Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-02-12

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
II Ne Hous. ~ Representatives, ~ he u States
ih conpliauce with resolution of the
House of Representatives, of the 5 n of De-
''"iber last, requesting the President Of the
;'l'ed States to communicate plan for a
''t'ce Establishment of the Navy OF the Uni
- States" herewith transmit report from
I" Secretary of the Navy, which contains the
..lal required.
in presenting this plan to the consideration
Il Congress, | avail myself Of the occasion TO
sake sDne remarks il, which the impor
oce oi The subject requires, and experience
.'ls'fes.
1t system Of universal and permanent
nee conld be established, or il, in war, the
l"HiSerent parties would respect the rights OF
''uirai powers, we should have no occasion
~ navy or an army. The expense and
myers of such establishments might be
Fodrd' The history of all ages proves that
''lS Cannot be presumed on the contrary
'i:hi at least one halt ofrvery century, in ancient
"s well as tnOdcrn times, has been cpnsum-
80 IN wars, and often OF the most general aud
drsolatins character. Nor is there any cause
- inter, II we examine the condition Of the
'.'dlons with which We have the most inter
Course and strongest political relations, that we
stall, IN future, be exempt from that calamity,
within any period, TO which rational calcula,
IL oeutrs powers, il is sufficient to appeal 10
car own experience To demonstrate how little
'Saru, VIII hr paid to them, whenever they
cDD" IN conflict with the interests of nm,
j'0Wers at war, while We rely on the Justice Of
V'ir'cHlise and on argument alone. The amount
60. the prOper'y of our felIOw-cIizrns, which
sac seized and conf-catec, or DESTROYED by
so brlSerent pariirs, 10 the wars Of the
Tench revolution, aud of those which fol
we'd before we became party, to the war
almost incaculable.
The whole ement of our government
rom the establishment of Our indrpendence
las been guided by sacred regard for pesce.
ituated "a we are, in the new hemisphere ::
Catant from Europe, and uncOnneried with
affairs blessed with the bappiest govern
'lnn' on earth, and having no objects 0rambi-
: ~ 10 crafty the United States have steadily
:'iii'ated the relations of amHy with every
lower. Aud u, IL aoy European wars, n res
'art for Our rights might be relied ON, il was
gtdoubirdiy IN ihOsr - which have adver,ed.
A'''e cOGfici being vital, the furcp being nearly
canally balanced, aud the result uncertain.
ch party had tho strongest motives Of IN
strrsi 10 cultivate our good will lest VIZ might
1r thrown Into the opposite scale. Powerful
~ bis consideration usually is, it was never
les utterly disrrsWdrd 10 almost every
X, and ~ every patty. to, thuse wars
.aese Cacroathmrnts ai3 i',juies, our Ie-
q % g-acl was finally forced To yield.
tbr war 50 wien al length w. became
T,rty, orr wh6l co 1T, from ST. Cruix 10 the
a.. rss:ssippi, was either iasadpd or ncnaced
,vith insasion aud in many paris, with a
strong, impo5isg force, both land and naval
( iksse parts whore The population WIS most
J.use, the pressure Was comparatively light |;
bI there was ecarcciy All h7rbDr or city, ga
ny Of GQr great iOirts, which could b. CON
iicred secure New York and Philadelphia
ccre emnently exposed, the then existing
.ufks DOT being spaicient for their protection.
'.'he sathe remark is applicable, IN certain
r@tept, ta TIE cities eastward Of the former /;
md ~ 90 The condition Of the whole country
southwark Of tbs halter, the events which
NAKED the war are too recent to require
tail Our armies and navy signaiized lhem-
,ilres ia every quarter where they had oc-
caso0 to meet their gallant foe, and sle militia
aun .aTiy fow TO their aid, with \ patriotism,
apd fought with bravery, which exalted the
paiaiiOn pftbnir government and country.
~ which did them the highest honor In
eJaieyer direction the enemy chose TO move
"I'h their squadrons and 80 land their tTOsps,
niF l0rlidcatiUns, where any existed, presented
Ga. little obstacle to them. They passed those
o-ks without difficulty. Their squadruns,
fact, annoyed OUr whole coast, not ol the
ny. but every hay and great riSer through