Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-01-10

sons Of Neptune he.belleved them TO De as
courageous as the gentleman had represents
ed them. The gentleman talks Of fifty fast
SALINE frigates (said Mr.. W. Is itpossl-
bic that any man in the nation can suppose
that its safety depends upon fifty fast sailing
frigates? They must, if sent out, either
carry orders not to fight, or become what
the Chesapeake has been--a disgrace to us.
I feel regret that such is our situation; and
I have no other consolation than the state of
the nation. Yes, sir, it is amorti6cation to
me that the British minister here has said,
and perhaps to members OF this house, that
If fifty sail of the line were built they would
soon be taken from us. We cannot com
mand resources for such Establishments.
VIII gentlemen consider that our greatest
annual revenue never amounted to seven
teen millions Of dollars? | ask then where
are we to get money for the support Of such
immense establishments Mr.. Williams
SID that twas on the shore that be would
risk the salvation of his country and OF an
invading foe there would not, he trusted,
single man escape to tell the fate OF his
comrades. Indeed he should tremble for
his country if he thought its salvation de-
pended on floating batteries.
Mr.. Nicholas sad there appeared to be
a difference Of opinion among gentlemen as
TO the mode Of preparing tor action. 1t
was unquestionably necessary, he observed,
that the House should come to some deci-
sion on the subject. Gentlemen who were
in favor of naval force, when that question
was fairly decided IN the negative, would,
NO doubt give up al idea Of that force and
join those in the majority in voting for that
force which they deemed necessary. ] DO
not, VIII not bslieve said Mr.. n. that
difference OF opinion rs to the species of
preparation to be made, viii prevent us
from making any. Until some decision be
made we shall be pcrpetua'ly embarrassed
in this way. have not made up my OPT
Mon on this subject; bat | am inclined to
believe that in the event Of a war we can do
bat little on water. think it important,
however, that the thing should be settled
and not procrastinated This question
should be met and decided. / do not be-
lieve that say too much when / say that I
teic7e. uoar 10 DC mepitc6le. | say this npon
the presumption that an warranted in be-
iicylng that it is the determination Of this
house and the nation tor@siss, as long as a
man remains Of Us, the editts 81 G.. Britain
and France. Having made this determines
ton, what is our duty under tn, present as
pect Of our affairs, when il does not appear
that either OF taese nations viii reccdc 10 ,
prepare to n,cet the crisis rs men determin- J
ed to resist efftctual!y. Shall we do this as
long as we divide as to the nlcnAa to be en-
ploved? We shall not, sir. Ryr. Nicholas I
expressed hope that gentlemen who tho't
land force the best, would, if it should rot
be agreed to by a majority, consent to en-
ploy naval force; and that, under similar
those In favor of naval force /
would consent to employ land forces. It
was Of the utmost importance that they
should come 20 an understanding on the
subject. If out voted in the force which /
was best in his opinion, he would cordially
assist ia preparing the ether species. He
said he was for offence, not for defence
merer, when thus visaly assailed. He
hoped the house would at once settle the
mode and commence tue work OF prsfaora-
ton.
Ir. Lyon said that il was well known that
he had never been sinical 70 naval force. /.
The rule which he lad laid down to himself
had been to give.a great share of the reve-
aue derived from commerce to the protec-
ton OF commerce. He had never enter
aimed the idea Of manning feet, for the
purpose Of defying Great Britain on the
ocean. He had wished to give that share
Of the proceeds Of the commerce of, the ma