Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-07-31

would be a, the mercy o!an enemy employing
steam naval forco.
as connecting itself with this subject, the com
rnittce cal the attention of The House to the
measures aow being adopted by Great Britain, 10
keep crne1gved on our Northern coa-, and IN Inc
West Iudies large hunter OF steam vessels OF
the aTges class.
Four steamers have been constructed, Of 1900
tons burden ana 40 horse power each, and now
r.,n between Liverpool md Illifax, beng engag
ID in convey iop The Royal mail. They com
fr,anded by officers OF the Royal Navy, and IN
steai of beior bnrtheu Ia the Government, these
mail lines shew large bailnce 10 the credit
side of the account.
Ga the 2Gth March, lSfa, the Commissioners
Of the Admiralty entered int" contract with the
ROYAL Mail Steam Packet Company for carry
ing The mails 10 certain ports IN In West Indies
South America, Mexico and the United States :.
The company are bouuc to provide sufficient
nuInher-not less than fourteen efficient steam
vessels, fit carry guns OF the largest calioer
TIE vessels are to carry certain number Of
Government officers and men, and are 10 be sub
lect the order Of such officer as may be placed
IN board 10 assume the command. These steam
ap'd progress OF construction, are to
be about 1900 tons burthen and 500 horse row
each, and IN all respects equal to sixty-gun
frigates.
If we add 10 these the steamers employed IN
line from Liv efpool to IalItaX. those running
from London ard Bristol to New York, aud those
IN the new line Which - about 20 be established,
from some p,rt IN England 10 ST Jahns, we per
ceive that Great Britain will be In possession Of
twenty five thirty steamers, comprising the
iarge>t and pow eriuI steam fleet IN tho world.
These vessels will DO employ ed upon roates
which enable those who command them, to obtain
such inormauou Of our coasts, IA will give them
"A great advantage IN case of a declaration of war
between England and thus country. Being ais"
always wi,hnl few days run of our Southern
coast, they might be concentrated at any point
on that border, before the declaration would he
communicated TO the President, and thGs com
mence hostiliri.s before any preparation could be
made To meet tlcm.
There are IL Is said, about ten thousand black
troops in the British Yves, Indies, which dicl-
pinned a.id commanded by white officers They
designed, 1t is supposed. to be employed IN
any future CONTEST between England and the I'M
. ted States. These troops with armed steamers.
would command the about Cape Florida and
The Gulf, and cur off. and take possession OF. all
the Iich commerce OF the valley OF tho M'sslssi p
pi-
France is pursuing a course fpoIicy in every
respect similar tn taat Of Great Britain.
! This system IS yet Ia lis Infancy; and IT - net
/ in the power IF the committee 10 gay. with hccu
racv, how far it may be rendered useful - ""r
commerce, or profitable connected with oar Navy
to what extent II may be made tn support itself;
or how far tho policy of other Governments, Und Il
re gard for our own safety, may render rs ad"P
.inu wise or necessary. These are qoesi4a
which the mittee deem Of the utmost lmp"r-
lance aud shoIId be inquired into. They arc OF
/ the opinton, however, that powerie! squadron
has become as necessary for our p1"'@'iian At
home the employ tnent Of our ships OF var has
hitherto been, or may hereafter be, Tor the pro
squadron should al once be estabs!rt aud RON
time 10 time increased, tae means placed at the
command of the Department might permit. aHc
/ toe various iects connected with u. as pointed
/ ail IN the report Of the Secretary, may best &c
I prom ted ard attained
For th.s parpose, the committee reported hitI
| s?proqriatiug the amount asked for by the Sec
re,afv. on4 rec fnmeudcd The adoption Of the fol
/ lowing.
RfScFrsd. Iha, tbe Secretary Of the Navy i
hereby directed TO inquire into the exPedierry Of
alJjug individuals companies IN the es:abt4sh-
tncna Of ines f armed steamers between some 81
our principal Northern and Southern ports, aad l.
/ foreign ports: to advertise for prop IS as for
/ the establishment Of such lines as be unay deem
most important and practicable; md to report Il
this House at he next session Of Congress.
GEN. STAPP.