The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-09-19

at the end of that year, after satisfying all the
debts due by the department, there was a
balance in the Treasury Of the appropriations
made Tor that year, Of l25,ooo dls--lhe ball
lance on hand at the end of that year being
as 600, and the debts amounting 10 $4,000
collars only. Do ! applaud the conduct of
,he Secretary of the Navy in this case, upon
inc facts thus stated I! No / have already
signed satisfactory reasons, trust, for with
holding my applause or censure in cases of
variation between the appropriations and the
expcndiures--ascribing such variations as
do, 10 imperious causes, entirely beyond the
control of man. In case where neither the
will nor the Judgment Of man Can control the
issnc or praise.
In examining the charge Of prodigality,
and waste, preferred against the Navy De-
part aaent, by the Hon. Mr.. Randolph, have
now arrived at the year 1907, the expendi-
lures Of which year exceeded the appropria-
fions the sum OF GIT ,O64 dis. At cts. Yes,
geDtlerw.n, the expenditures of the year 1907,
did actually exceed the appropriations for that
year the sum Of G77,o64 dis 47 cts.--ths was
clear excess, produced by no stratagem.
What prodigai wasteful Secretary we must
then have had Surely he ought to have been
impcached But, before we condemn him,
let us enquire how all this came to pass--et
us have a view OF the whole ground. The
year 1907, opened with the most favourable
injic.thns OF peace and prosperity The e..
inmates and the appropriations were all red,l-
ced TO the peace establishment Of 100000
and we had every reason to hope that the
N2vy expenditures would not exceed that
cum. The far greater part Of our vessels
Was laid up in ordinary small peace squad
ron was about to be sent to the Mediterranc-
sn,to keep the predatory dispositions of the
BTbaiy powers In check, and to afford op-
portunics OF. professional Improvement to
our officers. In this state Of things, and un-
expected event occurred, which gave new
and different aspect TO our affairs. Ameri-
Cans you remember thc 22d Of June, 1907
You have Cause to remember that day That
day on which our national iag was dishonour.
ed, and the blood of our citizens, from wounds
received from quarter where warm profes.
sions OF friendship and good will had but re-
Gently been made crimsoned the decks of
bne Of our national ships blush to think
of the unatoned, unrevsnged wrongs which
on that day we're hcaped upon us. But, to be
c'lm, my countrymen, what then we're your
feelings Virginians ! What were your feel.
ings at the sight of squadron of British YES
scis, remaining within your waters, in def
ance OF the proclamation of our Chief Mag.
threatening
your principal city, and Hampton, with BON.
bardment ; sounding your waters for the pur.
pose OF ascertaining the beat channel through
which to approach you Interceptng the
water communication between other towns
and Norfolk, seizng, OBTAINING and piilaging
our by craft employed IN our own waters
You ielt an indignation strong as the insult
was gross. You all addressed the Chief OF
your government, In terms expressive OF
your indignation and Of your firm detsrmin-
a!ion to put yorr every interest to the hazard
oil war, sooner than submit to such gross in.
suits. In these addresses you were honest |
and IS a pledge OF your sincerity you enrolled |
yourselves into military corps, you converted
the pioughshare into tho sword, and prepared |
for war
My Countrymen What did your govern.
me'h then do SO far as respected prepare
noD Tor war, 1t acted in strict unison with
Jour feelings thus expressed--it pursued that
course which your addresses, your conduct,
dictated --Our mag gazincs were nearly empty.
10 rcpienish them with tn. stores and impie-
ments OF war, became an Indispensable duty
OF patriotism l was done The Secretary
OF the Navy. with that forecast, which is one
OF his distins uishiDg characteristics, immc. |
di ueiy directed one of his most approved and
faithful agents, to purchase all the salt petre
be could lay his hands upon. The confidence
thus reposed was not abused--for be il men-
TONED to the honour of that agent, he SO con-
Quoted the purchase, that he procured every !
pound then in "hlladelphia, at the then usual
market price he purchased s65,57l lbs. at
10, IL, and lS cents, by which there was a
saOfng TO me nation of upwards Of one hun
dred thousand dollars /! the article could no, |
now be purchased at 40 cents the pound i'm. |
deed II cannot be purchased at all II any con.
siderable quantities. Within the last ten days
one OF the wealthiest, and most respectable |