob sir Home Popham, and major Congreve, and Mr. tained his consent to meet an agent of the British John Rennie. Many weeks passed before Mr. Fulgovernment in Holland. In October 1803, Mr. Fulton could prevail on them to do any thing, and ton went from Paris to Amsterdam for this purpose. finally when they met they reported against the But the agent with whom he was to confer did not sub-marine boat as being impracticable. In a letarrive; and after being in Amsterdam three months ter to the ministry, Mr. Fulton complains that this he returned to Paris. report was made without his having been called upon for any explanations, and although the gentlemen who made it had before them no account of what had been done. Indeed, in the first interview which Mr. Fulton had with Mr. Pitt and lord Melvile, the latter condemned the Nautillus without a moment's consideration.

We cannot resist the impression that some light is thrown upon Mr. Fulton's conduct by the evidence adduced for another purpose by Mr. Colden from lord Stanhope, his early friend and correspondent. In a speech on American affairs made by lord Stanhope in the house of lords, soon after these experiments were made, he is reported in a English If these engines were in truth, terrible as the newspaper, to have said "it was not perhaps, suf- bioprapher imagines, it would not be strange that ficiently known that at that very moment exertions the British ministry should choose to preserve the were making in America to carry into effect a plan navy by almost any means, from entire demolition for the disclosure of which an individual had, a few and they might oppose the introduction of a mode years before, demanded of the British government of warfare, which though in the first instance it fifteen thousand dollars, but had been refused. He was exerted against their enemies would infallibly alluded to a plan, he said for the invisible destruc- re-act against themselves with greater effect in tion of shipping, and particularly of men of war. proportion to the superiority of their naval force. That the inventor of this scheme was then in Ame-But no such motives can be ascribed to the French rica, and it was ascertained that it would not, on republican government, and they rejected it-no an average, cost 20 pounds to destroy any ship what- such suspicion can be against Bonaparte, and after a full trial he relinquished it; or against the Dutch While he was laboring for his new employers government, and they declined it; no such policy some of his torpedoes were thrown from British is to be attributed to our administration, and still boats upon French vessels, but they exploded with-we are told by Mr. Colden, (p. 207,) “Mr. Fulton's

ever."

plan for sub marine warfare met with no counten-entitled to praise enough to fully satisfy the ambi ance from the government. He had not been able tion and affection of his friends. The increased to inspire the executive officers with any confidence facility of intercourse in many parts of the world, in them." We presume also that commodore Rod- and especially on this continent, is such that twen-. gers is not to be accused of connivance in a similar ty years ago it would have required a bold imagidesign. nation to conceive. Can any man doubt that Mr, Besides, Mr. Colden should have weighed the Fulton has been mainly instrumental in accelerating? matter well before he made a charge which ne- if he did not exclusively produce this state of things cessarily implies that all the experiments made by The whole progress of the arts shows that the first such men as Mr. Cavendish, sir Home Popham, discovery of a principle is usually very remote from major Congreve and Mr. Rennie, (the commission. the perfection of the practice. This is strongly exers appointed by the British ministry) were intend-emplified by some facts stated by Mr. Fulton himed to be deceptive, and that their report was self. In 1320 gunpowder was discovered: 150 years meanly fraudulent and false.

Mr. Colden has so far suffered his imagination to predominate over his better judgment upon this subject, that he seems really to have supposed that during the late war it was a main object with the British navy to ascertain the part of the coast where Mr. Fulton might reside, and to avoid it as the particularly fulminating point of this terrific submerged thunder.

after that period iron balls were first used; muskets were unknown until 200 years from the same time, and in these the cumbrous match lock did not give place to the fire-locks till the beginning of the 17th century, that is 280 years after the first knowledge of gunpowder.

