Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-12-28

void the conclusion, that our waters would
ne freed from invasion ; our coast iron
blockade . h 8 military and naval resources
Intercepted to such a degree as to parasyze
his eforts on this continent, supercede the
necessity of a vast military establishment,
coextensive with our maritime, Canadian.
and Indian frontiers aud our citizens from
those harrassiRg. irregular. and incnnyeni.
ent calls of militia, which the predatory en-,
terprizes of the enemy so frequently pro
duce. In short, according to my concep-
| tions, this cheap and efficient national de,
fence should be adopted as soon as circum-
stances will admit, and cherished by a well
diges.ed, energetic, and liberal system,
steadily progressing with the population,
! commerce. and resources of the nation:
The nature, construction, and equipment
Of the ships, which constitute a navy, form
the basis Of its efficiency. durability, aud
economy. and the most important branch
in the civil administratio of It's affairs
With a view to the reform aud extension
Of naval establishments of the United
States. these objects ought TO command the
first place in our attention.. combined with
such an Organization of fhe civil depart
ment. rs shall PROMISE the hes. resuits
The defects in this part Of the British
system have been the theme of criticism
and apprehension for many years past
The most minute, laborious, aad able in
vestigation, has, from time to time, taken
place, under the direction and scrutiny of
the parliament, yet nothing approximating
to radical amendment has been adopted
and the advocates of reform, either from
the subtitle rami6cations of the evil, or the
agency of some sinister influence, appear to
despair Of success.
1 A>ce~,-f - 49, ro1-k :o&.rt.---s .....---
supported by well established facts, the de.
terioration Of the British navy. owing to the
iniudicious selection aud combination of in
conginous materials in the construction, and
the abortive method of preserving, /, very
alarming; and the diversity in the form, di4
mensions, and proportions, not only of the
severa; rates, but OF the numerous distinct
clssses of the same rate, as well in their
hu}ls as in Their rnasts, sails. and eqnip-
| uients, and in q still greater degree in their
| qualities for combined action, demonstrated
the prevalence OF CAPRICE aud prejudice, in.
stead of science and system "When lord
Nelson was of Cadiz, with seventeen or
eighteen sail of the Inc, he had no less thai
seven different classes of seventy four gun
ships, each requiring diifcseut masis, sails,
yards, &c SO that j one ship was disabled
the others Guild not supply her with ap
prppriate stores"
The consequences resulting from this der
fective organization and want of system,
are strongly illustrated in the fact, related
byia recent professional writer OF rank aud
talents, chat out OF five hundred and thirty
eight ships. &c, in the British navy. now at
sea, there are only 8~irfy.rine which are.
in reality, superior in the discharge of me-
tad or force Of blows, but inferior in sailing.
to some O tie American frigntes ; and that
thsre are but eigh,een, which. unless in
suioo;h water. are equal to Contend with
the United StaIes. lea wing foor hundred
and City one, out OF FIVE hundred and thirty
eigtt, which are admitted to be isconpe /.
ten. .cngs se. single handed, With an Anle.
rican frigate"
These facts are encouraging, and serve
to show. that although tine numerical force
of the enemy in ships ard men, appears to
be Overwhelming yet if the aggregate
nlRber of officers, sea,nen, ard marines.
which The UGited States, may, even now,
engage for the public service, was concen.
trated in eighteen or twenty Ships of the line.
such as have been recently bniit, it would
place all the ships alluded to in the quota.
ton just recited, except the eighteen, hors
de combat ; mr. could eur enemy protect
his commerce. and colonies, and combine
| SuCu u ltIO "a nOdfh S@attCi at klS DUWer
aud offensive. enterprise Of an American
squadtan so truly formidable. With such
a force, it will be perceived that his host of
frigates and smaller vessels would be struck
out Of the account, or added to the list of
our navy, il they came in contact.
These views, IL is true. are prospective
but, with a stable, jHdicious and liberal sys>
ten, tie resnlt would be realized at no re-
mote period.
/ Having noticed these exceptions TO the
civil administrator of the British navy. it is
but Just to observe, that the organiz.iion of
the military part Of their system, Is much
mnre perfect.
The regulations and instructions for the
service at sea. ADOPTED by order in council,
and published in one quarto volume, in 1908,
are those which now prevail They are exc
c~eilent, and afford much matter worthy of
incorporation into our system, with such
modification as thep peculiar circumstances
of the service may require.
OF the French naval system, the Depart.
nnentr of construction is universally adj
mited TO be the most perfect in existence,
aud is well worthy Of imitation. The milf
tary part Of the system, however, is less
perfect in practice, and not So well adapted
to the habits and usages Of the American
sean,en AS that Of the British.
The character of the navy Of any nation,
will be determined by its commercial q ma.
v~igatiug enterpriEe- Tkat of America had
surpassed every ether, until the unexam
pied prosperity snd rapid extension of its
commerce, exci:ed the envy, Jealousy, ano
h~os;iiity, ofthose who could no, meet i, il
lair. equal, and friendly competition. The
same energy, skill, vigilance, and intrepi
dizzy, which distinguished tho commercial
~Havigators Of the United States, charac