That the casting of a cannon of 900 feet was impracticable and would not succeed, 2,000 dols.
3.

That it would be impossible to load the Columbiad, and that the pyroxyle would ignite spontaneously under the weight of the projectile, 3,000 dols.
4.

That the Columbiad would burst at the first discharge, 4,000 dols.
5.

That the projectile would not even go six miles, and would fall a few seconds after its discharge, 5,000 dols.
It will be seen that the captain was risking an important sum in his invincible obstinacy.

No less than 15,000 dols.