The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-12
NEW YoRK, Dec.

~ FM ana OISf. Coninidf.
New York, Dec. Z.
Capt. Skinner, of the ship Star, from Lis
bon, as boarded in lat. So. 'ong. so by the
Constitution and Hornet under English CO.
Tors, standing tothe eastward unGer press
OF sail, in pursuit of two English frigatcs
which were cruizing of the Western Is
lands. Victoria, where the French retrcated
alter the 1ato battle with Lord Wellington,
surrendered to the combined English and
Portuguese army on the 25th of September
REPORT
or Committee, Ghhointrd on that fart
Of the Presidents Message zvhich relates
10 the Naval Establishment, recommend
ing an increase ofthe Macy Of the United
STATES.
NOVEMBER 9th, 1912.
Read, and committed to Il committee of
the whole House on Monday next
Inc Committee appointed on that part
OF the Presidents message which relates
to the nav al establish mcnt-R efort in tart
That in performance of the duty assigned
them, the committee could not fail to adj
vert to the report made at the last session
CT Congress on this subject. Having adj
verified to it, they could not fail, from the
business of its reasoning, to rely on it, and
pray that it may be taken as part of their
=
ed us i'll naval warfare, corrob crates the
principles there commended for, and in this
view they think themselves supported by
that passage in the Presidents message
which says: " Our trade, with little ex
cep,ion, has reached our ports having been
much favored in it by the course pursued
by squadron Of our frigates under the
command of Commodore Rodgers
They therefore concurred in, the opinion
m he
blshment. For Information as to the mode
OF increase, they applied to the Navy De
partmcnt, * obtained the documents which
they submit to the House. The compare
tive effect of vessels of different rates must
be considered as demonstrated by these do
Cuments. Yet were your committee ap-
prlsed, that in the complicated system of
naval warfare no one principle could be re
lied on as applicable to all times and all oc-
casions, but that patient comparison of
many principles was necessary to just con-
Clusion. They were appraised that facility
of movement should be combined with eff
Cheney of force. Nor were they regardless
OF the benefit of occasional division. mas
much, however, as great gain will some
times follow from the power to operate on
many points at once, yet at others it may
be all important to give unity to your force.
To obtain the three things desired, it is es-
sential yeur naval establishment comprise
ships of different rates.
Ii rs evident too from the documents, that
you economist i'll men and money, BY pro-
viding some of the larger ships. This con-
clusion SO well fortified by reason, is found
in unison with the practice of all nations
who have had the fiscal and other means of
procuring a navy. Indeed it would seem
almost the spontaneous effect of instinct
without the aid of reason, to oppose like
with like. To yield the advantage of the
sabre, the bayonet, or fire arms, to your en-
envy, would by all men be deemed misera-
BILE policy Can reason change with the e.
cement? Let us then have for defence 76,
So and Is gun ships: because we arc oppos-
ed an enemy possessing all these means Of
attack, and because they combine all adj
vantages in naval warfare. 1t is not the
intention of your committee to put aside the
gun boats but they believe that consider
ing the opportunity afforded them for &C
ton, that an ample portion of that species
OF force has been provided. Your commit
tee cannot conclude their report without
bringing to the view of the House the fact,
that the naval superiority Of Great Britain,
which secures her integrity and supports
her dignity, is maintained at a cost much
below the military establishments Of the
continent. And it is with something like
eXuitation, as republicans, that they present
species OF national force that, whist it will
best subscrve the national defence, can ope
rate least on the national liberty. 1t is a
bright attribute in the history Of the tar, that
he has never destroyed the rights of the
nation. In its defence only is he to be found
Thus aided by economy and fortified by
republican principle, your committee think
they ought strongly to recommend that the
fostering care of the nation be extended to
the naval establishment. 1T is far, very
far from your committee, to extend their
views Of navy TO the mad and wicked
prospect of foreign conquest, or a silly
contest 10 be mistress of the ocean. Their
view is limited TO their own defence, and
10 enforce respect TO their just rights. To
the objection that It is the nature Of man to
run into extremes, they answer, that it is
abe end, not the beginning, we should guard
against. 1t is surely yielding much Of the
argument to surrender all Of the subject
that is good, and require submission to e.
vii that good may come thereof. Rather
separate the wheat from the chafF, show
the good and the bad. Let it be impressed
on every citizen, that to use force to protect K
maintain the rights & liberties of his country
re Gref dutv ,uh .t q. a.