Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-10

rvs rights. lney ncve VIII ouo"N.
Great Britain ever obtains possession OF our
present little establishment, t must be At
An expense of the best blood Of the country,
and after struggle which wouk, call for
more of her strength than she hal ever
found necessary for an European enemy.
He said, he did not wish our naval force to
be increased for offensive measures butit
had appeared to him, that the only force |
which could sfectually protect our sea
coast was a naval force. He wished a few
vessels of war to cooperate with our forth
fications. Such force too, with the known.
bravery of American Seamen, would carry
dismay wherever il 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 not be proper !!
Would they hold out the language that thay
would permit the scene of the Chesapeake
q be acted over again with IMMUNITY That
They would still remain on land Mr.. Sto-
try said, he coaid not believe that the gen
tleman 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 Eu-
ropean nations must be ALWAYS maintained
at an expense double of the proportioAatc
expense, which would be incurred IN this
country. He asked the gentleman from
South Carolina, if we had fifty fast sailing
frigaies, whether the British nation would
send an armament sufficiently powerful to
cndanger theml? Mr.. Story said, that we
knew perfectly we'll the Importance which
they attach to their naval establishment.
The thunder which rolled over their heads
in terror was only that from floating bate
ries on the water. Believing that whene..
yer we have war it must be carried on at
sea as well as on land, he was in favor OF
incre asing our naval force.
Mr.. D. r. Williams said that the gentle
man must excuse him for saying that he had
pursued the Eastern mode of propaundng
other questions instead of answering those
which had been put to him. He said he had
meant no reflection on the hardy sons OF
Neptune he believed them to be as coura
geous as the gentleman had represented
them. The gentleman talks of fifty fast
sailing frigares (said Mr.. WI Is it posi-
Bile that any man in the nation can suppose
that its safety depends upnn fifty fast sail.
ing frigates! They must, if sent out, either
CARR orders not 10 fight, or become what
the Chesapeake has becn--a Disgrace to US.
feel regret thae such is our situation and
/ have no other consolation than the state
of the nation. Yes, SIR, it is a mortiicati-
on 10 me that the British minister here has
said, and perhaps 10 members OF this House,
that il fifty sail Of the line were built they
would soon be taken from as. We cannot
command resources for such establishments.
Viii gentlemen consider that our greatest
annual revenue never amounted to seven-
teen millions of dslIars ask then where
are we 10 get money for tine support of such
immense establishments. Mar. Williams
said that twas On the shore that he would
risk the salvation OF his country and of an
Invading foe there would noS, he trusted, a
single man escape to tell the fate of his COM
rades. Indeed he should trcnable for his
country ifhe thought its salvation depended
on floating batteries.
Mr.. Nicholas said there appeared 20 be
difference of opinion among gentlemen as
TO The mode ofprepariDg for action. Twas
angus stionably necessary, he observed, that
the House should come to some decision on
the subject Gentlemen who were in favor
of naval force, when that question was fair
ly decided in the negative, would no doubt
give up all idea Of that force and join those
in the majority in voting for that force
which they deemed necessary. l do not.
will not believe (said Mr.. NJ hat DIFF
ference of opinion as to the species of pre-.
paratlon to be made, will prevent us from
making any. Until some decision be made
we snail be perpetually embarrassed in this
way. l have not made up my opinion on
/ this subject; but am inclined TO believe
that In the event OF war we can do but
little on water. Think il iinportant, how
ever. that tse thing should be settled and
not procrastinated. This question should
be met and decided. do not believe that
say too mucn when say that T believe
var 10 be Inevitable. say this upon the
presumption that / am warranted in belize
wing that it is the determination of this
House and the nation to resist, "A long as
man remains of US, the edicts of Great Bril-
tain and France. Having made this deter
minatioB, what is our. duty under the pre-
sent aspect of our affairs, when it does not
appear that either OF those nations will re
cede 10 prepare to meet the crisis as
men determine to resist efectuaIly. Shall
we do this as long as we divide as to the
means to be employed /! We shall not, air.
Mr. Nicholas expressed a hope that gen.
tlemen who thought land force the best,
would, IL IL should not be agreed to by a
majority, consent to employ naval force :;
and that, under similar circumstances, those
in favor OF naval force would consent to
employ land forces II was Of the utmos,
Importance trat they should come 20 hn un-
derstanding on the subject. If out voted in
the force which was best in his opinion, he
would cordially assist in prcparing the n.