Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-10-17
From the Bosfon Chronicle.
NAVY-No. 2.-and :.

In considering this subject, deliberate inves.i.
CATION rather than supersilio,is petulancv i th.
most proper for an accurate decision OF the ruez
ton We would Tot wish to eounteract .he.
" manly feelings Ofthe advocates for a N.Y.
Yet we are not such enthusiasts IN projects ss,,
mistake vain Boosting for sober Argument. S-!.e
knowiedge" Is the most important cons iclerae;-
on both for individuals and societies. <Know
thy self embraces all the qualities ofthe hurnz1
nind-for on just estimation OF our mental
powers and physical strength the Happiness AMI
security of mankind essentially deoepd
The question then is, what real adv antace can
the United States propose to themselves by a na-
Wy Is It TO defend our commerce. Is X 10 pre-
vent aggression, fit is to do either the extent
OF the means must De adequate to the purposes.
france according TO late statements, has tit for
sea o. ships OF the line, and ~ frigates; build
ing and in ordinary rs oithe line and "a t-iua.es
making Ito ships of the line and g. frjeates.
England has a maritime strength far superio- 10
TINS. Ii then our commerce is to BE defended by
an American navy, what must De considered the
competent number of ships ofwar. and ofseamen
to man them As to PLAYING a naval v-arisre, it
IS Whoiis ridiculous We must IL some comp3-
risoh place ourselves III maritime position with
the NATIONS with whom We are to contend Conn
merce therefore being the object contaminated.
what Kind OF a trade can be carried on b. the CT
tlzens adequate TO the expenditure REQUIRED for
the building, equipping and manning this navy
Twenty millions of dollars may be considered "a
small sum for the first bill of cost with about
$4,000 seamen FOR an annual maintenance. and
after this IS done and the whole fitted for sea. At
what point ot.the compass are they 20 be direct
ca Tor the general protection of our commerce
W hat would bethe premium of insurance against
capture, it we were at war with England or
France Should We estimate this force as such
security as to lessen the risque in any great de-
gree Admit this feet was to collect for Ger
tam special purposes OF CONVOY, would not this
immense value OF property thus concentrated in
one squadron, draw forth the redoubled energies
of those nations with whom We were in controyer-
sy and would they not be led to send four times
ats force, IN order ut one sweep to capture our
merchantmen, and disable, ifnot capture alaree
proportion OF our naval armament Would It
be wise policy to bring our strength within so
small a compass, and thereby expose our govern
ment almost to bankruptcy, bv the enormitv of
the sum by which our national debt would be
augmented in case OF any serious disaster The
capturespf an American squadron, with a fleet of
merchantmen, and a vast number of choice seq
men, would be an acquisition in one month TO-
wards Inluring &dstresSingthe L. States greater
than could otherwise be obtained in twenty wears
by any other mode of warfare, that could be car
rled on against us. Our Penobscot expedition is
one proof of what little dependence can be plac-
ed on a national armament The armed mer-
chantmen, letters OF msrque, &c. were the prin-
cipai means by which We annoyed the enemy and
captured their property.
Though many respectable Republicans are in
favor of navy, yet il is observable, that the doc
trine of a maritime force is strongly urged bv e.
very federalist, and by every man who favors
! England. They wish to initiate thc pride, of the
American youth to vindicate their rights b.a for
| midable navy But this is the most srlbti poll
cy that can be pursued 1t is well known to those
moi, hot hoe -, n ..
| through the whole territory of tie Union, and
when every / i'll and every valley is barrier a.
| ganst the sublugation of the country IL this
strength should be principally concentrated or
the ocean through the medium of a navy (cost-
ing ten or fifteen millions of dollars and manned
with upwards oftwenty thousand scamen) that
the chance would be ten times more favorable fo,s
our opponents, than it they had to contend a.
| gainst us on the terra frma. One Eunker-HlI
was more formidable than twenty ships of the
line, and ten thousand British or French soldiers
| would be more likely To be captured on land.
than ono thousand seamen on the ocean.
Sefknovgtedge, We say, is essential to the seclI-
| rity and happiness ofanation and individuals. o.
| therwise We are in danger Of not placinp orr
selves in such position Of safety, and OF not A.
doptiug such means for general prosperity AZ
" God and nature" have put in our bower -
| very rational creature knows is own weanons
of defence, and uses them as his system of war.
fare. The similar beasts (thougis osten the most
valuabie) do not place themselves in oppo.ition
| To the most voracious. The valuable Merino
would not contend against the mad dog. but
would carefully avoid the fatal effects OF q per.
sonal encounter. lie feeds in the pastures. and
there furnishes fleece Vhici tie MASTER oFt6c
"degs Of Sgar' 6Igsf either egrehass o. 20 raIeJ
fto prevent the mischief done by mad dogs. tb,,
Merino should adopt sys.en Of pcrsonai con-
| test, and use their teeth 90 the same rurposes
would not the disaster soon become fatal tn this
valuable animsll
At present we shall be short IN oar observat;-
| ons, merely to suggest, ideas as a prospectus of
our future remarks. They may be considered
as Feathers" IN the view Of superficial oHs,.r-
vers but when they become ultimately eyranv-
ed'tney viii appear as a plumagc highly pleas
| ing TO those whose security depends onthe home
stead, instead Of cruising on the Atlantic ia OBJ
tain visionary laurels. We shall conclude fbis
numher by observing on the scripture story ef
sampson. II appears that all his strength 1a;,i
IN his hair--but IL he had possessed general
system ofphisico strength. Il is not probable he
| would have fallen a sacrifice 20 tho Phfisti1es
The daliiance Of Delilah coon discovered tbe 4
IDENTICAL lock, and quckly laid him prostrate q,
the feet Of mis- enemies, The triAing instrument
| other shears.
If therefore the strength Of the United statee
TO become concentrated in one lock, "a nsvv1
we have rcasonto fear that the dallianee and per.