What was Eads' motivation for making a risky bet with the government regarding the dredging of the channel?

Eads' motivation for making a risky bet with the government stemmed from his confidence in his past experiences. He had a strong belief in his engineering skills and his understanding of the challenges involved in dredging the channel. This confidence likely arose from previous successes he had achieved in similar projects, allowing him to assess the feasibility of the task with optimism. His willingness to take risks was a reflection of his expertise and his innovative approach to problem-solving, which led him to embark on ventures that others might have deemed too precarious.

The other possibilities don't align with his true motivations: seeking fame and recognition or aiming to impress colleagues might lead someone to take risks, but they do not capture the essence of Eads' strong technical foundation and belief in his abilities. Being compelled by government pressure also does not reflect the proactive nature of Eads, who was more likely driven by his confidence in engineering solutions rather than external coercion.