Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-08

the secretary. to give it, but it was upwards
of 100000 dollars, which In addition TO
$50 600 dollars, would make about $4,000
dollars.
Mr. Quincy wished to know of the
chairman Of the comaiittee, whether this
money was to be appropriated exclusively
TO erect new Notifications, or to repair OLD
ones, or fer both.
MIR. BLoUNr said .he sum of $50, coo dol
lars was considered sufficient to complete
such Notifications as have been erected OF
proper sciteS, and TO erect such others as
might be necessary in aid of gun boats.
The secretary of the navy could not state
the particular sum that each place would
require. Past experience had shewn that
such express appropriations could not be
made. IL was the wish of the committee To
afford TO the President the power of apply
ing these sums 10 such places as he should
think best.
Mr.. Quincy wished to know whether the
terms of the resolution expressed the in
tenton. He conceived that this sum of mo-
pey should be placed in the hands of the
President of the u. States, not only to g
rect new fortihcd tions, but to repair old
ones where necessary. AS he understood
the resolution of the President was to apply
could not appropriate it without misappli-
Cation to repair old ones.
Mr.. BLoUNT said the object waste put so
much moaey at the disposal of the Presi-
dent, rs to answer both the purposes of re-
pair and erection. If the words did not
express that sense, he should cheerfullv
acquiesce in any amendment VIII Gu might
be made.
An amendment was offered by Mr. DA-
Ma, but afterwards withdrawn, to make
way for one offered by Mr.. Crowninshield
to the same effect; by which the resolution
was amended to read as follows:
ResotUed, That it is expedite II to autho-
rise the President OF the u. Sta es to cause
such Qualifications to be re paired and cree
ted as will, with the assistance of gun
boats, sc.
MIR. THOMAS enquircd as to fllingthe
blank.
| Mr.. BLouNT said he had stated while up
before, that 200 900 dollars in time ofpeacc
was as II Gch as could he expected in the
course of year. But if they could not en-
10Y peace, r.ore would be necessary and
from the uncertainty of til S, the committee
wished to decline filling tile blank at the
present time. When the bill should be
laid before them, they might be bette
Qualified to judge.
MIR GARDENER was not so much op-
Iposed to the not filing up the blank in the
resolution at this time as 10 the reason
which had been given for not doing it, on
in other words, the reasons why the House
should not now debate on that part of the
resolution on which it WIS most important
to deliberate the sum to be allowed. 1t
was hardly necessary except in point oil
form, TO have gone INTO committee of the
whole for any other purpose than this All
agreed that the ports ndharbcrs of the u
States should be better fortified than they
were at present on that point he trusted
there could be but one opinion: but unless
a sum certain was named the people IN
the seapnrts would remain in the same
state Of doubt and uncertainty which they
/ had experienced ever since the commence
ment of the session. He wished to come
( to that point which it WAS most important
to consider he wished to know how much
igentlcmen would give towards the prote sti-
on OF our ports and harbors. Ii they were
not so fully prepared to decide as they
nj ght perhaps hereafter be, he thought
they might do much by entering into the
discussion of the subject
For himself, heco,id not readily assent to
what had fallen fiom the chairman of thc com
mttec he could not comprehend the prop1ie-
! " of making difference between the cxpensc
to be incurred in case the appearances OF war
should Increase, and those estimoted on pros
! pect of peace. He had heard nothing said
that was calculated to change his uniform OBJ
Mon this subject, that - state OF ,eace was
| he season for nAti)D ,ich had so :naryvuIne-
| rbie points TO prepare for war, and S.2cc itself
in condition torepel attack. Ina state of war,
and it seemed to be seriously Approaching, it
would be impossible t. lay out money to 50
much GLyantags az in a state ofpeace. 1t was
| IN the time of peace peculiarly that they should
rs much as they could, erect barriers against
some o; the most dreadful evils of war: he
would here apply the max IN of Washington,
quoted by gentleman from Maryland some
| lays since, "that t. preserve peace, we should
| be prepared for war" Surprising it should
happen, improbable as it was, that the country
hould remain at peace, were they on chat ac-
count 20 be relax in the fortifcation Of those
ports and harbors How could they, acting
IN this way, expect ever to be prepared for
war, when it should actually arrive A country
whose coasts were 50 much exposed, and
whose cities were 50 rich, 50 yalaaJle, and
therefore so tempting, should never be umpre-
pared but it, said he, we should be persuad.
ed TO postpone the defence Of The country,
while we waiting far Hslcs & hob4g f1y beace,
The enemy may be ~ our doors oar tities ma,
e sacked, and nothing left in them worth dc
Tending; it would be too late then, because itI
wit be TO no purpose tD f1rtif5, and the nioHey
We now taiS of appropriating NAV be saved
while our cities arc destroyed and desolated
Gentlemen seemed 10 take great delight in
ilattcring themselves that they might vet cs-
cape war; they wished, and from wishing, no.
4 r..