The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-09-29
GUN BOATS.


new Gun-Boats are ordered to be built for the
iervice of the United States, upon the model of
thofe IN A7sDina, which are fuppoted to be the
belt now in ufe. And had the appropriations
been larger, it is probable, the number would
have been encreafed. Thefe boats poffefs fl-
perior advantages to frigates, or larger vetiels.
Lift. Gun boat that will carry cannon as
heavy as a " two and thirty FOUNDER" with fe-
veral fmaer pieces will not colt over or 1000
dolls.
Cd. As they are calculated to draw only or
feet of water, and fail remarkably fat, they
can eaiiy purfue their enemy into ihallows, and
IN rivers, and will ferve to protect harbours,
which may be attacked by a feet of fhips.
Sd. Fifty Gun Boats are better defence
than five or fix Frigates for particular ftations,
and they can be maintained at one third or
quarter ofthe expence.
They may be 70 contributed as to keep the
open lea, and even go upon cruize into the
Wet-lndies, if necef1ary. Indeed it has been
iuppofed we might build them in this Country
and fend them acrofs the Atlantic, to the attack
of 7ripoH, in Barbary, without any riR of loot
ing them on the pahage, provided the voyage
was undertaken in the fummer feafon. Old fea-
men fay that vefiel of 60 or 10 tons burthen,
(our filling vefiels are of that tonnage) is as fate
Tea boat as man of war, and there is no doubt
OF the fact. Thefe gun-bots will meafure GO or
10 tons, have decks, and are in every reflect
complete vehels. Why then are they not ca
pabe OF keeping the fea in the WORT weather (?
frigate, when fitted for fea will colt SO, 900
dolls. at leaft. This money will build 40 or so
large gun-goats. They may be itationed at
our capital lea ports 8 or 400 would guard
the American Coat from Georgia to Maine.
They are " the cheap defence of nations" and
France finds it 70 at this moment, for with 3 or
1000 gun-boatS ihe is able to frighten, and alarm
Great Britain more than fhe could with 100
fail of men of war, and in confequence it is pre-
tuned John Bull would now willingly make a
peace, if Bonaparte would only promife as
good terms as he gave them at the Treaty of
AmenS-lD America we have not well exam
ined the advantage refuIting from employing
gun-boats IN protecting our extenfive fea coat.
1t is certain that for defence merely they are
hyperion to larger veiiels, and will not cor com
parltively fpeaking one tenth of the expenCe.
1t is fncerely wiihed we may be provided
with two vi three hundred at !sa, If It was on
ly to convince the European nations that we
are pot that tame pufilanimous nation we have
been reprefented to be- Sal. Reg.
We are forty 20 learn that the yellow fever p-e
walls to comfortable degree in the city of New-Or-
leans Two of the crew of the Polly, arrived at Phi
ladelphia on Monday morning the Lazaretto, have
fallen victims to it on the Paiiagel-M r. 11ey.Adv
A late London paper in fpeaking of the late unhap-
py iuel between Cen. Hamilton and Col. Burr OBJ
ierves.--" The mind is lhocked at the circumfance
of the fecond MagRrate Of a country having been
guilty of iuch a violation Of the law, and of his ha-
wing been eountcnanced and affted by Judge, whole
duty it isto caue the laws be obeyed, and 20 punil
thoie who difobey them"
! tolerable idea may be formed Of the nature anc
extent Of the iniurre6tion, 1t is termed, in Wei
Florida from the following facts. Mr.. Kemper
the leader Of the aocation, for fone time in I'll,
lervice Of Mr.. Smith, ofTennefee, to whom he be-
came indebted to a comfortable amount. Being pro
fecuted, he fled Florida where the head Of thrs,
men, he railed the Gandard revolt. Thefe are th
circumstances attending occurrence which il is at
tempted to magnify into vait importance.
| M. I'M