Letiers on Steam — 2 33 
_ LETTER il. 
Dear Bape my “Jest letter I took the liberty t to ihe 
‘ships generally, and thus to save the expense of masts, sails, rig= _ 
ging and top hamper in the first place, and in the second, the con- 
_ stant disbursements necessary to keep them in working condition. 
My main object, however, was to show that masts in steam ships 
are worse than useless, because the resistance being constant, and 
the advantage only occasional, the loss by resistance exc 
by such power. But I do not suppose the view I. novels 
of several particulars relating to Atlantic steam navigation, will re- 
ceive, at present, the countenance of the public ; because the errone- 
ous opinions generally entertained are both so deeply rooted and 
so agreeable to the minds of many, who fear their craft is in dan- 
ger that they do not choose to have them corrected, but rather feel 
a secret délight in. any thing which has the slightest tendency to 
strengthen and confirm them. 'The bursting of a boiler, an acci- 
dental fire, the wreck ofa . ship, or the loss of a crew, are events 
hailed with triumph by the class of persons of whom I am speaking. 
' But if the hints that I have thrown out lead the public mind 
from that general mode of thinking to which the novelty of At- 
lantic steam navigation has given birth, to-a more close investi- 
gation of the subject, we shall soon see our enemies disarmed and 
uniting with-us in carrying out a system of navigation which 
meets the wants and promotes the welfare of mankind. : 
It is with the view of showing the subject in its largest dimen- 
sions and most important results, that I venture a few remarks 
upon steam ships of war. 
It may seem premature, ate ifieioai to speak of the Séwor 
of the sword, to measute the force of nations, and to weigh in our 
hydrostatic scales the fortunes of-empires. But the thing throws 
itself upon us in such bold relief, that it seems impossible to con- 
ceal it. We are compelled, whether we will or not, to trace the 
outlines, to bring the subject under review, and to anticipate the 
mighty effects of steam power upon the destinies of nations. 
Whatever nation, England, France, or America—and I think 
that it will be one of the three—has the largest and greatest num- 
ber of steam ships of war, will comaneiiad the ocean. Nothing 
can prevent it. In estimating the relative force of antagonist 
- the inguiry will not i how many frigates, or how many 
