American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1825-12-09


our Union, giving to real history the intense iniei
est Of romance, and signaAy marking the unpur
chasable tribute OF great Nations social affection
10 the dsinterested champion OF the liberties of hu
man kind
The constant maintenance OF a small squadron
in The Mediterranean is necessary substitute 70
the humating alternative of paying tribute ior tn
security of our commerce in that sea, and for
precarous peace at the mercy of every caprice q
four Barbary States, by whom it was liable to b.
violated. An additional motive for keeping res
pecabe force stationed there at this time, is foun
in the maritime war raging between the Greeks ant
the Turks and in which the neutral navigation o
this Union is always in danger Of outrage and depre
daton. A few instances have occurred Of such de
predations upon our merchant vessels by prvateer
or pirates wearing the Grecian flag, but wthou
real authority from the Greek or any other govern
ment. The heroic struggles OF the Greeks them
selves, in which our warmest sympahes as free
men and christians have been engaged, have con
tnued TO be maintained with vicisstudes of SUCCESS
adverse and favorable.
Similar motives have rendered expedient tn,
keeping of like force on the coasts Of Peru ant
Chill on the Pacific. The irregular and convulsye
character of the war upon the shores, has been ex
tended to the conflicts upon the ocean. An active
warfare has been kept up for years, with alternate
success, though generally to the advantage of the
always been under the control Of theirown govern.
ments Bockades, unjustiGable upon any acknow-
lodged principles OF international law, have been
proclaimed by officers in command, and though,
disavowed by the supreme authorities the protec-
lion Of commerce against them has been
made cause OF complaint and OF erroneous imputa.
;ions upon some of the most gallant officers Of our
navy. Complaints equally groundess have been
nude by the commanders OF the Spanish Royal
n hu he mn effe
ton to our commerce has been the flag and the
frmness OF our own commanding officers. The ces
sston OF the war, by the complete triumph of the
Patriot cause. has removed it is hoped, all cause
OF dissension with party, and all vestige Of
force of the other But an unsettled coast oil many
degrees of latitude, forming part Of our own Ter
ritory, and hou,lshing commerce and fishery, ex
tending to the Island, OF the Pacific and TO China,
sill require that the protecting power Of the Union
should be displayed under ITS Gag well upon the
ocean as upon the land.
The objects Of the West India squadron have been to
carry into execution the laws for the suppression OF the Al
rican Slave Trade; for the protection Of
against vessels Of pratical character though bearing
missions from either of the belgercnt parties for its pro-
lection against open and unequvocal pirates These OBJ
iecs during the present year, have been accomplished
effectay than at any former period. The African
Slave Trade has long been excluded from the of
flag; and some few citizens Of our country have contn
ued to set the laws o the Unon, well those Of Nature
and Humanity, at defiance, by pcscverng in that aborn-
nable traffic, 1T has been only BY seering themselves
der the banners of other nations, less earnest for the total
Xncon of The trade than The irregular priyatcers
ave within the last year. been in great bash-
"a from those and the pirates. for months past APP
have been almost entirely swept away from the bor
drs and the shores OF the two Spanish islands in those
goas The active, pereverng and unremitted energy Of
Captain Warrington, and of the officers and under his
command, on that trying and perous service, have been
crowned 18th signal success and entitled the appro-
baton Of their country But experience has shown, that
not even temporary suspension caxaon from assidui-
~ can be INDUCED on that station without reproducing
piracy and murder in all their horrors is it probable
that Tor years cone immensely valuable commerce
in those navigate in security without the steady
continuance of armed force devoted its protection
1t were indeed vain and dangerous Illusion 10 believe,
hat in the present probable condition Of human soce-
, extensive and rich ours, could ex
y aid be pursued in safety without the continual support
&" military marne-he only arm by which the power of
s coneeracy can be estimated felt by foreign nations
and the only standing military force which be
dangerous to own liberties at home. permanent
Naval Peace Establishment therefore, adapted to pres
ent condition., and adaptable TO that gigantic growth with
which the nation is advancing in its career, is among the
shecs which have already occupied the foresight Of the
last Congress, and which will deserve your serious debe
rons. Our Navy commenced at early period of our
present political organizaton upon scale commensurate
with the ncpen energies the scany resources, and the
cnps ave ndgence Of our infancy, then, found
adequate 10 cope with all the powers of Barbay, save
tie first, and with one of the principal maritime pow
cSo Europe Alta period of further advancement, but
with little accession of strength it not only sustained
with honor the most unequal of conflicts but covered itself
and country with unfadng glory But is only since
the close of the late war; that by the number and force of
he ships OF which was composed It could deserve the
name o Navy. Yet, retains nearly the organization
when consisted only Of five frgates The rules and
regulations by which it is governed urgently call for re,s
ION, and tie f Naval School of Instruction,
pondng with the Military Academy at West Point, for the
formation of scientific and accomplished officers, fell with
daily increasing aggravaton
The act Of Congress Of 26,h May 1924 authorizing
Xamnation and survey Of the harbor OF Charleston, in
south Carolina, of st Marys in Georgia, and o the
u Florida and for other purposes, has been executed
far as the appropriation would admit Those of the Sd of
March last authorizing the establishment of Navy Yard
md Depot the Coast Of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico
and authorizing tne building of ten soops of and for