The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-07

a. service, ahC where are they Statloneu OF
faid up?
9TH. in the event of putting in commits
SION the ships now laid up in ordinary, could
Unnecessary seamcn, to man them, be spec
Oily procured without AN increase of pay or
bounty
am further directed to request, that you
VIII communicate in your reply any other in
formation which, in your opinion, may DC
important or material on this subject
] have The honor to be,
sir, with great respect,
Your o5edient servant,
LANGDON ClIEVES.
Honorable Pau Ramihon,
Secretary Of re Navy,
Marry DeEGrcs;eaf, Dec. 3, 1911.
SIR,
have had the honor of receiving yo,ir
s fetter of the 18th instant. The several
questions which you have been pleased to,
PROFOUND to me inyoive scope OF informal
ton difficult correctly to state, and COM
prehend points upon which am compelled
to submit conjecture in some instances in
stead of fact. The subject is, however,
so deeply interesting as TO have comman-
ded my most deliberate and anxious invcs-
tigation.
The papers herewith submitted, and
marked a. y. and c. will, hope, afford
satisfactory answers to your three hrst que
ries
In reply to the fourth, have to state,
that as to the force, necessary to afford u
reasonable protection to the coasting trade,
and the mouths OF the harbors of the Uni
ted States, it appears to me impossible to
form satisfactory opinion, unless we knew
the extent of the force by which our coast
ing trade and the mouths of our harbors may
De aSsa.led. Ihe naval nations of Europe
employ line of battle ships. The heaviest
rate OF our vessels of war does not exceed
large "A gun frigate, which is inferior in
number OF guns, & men, and weight fine
tai, to a ship of the line. If, then, while
We have only frigates, an enemy should
send against us ships of the line, the protec-
ton which, III such case, We should he able
10 afford to our coasting trade, would obvi-
easy he very imperfect With 4 force
equal in number and rate to that of IN
enemy, or to that which an enemy At a dis
eance could end against us, neither our
commerce cur coast nor or narbor.
Wouid nave any danger 20 apprehend for,
considering the numerous dangers or our
coast, the heavy gales and fogs to which
u IS peculiarly subject, our superior know
ledge OF the shoals with which it aboun,s,
ana the numerous ports to which we nave
access Tor victualling, repairing and ca -
ping ships, SO decided would be our advan-
tags mat 1t IS oeilevcd an enemy, only our
n u
not, under Slch circumstances, aDproacn
our shores with any intention Of remaining
tor the parpoSc OF molestins our trade.
ouch, indeed, are the advantages which we
possess, IN taese particulars, that / incline
TO the opinion, that, with half the number
CT vessels of the same rate which might be
sent against us, reasonable protection
might generally DE afforded to our ccasting
trade; do not wish to be considered as
giving the opinion, that with such force
our coasting trade could be et;ectu;iiy pro-
tected; that no capture of our merchant
vessels would be made under such circum-
stances for even ii our force were equal 60
an enemy, we might expect occasionally 10
Rave vessels Captured. An enterprising
enemy would watch opportunities and avail
himself OF them Dat III cur operations a.
sainst the enemy, we should not, it is pre-
sumed, De found deficient i'll enterprize or
vigilance, competent to retort his aggressi-
ons and to secure an equivalent for all o4f
losses. T.
Surprising, then, a continuance Of the ppe-
sent state OF things III Europe, and that lyie
United States should come mo collision W. N
either ofthe present great 0eiligerent powers
3 naval force Of Twelve sail of The line (74's)
and twenty well Constructed trigatcs incls
ding those we now have, and rating gena-
rally not less than thirty-eigit guns, wi5t
the addition OF our smaller vessels now in Sery
Wee, judciously directed, it is believed
woaid be ample to tne protection of eur
coastinS trade: would De competent to IAN
hoy extensively the commerce of an enemy,
and uniting occasionally in operations with
t.le gun boats already built, if equipped and
Brought into service, and our forifca lions,
also afford complete protection to urIlar-
sors.
4 he imperishablc materials for ship build
ing and naval equipment, consist Of titgbcr,
plank, slaves, nasts & spars, iron, copper III
aheets, bolts and nails, anchors, kente .lgc,
canvas, hempen yarns, &c. In timber Iof G.
very description, required for navy PURPOSES,
Our country abounds, and it would at this
tiIns DC practicable to procure any Quantity
Oh terms that are reasonable. It would
urqnestionabiy be sound economy t. keep
arrays on hand an adequate supply of this
important article, which ought TO be u ell sex
soned before it is used. 1i,e deplorable eff
fects OF being compelled, the Navy De-
partment has frequently been. to uss green
timber in the repair OF our ships. ont expe-
renee too fully demonstrates This indeed,
"a one OF the principal reasons of the great
expense generally aud very Justly complain
cd Thy the guardians OF the public purse
happily, howeyer, il is perfectly within the
reach OF our power to remedy this evil aid
do most earnestly recommend to your Sc
rIous consideration tho propIicty Of an extra
SnuuaJ appropriation for III rec wears for the