The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-02-24
Democratic Republican Nomination
YoR PRESIDENT
MARTIN VAN BUREN,.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT
RICHARD Nj. JOHNSON.
NAVAL DEPOT.
Mr.. PEcRHAM,-

! MIR. IECkHAN,-
The present season has
shown the absolute necessity which exists for the
establishment of an efficient Naval Depot within the
waters of the Narragansett Bay. What is the pre-
sent situation of the harbors along the coast of the
northern and middle Statesl Why sir, you knO~
fol the papers you receive daily admonish you of the
fact, that they are blocked up with ice, hermetrcal-
y sealed, and as inaccessible to the tempest-tost
bark the ocean as if their mouths closed by
a chevaux-de- frise. From Nantasket Roads to the
Chesapeake there is scarcely nook where vessel
in distress can find even temporary protection. In
this state of things, HARBoR, open and uncon-
fined" like Pope's Phryne, throws wide her arms
to shield and to save the mariner. With Rose-Is-
land on the west, Coasters Harbor the North
and east, and Coat Island the south, it presents
basin where the navies Of the world might ride in
safety-accessible at all times and with the wind
from every quarter unobsructed by shoals without,
and in no danger from masses of ice within, it pre-
sen,s glorious and solitary exception to all the es-
tuaries on this portion of continent. But what
for national and naval purposes, is the use of all
this, and of what avail when completed and bristling
with artillery will defences prove unless provis-
ion is made for repairing, fitting out and equipping
our ships? We glad to see that this subject has
at length attracted attention in the proper quarter,
and have no doubt, from the hands into which it
has fallen that ample justice will be done it. Moth
ing but light has been wanting 10 flash conviction
upon the minds of the most skeptca, of the immense
importance of this bay to the nation, for the pur-
poses specified; and now when the spirit of the
country has at length been aroused, now, when the
be prepared for the future emergences, now, when
the cry from one extremity of our immense territory
to the other is, as in the days of Washington and
the elder Adams, " millions for our defence, not
cent for tribute" noW is emphaticatly The moment
to throw the whole subject in all its bearings in
broad relief before the public eye, and invoke the
patriotism of the country for its immediate and full
accomplishment Providence has kindly nerposed
an immense barrier between us and our rivals in
greatness :--the will be the field
in any future conflict, on which our rights must be
maintained and our principles vindicated, and to
enable us to act well our part, not only should our
navy be increased, but additional facilities for the in
gress and egress of cruisers at all times and IN
all seasons, should be afforded-to accomplish this,
Naval Depot in our bay is indispensable. With
an efficient marine, and our coast properly fortified
we could bid defiance to the world in arms, and the
proud bird the emblem of our Union self poised and
free as air, glancing at the with AN eye that
never winks and wing that never tires" would
soon reach the high destinies that await us.