Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1841-08-17
WAR STEAMERS

Appended 10 the rCport Of the Committee on Ma.
val Affairs. relative 10 the establishment of n Home
Squhufon' was a resolution directing The Secretary
oi 'he Navy 10 inquire into the ezpediency of ex-
tending government aid to individuals or compa.
n'es IN the establishment Of lines. 10 run between
some OF our principal Northern and Southern ports
ana To foreign ports. The policy Of England has
already anticipated US in n movement Of this kind
nna The iaei of the rapid increase Of strength in her
steam marine offers an imperative reason why this
hauon should be prompt and decided ia taking elm.
liar STEPS.
We are t"ld in the Report Of the Committee On
Naval Aflairs, that Great Britain, under the arrange.
neht win Ma Cunard. and by the contract with the
IepyaI Mail Company for conveying The Mails 10 the
West Indies and other American countries, will
s "n have aiioai "A powerful feet Of from twenty.
hse 10 thirty war steamers. The steamers on the
West India line are Of 1900 tons burden, and 500
morse power each. Such oG them rs have already
been launched are to be estimated in all respects
equal 10 sixty gun frigaies. These steamers nre
Aep' IN constant repair. and always ready tn receive
an armament Tor actual war service. without any
expense To the government except te bonus paid
loT tins construction.
Here is a device TO keep mp a formidable naval
establishment upon the most economical plan. These
maii steamers are commanded by officers Of the
royal Navy, and for all efficient purposes they con.
siiiuie a part tthe naval establishment OF Great
Britain. Yet they serve for purposes Of peaceful
intercourse and commerce. How far this idea may
30 enlarged upon cannot now be accurately coniec.
iured. But Il is not visionary 10 suppose that IL viii
heSuhm very important changes affecting the whole
system Of navEl warfare ard marine embellishments
SINCE the pursuits OF peace and the purposes of war
may ne hereby blended, and the elaborate preuara.
lions for the latter, which hitherto have imposed
heaVy burdens upon the Public Treasury, may be
turned INTO profitable investments 6r private euo!.
umeHi aud national convenience.
Innt There will Ia m bo.,t,,,o, -. II
our capitalists TO enter into connection 18th this
Government for the purposes referred 10. is evident
from the resolutions adopted by the citszens Of Bo-.
ton on this very subject From This port 10 The West
Indies a line Of mail steamers Of convenient model
established by the joint action Of Government and
private enterprise, would serve not Gal, for saIuthry
purposes OF intercourse. but in The event ofa war
Chesapeake Bly.
Ihe resolution Of the Committee on Naval Affairs
20 winch We have referred, contemplated a report
from The Department at the next SESSION of Congress.
An article ia the New York Courier which goes al
some length into the subject coucludes by urging a
more speedy action. IL says The advantages OF
this mode of creating and supporting a Steam Navy
are 81 obvious; its economy % palpable; lis ncouIi.
ar adaptation 10 a commercial people like ourselves
and 10 the character OF our government. which an
pears 70 iotbid adequate preparations for war in time
OF peace Is 50 manifest; that we indulge the hone
hat Congress will give the Secretary of tho Navy
full power 10 act in this matter with ~ lille delay
as may he, instead Of merely insiruciing him to os.
ceriain what can be accomplished. There should
be no more delay on this subject; and 20 will ali
say, who have more at heart the welfare Of our
country and the glory Of our navy. than the suc.
cess OF any politician. o. political parry. This is a
question upon which all may unite; and we feel as.
sured NM The people will award high praise 10 those
who exhibit The greatest desire 10 act promptly"
[Ball Amer.