The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-03-03
MESS AGE

From the PRECEDENT ofthe United State, conn,unica-
ting information of the effect of gun boats in the
protection and defence of hnr bors of the numbers
thought neceflary, and of the propofed ditrbution
OF them, among the ports and harbors OF the u
nted States, in compliance with a reioluton OF
the House OF the 9Th infant.
To tie Senate and Ros ., Ree,.ntsfi0ts Of tie Unit
cd States.
In compliance with the requeh of this Houre Of
Representatives, exprefed in their refolution of the
hith ina, proceed to give fueh information, as is
Poefed OF the eea of gan boats in the protection
aud defence of harbors, of the numbers thought ne
ceiiary, and OF the propofed d(ribution of them a.
mong the ports and harbors of the u. States.
Under Prefent circumstances, and governed by the
intentions of the Legislature, as mantfehed by their
annual appropriations Of money for the purpoes of
defence, has been concluded to combine, iA land
batteries, furnihed with heavy cannon and mortars
and etiablhed all the points around the place IA
vorabe for preventing vehes from lying before it ;
I'd, movable artillery, which may be carried as oc
cation may require, to points unprovided with fixed
batteries Sd, Boating batteries and 4th gun beats
which may oppoie enemy his entrance, and CO.
operate with ths batteries for his expuion
On this iubjed profellional men were coniulted as
far as we had opportunity. Cen. Wikinion, and
the late Gen. Gates, gave their opinions in writing
now communicated. The higher officers of the navy
gave the fame opinion, in ieParate conferepces, as
their preience 1t the feat of government offered
hons of eonlutug them, and no difference OF ;adg-
ment appeared on the lubjea. Thofe of commodore
Barron and capt, Tingey, here. are recenil, fur
niihed in writing and ranmtted herewith 10 the Ie
gihlturs
The efficacy of gun-boats for the defence of bar
bors and OF other lmooth and inclofed waters, NAV
be eitirated, in part, from that of gaes formerly
much uied but leis powerful, more coay in their
cenitruotion and maintenance, and requiring more
But the un-boat itleif is believed 70 be in ufe
with every modern maritime nation, for the purpofes
of defence. In the Mediterranean, on which are fe-
veral imai powers, whole !yitem, like ours is peace
and defence, few harbors without this article of
protection. Our experience there of the effect
of gun-boats, for harbor iervee, is recent. AIgers
is particularly known to have owed, to a great pro-
vlon OF the!e veei, the Iaiety Of its cy iince the
epoch of their contribution. Before thar it had been
repeatedly inulted and injured. The effect of GUN
boats preient, in the neighborhood of Gibraltar
IS well known, and how much they were MED, both
III the attack and defence Of that place, during for
mer war. The extenlive reGort to them by the I %
greatea naval powers in the world, on an enterprise
of invafon not long nce in proipe6, hes their con-
6dence in their efficiency, for the purpoes for which
they are fuited. BY the northen powers of Europe,
Whole eas particularly adapted to them, they are
Gill more ufed. The remarkable aeiion, between the
Ruliian Aolla of gun-beats and gallies, and Tur-
kiln aeet OF ihips OF the line and figates in the Ii
man iea, lin one th,uland feven hundred and ephty
eighth will be readily recollected. The later com.
manded by their mois celebrated admiral were com.
petey defeated, and levera of their irs of the line
deitroyed.
From the opinions given, as to the number Of gun
boats neeeGary for fone of the principal fsa-ports
and from view of all the towns and ports, from
ORLEANS to Maine, neuive, entitled to protection, ~
proportion to their fuAtion and clrcumaances It is
concluded that, to give them due meaiure Of pro.
teG.ion in times of war, about two hundred vun-
boats will be re1uiilte. According fra ideas the
following would be their general dihribution; liable
to be varied, on more mature examination, and as
circumstances hall vary; that is;o fay,
To the MIIfippi and ito neishb0ring waters forty
gun boats.
10 Savannah and Charlenon, and the harbors on
each de, from oant Nlary's to CufrAtuck, twenty
five.
10 the Chefapeske and its waters, twenty.
10 Delaware bay and river fifteen.
To New York, the Sound, and waters as fur a.
Cape Cod, fifty.
To Bottom aud the harbors north Of Cape Cod, Gf-
".
The notllas Aligned to thefe feveral Nstions Nigh,
each be under the care of particular eommandAut
aud the venes competing them would, in ordinary
be attributed among the barbors within the Ration
in proportion to their Importance
OF thefe boats, proper proportion would he Of
the larger Gze, fueh hofe heretofore built capable
Of navigating any fes, and Of reinforcing oecaionaly
the Greugth even Of the moA diflant ports, when
menaeed with danger. The refdue would be conf
ned to their own, the neighboring harpors would
be fnsller, lefs furnished for accommodation, and
eonfsqueniy lefs co0ly. OF the number iuppesd
neeehary eventy three built building and the
hundred aud twenty lsveu Rlll to be provided, would
colt from FIVE to fix hundred thouland dollars Hav-
ing regard to the convenience of the tresfury as
we'll as to the rsources for building, it has been
thought that the ore half Of thele might be built in
the prelent year, and the other bali the next. With
Inc legislature, however, it will ref to flop where
are or at any further point when they hall be Of
opinion thatthe number provided fsalI sc fuiic4nt
fe- ,he ohisa,