Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-24
CONGRESS-.
HOUSE oFREPRESENT.fZIVES.
DEBATE
ON FIFE NAVY QUESTION.

The House resolved itself into commit
tee OF the whole on the bill from the Senate
" To increase the naval establishment"
MIR. Sawyer made motion to add the
word "teen" TO " FOUR" so as to make il
fourteen "a gun ships.
Mr.. >. thought it proper occasion to try
the question, whether we were to have
Navy or not. He took the occasion tn con-
graduate The House upon the repeated vic
tories of our little navy over the enemy
and of the grateful prospect OF a speedy
termination to the despotism Of the seas
National piracy is about to he cxtermi-
mated; and all nations permitted to traverse
their great highway i'll safety. The thing
can be done; and If we say SO, with the will
OF Gcd, will lie done. The experiment up
on which the proof hangs, has been made.
British arms caDnot withstand American
upon the sea. The bully has been disgrace
ed By al infant; and fear shall no longer
restrain an abject world from viRdicatiue
its long Violated rights. Give Us but re-
spectacle feet, and it is all we ask But
what can we do with 4 seventy fours? They
are mere mockery. If we do mean to
make serious stand upon the ocean, such
force must be out of all character. If we
mean merely to annoy her trade Gard he
trusted VIC meant more) frigates will do +:
%NN - '''''~ Gill SiAbUS lllCSS4Ou lidt
way, we must lave respectable fleet; at
least, in iis opinion, Il sail Of the line. That
would give us preponderance on our own
coast, and enable US to bring in our prizes
| with safety. Who can bear the idea OF our
being obliged 10 barn sink AL the ships
| we may take from the enemy, for fear OK
| their being recaptured? He thought we
should save enough by the protection they
would afford to our prizes, to support the
expence of them. We can easily support
such force. The expense distributed over
| our widely extended population would be
| less than dollar head and where is the
| American who would grudge such sum
for such an object? The people, am con-
iident, will cheerfully pay il; because we
| are now at war, and a navy is found the
| most efficient weapon in our hands against
| the enemy. He therefore trusted, that if it
was the disposition of the House to have
| navy, they would establish such one as
| would answer some purpose.
! Mr.. Seybert said he did not anticipate
! that the bill from the Senate would have
been called for to-day by the Chairman of
| the Naval Committee-notwithst he
! had bestowed some attention on the subject,
| he confessed his remarks would be made in
manner not entirely satisfactory to himself
he would however proceed with them.
| Mr. Chairman, said he, / wish it was as
easy to build, equip and man the seventy
tours, as it will be 20 add the word teen to
! four, as is proposed by the gentleman from
n. carolina. 30 far from adding to the mum
Der OF these ships contemplated By the bill,
| he had intended to move that no seventy
/ four gun ships should be, at this time, au-
thorised by the legislature.
On former occasion. Mr. S. continued,
Nyhap = naval ,
| under consideration, he stated at length his
reasons for opposing the propositions before
| the House. The opinions which ne then adj
vanced concerning an e.rte16iUcIy pcrma-
/ nent naval establishment for the United
| States were still believed to be well ground
| ed. He did not hesitate to declare his in
| tention, at this time, and under the pressure
| OF present circumstances, to yield much u
! general feelings and the sentiments oe tho
nation; nevertheless he should guard a.
| gainst being carried too far BY the current
| OF popular opinion. 1t is equally my duty,
said he, to keep in view what is conceived
| to be the permanent and vital national int
rest. lie declared a uniform opposition to
| that establishment, which could not be
! brought within the means aud resources of
the nation 10 maintain il. We have made
| war. said he, to guarantee the honor and in
|
| support of the just rights OF cur citizens
with these objects in view, he had consented
to authorize regular force Of 25 eco men,
and advocated one more numerous, though
/ IN principle he was opposed to standing ar
mics. ID then great portion Of ny fellow
Citizens deem an increase Off naval esta-
| blishment essential to promote the great
work, wl,y should it be refused On my part
! No opposition would be made by him 10 the
! principle or spirit Of the bill before tbs
House, though nc confessed hc did not APP
prove the provisions as t. the kind Of force
therein Contemplated.
MIR. 5. Continued, at this time our princi
pal object should DC, 90 authorise that spe
cies ct force, which can be furaished in thu
shortest period, and which promises to b,
he most efficient in the present contest. /
the views of the government were not nos
confined to the present wa7, he considered j