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can vessels of war generally carry six of these machines, which they place in the chainwales, for the purpose of raking the enemies' decks and destroying particularly their officers. The machine has been lately ordered to be used in the army, two to each battallion.[1] Nothing can be more terrible in land service for the defence against cavalry, or the bayonet, than these machines, which may be easily carried upon a mule, and by means of a rest, which is planted in the ground with the greatest facility, they may be pointed to any direction required. It is of singular utility in defending breaches from any attack whatever. T sent one of them to the government of Havanna, with a person to direct how it should be loaded and fired: but notwithstanding my desire, that all expedient use should be made of it, and though the illustrious Intendant Don Alexandro Ramirez did every thing in his power to procure its introduction and general use, it appears that, to this moment, nothing has been done.
- ↑ The whole of this account of the use of any infernal machine, in the army or navy, is erroneous. The author, it is supposed, alludes to a repeating gun, invented by Joseph G. Chambers, of Pennsylvania, the property of which is, to fire 224 shots in rapid succession, allowing time, however, to point the piece to a different aim, at each shot. The House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, passed a resolution authorizing the governor to contract with the inventor for a very trifling supply of his guns; but they were never brought into use, either in the army or navy of the United States. T.
