The Portland gazette., 1818-07-21
The AmeYtcon Norn

Ine AMeFtcon NGgy.
| We have reason TO pride ourselves -.
this arm Of our national defence. Wb;l,,sor
English writer's affect 10 discharge The ~.
ries obtained by our frigates and fleets dn,'
the late war, undertaking TO show either n
excessive superiority of cur relative FORE
some cases, and in others, where this con,
not be made out. resorting to argunen,,
prove the British superiority in skill and co..
age in spite of defeat--yet in almost ever.
| page OF /" the Naval Chronicle" we find A,,,!
ican ships, seamen, gunnery and seatnansbia
held up as models for imitaton--as iDc;,ph
ments to Improvement in the British Nayv-
or as arguments to produce an apprebepso,
of our ultimate power upon the ocean. tn
Lords Of the Admiralty have lately ordered !,
number Of Line Of Battle ships and frigates i
be built of the size and model Of the Amer;
can vessels of the same class.
| With regard to the superior eguipmen, or
our ships in the Mediterranean, we find great
deal Of jealousy prevails, among the nav,
writer's, and one Of them Of late in addressin,
the Lords of the Admiralty refers 10 the styIs
and appearance Of the American feet at Glib.
ralar with evident soreness and asperitv
We are happy TO hear however, that the ut.
most attention, politeness and decorum is
found to prevail whenever the British and
American naval officers meet together in any
part Of the Streighls.
As 10 our lire Of Battle Ships we mayb
allowed 10 express doubt, il ever more ad.
mirabe specimens of naval architecture were
ever seen in the Mediterranean, than the II.
dependence, Washington and Franklin, have
exhibited The qualities of the two former
Of these vessels are well known, and their
strength, COmpactness, arrangement and fast
sailing have obtained an established reputa-
tion-in addition to which We are happy 10
hear, that the Franklin proves to be the most
rapid ship OF the line in her sailing that has
been seen in those waters for many years.
We are not acquainted with comparative rate
Of sailing with others, but learn that no vessel
known in the streights can hold way With her.
Boston intclhgencer.
long letter 10 the editor OF the Portland
Argus was published ip the Patriot and Chron-
icle on Friday last, in which the writer among
other complaints against the administration Of
tie state government, since ii was recovered
from the hands Of Gov. Gerry and his friends
in 1919, sets forth the deplorabie condition Of
the state finances. lie begins by stating (and
tie charge is printed in italics as deserving Of
particular notice. that " they have been under
the necessity ot Glthori2lng a vs'y torse sum to
be LSrv07ged to meet the current erpelses Of the
gear"
II has been customary, for many years past
on account OF the uncertaintv of the periods
when payments will be made to the state, and
to prevent the necessity OF keeping large
balance in the treasury, TO pass resolve, au-
thorizing the Treasurer 10 borrow such sum as
may be wanted to meet the current expenses
otthe year, limiting the auiho,ty sometimes
TO 100000 dollars, and sometimes to $1,000.
Such resolve, limited to the amount Of ( 80.
600 was passed al the last session Whether
IL will be found necessary or expedient TOR The
Treasurer OF the state TO make use of the au-
thority thus granted him, will depend upon
contingencies which cannot he foreseen; but
we are informed taat the Treasurer stated to
the committee that it was doubtful whether
any loan would be necessary.
In the last year of Mr. Gerry's administra.
ton, when Jonathan L. Austin, Esq was
State Treasurer, and when, according IL hrs
writer the finances of the state were al he
height Of prosperity, a similar resolve wss
passed, authorizing the Treasurer to borrow
10000 dollars. TO use his own phras alo-
90 therefore, the very year before " the Ped
eraiiss took the management Of the govern
ment," the democrats were f" under thc me.
cessity OF authorizing very large SUI. Il be
borrowed 10 meet the current expenses 2r .ae
year" viz. 10000 dollars more than the Trea-
surer is authorized 10 borrow the presertvear.
Other parts Of this same letter are So g.,ss-
ly scurrilous and SO manifestly false, that 4
would he absurd 10 notice them seriously.
Who for example, will believe the charges Of
falsehood against the Governor or the de-
clarations that the federalists will not support
Gov. Brooks at another election
Boston Weekly Messenger.
We copy the following interesting anecdote Of
Dean Swift from Johnson's Lives of the Eng
lish poets
" DIR. Swift has an odd, blunt way, that's