"In the year sixteen hundred and sixty-three, the marquis of Worcester discovered the expansive power of steam. 33 years afterwards, captain Savory Mr. Fulton arrived in New-York in December took out a patent for a steam engine, to pump the 1806, and immediately renewed the pursuit of the mines of Cornwall. In seventeen hundred and five, objects upon which he had recently been engaged Mr. Newcomen thought of a piston to the cylende'; in Europe, that is, sub-marine war and steam na-hut he worked at it nine years before it was suffi vigation -He was encouraged by the American go-ciently improved to give it a fair prospect of utility; vernment, and in the summer of 1807, made several Fifty two years after Mr. Newcomen's discovery, experiments, and one of them upon a large hulk Mr. Watt thought of another improvement, which brig, (an unresisting subject,) was completely suc- was the separate condenser. Thus it was a hundred cessful. The narrowness of our limits-the neces-years from the time of the marquis of Worcester, sary length of this article-and the notoriety of till Mr. Watt's discovery gave the steam-engine, in these attempts, which were made in the vicinity of any degree, its present perfection; and rendered it this city, render it unnecessary for us to detail them so simple, familiar, and useful, as to be adapted to with minuteness. In March, 1810, congress passed the many important purposes to which it is now an act making an appropriation for trying the use applied.

of torpedoes and sub-marine explosions. Commis- Another striking illustration to the same effect, sioners were appointed to observe the success of and which may serve to exemplify the nature as the experiments of which the sloop of war Argus, well as to manifest the degree of Mr. Fulton's benecommanded by captain Lawrence, was to be the factions to the public, is to be found in the gradual subject. These commissioners differed consider-improvements effected in his steam boats since their ably in their reports of the result to the govern-establishment. We believe that the average pasment.-Chancellor Livingston, with whom, as we sage of the first boat between Albany and this city before mentioned, Mr. Fulton had formed a very fell little short of thirty six hours, and in some of intimate acquaintance and connexion in France, the present boats it does not exceed twenty-one which subsisted during their joint lives, was rather hours.

favorably impressed. General Lewis ("whose long Mr. Fulton's attention was strongly attracted, dumilitary services, and experience," Mr. Colden ring several parts of his life, to the subject of im thinks, ("render his judgment on this subject de- proving internal navigation by means of canals, and serving of the highest consideration:") was very in particular, he entered with his characteristic ensanguine of their ultimate success; and such, also, thusiasm, into the magnificient project which our was the opinion of the biographer, then one of the legislature is now attempting to realize. In 1811, commissioners. he was appointed one of the commissioners upon the

Commodore Rodgers also made a report, which subject, but he did not sanction the report which in contained a journal of the daily proceeedings of the subsequent year was returned to the legislature. Mr. Fulton and the committee, and very minute It is not claimed by the biographer either by this descriptions of the machines and experiments.-scheme in particular, or generally this branch of imHis opinion was entirely against Mr Fulton's sys-provement, has received any eminent benest from tem, and he concludes, that every part of it would the genius or industry of Mr. Fulton. be found totally impracticable. In February eighteen hundred and fourteen, he

A great portion of the work is occupied by a addressed a letter to Governeur Morris, esq. presistatement of Mr Fulton's merits and those of his dent of the board of commissioners, in which he chief friend and associate Chancellor Livingston, in shows what would be the advantages of the proposrelation to steam navigation. The information pre-ed canal, and exhibits very interesting and curious valent on the subject-the legal discussions which calculations of the comparative expence of transhave already been had, and which may hereafter portation upon land, and upon rivers, and upon caarise in relation to it—and to speak honestly, a lit nals.

tle distrust of our own judgment, induce us to re

The same year Mr. Fulton with the other com. frain from a minute examination of the claims which missioners, made another report to the legislature; are advanced in favor of those gentlemen. It is but this is the last service he rendered this magnificent fair, however, to remark, that even if it be admitted project.

that Mr. Fulton has done no more than to reduce We presume that our readers will readily excuse to successful practice.previously existing theories our omission of any account of Mr. Fulton's well upon a subject of such paramount importance, he is known and very extensive experiments in relation