The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-02
mo. IT..

ports scattering ships Of an enemy. He
thought himself not out of order since the o.
pihlon OF the President of the United State.
on the sub'ec.. OF gun-boata had been read,
. rerpaly to quote his opinion on this subject
ne PRESIDENT was in favor of large ships
he thought it was improper that any single
/ single ship should be able to block up port
or harbor of the u. States and that a re-
medy should be provided. Mr. G.. thoupbt
that no danger could arise to the liberties cf
the people from an increase of thenav he
Caiieo upon gentlemen who supported that
! doctrine toGuote single instance where any
| nation had lost its liberty from navy. III
e'ld not himself consider an increase of orr
navy necessary at the present moment but
1t might be necessary at q future time. H.
would not therefore, be improper now to pro-
woe materials, that they might have them i-,
readiness when wanted. At present their at
tention should be directed solely to TIN, de.
fence OF thor cities ON the sea coast but AT
any future time, when it should be made sa-
t,siactoiiiv to appear to this government that
the nations OF Europe were disposed to coal
escc for the purpose of asserting those RIGHTS
winch were dear 10 every maritime power
he hoped the y. s. would be ready and will
ing to JON them in maintaining the freedom
or navigation. 1thas been said, by some peo.
pie, observed Mr.. G. that we, ought to lie
by on our arms and avert the event of the
European contest; let the alone, say thcy.
let Bonaparte fight it out with them. Now
TINS was doctrine to which Mr.. e. could not
suoScube. IT there was one great power dis.
posed to control and domincer over the oce.
an, and~he y. >. had great property at stake,
why not pay their proportion, their FOOTING
as 1t We're! lie considered an opposite con-
duct pusillanimous and unjust They had
more tons OF shipping ahoat, and were more
largely concerned in the freedom of the seas.
thah any nation IN earth, one only excepted;
and slould they say that they would lie bv
unconcerned, while the dearest rights of ma.
lions were destroyed by any one nation! Il
must be clear to every one that they shnuld
not, and yet instead Of Increasing their de-
tensve powers where they were assai!abIe
and most vulnerable, he was hurt to hear
gentlemen propose means Of defcncc forpoints
perfectly unconnected with existing events,
winch consisted in the harrassing their ma
Vigatlch' and iniilcting injuries on their float
ing commerce
Mr.. {. did not want ships for protection
o. our cities; he had no fear OF their being
hurt he considered them as sufficiently Drs.
tccted by the proposed Notifications and gun
ooats, out all the money in the treasur. aould
not be applied to these subjects. The mer-
chants OF the u. States were more concern
ed for the defence of their property which
they had sent bevond seas than FOR the burn
I
was trae, had been burnt during the revoluti
onarv war; but it should be recollected that
the enemy then carried on war of exter-
mlnation, and even invited the savages to
burn our tows. The war which was now
feared was not war of the same stamp: il
would DO merely war for the right of trade.
anu not earned on In so sanguinary man
ner.
Mr.. c. did not believe that these eun-boat,
would AID q lDCTeaSe he c,>;r sc. a.
GERS and men employed in our marine ser
wee. 1t was not little extraordinary that
those gentlemen who had been in the habit of
tellng the House that they were OPPOSED to
all naval appropriations, opposed to fortify-
ing our cities, opposed to commerce aitoee-
Their, and wished the people of the U. States
were lii the isolated situation Of the Chinese,
mere receivers Of trade-it was indeed ex-
traordinary that they should now force tina
Northern states to receive that protection
men they did not want. Why not permit
them to receive that species of protection
winch was most cOngeni0l to their wishes -
In speaking thus, he certainly expressed the
sense OF the mercantile interest generally.
Many maritime nations had in different
ages grown into existence, had ri, en- and de-
chDed; but we read of none that ever refls-
eh to defend their commerce. This plan Of
defence was new and untrei thing would
~ "NN " pIuIt 10 MIKE tlle experiment
smaller scale? Let me know by cvDeri4
ment, said Mr.. 6 that s manv Guns as o
LARGE frigatc carried, distributed in gun boats.
viii conquer that flIgate and / shall be con.
ylnced OF their efficiency, hut no till then.
Mr.. {. said lie did not feel willing that So
large part of the res ources of the country
should be expended, fer the purpose Of try
ing new theories to so great an extent as was
proposed He had at present very little obj
ni'n OF tie efficiency of blocks sunk in the
channels OF poris for the purpose of imped-
ing navigation, and preventing the approach
Of an enemy If any thing could manifest
the people of the United States to be q pusil-
luminous people, it would be done by destroy
ing their own har5ors in preference to de-
tending them; and the torpedo scheme was
OF the same stamp. Mr. G. predicted, THAI
II these gun-boats were built and there yas
no occasion for their service, they would net
be competent to the transportation of tobac~
co, -four, or am productions of the country.
A project had been hatcbed for deserving
their cities, and running over the mountains,
when attacked; it would be much the same
with their un-boats-when an enemy an
preached, they would be Obliged to abandon
them. They would not answer; and in the
event this country would be compelled to a
don't the same plan as other natif ue---and to