Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-08-19
WAR STEAMERS

Appended to the Report of the Committee
OH Naval Affairs, relative to the establish
ment Of Home Squadron, was a resolution
directing the Secretary of the NAVY to in.
quire into the expectancy of extending gov
ernment aid to individuals or companies i'm
the establishment of lines Of steamers 20 run
between some OF our principal Northern and
Soothern ports and to foreign ports. The
policy OF England has already anticipated US
In movement OF this kind; and the fact of
the rapid increase of strength in her steam
marine offers an imperative reason whv this
nation should be prompt and decided in Ia
king similar steps.
we are told by the Report Of the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs that Great Britain, un-
DER The arrangement with Mr.. Cunard. and
oy the contract with the Royal Mail Compa-
ny Tor conveying tho mnils to tho West In
dies and other American countries, will soon
nave ailoat powerful fleet of from twenty
hve to thirty war steamers. The steamers on
the West India line are of 1900 tons burden
ana 300 horse power each. Such of them as
navel been already launched are estimated, TO DO
In all respects equal to sixty gun friga.ss.-
These steamers are kept i'm constant repair.
and always ready to receive an armament for
actual war service, without any expense to
the government except the BONUS paid for their
construction.
Here is device for keeping up formida.
Ole naval establishment upon the most eco
nomical plan. These mail steamers are
commanded by officers of the ROYAL NAVY.
ana tor all efficient purposes they CON
stitute part of the naval establishment OF
Great Britain. Yet they serve for purposes
OF peaceful intercourse and commerce. How
tar this idea may be enlarged upon cannot
be accurately conjectured. But st is not Wis.,
ionary to suppose that it will result in very
| Important changes affecting the whole system
OF naval warfare and marine establishments,
since the pursuits of peace and the purposes
OF war may be hereby blended, and the elab.
crate preparations for the latter, which hither-
10 have imposed heavy burdens upon the pub
TIC treasury, may be turned into profitable
| investments for private emolument and ma.
tionai convenience.
That there will be no hesitation on the
part OF our capitalists to enter into connec.
ton with this Government for the PURPOSES
referred to, is evident from the resolutions
adopted by the citizens of Boston on this We
Ty subject. From this port to the West In
dies a line of mail steamers of convenient
model, established by the joint action of Gov
eminent and private enterprise, would serve
not Only ior salutary purposes of intercourse,
out the event of war, would furnish the
" SAiSiCiN uClcuCc tOI tie OnGSapGak0
Bay.
The resolution of the Committee on Ma
val Affairs, to which we have referred, con-
templated report from the Department at
the next Session Of Congress. An article in
the New York Courier which goes at some
length into the subject concludes by urging a
more speedy action. 1t says: "The advan-
tages OF this mode ofcreating and supporting
STEAM NAVY are SO obvious its economy
is SO palpable; its peculiar adaptation to a
commercial people like ourselves and to the
character OF our government, which appears
TO forbid adequate preparations for ,oar in
time OF peace, is SO manifest that we in
dulge the hope that Congress will give the
Secretary of the Navy full power to ACT in
this matter with as little delay as may be in.
stead OF merely instncting him to ascertain
what can be accomplished. There should be
no delay on this subject; and so will all saw,
whe have more at heart the welfare of our
country and the glory Of our navy, than the
success of any politician, or political party.
This is question upon which all may u
mite; and we feel as sured that the people will
award high praise to those who exhibit the
greatest desire to act Promptiy.-BaR. finer.