MEMOIR OF DAXIEL TREADWELL. 427 



object to a trial."' I still think liini inclined to prosecute tlie matter, and shall omit no 

 opportunity to strengthen his good feeling. 



I have no hesitation in approving all you put forth in favor of the gun. The argument used 

 by Xavy officers, that, " if we carry such guns, the British will also have them, and then we 

 shall possess no advantage," is well set forth by you. I have added, " But suppose the British 

 adopt them and we do not?" All that is necessary to put the matter beyond all question, I 

 consider to be a full trial, upon either your carriage or some other, and the best carriage that I 

 have seen is now in Crane's office. It has been gotten up liy Mr. Alger. The only objection 

 to it arises from the too free use of cast iron. Wood and wrought iron may be substituted, 

 making it all that can be desired. Do not infer from my silence that I have been indifferent 

 to your success. I could do nothing but talk on the subject, and this I have done to every one 

 that has come in my way, and I shall still say, as I have done, that your guns can be neither 

 burst nor worn out, and refer to the facts of the various trials. 



I am just now pressed with business, but I beg you to write me as often as you please, and 

 I trust you will excuse present haste. 



Yours respectfully and truly, 



G. Talcott, Lt. Col. Ordnance. 



Mexico declared war against the United States in June, 1845, and the " Short 

 Account," which had been circulated in Washington, seems to have produced some 

 effect upon members of Congress, especially upon Mr. Thomas Butler King of the 

 Committee on Naval Affairs and some of the younger naval officers, — among them, 

 Lieutenant (afterwards Admiral) Charles Henry Davis. 



Mr. Treadwell, encouraged by this and especially by the efforts of Colonel George 

 Talcott, went to Washington, in February, 1846. Judging, however, from the fol- 

 lowing letters, his success seems not to have been great in promoting the interests 

 of his cannon. 



Wasuingtox, February 4, 184G. 

 Dear A., — I saw Colonel Talcott this morning, and found him firm as ever, very glad to see 

 me, and ready to do anything for me, even taking shame to himself that he has not succeeded 

 in procuring the favorable action of Government, and not yet despairing of it. "Were he a 

 bribed agent, he could do no more than he does from a sense of right, or a desire to be of 

 service to me. 



From his office I went over to Commodore Crane, where I found all the reverse. Tlie 

 Commodore and his officers are determined, as I supposed they were, against me, and all 

 talk, I saw, would be useless. 



To-morrow I shall see some of the committees or members of committees. 



Yours, 



D. Treadwell. 



Discouraged so far as the Navy was concerned, he returned to Cambridge, and 

 thence writes to Lieutenant Davis and Colonel Talcott as follows : — 



