THE CRADLE OF THE MODERN NAVY. 9 



he disliked placing himself in a position to be rebuffed. Mr. DeLamater argued 

 that a letter addressed direct to President Lincoln would insure him a fair hearing, 

 but it was twenty-one days after the advertisement appeared before the following 

 letter was written and dispatched : — 



"New York, August 29, 1861. 

 "Sir: 



"The writer, having introduced the present system of naval propulsion and con- 

 structed the first screw ship-of-war, now offers to construct a vessel for the destruc- 

 tion of the rebel fleet at Norfolk, and for scouring the Southern rivers and inlets of 

 all craft protected by rebel batteries. Having thus briefly noted the object of my 

 addressing you, it will be proper for me most respectfully to state that in making this 

 offer, I seek no advantage or emolument of any kind. Fortunately I have upward 

 of one thousand of my caloric engines in successful operation, with afiiuence in 

 prospect. Attachment to the Union alone impels me to offer my services at this fear- 

 ful crisis — my life if need be — in the great cause which Providence has called you 

 to defend. Please look carefully at the enclosed plans and you will find that the 

 means I propose to employ are very simple — so simple, indeed, that within ten weeks 

 after commencing the structure, I would engage to be ready to take up a position 

 under the rebel guns at Norfolk, and so efficient, too, I trust, that within a few hours 

 the stolen ships would be sunk and the harbor purged of traitors. Apart from the 

 fact that the proposed vessel is very simple in construction, due weight, I respect- 

 fully submit, should be given to the circumstances that its projector possesses prac- 

 tical and constructive skill shared by no engineer now living. I have planned up- 

 ward of one hundred marine engines and I furnish, daily, working plans made with 

 my own hands, of mechanical and naval structures of various kinds, and I have done 

 so for thirty years. Besides this I have received a military education and feel at 

 home in the science of artillery. You will not, sir, attribute these statements to any 

 other cause than my anxiety to prove that you may safely entrust me with the 

 work I propose. If you cannot do so then the country must lose the benefit of my 

 proffered services. If, on the other hand, you decide to act, please telegraph and I 

 will at once wait upon you in Washington. I respectfully submit that in the former 

 case you return the plans, honored with your signature, to testify that I have dis- 

 charged the duty of laying this important matter before you. 



"I cannot conclude without respectfully calling your attention to the now well- 

 established fact that steel-clad vessels cannot be arrested in their course by land bat- 

 teries, and that hence our great city is quite at the mercy of such intruders, and may 

 at any moment be laid in ruins, unless we possess means which, in defiance of Arm- 

 strong guns, can crush the sides of such dangerous visitors. 



"I am, sir, with profound respect, 



"Your obedient servant, 



"]. Ericsson. 

 "To His Excellency, 

 "Abraham Lincoln, 



"President of the U. S." 



