Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-02-15

" SohSIcsS tuSmS serves, that the subse-
queni PROVISION, in relation to the naval
establishment Of the u. States. had refer
ence directly 10 what either then ira. or
probably soon wouid be. the relation of the
country 10 tnreIgn governmt nts in short
that they looked directly 10 a state either
OF actual or probable war.
Your committee understand the reso
lniion referred 10 them To relate to the
nHmber OF seamen aud boys nc ssary
10 be employed in time of peace, and
whether HAT shall be fixed by law. In
the present state of things The only limi-
ia ION upon the number OF s"am.n j. tn
De found IN The appropriation bill, which
IN cnect, annually limits the number O
DC employed by the amount 81 the 40,
preparation annually made Tor tlarobipct.
Ynnr committee believe, thai The proper
once OF the appropriation bill, is, as lar
as practicable, 10 provide means for OBJ
Jecis authorised by existing laws there
are indeed, cases which, on account of
The con'iHgen, or uncertain character a;
Tue expenditu,S, constitute exceptions 10
inns rule; but, in general, the rule is con
siuered as sound one.
Your committee would further remark.
Thar, IN investigating This subject, they
have extended their enquiries beyond the
mere scope OF the resolution, into the
propriety oil fixing a naval peace esta
Dlishment, embracing as we'll the number
OF oihcers as Ships to he kept in lie Scr.
wee ut The U. 5. in time of pracc and
they beg leave shortly tn submit some of
Their reasons for thinking that There
should be peace establishment in The
navy AS we'll az The army. Although. bv
the constitution of the u. States, The
President is commander i'm chief of the
army aud navy,yet il belongs To Congress
10 raise and support" the one, aud TO
provide and MAINTAIN" The other; the
power to provide and maintain Implies
mat OF determining The quanium "a onrs-
non, The decision of which ought not TO
De 'efi III The opinion ut your committee.
10 the Executive Department, aud vel, ia
prac'lce, u Is III effect Ictt TO The Execu.
i've decision tor, as has been before re.
marked, there beng 10 permanent law IN
iorct limiting the number of officers.
ships or men, TO be kcpi in The service,
The Only limitation is in the amount ol
appropriation (; and your ,onn,litee be.
iieV' Thar IN practice, The amount of HE
estimates has generally been appropriai
ell Without any discussion in Congress
as TO HE necessity of them. Whatever
e)n1dence W. may havein The Executive.
u seems moi 10 be right, in principle, to
leave Ia lis discretion, in effect. the deer.
sionof question which belongs TO the
Legislature.
Your committee believe ;ha, in Grea,
bri'ai', though The number Of scameu IL
MOI HSed by permanent law, yet il is
se'tird oy The annual vote of Parliament.
IL There we're probable danger OF war or
difhcnlly IN our foreign relations. il ,nipIr
nj tn IA 4
seamen by permanent law, but, IN the
present circumstances OF tl,. covut,y- i,
seems TO your committee il NAV be done.
II Will be remembered, is peace es,ab-
iisiment which is contemplated when
war shall come, or even upon its probable
approach, both the army and navy will
douDfIessbN placed upon a footing SUIT,
ed 10 Tile u. N altered state of the couu~
try.
foHr committee would further remark.
ihat an additional reason with thpm for
incilniDs TO peace establishment is TO
Tx the number of officers who, they be-
iieve, III many grades, are too numerous,
ana yeti allOf whom, unless their num-
Der shall be reduced by law, p.appro-
priaiion must be made.
our committee are aware that ibis is
dIfhcuii and delicate subject; The fiji
GERS OF the navy in the recent war, not
only distinguished themselves, bur, by
Breaking The charm of imvincibiIiiy be-
longing TO The British navy, contributed
much both 10 our glory and our solid
strength as nation. The committee are
also aware, that many OF them have de
voted some OF their best years TO their
profession vel, if the interest Of the
country requires a reduction, painful AS
The duty Is, IL IS one which ought to be
performed. In relation to The number
OF ships 10 be retained in service. the
reasons which would prove The prophet,
OF hxing Tile number of sesmeD, v ould
apply VIII fullforce 10 tl,eDs indeed, il
Is another state OF the same question, in
substance, since, 1t the number OF sea
men DE hxed, 10 more vessels will be
employed Than they can man and The
nxiDg certain maximum Of seamcn ia
considered more judlcIDus course than
TO fix the number of ships, inasmu, il as
The President will then DC len a, Iiby,ty
10 use such classes Of vessels as may. in
lis opinion, be best adapted to The nature
OF Ute service The aggregate Of he Guns.
however, being IiGIiied by lie number OF
men allowed 10 man them.
Yonr committee have said. Ina, tbcv
'he o'"ctIs on mary OF Tire
graues as loo NUMEROUS they will now
proceed 10 STATE tie grOusds If their
opinion. They have moi Tor moment
entertained he idea of pairing down the
officers Of the havy to any Thing bk. =
mere sufficieDcy 10 officer Tie ships 10 be
actually retained III service in time Of
peace II is obviously impossible, upon
THIS subject. 10 select any gwen number.
and slew that II is precisely tie rjgl,i
one; some reasonable rule must be adop.
ted.
Your committee have acted upon the
nrlnCIple lhAl. WILilai- I'm He 1.rn Ln..d