Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-10

pacific and every citizen feels That his share OF The
interest is affected by the arrangement Of business
by the enormous expense and by the uncertain result OF
war. This feeling presses upon The community and
the Government and is guarantee that shall
never be precipn,rd ntn contest, embark in one
unless lnprrionsly required by those considerations
which leave alternative between resistance and dis
honor Accordingly all our history shows that we are
disposed IN bear while evils ought 10 b. borne than
10 seek redress by appeals 10 still, however
test must come and It hehooves us, while have the
means and the opportunity to look forward to lis attend
ant circumstances, and 10 prepare for the consequences
IL is part Of my object 10 enter into the details Of
naval establishment. That duty will lie much more ap-
propriay and ably performed by the proper departments
but some OF the Virws shall present on the subject
Of system OF Notifications must be materially infect
ed by any general plan of operations which, in the
event OF host;lies mt ht be adopted, necessarily
led TO submit few remarks, not professional but gene
raj, upon The extent and employ ment of military
marine.
There is as little need of inquiry now into our moral
as into physical capacity to maintain navy and 10
meet upon equal terms The ships and seamen of any
other nation. Our extended commerce, creating and
created by those which essential 10 the
building and equipment of fleets all doubt mp.
the point and The history of naval enterprise
from the when the colors first hosted upon
the hastily prepared vessels al the commencement Of
our revolutionary Struggle TO the last contest in which
any OF our ships have been engaged equally sasac
tory upon the other. The achievements of our navy
have stamped lis character with the country and the
world The simple recital of its exploits is the highest
ealos'un which can be pronounced upon it.
with ample means, therefore, TO upon the ocean
oy winch they must approach US, any ornaments thai
"y oe Destined for oni shores, we are called upon by
10y PRUDENTIAL consideration to do So In the first
Ia ,nTusn all wars IN which we may be engaged will
probably be defensive in their carac,er undertaken 10
.epei OF resen. some injury assert some right and
fehottea necessary by the conduct Of her nat;ons .
the objects OF the war can be best .,,,inrJ m ~, w
Gus proseeuton Defensive in its causes, Il should be-
offensive IN us cha[ae'er The greater injury we can
tis:actoFy will be the redress seek Our oTine;oaI
bellgerent measures should have for their aim r. ,,,.
antagonist where he is vulnerable. If we nrs
to receive his assaults abandon the vantage ground
and endeayor in effect TO compel hin us Justice
BY inviting his descent upon Shores and by ali those
consequences which mark the progress of an Invading
force whether for depreciation for conquest BY the
ocean, only can VIC be seriously assailed and by the
ocean only caa we seriously assa any power with which
we are likely to be brought into collision.
But independently Of The policy Of making an adver-
sary feel the calautes of war; h is obvious that, even