The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-03-31

ment ia 1915 and 1917, that the places re-
fsrrsd to combine almost every advantage
for such an establishment; es-
pecialy a facility Of ingress and egress,
with a sufficient depth fwater for ships OF
the largest classes, aud OF capacity to
permit the largest fleets to ride within their
watsrs, in security from storms, or obstruc-
tions from accumulations Of ice; that us
proximity to the ocean gives sll the adyan-
tsges Of convenient attack or retreat from
an enemy; and that, from the NUMBER and
nature Of the channels Of entrance and de.
parture, a Aeet could not be blockaded
within il without an application Of force IN,
conpsrsbly greater than The one INTENDED
20 be shut up; and that 1t Is believed TO be
defensible at an expense far less than that
which has been incurred for similar OBJ
iects. In addition to these important su-
ysntsges, il is described by the officers
above named as admitting Of tho entrance
of vessels with the wind blowing from
points Of the compass during the prevail !
snce Of which il would be impossible 10
make port in any harbor on the eastern
eoss. ofthe United States. This peculiar
facility might, IL the harbor was properly
defended, result in the security ofa fleet
from the attacks of a superior enemy, aud
vide for its scientifcal survey, and the de-
termination Of all the points connected with
the subject.
II is respectfully recommended that an
appropriation be made, authorizing such
survey by the proper Engineers, of the
hsrbor Of Newport, or other positions on
Naraganset bay, with view TO the selec-
ton Of site Offering the greatest number
OF those advantages, and susceptible OF de-
fence at the least expense TO the nation"
Contrast this with the conduct Of
former Administrations towards us.
While Massachusetts Secretary of
State & Massachusetts, Secretary of
the Navy were in the Cabinet, the fleet
from the Medit itsrranean arrived in this
harbor, with the intention of remaining
here during the winter. The Com
mander had engaged his lodgings in
town, and many ofthe Officers had ta-
ken their quarters, as they expected,
till Spring. After being here a short
time, Mr.. Crowningshield Secretary OF
the Navy, ordered Commodore Balm
bridge to proceed to Boston with the
shlps,& dispatch the smaller vessels to
New York, and this, contrary TO the
advice ofCommodore cambridge, who
on his first arrival recommended re-
manning here Ill! Spring. This fleet
sailed on Christmas day, exposed to
the hazardous navigation around Nam
tucket shoals, Cape Cod and the win
try storms Of Massachusetts Bay, for
the sole purpose of giving to our more
influential neighbors the benefits in
tended for this vicinity.
During the administration of Mr..
Adams, Notwithstanding the surveys
which had been made and the numer-
Gus reports Of the Engineers and Ma
val Officers in favor Of the waters OF
NarragansettB Bay, by rccomme ndation
Of the President, a dry dock was loca-
ted in Charlestown, Massachusetts, at
an immense expense, far exceeding
what il would have cost in this neigbor-
hood.
Let every well wisher to this COM
munity ask himself this plain question,
is it reason for discarding Gov. Fen
ner because ofthe good understanding
which exists between him and the Gen.
eral Government Have not the peo-
pie Of this state and of this Island in
particular great cause to desire the
speedy location Of one Of the great
Naval establishments Of our country,
in our waters? The benefits Of which
would be diffused among all our citi-
zens. The hopes ofour farmers dwell
on IL, the mechanic looks to it with anx-
iety, the laboror anticipates steady en-
ployment and it is-a well known fact,
that the increase Of business which
such an establishment brings, will be
felt by every enterprising aud indus
trious man. The value ofreal estate in
Charlestown, Brooklyn and other
places has been enhanced tenfold by
these means. Would not the effect be
the same here. Yet you are called on
70 oppose Gov. Fenner, because he APP
proves those measures and is friendly
to the men who propose them. Meas
ures which when carried into effect,
will confer prosperity, wealth and hap
Piness on our community.
President Jackson and his Cabinet
are continually pressing the consider
alton Of this subject on Congress, and
the psesent is the only administration
since that Of Washington which has
recommended any thing on the subject,
that could result to our benefit. Judg-
ing from his consJnunications,h he would
kava k.,x an0oral "a. th., .,l,s.,s ..~..,