Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Military Technology, Government, Patronage, War, Invention

    Addressed to Thomas Cochrane (10th Earl of Dundonald), this letter discusses his argument that the 'facts' of his 'plan' (to use poisonous gas against the enemy), despite government scepticism, 'admit of no doubt', and his refusal to divulge such facts until the government rejects the most speedy method of ending the Crimean war. Questions Dundonald's objections to divulging his plan to the government (which might result in the government yielding to public support for the invention) and asks whether he would explain it 'to a commission of scientific men'.