The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-02-03
-Ne7U- York, Ian %.
THE BRITISH Why.

We have jusg read an interesting work
entitled I" Precursor 20 an EThose," &c.
" with an HhhendiE containing an outline.
Of the Dimensions, Force, and Conditions of
the British Navy compared with that OF
The enemy, published in London last yeat.
This book was written under the eye of he
government by Captain LAYMAN If the Nj
Wy, md embraces, IA statement of the
home supply of timber. which is shown II
have been,i in the year 1902, equal only t,
IL years consumption for the navy from tina
period supplied from ftriUGte fyOheTtu ; &
that tha quantity furnished by the rouGk for
eSfs has not, for 81 years past, been equal
to,the building Of 50 gun frigate annual
Y. 2.-1hc consumption of timber in the
public dock yards from the year 1898 to
1901, averaged 35,0S6 loads and is prod
giouSly increased BY the circumstance of he
vast variety of rates and classes of ships and
vessels in the navy, which is also attende
with much Inconvenience. This injudicious
variety includes up ards of hundred rates
and classes Of English built ships and yes
sells, that require either different masts.
rigging, sails, anchors. cables, and guns,
creating confusion, delay, and expense, and
also afrittering away of strength, as nayai
fo70er fends more ufl0r force than nun
6eTS. This truth the author illustrates, 3dIv
by an estimate Of the )m parative force IL
English and american ships of war. On
this head, the authors remarks are so stri
king, that we prefer giving them in his own
words t. abridging then:
have been induced to make this comparative
statement from q notion having some abroad thst
such ships should be. and indeed actually are EN-.
ployed against the Americans but exclusively of fhe
humble state to which in fhs opinion Of otbernations
we appear 70 be reduced, in sending line of battle
ships against frfgGteS--these line of bstIe aims
ourau uno lie pF e.. 10 -
weight o. tn top, sides, poop, SC. Which, with pro-
Visions, water, and stores, draw % feet water In
mid ships, where the ports are within feet three
inches OF the water, and the displacement OF the bo
dy is about equal to 5000 tous ean0 ot even in r,
erste weather, be expected 70 sal as well as the A.
mericsn rigates--snd should it blow so hard with
heavy sea, as to Pre- 5ent the lower deck ports
from being opeped, they would be rendered hoys
de combat, notwithstanding their su periorit j., the
number OF guns and meD. Thus IL appears thst on,
Of $50 ships &c IN the British navy, nav actually
At sea, there are OnJ GO III ch in reality supe
rior in the aischsrge Of metal force of blows
but inferior IN SAILING Il some Of the American ir-
gates--aud that there are but Is, which, except in
smooth wafer, are equal to contend with the fri.
gate United Ststes.-Ieaving 451 out Of 53S which
are admitted TO be incompetent to engage single
handed, with an American frigate. Eisastsrous ss
these acts are they may be productive Of good in
tutu7e--lor, as .lenity es have not operated, this
strong medicine Of the Tar Peter Of being beaten
till you earn to beat may remove the FIN from
the public eJei and excite m enquiry, &c
The authcr UrO-eeds. 4thy, 20 Hucrican
warfare, unCer which head ne observes.
II is TO be greited that so much time has been
os-ss, icog ere the 81 frIgates are bufs, and on
that coast, which nHJ be IN somewhst less than
two years from the time tbc United States cIsfed
var, there may be squadron Of line If battle sips
manned with Auglo-Amerisaas upon that coast or
IN the West Indies, which without wise measures
and great ex rtionS. The Americans will ulu1stely
get possession e
After tbis he sta'es,-
am happy to see that the extraordinary de-
msnd made br the American government, for The
English 70 relinquish their RICH, 20 their own yea.
rnen is firmly resisted by the Prince Regent snd
his ronisters-snd may the hand perish that ever
rehDduIshes or would not support such right--and
unfortunately matters have been suffered 10 be csr-
ried far thqt English fg,tss have be n ospiuur q
BY American rigstes, they must nov be carried far
ther t. produce remedy, which can only be ef-
iected on tue Nssonsn ptisope," Of beating the