Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-12

some application Of the public funds to the
protection of our commerce. And il seemed
proper for that purpose, that there should be
a divergence from the fund in question TO
that object. The subject had been before the
Committee on Naval Affairs for month"; and
he hoped the resolution would be adopted
and perhaps, by special instruction from
this house, they might he induced to go on TO
the object with more zeal and effect.
MIR. BAssETT hoped the resolution would
be suffered to lie on the table. He believed
the Chairman of the Naval Committee was
now employed on this very subject, and the
adoption Of the resolution would be superfu-
Gus. He, therefore, moved that it be laid on
| the table,
| Mr.. TRACY said, he had not anticipatedany
objection To the resolution. At the suggestion
of the Chairman of the Committee on Naval
Affairs, he had assented to laying the PROPOSE
ton on the table on the day he had pre-
scented it. Mr.. 7. could see no ohiec-
ton to its adoption, nor any reason for laying
| il longer on the fable. The Naval Committee
may indeed make all necessary inquiry and
examination without it hut if its passage
could do no good, it was not likely 10 be at
tended with harm. Ii would impose no adj
dtional labor on the Committee, and he could
not but hope it would now be adopted.
Mr.. HILL said he had no hostility TO this
inquiry; but the Naval Committee had in
formed the house that they had this subject
under consideration. What occasion was
there then for passing this resolve ? If the
Naval Committee should not report upon the
subject To the house within a few days, the
| gentleman would then have an opportunity To
call up his resolution, if he chose.
! Mr. FULLER said, that it was true that the
Naval Committee had this subject under CON
sderation, but rather incidentally than directly,
the inquiry ihaving grown out of the resolu-
ton nstrncting them to inquire into the expe-
dIency of building an additional number of
small vessels of war. He trusted he was as
much friend 10 the Navy as the gentleman
from South Carolina, or any other member ul
!, the house. But he was not sure that some
thing in the nature of the proposition now
before the house might not be advisable. 1t
was more than year ago that information
9 had been given TO the house, that nearly all
the timber for the larger vessels had been al
ready procured under the appropriation Of Il
million of dollars, for eight years. 1t had been
thought better by the Naval Committee, at a
former session, and it had accorded with the
general views of the Navy Commissioners, 10
bring the large vessels to a certain state, and
: secure them in that condition, without going
! on now TO equip them, or to purchase the
perishable articles necessary for that purpose.
The eight millions was enough 10 build, and
also to equip the vessels authorized TO be built
As, however, they are not now to be equip
9 ped, there wonld be balance of that appro
q priation remaining unapplied-and the sub
lect for inquiry was, whether a portion of il
q should be applied to the building of smaller
vessels This, he thought, was IA subject We
! ry proper for inquiry.
= Mr.. LowNDEs said he did not wish to bs
:. considered as Directing To The inq,tirg, which
!. could not possibly do any harm He was
: therefore sorryit had been proposed to lay
the resolve on the table, and hoped the in
quiry would be agreed to-
The motion to lay the resolution on the TIA
BILE was neGatived.
n Mr.. GOLDEN was opposed to the adoption
of the resolution. 1t was urged in its favor
# that it was clear and unambguous. 1t was OF
r that very ground that he felt it his duty to op
pose it, for it distinctly proposes diversion
: of the Navy fund from the object for which
\ was appropriated. The purpose ofsuppress
10 ing piracles WAS temporary ohject-at lea:
If it was hoped that il would prove so. 1t wa
n necessary that there should be force employ
=, ed TO protect our commerce against the pirat
cal cruisers in the Gulf of Mexico, on Oh
h, western shores of the continent, and IN ef
IN force an observance of the laws IN relation {
10 the Slave Trade. It was Obvious that tn
h. provision for this service would be a temper;
D. ry one, and it therefore ought not TO be il
g. corporated into the permanent establishmeI
of our Navy. The multiplication and en-
n ployment Of small vessels, he commended we
he not favorable to the prosperous condition of
Of Navy. They did not induce habit of disc
d pine, nor did they contribute to an experien,
n that would be beneficial and necessary
10 board large vessel. He thought in the
yai respects they were, rather prciudical to Il
of service than otherwise The fund OF 500 OF
he dollars per annum was not appropriated for
as particular event. or for temporary objects, b
as. it was gradual preparation in time ofpeac
-er TO meet the eXigencics OF war 1t would
On recOllected that the sum OF 100000 dnlla
Ipr per annum was a reduction of one half fro
NO the amount Of the original appropriate
,re which was one million of dollars That y
100 preparation WAS made at time when Il
rn- glory achieved by the navy was fresh in {
roe mind, and when the memory Of its herois
cd had not faded from the heart j; wasat a in
ire when, without dsparagcmcnt 10 the gallant
ION of our arms IN the other departments, IL seet
ed to be admitted by all that more was owl
49,. To the Davy that any other, for success IN
w conflict. The experience Of the war cony
ees9 ced every one that, whether we contend
-, for protection Of the seaboard, or suprcma
" W. Ofpower the navy was our safest reliance
10. ua' The sentiment was universal that the esti
ed. ;orrs.,sad .oo,od ss,s,an, Of ,ol;cY9 fo,,,J
lily m eyncrisncc he M * ali not feJ b;n,s
in d.,ol.J hectic 10 .LanLno II b,d l.,
mn said, however, that this was a resolution
re inquiry only. But Mr.. G. contended &
il it was not entirely nugatory- it was
the tended to have any efficacy, It's effect M
inst be pernieious. The very contemplation {
II, change in our naval policy was injurious.
ugh the sum which the resolution uudoubte