Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-11-03
From tie .hc4ToYAL Iy4gLLICzNcsR.
I o T II E PE Pill E.
TIE DEFEI-CE.
No. AI.


the administration relative 10 a NAVAL.
ESTABLISHMENT Z requires an accu-
rate acquaintance with the anteceden;
measures Of the government, and the mo-
tives that dictated them,
To the Importance OF this obie0 the
/ trainers Of the constitution could not be
insen%ib!e. They therefore gave Con
gress the power to "proy;de and main
tain Navy" But by This investiture OF
power they neither determined the tine
when, or the degree to which it would be
( eXpedient TO exercise il. These were
wisely left 10 circumstances, according 10
which the power might or might not be
exercised. 1t has by some been geebly
contended that all the powers given ought
immediately to- be exercised. But The
good sense Of every sound mind has re-
Jecied this idea. it is evident that many
OF the powers bestowed were intended 10
provide for cases without the existence al
which their exercise would be nugatory
or pesnicious. ! hlrs the power 10 im9os,
taxes oil any kind to an unlimited amount.
however necessary on great emergency
oil ahalrs, was never intentle,, 10 be cxer-
cissd IN ordinary times. The power &c
borrow money is of the same contingent
nature; as are the powers, 10 declare war
and grant letters of marQue and reDrisaj.
and TO raise and support armies. MANY
oi The powers conferred were nkewise
given wiif-,hc view OF averling the evils
against which they provide. Thus the
knowledge that the United States possess
ed tie power Of drawing forth The whole
physical resources Of the nation, In tn.
shape OF taxes, armies and navies, would
probably be OF itself, III most cases pro-
tecIiom agains, The injustice OF foreign ma
tons 10 disturb our Internal harmony, or
cur external commerce. It follows, that
! the constitution in concerning this bower
only assumes the faGl that circumstances
might arise that would au;horis- its exer-
else, leaving the Tine wheE, and Tie d.
gree to which it should he exercised TO The
wisdom of Congress.
When that body first met, under The
constitution, the illus,rious citizen called
to the chief magisjracy was cautiously 81
lent on this sabjecl. We may thence: in
Ter that neither his own opinion. or those
oil the public, contemplated navy asex
pedient at that time. The fate Of Car
ihage may have been still on their memo.
RES, and the not diss.milar career Of the
great maritime nations of modern times
VINO sought to protect their extended trade
by similar means, was undoubtedly plain
ly before them. OF these, it is sufficient
10 name Holland, Spain, the HapSe
Towns, and the Italian Republics, all of
whom have lost their wealth, their poli,i-
cal Importance, or their liberties. Nor
could they have been unmindful OF The
awful state Of Great Britain, whose vast
navy, and extensive conguests, have only
served to immerse her still deeper in debt
and in war.
However indispensable they may have
considered naval ornaments To- the natl
oDs of the old world, they probably con-
templated in the situation Of The United
States fortunate exemption from many
OF the Causes which there rave birth 10
them. Possessed Of d vast traCl of lane.
which offered The means Of remaining an
agricultural nation for at least two cen;u-
res, they may have believed that the So
id prosperity Of the citizen would be bet.
ter promoted by pursuing the raG desir.
mated by the bouniiful hand Of nature
than by embarking in the uncertain and
hazardous enterprises OF ,rade. They
may have perceived an intimate alliance
between agriculture and liberty. Thew
may have remarked, that the habits Of il.
dustry and hardihood it feouires, with The
plain and regular manners 1t creates, che
IRISH a love Of virtue and Of in6ependence.
equally indisposed 10 invade The rights oi
others, or to suffer the invasion OF their
own. They undoubtedly perceived that
1t would be the surest prcseryative Of E..
quality OF possessions.
They may, on the contrary. have bscr
Oh opinion, as Tie experience Of TN. u9~ld
taught them, that excessive cor,mr,cr
produces numerous vices, eubvert5 eru,l-
Ivy OF wealth. causes eHsfninacv Of man.
ners' and thus haslsns the downfall o..
states.
They may have thought that acricn,,r.
raj pursuits would preserve the peace o.
the country, BY cutting OF Oh Grounds o
toreign jealousy, While extensive trade. D.,
gyms rise TO them, and creating hume
Fous sources oil collision, would si,n,s, pt
cessar'iy produce was.
IIry may Ia-. Iee., &C a.