APPENDIX. 



The plan was submitted to the consideration of the executive of an enlightened government. ( ' 

 influenced by the most liberal and patriotic spirit, appropriated money for the experiment, rind the Navy 

 Department, then conducted by the honorable William Jones, appointed commissioners to superintend the 

 construction of a convenient vessel under the direction of Robert Fulton, the invent I er, and 



Messrs. Adam and Noah Brown, as naval constructors. The enterprise, from its commencement, and during 

 a considerable part of its preparatory operations, was aided by the zealous co-operation of Major <;■ 

 Dearborn, then holding his headquarters at the city of New York, as the officer commanding the third 

 military district. The loss of his valuable counsel in conducting a work which he had maturely considered, 

 and which he strongly recommended, was the consequence of his removal to another section of the Union, 

 where his professional talents were specially required. 



The keels of this steam-frigate were laid on the twentieth day of June, eighteen hundred and fourteen. 

 The strictest blockade the enemy could enforce interrupted the coasting trade, and greatly enhanced the price 

 of timber. The vigilance with which he guarded our coast against intercourse with foreign nations, rendered 

 difficult the importation of copper and iron. The same impediment attended the supplies of coal hern 

 brought to New York from Eichmond and Liverpool. Lead, in like manner, was procured under additional 

 disadvantages. These attempts of the enemy to frustrate the design, were vain and impotent. All the 

 obstacles were surmounted. Scarcity of the necessary woods and metals were overcome by strenuous 

 exertions ; and all the blockading squadron could achieve, was not a disappointment in the undertaking but 

 merely an increase of the expense. 



So, in respect to tradesmen and laborers, there was an extraordinary difficulty. Shipwrights had repaired 

 to the lakes, for repelling the enemy, in such numbers, that, comparatively speaking, few were left on the 

 seaboard. A large portion of the men who had been engaged in daily work, had enlisted as soldiers, and 

 had marched under the banners of the nation to the defense of its rights— yet amidst the scarcity of hands, 

 a sufficient number were procured for the purpose which the Commissioners had in charge. An increase of 

 wages was the chief impediment, and this they were enabled practically to overcome. 



By the exemplary combination of diligence and skill, on the part of the Engineer and Constructors, the 

 business was so accelerated, that the vessel was launched on the twenty-ninth day of October, amidst the 

 plaudits of an unusual number of citizens. 



Measures were immediately taken to complete her equipment ; the boiler, the engine, and the machinery 

 were put on board with all possible expedition. Their weight and size far surpassed any thing that had 

 been witnessed before among us. 



The stores of artillery in New York not furnishing the number and kind of cannon which she was 

 destined to carry, it became necessary to transport guns from Philadelphia. A prize, taken from the enemy, 

 put some fit and excellent pieces at the disposal of the Navy Department. To avoid the danger of capture 

 by the enemy's cruisers, these were carted over the miry roads of New Jersey. Twenty heavy cannon were 

 thus conveyed by the strength of horses. Carriages of the most approved model were constructed, and 

 every thing done to bring her into prompt action, as an efficient instrument of war. 



About this time, an officer, pre-eminent for bravery and discipline, was commissioned by the government 



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