Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-10-21

lessen our dependence.
The pxrty, that SO strongly opposed
the passing Cf this law, was the ,.ms
which opposed ALI the prominent mea.
sure. oil Westinghouse administrator.
And il is veil worth observing, how u.
D,tornly the same parry urged the sam.
objections to navy, through the whole
Of the administration OF Nh. Adams
When the Consfifus1on was launched a,
boston, the Chronicle sidiculed. no, m
~ the ship and It's architects, but also
the policy OF the government and sf.
ter sDeeriGeiy applying to the Friea,.
many din,inutise ePiihe.s-.predicied
lha, il would soon go, 10 swell the l,.t Of
John Bulls armed vessels.
In his last speech to Congress, in De.
ccmber, 1876, President Wsshing,on
called their .t,eriion to tie subject Of
Navy, in Dguage, TO which subsequem
e,ruts have giycn pecuiis force. Thus,
"To an active, external commelc.
the protection Of naval force Is inois.
pcnsable. This is manifest. With regard
| TO wars to which state is itself par.
ty. But, besides this, 1t Is our osnex
perience, that the most sincere neu,ra.
lily, is not suihcicD, w I'd, agoinstthe
dc precautions OF nations ct war 10 Sc.
| cure respect K neutral h1s, requires
| naval force, organised and ready TO
,indica:e j, from insult and agare ss!oD.
This may even prevent the Decessit, oS
going to war, by cisccuraglng begc.
rent power. from committing such vi.
| Citations ot the rights OF the neurai par.
~ as may. FIRST or last, leave u" ol6crop.
ton. From the pest infornlaticn have
been able to obtain, u would seeai, a.
If our trade to the Mediterranean with
out projecting force, viil al a; be in.
secure, and our citizens exposed 10 the
calamities frols which numbers OF them
have but Just been relieved.
These considerations invite the U.
States to look to the means and to set a.
bout the gradual creation Ct 9 navy.
The increasing progress ofibeirna
vigation promises them atno distant pc.
Rod, the requisite supply OF seamea,
and their means in other respects tav1
the undertaking. 1t is an encourage.
mept likewise that their particular siN.
alton will give weight anc influence 10
a moderate naval force IN their HANDS.
Will it not then be advisable to begin
without delay, to provide and lay uplh
materials fer the building and equippDg
Of ship. OF war; and to proceed IN the
work by degrees, in proportion as our
resources shalirender it practicable with.
out Inconvenience SD that fuaIe wae
of Europe may not 6nd our commerce
in the same unprotected state, In which
it was found by the presen !"
President Adams, at The opening OF
the fifth Congress, urged the Impor'
lance Of ma. al force, Tor the protection
OF our commerce.
In April 1893, the President was au.
tbori.ed to cause humber OF armed
vessels. not exceeding le, nor carrying
more than % guns each, to be AIMED
i.ed out, and manned, under his dTec.
ZION. In July of'the same year, tOVOo'
dollars were appropriated IN enable Inc
President 10 cause TO be built and equip
ped three ships, to be of force not less
than thirry-two guns each. 10 FebIus!
1899, Congress directed that SIX 'ha
OF wer OF not less than "a guns ea'NS
SIX sleeps of war of not less than lSsu"
each. should be added to the na'a'a',
mamem already authorised BY sw-ind
the President was authorised 10 augmem
a. his discretion, the force Of any shipper
vessel then in the service.
The acts which authorised the build
ing of these vessels, and the approp'r
ton, therefor, were opposed IN lheH
progress by the whole strength Of l0'
democratic party in Congress, and "e''
passed by small majsrities. The ns"''
papers, which at that time opposed 'os
administl alton, ard the eiecticnee'mg
pamphlets, which we're circulated VII"
;he utmost industry, 10 assist ID the eis',
ton OF Mr.. efftrson-a!l condemrsu
the navy, as an expensive and u'sls'
arpendsge of royalty, which only se'su
to Increase executive patronage, anc fL
pnvcrish .he people. No writer shove.
more hostile dispositions towards NV
navy than I" Old South"-a corresPc"
dent OF the Chronicle, whose riihosI'
had grea, effect upon The public n,""
and who early received from Mr.. th''
son lucrative Office, which it is no! Nv
generous to consider as conpnsa'V'
FOR his services. s. Tae Prospect :"
lore ns"-a pamphlet. for ss'ch y"
jefferson paid the writer hnndreo o'I
lars-declared that John Adams %A
8" his Navy, his BsAsT Tith a greai 0hs
Ir would devour tire last ear OF co'""
the last hlede Of grass that yegetsteG ',
tho &C onH Salu lU''