Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-07-19
[l2 IL Gent Singled


TO this day undecided. For it is absurd to
consider or call the few vessels we have
at present on the ocean by this name.
4 On this point various opinions have
been and still are entertained. A large
class OF our citizens are altogether oppos-
ed to the creation OF any naval force under
any modification whatever. Another
class are the friends of an efficient navy,
but consider all steps at present taken to.
wards it premature. A third class are
willing so far to create naval force as
sail be necessary to protect our ports
and harbors while a fourth class, look
ing eventually to a respectable establish.
ment, believe it wise and prudent gradu-
ally to increase our present force.
! 1t is extremely predetermined whether
the first class of citizens do not constitute
majority OF the people Of the United
States. With the awful example of Bril-
tain before them, it is not surprising thas
they feel q lively aversion 10 taking auy
steps towards those great ESTABLISHING
which have led her 10 the brink OF ruin.
They believe that navy under any mo.
dification is plastic instrument in the
hands of the Executive, enabling him at
the effects of which on the general prospe.
ri,y and liberty, they have reason to dread.
They consider il the sound policy Of
the United States to diminish rather than
increase our points cs collision with foreign
powers. They view it as d source of vase
and augmentiCg expense, and of an appe-
title so voracious as 10 swallow Up the whole
resources CT the country. They believe
conscIentiously, that SO far from admins-
'ering TO the solid strength and real glo-
~ OF nation, it is gantic mill slone
on Its growth. For The truth of this
conviction they appeal 10 the history Of
their own nation, ard call upon any man
10 shew any other that, with the aid of a
naval establishment, has risen so rapidly
in wealth and strength.
The hostility of this class Of citizens
to e navy under any modification, derives
strength, SO far as relates to the present
application or means for its establishment.
from the suffrages Of The second class Of
citizens, who consider all such mea sdres'
as at this time premature. OF The third
Class, large proportion think we have
gone far enough, and that instead of in
creasing our frigates or building ships OF
The line it is most polite to cree. land bate.
RES and build large number of gun
boats I he other portion OF this class
are, II is true, in favor Of angmentiDg he
number ofour shipsbui not a, prese 10 any.
considerable extent. his only those Who
compose the fourth class that think it wise
regularly though gradually, to augm. MT.
our present naval force. VIVA. pt6rcr-
tion, in point Of numbers, this class bears
to the others, It's not easy to determine.
There are however, several eircums auces
that favor the belief that so far from be.
ing majority, it comprizes comparltive-
ly but q small part of The whole Commits
nifty This may be inferred from The a6ts
OF the Legislature, who, instead OF devis-
ing any plan for the regular formation Sc
increase ofanavy, have only created thsex-
istlns force as temporary expedient "a
gainst pressing dangers & from the constant
disposition manifested by them to reduce
rather than to augment the establishment.
Ii hss ohly been during period of war
fare or serious collision with foreign pow
ers, that the establishment has risen ,
accordingly as soon as these causes have
ceased, the establishment: and appropri.
alton of mnuIes have been reduced. Let
it toe be remembered that this is rot the
peculiar policy of the republicans. IL 4,
has likewise been that Of the federalists.
whose example the republicans have pur-
sued. II was under the adminst ation of
President Adams, in the year 1901, that
the peace estabiishtfeDt was formed, by
which it was provided, that the President
might sell all the public vessels excepting
thirteen specified frigates, that Of these
six only should be kept inconstant service,
not having however attached 10 them more
than two-thirds of their full complement
OF officers and seamen.
The differences dcducibIe from this
statement, are,
]. That the creation OF powerful navy
is question sill cub JUDGE, not decided
by the ration or their representatives.
.. That it is not political question in
| which ell the iederalists are of one opini-
on, and all the republicans of snother- But
8. That il is question in which honest
men of I'll parties entertain diversity of
opinion.
! VI this statement be in any wise corr
I rect, the repsoaohes cast upon the Eese-