Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-11-07
[l2 I-2 Cans SNgLe.1

On the goth Of April, 1896. Congress au-
thGriSed the President 10 continue the
construction and equipment OF TWO iligaIes
Of Al, and one Of So guns; all authority
under the preceding aGt having ceased
with the cause that produced il; and ap-
pr priated the uneXpended part of the
previous appropriation of 688 SSe lollars,
and O. $4,000 collars appropriated Tor gall
lies. The same aGl directs that "such
paris Of the perishable materials rs may
not be wanted for completing the three
triaatcs" shall he sold. and the surplus of
The other materials safely kept for The fu-
tire use Of Tie United States.
No further appropriation WAS made I'M
III he LIST Of June, l796, wien, 5000 dol-
lars were appropriated Tor ,he pay and the
subsistence "f tHgee Captains.
On the Sd OF March, lfs7, 5 900 dol
lars were apprcp rated to . ke purpose,
and 10000 dollars 10 fnishing the fri
gates United States, Constitution, ard
COnsleIiapion,
These appropriations appear to have
been made entirely wish view TO prevent
The United States from mourning any Sc
rious loss hom the progress IL de IN build
ing the ships Of war--Thtec of lhom were
IN considerable forwa.,'ucss. These were
dirc6'ed To he finished, and an appropria-
ton made for the pay OF thew captains
who had a large share IN superin lending
their construction.
In these successive aas we behold
strong. and what may be considered IN
disputable evidence OF the sta'e OF pub
nc opinion from The wears 1850 10 1877 3
and CT The opinion Of the gentra' govern
men' during the whole of the Washiogton
administrator, which iermiT ated on ,te
very day en- which tie last arpropriatiop
Ian was passed. O,her content Crane Gus
evidences 10 this eatcE are MT wanting
srnocg which that which ooutains Tie
most precise and pointed application VIII
be iouUd in reForl made q Congress by
MIR. Woico,t, sc s;ary &c the Z treasury
IN December 1885 The sua Ct e he
= p n, is tie iTposi;ion of d., s. AK,
which is preceded by view Of the de-
mands likely to bc mad; on tie y sycrn.
men' for number of Succeeding }ears.
Among these demends, Mr.. Wo!cc't esti-
mates two millions as necessary for The
military and naval departments, y c'g1ing
pensions aad adds |. Il hail D.: found
hat the eXpepses ol ,he military Aad ma
val departments CsHnO, be reduced below
the above estimate which, MyuGl much to
Ce desired, is jar Ircm certain. lie iorego.
ing calculation (emb:ac.ug on =r obieGts)
VIII fall short Of he real cxreuse it be-
ing morally certain, that liz: expenses Of
civil government will hereafter cOnsidera-
bly, increase."
Here then We have the uneQuivocal de-
clarati0n Of Mr.. Wolcor;. q cvIzci, e Cons
ne6!cu,. iederolIsi the successor and
disciple oF Grneral Hamilton, and the COM
H:enlial CE.cer Of Gen.ral Washington,
that II was much TO be Desired that the
military and naval expense should be re-
duccd below two millions; the greater
part OF which being required by tbt army,
leaves les Dian million iornagai purposes.
The inference IS by no means. forced,
that General " astire'ou held 'he same
opinion and had actually revised the report
OF the secretary before its submission To
Congress.
These were the sentiments ard mea-
sures Of the WASHINGTON adniinis-
tvation.
During The ensuing ycar Washington
retired into private life and in Tie Gtre-
well advice lie gave, stamped with every
mark OF deiiEeraton and V dom 10 Is not
4 little remarkou'c that not ? word Is 20 be
found on the subie6t OF . navy. Is not
bis Silence. on shis solemn occasion. con-
elusive evidence Of ,he liule IMPORTANCE
be attached 10 the Institution
Such are The sentiments which prevail
ed. and She me ,sures that were adopted,
during the eight FIRST wears of the eoyesn-
rnent Under the Presidency of General
Washing ton. is important here dis
timely to state that tie whole appropriate
on for naval purposes during this period
was $4,000 duilars.
On the 8id Of March. l7o7. aIr. d
da'-,s. borne on she tide of the prevailing.
politics, took lhc chair &C state.
II is unnecessary TO cSh.1i, detailed
statement Of tie events that -nsueG. Tb v
are doubtless rg.sh 10 'he recollection os
the reader. The Legislature and cxecu-
tive pushed forward with equal 7e.tf the
ravgiarm'meut; many of bc evils of war
ctualIy befel tie, ard al i.s complicated