Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1841-08-21
WAR STEAMERS

Appended TO the re port of the Committee on Ma
val Affairs. relative To the establishments Of n HON,
squadron. was a resolution directing The Secretary
OF the Navy 10 inquire into the ezpedicnCy of ex
tending government aid TO individuals or comm,
nIcs IN the establishment of lines. 10 run between
some oi our principal Northern and Southern port
and To foreign ports. The policy Of England hai
already anticipated US in n movement Of thi- L;.I-
and the fact Of The rapid incro-~e OF strength in hei
steam marine "6ers an imperative reason Why this
nnuon should be prompt and decided ia taking SIM
Thar stopS.
We are told in the Report Of the Committee on
NIval Affair, that Great Britain. under the arrange.
meni nth Mr. Cunand. and by the conimct with the
Royal Mail Company Cor conveying Ihc Mails to the
West Indies and other American countries, will
son have afOai "a powerful fleet Of from twenty
1--we TO thirty war steamers. The steamers ON the
West India line are Of 1900 tons burden. and 500
horse power each. Such Of them as have nlreadv
been launched nre TO be estimated in all respecis
equal u SIXTY gun fngaies. These steamers nre
Kept In constant repair. and always ready 10 receive
an ornament for actual war service. without any
expense 20 the government except the bonus paid
for this cOnsirucii1n.
Here IS a device To keep up a formidable naval
esiabiiShmeni upon the most economical plan. These
mail steamers are commanded by officers Of the
Royal Navy, and Tor all sHicient purposes H. v con.
siiiuie n part Ottho naval establishment OF Great
Britain. Yet ihoy serve for purposes Of peaceful
inierconrsc aud commerce How far this idea may
be enlarged upon cannot now be accurately couiec
iured. But It is not visionary 10 suppose that il will
result in very important changes affecting the whole
system Of naynl warfare AID marine embellishments
since the pursuits of peace and The purposes Of war
may he hereby blended. and the elaborate prepara.
lions for the latter. which hitherto have lmr,Sed
heavy burdens upou tho Public Treasury. may be
TUNED into Profitable investments Cor private emol.
ument and national convenience.
That there will be no hesitation on the pau Of
our capitalists TO enter into connection With This
government for the purposes referred TO-, Is evident
from the resolutions adopted by the cilszens Of Bos.
Ton ON THIS very subject. From This port 90 the West
Indies a line Of mail stenmers Of conyenten, m,daI
established by The joint action Of Government anJ
private enterprise. would serve not oal, e,r salut,rv
purposes Of intercourse, but in The event of war
would furnish the means Of efficient defence for
Chesapeake Bay.
The resolution Of the Coumineo on Navoj Ag,,,
TO which We have referred. contemplated n ,,p,,,
from the Department NJ TIE next sess,on nj C,,,,...
An article ~ The New York Courier which roes Al
some length into the subject cOucIudcs by urciog ,
more speedy action. u says The adyap,sgcs n
tbs mode Of creating and supporting Steam NV
are - obvious; rs cc"Domy % ~palpable; is pecuG.
af adaptation ioa commercial people like ourselves
and 70 the character 81 our government. which ~,
pears to htbid adequate preparations Coz var IN 80.
% pence - 80 manifest; hat We indulge Inc h,,.
that Congress will give tho Secretary Of tho N,yg
foil power 10 act in this matter with A. lmle dcl,y
o. may hc. instead Of merely iustructinp him I, a.
eeftain what can b. accomplished. There sboyI5
be ~ more delay on this subject; and 20 will all
say who have more ai heart the welfare Of our
country. and he gloy of orr navy. ihan Inc s,c.
cess otany politician. ~ political party. This ! ,
question upon which al may unite. and we feel A..
surcd Shat he people will award high praise \, f,,.o
who exhibit Inc greatest desire 10 act promptly"
lBali Amer.