1To James Madison from Robert Fulton, January 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
January 1810. In January 1809 at Kalorama, Joel Barlow’s District of Columbia estate, Fulton demonstrated his torpedo to JM, Jefferson, and members of Congress. Favorable response encourages him to present details of his experiments in France and England, which have enabled him to correct the torpedo’s past defects. Asserts that his invention will prevent the necessity of an expensive naval...
2Robert Fulton to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
So Soon as I published my pamphlet on Torpedoes at New York , I Sent 12 of them to M r Madison , begging of him to forward one to you. I have the pleasure now to Send you four copies for yourself and friends, with a copy of my address after a lecture which I delivered on the engines and their utility; This subject has now excited considerable Interest. A committee of the
3Robert Fulton to Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you a sketch of a self acting Bélier Hydraulic it will be necessary to make it with care in measurements and spaces which each part is to pass through; I have no doubt you will succeed in the execution but should you fail you will then permit me to make you a model for the honor of progressing arts, and to establish the utility of my combination; Perhaps the enthusiasm which is...
4Enclosure: Robert Fulton’s Drawing and Description of a Self-Acting Hydraulic Ram, [ca. 28 March] 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
That this engine may act well the valve at A must at the commencement open quick as by a stroke, were it to open by any slow movement it would loose much water before it began to beat, When the water in the reservoir is exhausted, or as low as the line C and the Valve A has ceased to beat its weight will keep it open and discharge the water which should fill the reservoir unless there be means...
5Robert Fulton to Thomas Jefferson, 2 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day sent the dynamomatre in a vessel ※ The Virginia planter Capt Hayden Sails tomorrow to Richmond to the care of M r Jefferson ; it is in good order but all its hooks, links and fastenings with its leather packing case were lost in the shipwreck; I have therefore packed it in a deal box fitted to it so that it cannot move, thus I hope it will arrive safe, the necessary links or...
6To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 30 April 1812 (Madison Papers)
I See a bill has passed for a second district Judge in this state, And as the necessity is great I beg leave to recommend that every thing reasonable be done to support the Madisonian interest, and that you recommend a Staunch friend to your interest to that office, to this end I call to your mind Mr Mathurin Livingston Soninlaw to Governor Lewis, who I believe is now in Washington, And beg of...
7To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 18 March 1813 (Madison Papers)
Governor Ogden of New Jersey, now Major General Ogden has unjustly and ungenerously entered into a conspiracy to track down my patent right to Steam boats, he has built a steam-boat on my plan—copied me, and Wishing, to run her in opposition to me between this city and Jersey. He is anxious to have the command of New York that thereby he may gain the more influence to carry hi[s] plans into...
8Robert Fulton to Thomas Jefferson, 7 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Much business having crowded upon me since the death of the Chancellor , I have not paid so early attention to your letter as I have wished, I hope the Dynamo m eter answered your purpose; as I have no use for it and you may be making some further experiments you will pleas to keep it, until I have occasion for it, when I will let you know,— M r Quinseys soapstone Stove gives out much heat...
9To John Adams from Robert Fulton, 17 June 1813 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my thanks for the letters which I received from you this morning, those from our minister in Russia are duplicates of letters I had the honor to receive from him about Six weeks past, The success of the useful arts must give real pleasure to every man of mind, and to none more than you whose knowledge of political economy enables you to trace all their happy consequences, there are...
10Robert Fulton to Thomas Jefferson, 29 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
As every advance in the arts which may You take a lively interest in every discovery which may be of use to america will give you pleasure, I I will communicate to you a discovery which one I have made, and on which I have just finished
11To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 8 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
I have succeeded in some very interesting experiments on firing cannon under water of which I intended sending you the drawings and details, but as I wished also to communicate them to Mr Jefferson and fearing that your indisposition would not at the time permit you to Study them with attention, I Sent them to him, he will forward them to you; Inclosed is Commodore Decaturs opinion of this new...
12Robert Fulton to Thomas Jefferson, 8 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
on the fourth inst , I sent you a letter containing drawings details and observations on my experiments on firing cannon under water, and the consequence of such a mode of conducting maritime war, on the preceding pages is an exact copy of Commodore Decaturs opinion in favor of this discovery, which from so experienced an officer must have weight with those who are not familiar with nautical...
13To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 25 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
Should Mr Nelsons bill appropriating 30,000$ to encourage the destruction of enemys Vessels pass, and that Sum or part of it, be used for proper preperation and an organized system—of submarine attack, there is every reason to hope for succh success as will give you real pleasure, and animate the nation, an individual from his private purse cannot carry new improvements in war into effect...
14Robert Fulton to Thomas Jefferson, 25 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 4 th inst I had the honor to write you inclosing an account of my experiments on submarine firing, have the goodness to inform me if received is it and have sent it to M r Madison , RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esq r
15To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 24 December 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Fulton. 24 December 1813. “‘… a Vessel of war of 24 guns to be moved by Steam without the aid of wind or Sails & particularly calculated for harbour and coast defence which to the United States is of the utmost importance.’ Fulton describes the activities of a committee headed by General Dearborn and Thomas Morris which is in unanimous agreement that every effort should be made...
16To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 23 March 1814 (Madison Papers)
Since the appropriation in favor of Steam floating batteries I have been extremely anxious to commence a work, which if executed as I hope it will be Will I am certain produce consequences most agreeable to you and important to the nation; But I have not yet heare’d from the secretary of the Navy giving me orders to proceed or where to find funds. Should there not be mony in the treasury for...
17To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 8 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
It gave me great pleasure to find that your mind had ranged through the consequences of a Successful experiment with the Steamship; in which you will contemplate the vast importance of having her finished with all possible dispatch, I therefore beg that you will have the goodness to Use your influence with the secretary of the Navy that there may be no delay in forwarding the whole amount of...
18To James Madison from Robert Fulton, 5 November 1814 (Madison Papers)
On Saturday morning 29 of Oct the steam frigate was safely launched, amidst the Acclamations of many thousand Anxious and now well pleased spectators, She draws 8 feet 2 inches of water which is 4 Inches less than I had calculated; She moves easy & appears to have removed from every mind all doubt of her success, She is pierced for, and will carry 32 long 32 pounders Served with red hot Shot;...