“The undersigned, merchants aud others, citizens of Massachusetts, having personally examined, and being otherwise satisfactorily convinced of the merits of Mr. John Kidgway’s new method of mounting cannon, called a “vertical revolving battery,” as exhibited in a working model; and having also read copies of reports made upon it by naval and military officers and scientific men of the highest eminence, in one of which, ” its trial under the supervision of the inventor,” and in another of which, ” its adoption as due to tho public interest,” are recommended; and entertaining the fullest confidence that tho naval and military welfare of the country and justice to the inventor demand a thorough and satisfactory trial of the invention, as one of very great promise, and which, if experimentally approved, will be of inestimable value in the equipment of vessels of war, and of fortifications on shore; respectfully, but earnestly, urge upon the senators aud representatives in Congress from the State of Massachusetts a request to endeavor, early in the approaching session of Congress, to obtain from the Navy Department an order for instituting an immediate, full, and satisfactory trial of said battery on ship-board, in accordance with the views aud under the supervision of the inventor, and to secure from Congress such an appropriation for the purpose as be deemed adequate therefor.

Boston, November, I860.

…A. Ware, …”

Reference Data:

Congressional Edition by United States Congress, 1870, pages 109-10