The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-17


force but to surround il.
Mr.. NJ was anxious as the gentleman from
Virginia could possibly be, that they should
make such preparation for defence as the
emergency OF the times should call for 1t
was because he believed that eun-boats with
out trigates were not sufficient, but with them
might be Extremely useTli; and because that
IT the House should direct the erection OF
trigateS, the number of gun-boats might be
lessened, that he had made the motion under
consideration.
/ Mr. Crosvninshield said that there was
some Inconsistency in the observations of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania; he had said
gun-boats would be useful with the aid of
large vessels, and ut the same time said that
they were entirely useless in the mouths OF
rivers or deep waters. mir. Minor explain
ed that he had meant they would be useless
when acting alone. Mr.. c. said he had
formed a very different opinion indeed from
that expressed by the gentleman from Penn
sy!vania with respect to gun-boats. 1t was
well known that no longer ago than the wear
before last, this government had employed
eight or ten gun-boats to assist in the attack
on Tripoii; they all crossed the Atlantic IN
safety, except one boat. Although they did
not come into the attack On TripUli, because
! a peace was prematurcly concluded vet he
himself had heard the late commodore Pre-
bic say, that without them the squadron
would not have been competent to have made
an effectual assault on the city. These boats
then kept the sea in very tempestuous wca-
ther, fact which the dispatches from the
commanding officer had announced. He be-
leved that they could not at this time adopt
a better mode of defence than that proposed
! by the bill He should be very sorry to see
the proposed number reduced, because he
believed they would render important serv;-
ces, if at any time ourports or harbors should
be attacked. These gJin-boats were net boats
that would sink the moment they got into
rough water; they were boats Of 60 or 20 TONS
iburthen, which might navigate the globe with
safety. He spoke from experimental know
ledge. The gentleman surely did not mean
to say they could not swim. In Mr.. C's OBI
lnon there could be no better system of de-
fence in aid of Notifications than that propos-
ed by the bill.
In regard To the expenses, the stIEm HeGes-
sary for gun-boats, after striking out the
humber So, would not be equal to the cxpence
iof one single fIigate. He should not now dis
lcuss the subject Of naval establishments, for
it was not before the House; when it did
Icome into consideration, he should take the
liberty of saying something upon it.
Mr.. {. said he thought lie had understood
the gentleman to have said, that il they had
lbeen IN possession Of these gun-boats at the
time of the aggression, they would not have
RENDERED any service to the country. MIR. C.
differed with the gentleman totally he thot
Ii they had a few gun-boats in the neighbour
lhood Of Norfolk, they would no longer see
british armed vessels riding there with I'M
Ipunity; he conceived that gun-boats could
drive them out OF our waters lie hoped die
number would not be reduced; if the number
were to be altered, it should be increased
II the gentleman had any proposition to make
for building a large or small navy, he could
bring it forward any tiUe here after
MIR. BLou92. presumed the gentleman would
admit rs certaintr, thai 1t was the duty of
the House to provide effcctual protection.
The select committee having determined in
their own mind, that the best system of de-
fence would be composed by Notifications
and gun boats, had inquired what number
would be of use. The answer 70 this enquiry
was already before the House: ii was stated
thatthe y. >. had already 50 gun boats, that
257 were the whole number which might be
uSetui!v employed; Consequently that 1873
were wanting. fit were the object of gentle
men to afford Il certain protection othe conn
try, he hoped they would not hesitate to pass
this bill. If the gentleman from Pennsylva-
ma should be able -when the subject was pro-
perry before them, TO prove to MIR h. that
trigates or ships of war would add to the pro
lection which might be afforded hv fortiica-
items and gun boats, he would vote with him
Tor their construction. 1t would be time to
discuss this when the subject was before
them. He hoped the idea Of the utility Of a
naval force would not induce gentlemen to
withhold from the Executive that force which
| they had sigriied as necessary for the pro-
lection ofour ports and harbors. ifany doubt
were entertained by gentlemen who were not
! members of the last Congress, there was 2
report, which he held in his hand, made at a
former session, containing the opinions of ma
val officers on the eXpediency or utility of
these boats The report was lengthy, and he
should not call for the reading Of it, except
gentlemen wished it. There was, how ever,
no necessity to demonstrate their utility, as
no gentleman had attempted TO shew that
they were not eminently and essentially use
ful as one species of defence.
! Mr.. NIi7or said although he had a respect
for the opinion of the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts on the general topic Of navigation,
he must confess that in this respect he dffer-
ed with him. Although he had not been en-
gagged in naval aFa RS, yet living near naviga-
bic waters and being somewhat acquainted
with the capacities of vessels Ire must retain
his opinion Notwithstanding the assertion of
the gentleman from Massachusetts. That
gentlemen had supposed because our Gun
/ boats had crossed the sea, in doing which, by
! the bye, one ofthcm Was lost, that they were