They therefore gave it as their decided opinion that it was among the best interests of the United States, to carry Mr. Fulton's plan into immediate execution. It was contemplated that this vessel, besides carrying her proposed armament on deck, should also be furnished with sub-marine guns. The committee without delay addressed a memorial to Congress, recommending the invention of Mr. Fulton, and praying that measures might be adopted for executing his plan. With this memorial the committee addressed a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, soliciting in a very earnest manner his patronage and influence with the government. Without the skill and talents they say, of Mr. Fulton, the machine cannot be constructed. It was apprehended that there would be great difficulty about funds.
On the onehand there was a great disinclination to make the project public by inducing a discussion on the subject in Congress; and, on the other, it was doubtful whether the executive was authorized to make the necessary appropriation, without a law for the purpose. To obviate these difficulties, the committee offered in behalf of the association which they represented, to construct the vessel at their own expense, and risk of assurances were given that the government, which alone could give employment to her, would receive and pay for her after she was built, and her utility demonstrated. It was estimated that she would cost about 320,000 dollars, nearly the sum requisite for a frigate of the first class.
This activity of private citizens for their own protection, this voluntary offer to risk their funds, first upon the success of the project, and then upon a bare assurance of the executive of the government, and this intimate intercourse between the rulers and the people, presents a view of a state of society of which it is believed there are few examples. The projet was zealously embraced by the executive, and the national legislature in March, 1814, passed a law authorizing the President of the United States to cause to be built, equipped and employed, one or more floating batteries for the defence of the waters of the United States. The building of the vessel was committed by the Coast and Harbor Defence Association at New York, to a sub-committee of five gentlemen.
They were Gen. Dearborn, Col. Henry Rutgers, Oliver Walcott, Sam. L. Mitchell, and Thomas Morris, Esqs., who were recognized by the government as their agents for this purpose. Mr. Fulton, whose soul indeed animated the whole enterprise, was appointed engineer. On the 20th of June, 1814, the keel of this novel and mighty engine was laid; and in little more than four months, that is, on the 29th Oct. she was launched from the yard of Adam and Noah Brown, her able and active architects. The scene exhibited on that occasion was magnificent. It happened on one of our bright autumnal days, multitudes of spectators crowded the surrounding shores, and were seen upon the hills, which limited the beautiful prospect.
The river and bay were filled with vessels of war, dressed in all their variety of colors, in compliment to the occasion. In the midst of these was the enormous floating mass, whose bulk and unwieldly form seemed to render her as unfit for motion, as the land batteries which were saluting her. Through the fleet of vessels which occupied this part of the harbor, were seen gliding in every direction, several of the large steamboats of the burden of three and four hundred tons, these, with bands of music, and crowds of gay and joyous company, were winding through passages left by the anchored vessels as if they were moving by enchantment. The heart could not have been human that did not share in the general enthusiasm expressed by the loud shouts of the multitude.
He could not have been a worthy citizen what did not then say to himself with pride and exultation " this is my country," and when he looked on the man whose single genius had created the most interesting object of the scene " this is mv countryman." I have now gone over with what might be called a lengthy detail of Mr. Fulton, and some of the results of his remarkable genius. Also, the projecting building and launching 7 of the steam frigate whose christened name was Fulton Detnologes. And as I am about to leave her, will just add, that while she was on the stocks it was pretty well ascertained that boats from the British cruisers off New London, and that vicinity, had been seen in Hurlgate with muffled oars; and it was also well ascertained that British officers had actually been upon the spot where she was erected.