The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-22
THE FoRTIFIcATIoN BILL.


The debate was continued by Mr.. JONES. of Ma
ryland who made effective speech in favor of the
bill, deprecatng the Influence of party spirit on Ma
tisnal subjects, such the defence of the country
lie denounced the ambitious and grasping spirit of the
British oigarchy, and their hostility to the United
States. The existence of such spirit was power
u reason for thorough preparation for struggle with
them.
Mr., MALLORY made an able speech in favor of
the continuation and Completion of our present sys
lem OF defences adopted on the report and plan of
Gen. Bernard. He discussed the whole subject c,ti-
caly, showing the superiority of land Notifications
over floating batteries
Mr.. BOARDMAN, OF Conn, observed that this
Nh was a measure preparatory Tor war, though not
made IN expectation that a war would now occur Mr.
b. did not advocate 1t on that ground; vet he must
say, from what he had heard and seen, that should
Mcleod be hung, the catastrophe of war might occur
IN ten days. There was less excitement in England
just at this time because the attention of the nation
had been diverted from the subject by another nearer
home, in the contest produced by Parliamentary cleo
ton but still there was strong feeling there on he
halt OF Mcleod; and II MIR B could unders,an nd The
papers and other British documents he saw he should
be of opinion that no Ministry could hold their places
an hour without declaration of war should Nc Leod
be executed
Mr.. b. dwet on the proprieiy, under such crcum-
stances, OF proceeding with the greatest caution
nation could always negotiate better when she was
prepared to do more than negotiate Our proud ma
nonal emblem the eagle, held the olive branch it was
true IN one hnDd Dut carried the thunder bolts the
other IN this respect Mr. b, would have Just EN-
blem ofthe condition and feelings the nation itsef
tie left the Whole subject # foreign relations
where the Constitution had placed it, in the hands OF
the Executive but IN the meanwhile it duty
to place the country in state OF preparation. They
were told from all sources that the Notifications were
in state of dilapdation and he personally knew such
Ia lie the fact in relate some OF them which had
fallen under his own observation. Ii was also said
and seemed IN some sort To he taken for granted thai
a. should proitahIy b, h.rt lt.i
during the first year OF the contest but why must
tins be sol Why not furnish the Administration
with means TO guard agains, such resist In that
case they could be held answerable for results but
not without tie adverted To the small sum of So
900 expended last year. and the consequent necessity
OF greater appropriations for the present year even to
come up To the average Of former years As to the
doctrine of the gentleman from Virginia Mr. Wse)
that the sum IN the bill could be expended during
this year, 1t seemed contrary 10 the common sense oil
every man. They all knew that along a coast of
5000 miles such sum not only but twice as great
might well and wisely be expended Mr., B consider
cdlhs sum as but small, and would vote it with the
utmost cheertulness.
Mr. b, expressed deep modification at the remcm
hrance that our coast hal, during the last war been
insued with impunity-nay that the foot of an inso-
lent British sold'ry should have polluted that ,,ery
Hall sacred as the palace of legislation fo this entire
nation. Never never let such outrage be fepca-
cd but let US prepare TO guard soil from such pro-
ihnaton. Gentlemen reminded the friend OF the me-
sent Administration that il was prolessedly reform
Administration, and complained hat its FIST measures
should re To expend large sums of money Yes these
were Their FIRST measures And when in opposition,
mad those now IN power ever complained OF the e.
pcndIture OF money on public Directs Not at al
u was the waste the peculation the corruption the
rewmding OF partlsans, the misorlhcaron OF public
treasure These Were the themes Of Their indignant
circumstances II was The eding Of favorltes while
the public works len tall down from neglect
aud decay The American people would never
plain that large sums had been * Tended to guard
Their persons and Their property AT oll events, Mr..
Il was ready To ake his full share Of the responsible
ry. On The subject OF the insuihccncy Of land Tor.
tifcations Mr. called 10 remembrance The defence
Of Slonington where lte water-hauery with twp
IL FOUNDERS bad kept at bay, and finally driven of,
gun brig and fngatei and 50 efIcctual had Their
shot proved that the irgae had hike have been de-
stroyed on the spot One gentleman h,d expressed
himself warm friend 10 TIL sort II defence yei hal
moved TO cestroy the bill Another thought our
whole reliance ought To be upon the Navy Another
would have US run int the caves and dcns Of the
Garth Bot civilized nations had always relied on TOR
uheations as their chief means Of defence. Let US