The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-02-22
FROM FRENCH PAPERS.
CON aERVArINE SEN ATE.
Sitting of the 1oth Dec. 1910.

Vi3us,euT tue counsellor o! State, Count
Caf'reii. presented the following Ex-
po,e:
sSzy Lords and Senator's,
We are charged
by ms majesty to present to you a project
~ oenatus Consultuni, in which you will
recognize the character of public utility
vi efficacy, and OF foresight. which ac
companies the vast conceptions of his ma
jes'y.
The empire enjoys a profound peace the
nations who surround Il. fully convinced that
rhe surest guarantee of their repose will
cons amtly oe found IN their alliance with
tne French people, every day strengthen
The ties which unite them to il, and appear
TO form nut one great family, by their
sentiments towards The august chief of
France.
Aud if the suries of war still desolate the
extre mites OK Europe, II a mised portion of
4 ncighboring nation, aSitated by factions, is
yet bnnd to lis true inte, ests, you know, gen
tie nen, tn.t me Cause must be sought in he
pc hdiuus Vaccinations or that government
ho,i to Europe, which, repulsed and dri-
ven back in All parts, has but one Corner OF
the eartn whereof is permitted to blow the
fire of discord and OF civil dissentions.
England olockades the ports of Europe !;
she sends her ships upon the seas but thev
are refused adnittance at every port; she
seeks TOR outlets for the produce OF ner man
utactures heaped up in the warehouses of
lfer affrlgnTed inhabitants. Her criminal
sy stem is known her machnations are de-
yelopei; nations at length know how 10 APP
preciate both her fatal alliance and her dis
;'Srous services.
In he midst ofthe calm which MS males
" mas re-establshed in the empire and in
Europe ne is occupied With the confederation
On MS navy, aud his geniu, suggests 20 hi u
eifcacious means ot opposing his enemies,
on tAr seas, numerous ARMIES, animated ike
Iii old and formidable phalanxes, with the
dc ire pf at length obtaining 5y conquest uni
We sd peace.
he will OF his majesty will always be
tn OF tate tor power and genius never will
in IN
Aneady, gentlemen, at his majesty voice
maritime esTaolishme ts are erected +; the
sodsls, whose exttnt are every where defen
ded by Courage, and fortified by art; he ar
seuals arr sI.rrd with every necessary
vessels are constructing in our ports, and
Our fleets aay one DAY Try their strength
galnsS those Of tue enemy, and reign upon the
seas.
but 70 man these vessels, to navigate them
his maiesty has felt the need which he had
a. ssafnen Those who are now in his saua
drons, would no. suffice for the grandeur o
his designs: new means must be used 10 &C
cumpiish new views
The commerce ana fisheries, which form.
erly furnished seamen TO the state, are now
too inconsiderable, and new Institution
must be immediately created 10 supply the
wants of our country.
A. the voice of his majesty, there is abou,
To issue from the maritime departments d
crowd OF young men, who, being both sea
men and soldiers, will shew themselves the
wurthy emulators of those who have Yais-
ed SO nigh the glory OF the arms of the em-
pre-.
We proceed 10 lay before you, gentle
men, the basis oi our institution, from which
ms NJ jesty expects the most advantageous
results.
re emperor has found that the mode of
con sctiptIon alone can procure To the navy
the supplies OF men which requires but
HI has lett that the mode Cannot be extend
ed . the territory IN general nr the lnci-
nations OF men are ior the most part the eff
feet ot ii sbits Thus, ti.e citizen OF the inte-
RI, towns never sees the ocean nor seamen
II niger ~ the element, to thai kind of
liie, nc fnms TO himself eriifc idea of it !;
her iers the land service, for which the
inn. nerab victories OF our armies have al
ready exCited his IA st lnthusIasm.
The Inh.lbi ant ot-tne coast, on the contra
ry. learns from his first years to talk o. h
oce an und him--every thing presents to
him ItS image /; yet child, he sports with
that elemen upon which nc will one day
b,ave sLurms and battles. Born On the
she. IS in the vicinity of those belonging 10
the enemy, he feels the necessity OF defend
ing them, because he has TO protect MS fami-
ly, his properly. He, more than any other,
possesses the sentiment of resistance to ag-
eressions he is at the same time man and
cit zen.
|. IS, therefore in the maritime depart
nents that thereCraitlng for the navy should
fake place; it l. upon the line OF the coasts
Hhat the Choice should be made of men dcs-
tined to serve upon the ocean.
But the naval profession is subject to so
many vicissitudes aud dangers, that it must
be inferred upon from the mos tender age,
when the orgaus are dOcile, ne body hexi
he, and when habits are contracted without
dIificulty. The seaman must betimes ac-
custom himself to danger and learn to brave
AM To despise 1t.
Young seamen will accordingly be chosen
at the age of rom Is 10 I6 ,earS; il at an
carrier period il would be too long before
their services could be useful to the state !;
ii later, the physical constitution OF man
could with great difficulty be adapted TO all
the iabors mp 1ssd OH mariners
In this place we must acquaint you with
one oi The happy conceptions of the Empe-
for, that af ini rating heDcefnrward those
young cOnscrp IN lac Career which they
are destined - run.