Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-04-05

1ui.c, equal to the expense ui a new ir.t,ne-
The copper provided, too, is Sener;lliy heavier
than IS used for soops of war.
In the opinion OF the committee, the frames
beng cut to Doulds, which, being the cheaper
anu better plan, the commissioners of the ma
w, with due regard 10 the before recited
acts, were authorized to direct, there would
be great risk Of losing them entirely, By their
warp'n5 cut ofpiacc, ifthey are not put TO-
Se;hcr.
Tire committee are Of opinion also, that the
funds appropriated for Ne gradual increase
OF the navy, cannot be diverted ta any other
ohlecis, consistently with good iaith or the
READ interests OF thc nation.
The palicy was adopted upon great consid-
eraiion, aud with a>iew 60 the defence ofour
sen coast, and Ia we'll founded conviction,
that 1t was wise and prudent gradually TO en-
crease our naval force in time Of peace, and To
render 1t efficient in the eXigcncics TO which
the country mus, be always more or less ex-
posed. IL is believed that tse best defence for
this country, ard that on which it must prin-
clpaiiy rely, nor only for the protection of our
commerce, hut to prevent the actual invasion
OF the Soil, is the naval force. The act for the
gradual increase of the navy was founded on
tins presumption, and designed by gradual
means, IN manner least oppressive to the
country, to lay the foundation fan efficient
naval power, and TO prepare in time Of peace
that description of force, which could not he
easily raised up i'm time of war, but which
would he indispensable in such a crisis. 1t re-
CURES much time and great care TO prepare
the materials and construct the vessels of the
class provided for in the arts, and the expo.
rl'nce of the late war had fully demonstrated
the necessity of such force by teaching
us the facility with which the enemy could
blockade large portion of our coast, with a
single ship of the line.
The committee are of opinion that it would
he ncwse tn change this system. founded up
on so many important considerations, without
some urgent necessity, and in their opinion
none such exists ; on the contrary, there
seem to be even stronger reasons for adher-
iuS To the policy, and chcrishng the growth
OF our naval power, now, that foreign nations
are modelling their naval architecture after our
improvements, and ut moment when our
foreign relations are about tu be extended
ap0n scale, which should, at least, admonish
1is against any diminution of, or an Indifference
10 The means Of national defence.
The committee are aware OF the importance
ri sloops of war, as a class of naval force, in
dIspensable both in time of peace and war ;
hui they are class which may be provided in
shorter time, and with considerable advan-
1age, even alter the eXigcncGthas arisen, and.
ih"uSh they would be useful in time of peace
Tor many services, aud especially for the dis
cpiine OF oar officers, and Inc more rlfectual
suppression OF the piraticai marauders upon
our commerce, the committee believe it would
he unwss 10 break in mpon the fund for the
gradual increase of the navy, even for such oh
j'cts and therefore recommend the adoption
OF tue following resolution
Resolved, That il is ineypedicnt to modify
Inc act entitled 80 l N npt E,r ,rr,In.I
crease OF the navy of the United States" SO As
I" require part of the annual appropriation
10 be expended in the construction of vessels
OF an inferior force TO those now authorized
by the said law 10 be built
The report was ordered To lie OF the table.
Mr.. MLANE, from the same committee.
reported Il BIZ :" to fix and render permanent
tie Naval Peace Establishment al The Uni
ted States" which was read twice and refer
req 10 committee OiwhUie On the state of the
Union.
INSPECTION OF LAND OFFICES.
Mr. Cook, from the Select Committee 10
whom was referred suDdry communications
from tie Secretary of the Treasury, in rela-
ton to the inspection OF the western land of
ices, &c. made report thereon entirely ex-
culpatia5 The Secretary CT the Treasury, or
other persons, from censure on the ground
which was the subject ofthis inquiry, aud con-
GLIDING with resolution that the committee
be dis, harged from the further consideration
OF the subject"
Mr.. Cook stated, that it was due to himself
and To The committee 10 say, that the com
tnittee were not unanimous in agreeing TO the
report, and TO express the views which he
personally had of this subject, which he CON
sIdcred, IN Some points UfvicW, as of great inn
p0rance, he Offered coupter-rcsoulion
which hr requested mi ht accompany the re-
port, and be laid on the table with il.
Mr.. McLANE said, he was sorry that, on the
present occasion, the gentleman from Illinois
had thought ii proper to dcviatc from the usu-
al practice on making reports, in stating, as he
had done, that there was a division in the
committee on the subject of the report. An
obvious objection to such proceeding was,
that each member sfthe committee might feel
himself called upon to say how he had voted,
II any one Of the committee did SO. He be-
tevcd, he said, be should be authorized in
saying that the honorable gentleman himself
was the only one of the committee who disa-
greed 10 the resolution now on the table Mr.
McLane did not think this course the proper
one to bc pursued. Ii would be an encroach-
ment on pr0priety to suffer a committee to
make report, and accompany it with another
report which might possibly be of very DIFF
ierent tendency. The object of the gentle
man, besides, could be as well attained by
moving his proposition in the shape of sep
aFnte and distinct resolution, as in the way he
proposed.
The SPEAKER, deprecating the debates
growing out of Incidental questions, uselessy
consuming the time of the House, pronounced
his decision, that nothing can be received as
{ 'c act Of a committee bat what is the report
o committee, and that committee can
make but one report. Nothing, therefore, but
The report Of the commiiee was nnw under