Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-01-10
Rouse OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEDNESDAY,, January 4.
NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT.

after determining that they would not SUBJ
nit to the orders and DEGREES OF the belli-
gerents, adopt some efficient system Of war
fare, if war must be the result. On this
point he was decidedly of opinion that we
could carry on operations to great advan-
tage en- the ocean. He held in his hand a
resolution for enquiring into the propriety
Of augmenting our naval force, which he
submitted to the consideration Of the House.
Resoped,
That the committee to whom was refer
red so much of the message Of the Presi-
dent of the United States, as relates to the
military and naval establishments, be in
slructed to enquire into the exPediency OF
encreosine our naOal establishment, and that
they have leave to report by bill or other
wise.
lLa,. d. K. Williams asked of the gentle
man, against whom was this force to be ap-
Piled From what source could any consi-
derable increase be made? He presumed,
as the gentleman appeared to have his mind
so fully made up On the subject, that he had
made the necessary calculation, and would
favor the house with them. For his part,
Mr.. Williams said, if we were to go to war
tomorrow, he would notvote single ad-
ditional floating gun. What had been the
consequence Of augmentations OF naval
force in other. countries? Were they not
perpetually augmentmg the British navy!
The ministry would give but small preml-
uln to ensure the gentieman's augmentation
.(should it be r1ade) safe birth in their
ports. Did the gentleman wish to follow
the example of Denmark, and have our
towns Copenhagened?
Eir. Gardner observed, that bill for
putting cur present navy into service was
already before the house. lie should pre-
fer first acting on that and therefore moved
that this resolutions lie en- the table.
Nr. Story hopsd this course would not be
given to his motion; for 1t might Dc per-
fsctly proper not to order the whole naval
force to be put into actual service, and vet
it might be very proper to prepare an a'ldl- 4
tional naval force. We were nor, he said,
at present. at war but We soon might be-
The gentleman from South Carolina had
Supposed that any augmentation OF our ma
val force must fall a sacrifice TO the British
navy. Mr.. Story said he could not SO much
doubt the courage or character Of his coun-
trymen, as to feel as the gentleman did.
was born among the hardy sons of the ocean,
said Mr.. S. They never Will be guilty Of
diieIiction of their duty Or their counuy's
rights. They never will submit. If Great
Britain ever obtains possession of orr pre-
sent Little establishments, il must be at an
expence Of the best blood OF the country,
and after a struG4le which should call for
more Of Ter strength than she had ever
found necessary for an European enemy
He said he did not wish our naval force to
be increased for offensive measures but it
had appeared to him, that the only force
which could efectually protect our sea coast
was a naval force. He wished few YES (
sells OF war to cooperate with our fortihca-
tons. Such a force too, with the known !
bravery Of American scamen, would carry |
dismav wherever it went. The passage Of
this resolution would not decide the princi-
pie it was barely for enquiry. Would not |
gentlemen enquire whether an increase OF ]
the naval force might be proper? Would |
they hold Ont the language that they would
permit the scene of the Chesapeake to be
acted over again with impunity That they !
would still remain on land Mr.. Story said |
he could not believe that the gentleman
from South Carolina wished to see this
game PLAYED again. He hoped that we
would prepare force to protect us against
every foe. The naval establishments of !,
European nations must be always maintain. |
ed at an expenee double ofthe proportionate
expence, which would be incurred in this !!