Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-07-14

ty that to complete these works will not ex-
ceed that amount Of expense, SI,G00,00O-
Why it is but drop to the ocean compared
to the power it would give us for the war up
on the enemy, or to the power It would give
the enemy, if in his hands, for the war against
ourselves.
! If fall these States were but one country,
with but one head, looking to the whole, and
only To the whole, and that head intelligent
and thoroughly Instructed IN all ms faculties
and means OF maritime defence, | hesitate
not TO say he would not lose one moment in
making the waters of Naragansett Bay the
ahead- quarters of all his naval preparations
aud operations. Why, then, has this great
national concern been neglected by the ma
ton so lar as it has been neglected? From
the combined influence Of two causes: First,
because the great and peculiar natural adyan-
toges ot this point have not been fully appre-
ciated, from not having been generally un-
derstood; and, secondly. because sectional i'll
terest has prevailed over the general interest.
Points of minor Importance to the whole
country have carried it by force of this sec
tonal interest against the whole country
This should not be 50. Why should the great
West, for instance, and especially those who
have IA common interest in the maritime pow
or and deiences of the who!e country, and
only that common interest, throw their weight
into the scale of any sectional interest on the
Atlantic border, in opposition to the general
interest? Why should they iniure themselves
by injuriug the aomiaon country, to benefit,
in particular, any one OF the Atlantic States?
The souabbles Of the Atlantic States for pref
srcnce in naval establishments and appro-
priations are nothing to them; and, instead OF
being parties to them, you ought, ye men OF
tho West, to act as umpres to decide be-
tween the contendng States, and to decide
always and only i'll reference to the common
good.
II our country herself would speak to her
family of States, believe she would say.
"IIushcd be the voice of every State plead
ing for herself and her separate interest, and
listen 10 mine. My interest is your interest,
collectively; and, whatever you may think to
the contrary, your interest individually. My
great danger lies in the East, and is to come,
when it does come, from that quarter and on
my seaboard. The ocean is to be my battle
field; the Navy to be my strong arm to fight
With and to strike down the enemy. Would
you have that arm crippled, and its blows en-
tecbled? Then give to the enemy the supe-
riorty, by giving 10 him the means to acquire
it. Give him, by your neglect, an opportuni-
ty to acquire II secure station for his fleets in
the Narragansett waters; and thus a bridle
hold upon the country. But if you would
give to that arm irresistible strengths; i! you
would clothe it with the energy of the thun-
der, whose bolt nothing can resist, and whose
voice quails the world, you will make those
waters the headquarters of your naval prepa-
ration~, you will make that Glbraltor, and
will make it your own forever"
Mr.. X. concluded by submitting to the Sen
ate the following resolution:
Resolrtd by The Senate anil House Of Rep
resentuiipes Of the United Sinits Of .7mtrica IN
Congress dss'mbied, That the Commissioners
of the Navy Board be, and hereby ure, au-
thorzed and directed to report to the mex,
session of Congress plan for Il navy estab-
liShment in the waters of Narragansett Bay
! Rhode Island, with all such works, and a,
such points, as nre proper therefor, to make
it one of the principal naval establishments
Of the United States; and also to report al
estimate of the expense thereof.
Il The resolution came up for consideration
Oh the following day, and was agreed to-