, 1841-10-30

pciiCQ when Inc latc Dduk OF the OnlteQ
States was in the fullest and most successful
operation-when exchanges, according to
their own showing, were the lowest and most
steadily, and uniform and sound; and yet,
with all these favorable circumstances, which
they estimate SO highly, and with no hostile
cause operating from obroad, our tonnage
and commerce., in every branch on which
the duties could operate, fell of; on the coun-
try, during the latter period, when all the
hostile causes which they are in the habit
Of daily denouncing on this floor, and of
whose disastrous consequences we have
heard so many eloquent lamentations;-yes,
IN spite of contractions, and expansions in;
spite of tampering with the currency and
the removal OF the deposites; sipte Of the
disordered state of the whole machinery Of
commerce, the deranged state of the curren-
cy, both at home and abroad; in spite Of the
state of the exchanges, and Of what we are
constantly told Of the agony of the country;
both have ACKNOWLEDGMENT beyond all
former example! Such is the overpowering
effect of removing weights from the springs
of industry, and striking off shackles from
the free exchange of products, as to over
come all adverse causes.
Having now shown that the navy is the
right arm of our defence;i that it depends on
for its resources, both as to men
and means; and that high duties destroy the
growth of our commerce, including naviga-
ton and tonnage; | have, | trust, satisfactory
ly established the position which | laid down;
that this measure, which would place the en-
tire burden of supporting the Government
on Commerce, would paral we the right arm
of our power. Vote it down, and leave
commerce as free as possible; and it will
furnish ample resources. skillful and gallant
sailors and an Overlooking treasurI !. to re-
pei danger from our shores. and maintain our
rights and dignity in our external relations.
With the aid of the revenue from land, and
proper economy, we might soon have ample
means to enlarge our navy to that of a third
of the British, with duties far below the linn
its of 90 per cent. prescribed BY the compro-
mise act. The annual appropriation, or cost
of the british navy, is about S3O,OOO.O OO.-
Ours, with the addition Of the appropriation
for the squadron made this session. is
(say) S%6.O00,OOO; requiring only the addition
of four millions TO make it equal to a third
of that of Great Britain, provided that we
can build, equip, man, and maintain ours as
cheaply as she can hers. That we can. with
proper management, can scarcely be doubted
when we reflect that our navigation, which
involves almost all the elements of expense
that a navy does, successfully completes
with hers over the world. Nor are we def
cient in men-gallant and hardy sailors-tc
man a navy on as large a scale as il
suggested. Already our tonnage is two
thirds OF that of Great Britain, and will in {
short time approach an equality with hers, i
our should be fairly treated
Leave. then, in oar Treasury. the fund pro
posed to be withdrawn by this detes,able bill
apply it 10 the navy and defences of the
country; and at its present amount witt
small additional aid from the impost, it vii
give the means of raising it, with the exist
ing appropriation, to the point suggested
and with the steady increase Of the funC
from the increased sales of lands. keeping
pace with the increase Of our population, anc
the Ike increase OF under q sys
tenn OF light and equal duties. we many. will
proper economy in the collection and dis
bursements OF the revenue rIise Our nav,
steadily, without feeling the burden. to hal
the size Of the British, or more. if more b'
needed for defence Of our rights. Beyont
that, we ought never to aim.
1have (said Mr.. c. concluded what | pro
posed to say. have passed over many ant
weighty objections to this measure. which
could not bring within the scope Of my re
marks. without exhausting the patience o
the body. And now, Senators, in conclusion
let me entreat you in the name of all tina
is good and patriotic in the name Of GU
common country and the immortal fathers @
our Revolution and founders of our Govern
ment-to reject this dangerous bill. i'm
plore you to pa 'se and ponder before yo'
give your final vote for a measure which,
it should pass and become a permanent law
would do more to defeat the ends for which
this Government WAS instituted, and 10 sub
vert the constitution aid destroy the ibert,
Of the country. than any which has eve
been proposed.