The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-29

/
fcct, we can have but little trade with her.
but will observe to the gentleman. from
the little knowledge l have of the subject,
that one article, an important staple of
our Country, does well there. / allude to
cotton; 1t IS one of the permitted articles,
and latterly has been Il beneficial article of
export, and large profits have been made
upon it.
II would appear, sir, as il the gentleman
supposed, that the whole cxpcncc of build
ing aad navigating these ships is to be de-
rived from the western people. If geatle-
men will turn TO the bids presented at the
last session for laying taxes, they will dis
cover that large proportion of them were
Intended to be drawn from the commercial
cities; that the country part does rot bear
mere than its proportionate share of those
taxes.
! The gentleman says, if we are to have
navy, 1t should be large, adequate to the
object contemplated. / approve of his de-
sign, Sir; but it is not to be supposed that
the U: 5. now without a navy, can at once
build one up. My opinion is, that the bill
contemplates as great an increase of force
as Is within our power within the present
year, and next session will be time enough
II provide for more. Rome was not built i'm
day, is acommon adage. A powerful ma
| w cannot be expected to be built at once
and the best way is to advance step by step,
but in detail, as the resources and Convent
ence of the u. S. will admit. Mr.. NIX.
concluded by expressing hope that the "a
mendment will not pass.
MIR. MITCHELL made few observati-
ons favorable to the bill, and against "a
| mendingit. He remarked that much of the
timber was already prepared, that guns
mad heretofore been cast and yet remained
on hand. for the seventy-fours. Perhaps
seventy-fours were not the best description
OF vessels; but he would take the bill as it
stood, in preference to risking its less by
attempting to amend it.
| The question was then taken on Mr.. Saw
yer's motion and negatived.
| And the committee rose.
Thursday, Dec. II.
The House again in committee of the
whole on the bill to increase the navy,
motion was made to strike out the provision
Tor four seventy-four gun-ships.
Mr.. GOLD. The provision in the bill to
introduce shihs ofthe line into the navy. |
consider, Mr.. Chairman. as fring the
great fohcy efa navy under this govern
ment. Frigates we have had, but in COM
mon with petty nations; for the Barbary
powers nave trigates-the provision now
offered rises higher and promises something
worthy OF the constitution something hon
orable to the government. / rejoice, Mr..
Chairman, at the favorable circumstances
and hail the auspices under which we now
meet TINS question; we are no longer left
to erring speculations, to uncertain reason
ing, but have under our eyes the sure and
lntallible test OF eIherIencc, of practice in
war with naval force. Within a few weeks
our tars have thrice grappled with the enc
my and thrice have they triumphed in com
bat; the success has swelled the American
bosom with Joy from Orleans to Maine-all,
without exception of party, vie in demon
stratiens ofjoy and in the bestowment of
honors upon the victors. ...
While such a scene is presented here,
gloom and dissatisfaction prevail in the me-
troPolis OF Great Britain-those, who have
ioeen SO long accustomed to conquer, re-
Ceive the capture OF the Guerrero with as
much astonishmeDt as they would behold a
suspension of the laws Of nature. A strange
event to Britons!
How often, sir, has it been echoed and
re-echoed within these walls, that it would
be IN vain to attempt any thing with navy
against G- Britain. unless we could bring
shit to shift and nun 10 nan-could equal
our enemy OH the ocean. How much mis-
taken have gentlemen been; how vain is
human reason The earliest stage of the
hrst war under the government has Welded
a clear, full and incontestible refutation of
the argument. While the American arms
nave suffered disgrace upon disgrace OH
what was deemed the natural and proper
theatre for the display of our power; while
by land all is gloomy and comfortless, and
the heart sickens under the past, our little
navy, handful of men, has nobly sustained
us upon the ocean and banished that despon-
dency which our disasters by land must
have otherwise produced.
! 1t, sir, under such auspices; such over
whelming evidence of the efficiency of
navy, this question is to be hHt by, j shall
despair OF a navy; We may rank with Al
gers III force of irigates, but shall do no.
thing worthy OF community Of eiyht Min
o'iS OF souls, placed by Heaven in situati-
Oh most favorable to Commerce and naval
power
! The objections, sir, to navy are not a lit
tie amusing. Do you move the question in
peace. il is objected, that commerce flourish
es and you want not protection--at another
time it is said not TO be worth the expence
OF a navy, and lastly navy will draw A.
merca lntothc European vortex and involve
/ us in war. Now that we arc f7l 70Qr a new
book OF logic is opened, aEd it is objected
that YOU have not time TO BALD navy, the
war will be over before ships can be finish Z.
| ed. 1t is thus. sir, tina. the arguments A.
! sainst navy are made TO answer and re
| lutte themselves nay more, the argument
! IN war ~ satire and reproach 10 the OBJ.
Election IN peace. There liz MT no-p hg,e
10 bHild a nary" reprOaches us for not hav-
I ing passed the requisite laws at the last