426 



MEMOIR OF DANIEL TKEADWELL. 



two wads. I commend it, however, to the ingSnieurs and scientific officers of France, to subject 

 it to such proof as they may deem necessary to enable them to judge of its qualities compared 

 with other cannon. 



This gun was sent by M. Buggraff to France in November, and was deposited 

 in the Museum of Artillery at Vineennes. In 1847 it was tested by a French 

 commission, the report of which will be given further on. 



The " Short Account " was sent to scientific and practical men, and to many of the 

 naval and military officers, and to the Departments at Washington, in the hope of 

 convincing them of the value of the invention. The following letters from Colonel 

 Talcott indicate his confidence in the invention, and his endeavor to convince others 

 of its value to the country. 





To Daniel Treadwell, Esq. 



Ordnance Office, 3 October, 1845. 



Dear Sir, — It appears scarcely possible that I have had your letter of 12 August for six 

 weeks; but the date assures me of the fact. "I have been under the weather" until lately, 

 and hardly know what has been done and what omitted. I had an interview with Crane 

 and Wadsworth some time after the receipt of that letter, and came to the conclusion that the 

 gun-carriage had no chance. I sought an interview with the Secretary, and intended to read 

 him a portion of the letter, but did not succeed in seeing him. I was pleased to learn you 

 had sent him an exposS of the whole business. Crane furnished me an opportunity of readin 

 it, and, by his desire, I gave a written opinion in favor of your views. The Secretary went 



or Crane since that day. Crane has 

 He is averse to all your plans, and I think Crane 



will back him, but with hesitation. There is a vague rumor abroad that B will soon leave 



his present office, but I do not credit it. The remark in yours of 29th, that the Navy do not 

 think an increase of calibre advisable, because, if made, the British will do the same thing, 

 and bring all equal gain (! ! !), I have heard from several officers, and have not failed to show 

 its fallacy. Mr. Bancroft has not been much abroad lately,— or, if so, I have not seen him 

 as formerly. I have no doubt you will hear from him on the subject of your memoir 

 shortly, at any rate. I will sec Crane soon, and give you the result of my interview. 



g, and I have seen nothing of him 



Wadsw 



Respectfully and truly, your obedient servant, 



G. Talcott. 



To Daniel Treadwell, Esq. 



29 



My dear Sir, — Your letter of 24th instant was received this morning. The pamphlets came 



on Saturday. 1 have put one into the hands of a member of the Committee of the House 

 Representatives on Naval Affairs, and a man who is disposed to improve the Navy. I have 

 seen the Secretary of the Navy only once for a long time past (I believe nearly three months), 

 about two weeks since, when he spoke of your gun, and the want of confidence in it by Com- 

 modore Crane, said you had urged a trial, and I responded, " Try it, sir, the old officers cannot 





