Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-15
iFrom ere Washington City Gasrt,e.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
a

| ifrom fis Washington City Gasrte
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
SATURDAY, MARCH Q.
Suppression Of Piracy.
Mr. McLane from the committee on Naval
Affairs, TO whom was referred the resolution
OF sd Jan. and 5th and 9Th Feb made a report
upon the suppression of Piracy in the West
India seas,-of which the following ia an ob
struct -
ih~ report states that the system of plum
der, IN West India seas, is truly alarming and
imperiously calls for the prompt interpositiop
OF government; that every mail brings such
accounts OF OF massacre and plumber, by the
VICIOUS and depraved Of all nations; that. if
not wnked at by the authorities of Cuba,
they are not restrained, that the danger of
smuggling is thereby considerably Increased
on our coast and ample force is therefore re-
commended to suppress it. That the, force
actually employed by our government, is the
rankin OF "a guns, in the Pacific, for the
protection OF our commerce i'm that quarter {:
mat the Constellation frigate of Sc guns il in
the same ocean, but ordered To return home
upon the arrival of the Franklin: that tie
schooner Dolphin of IL guns ACCOMPANIES the
Franklin, as absolutely necessary upon SO long
"A voyage.
That the frigate Constitution of al guns
s,""p OF war Ontario of 18 guns, and schr
. . oi ~ guns, are cruising in the Medi-
| "Franean, To Keep The Barbary powers in awe
and protect our commerce in that sea and il
~ believed that less force would he made
| quate for these objects.
maj the sioop of war Hornet / guns the
nr'Ss Enferprize and Spark OF IL guns each,
anu the schrs. Porpose, Grampus, Shark and
Alligator, of 10 guns each, are cruising in the
west India seas and Gulf of Mexico for the
protection of trade, the suppression Of piracy.
&C.. ana that the gun boats No. 1873, and 1853,
are also cruising along the coasts of Georgia
ana ,or,da nor the same purposes.
That the frgate Macedonian is now eorin-
ping al boston, and will soon sail on a cruise
Tor the same object; and that il viii be neces-
sary to keep, at least, one vessel of war either
corvette or schooner on the COASTS of Africa
as the most efficient means for the suppression
ofthe slave trade. '9''"
| Inc committee are Of opinion that no mar,
OF me foregoing enumerated force could he
withdrawn from the service in which If is em-
Pioyed, without detriment TO The public in
terests and that the force in the West India
seas and Gulph Of Mexico are INADEQUATE for
the objects, specified in the resolution referred
| TO. GU
~ That the rest of the force belonging to the
unworthy of repairs; the Erie of ~ rims !.
the Peacock of18 guns; Congress of SO Guns !:
Ouerriere of ~ guns John Adams Of "a
guns; United States Of A guns and Cyane
OF II guns, are in ordinary At the different
ravy Yards at Boston, New York, Washing
ton and Norfolk.
That the committee ARE Of opinion to afford
eisctual protectisn to the commerce in The
West Indies and GuIph of Mexico, the cor
vettes' Cyane and John Adams, and s]oops or
war Peacock and Erie, should be fitted out as
soon as possible that the Erie can he fitted
out ~ hve months, the Peacock in two
mon'hs, inc John Adams in six weeks. and the
Cyane IN five weeks: and that tbe Constel.
iatlon frigate, should il be thought NECESSARY
may be directed on her return from the pac;,
he to erIiize in the West IDdi, seas thoucb !,
is heieved It would he more expensive than
10 ou'Id additional sloOps Of war for that mr.
pose, winch are for many reasons superior tn
Irlgates or smaller vessels for such servire
We 'our trstnaned vessels are now undergo
ing repairs, and the amount necesearv for tb;s
purpose Is already embraced in the estimate
Tor the the present year; so that should tbev
now he directed to be put in service II will he
necessary to increase the estimates for th,.
present year, not more than one hundred and
twenty Thousand dollars, and the committee
are auihorzed 10 state that this appropriation
VIII not materially vary the state of the trnosu.
ry, as disclosed by the sccretarv,s renort bc-
cause since the date Of shat report. there has
been transferred 10 tho surplus fund an amount
OF unexpended balances Of appropriation for
thcnaval service sufficient 10 meet the incrs.q.
Cd expenditure. But The committee cannot
suppose that where the safety of the COM
neFce and citizens Of the United States. call
| ,mperioisly for the exrrtion of the national
force, so small an expenditure can he matter
oiany nement. 1.-THE protection he necessq
Tg,it must be yielded, and the only consi-
derailon connected with the cost should he.
mat the money necessary to make it efr,ctuaI.
should not be wastefuy expended
IN relation TO the Instructions for tbisservice
me COMMITTEES think it would he Inconsistent
WIN public law and general usage ts give any
authority to destroy pirates and piratical YES
sells found at son, or in uniuhabited places.
ne committee are of opinion that it would
De dangerous and productive Of great evil tn
vest N the commanders of our public vessels
an authority tn treat as pirates, and ponish
| w'ihouffrial, even such persons as those ahove
described. II IS not necessary for the accom-
lpiishmrnt OF the object in view that such
an authority should he given, and IL is essenti-
any due To fhe rights Of all, anil the principles
Of public law, and the general usage" that
the consequences ard punishment of pirarv
should follow only legal adjudication ofthe