Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-09-21
To TIE ED1Ton OF THE ENQUIRER.

ID GDII u: OF THE EMO UIKER.
So much has been said OF where our great naval
establishment in the southern department shall be
erected, and the subject completely exhausted
by persons swayed by their individual local interests
some OF whom have handled the subject with so
much talent, that feel considerable diflidence in
advancing an opinion, and sh uId certainly not la
Zara enc, did not know myself perfectly free from
any thing ike interested motives, local prejudices
psruaiities, or in the smallest degree actuated by
any other feeling than the true Interests of my
country-in which assertion hope | shall be be-
loved, when declare myself transient person,
whose information OF the country has been gained by
travelling, and that own property in tue state
which holds the site shall recommend
have watched our now growing Navy, as q fond
father would a darling child, from its earliest in
fancy, with alternate hope and despair. 1 have seen
1t prematureiy advanced by the ambition of one
party, when it must have been evident, to its war
NEST friends, that its mushroom grow tn would de-
stioy tie possibility of its efficiency for ships
are useless fabrics, without enlightened and accom-
pished officers to conduct them and to become an
experienced and istelligent officer requires tai
ent, application, and years OF time practically used
They are not the offspring OF even a seven years
growth-FIanee, Spain and Holland, with ali their
line ships, bear testimony to this sertion-Anoth-
er party in power, from what motives am inca
pabie OF Judging, though cannot doubt their pur-
ty, levelled almost to its foundation what the first
had prematurey reared, and by mistaken policy,
exhausted such sums upon an expensive and useless
1otila establishment, all Of which was chargeabIe
by the nation to that of the navy, that il had well
niSh proved its total rum. This long shore navy,
too has proved the destruction OF many fine youths,
whose habits of steady discipline had not been fixed
previously by nlanofrodr service, and who would
otherwise, at this time, have ed among the few
whose peIseyeriEg spirits have scared above every
embarrassment, and made them the useful citizens
while they are the pride and glory of grateful
c0untry.-AUays having considered AN efficeat ma
Wy as an indispensable prop to a commercial nation,
and having, with the utmost sOlicitude watched ours
through its clouded ack, and traced it at length,
(thanks TO the ndetatgA able exertons of its gallant
officers, and the mistaken courage of our seamenl
to period when its sun OF prosperity is cleaning
above the horizoa of public prejudice, cannot re-
main silent spectator when It's well-doing
tempered with by set of sefnterested and party
serving individuals. To become pre-eminenily grest
and useful to the nation, il must rise free aud un-
shackled by individual or local interests or party
views Let US, then, when fixing on our dock wards
the bases from which our navy is to grow, spurn
from US all such selfish motives, and look forward
Tor centuries to come, viewing the future as we'll "a
the preseRt advantages which may grow out Of the
selection. Wemust choose cur sites best caiculs-
ted to the purpose for which they are intea-
ded, and 1t we can combine with such choice other
public benefits, it will be desirable tn do so bur we
must not regard the benefit OF this or that town;
district or individual and above all, let us avoid
any party views party-serving is the most deers-
i
that can sway free peope.-1 shall say nothing OF
the Claims OF the Eastern people, every good ci-
| tizen must know that their patriotism during the
late war has given them none on the nation but
from its strong defensibe situation, its depth of
water and eoniiguity to the sea, will allow that
Boston, already fixed great naval depot, has
| been judcions selection, regards those points
| althoughit IS mreh 60 be wished that the climate
was less frigid and its coast less dangerous during
| the winter months. Our ships are endangered In
| approaching II at that season and ! can scarcely
| conceive more cruel punishment than to bring 3
| set of men from tedious aud lsborious cguize
| and winter them in Boston, where the time which
ought TO be devoted to their comforts is taken ur
in freeing their ships OF snow and ice
| New-York, New-London and Newport have al
been spoken Of as proper sites for navy, ards aud
second of great magnitude intended to be ereete,
ut one of the three plaees--Esch of them has il
advantages snd disadvantages but / really came
the necessity, IN the present infant state of ou
navy, tn have three large establishments OF t; kind
and two Of them very contiguous TO each othe
as either Of those would be to Boston-However
the Executive are better capable Of Judging than
am, and should they deem It expedient to establis
more thentwo, there is no doubt that Newport hold
out more advantages than either of the Others as
IS perfectly accessible at sl times, to ships Of an
draft, possesses a safe and excellent harl,or canab
| ol strong defence, and more difficult to bloekaf
fhan either OF the others.
viii now gofnrther south, and endeayor TO sho
that nature has pointed ont the Chesapeake, fro
its central situation. easy access, mild climate, AT
numerous other advantages, as the most prop.
| place in our country Tor most extensive naval q
poi. The question then is, where shall this den
be situated within ils waters 1t IS not difficult
say thatit nust. os eOlfse, BE- so contiguous 10 d