Lot 253
Robert Fulton War of 1812 ALS Urging Torpedo Warfare (1765-1815) American engineer, inventor, and artist. He invented a submarine but couldn't find a government interested in it. Robert R. Livingston commissioned him to build a steamboat and, after experimentaion, he built the first commercially successful steamboat. Autograph letter signed ("Robt Fulton"), 1½pp with integral address leaf, 9¾ x 8", New York, May 8, 1812 [actually 1813]. Fine condition. Written to Secretary of the Navy William Jones during the War of 1812, urging the support of torpedo warfare. "This will be presented to you by Mr. Samuel Swartwout. He will relate to you an expedition with torpedoes in which he has been engaged for me on the Delaware and the reason Governor Haslett assigned for not permitting him to make the attack….I hope you will countenance and aid Mr. Swartwout in carrying my submarine engines into effect. The depredations of the enemy and the times demand every exertion of mind and nerve. Mr. Swartwout is a gentleman of great energy and resource. And I hope any Impression which may have existed against him will not interfere in this case to impede or injure a good cause or an experiment on the enemy which if successful will be of incalculable importance…."
In the spring of 1813, Fulton contracted with Samuel Swartwout to split any bounty gained from sinking British ships with torpedoes. Swartwout staked out the Delaware and was prepared to launch an attack; however, the Governor of Pennsylvania prevented him from doing so because the British ship carried American prisoners.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 10,000.
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