Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-02-25

to an unwonted pass of humiliation.
i Now more than ever is applicable TO her
that line description Of her power used in de-
bate some years ago by DANIEL WEBSTER:
"a power which has dotted over the sur.
face or the whole Globe with her possessions
and military posts, whose morning drum-bca,
following She sun, and keeping company with
the hours, circles the earth daily with one con-
tinuous and unbrokcn strain Of the martial airs
of England
In this, her hour of pride and prosperity,
she is called to meet and SETTLE some vexed
question with us, whom she does not love,
but cannot affect to under value.
We emphasize the word SETTLE, because
1t is no longer possible for us to postpone.
with honor, the definite arrangement of the
Northeastern boundary question-nor to a.
void the issue that will be presented by the
case OF McLEoD, if that individual shall ever
be tried and executed--as, if found guilty he
should, and most assuredly will be.
What should be our position in order to
stand on footing OF equality with our haugh-
W and powerful antagonist! Surely that of
Power not only confident in the right
which we most surely are, in both the points
above referred to-but with means and prepa-
ration to enforce and defend ITO the uttermost,
if need be, that right.
Is such our position! Let us look little
into details.
Our army ifentirely effective, and its regi-
ments complete and disciplined, amounts to
about IL 900 men.
Its actual force, scattered from Maine 10 the
Capes of Florida, and from the Atlantic to
the Missouri, is less than $1,000
In the two Canadas alone Great Britain has
some $4,000 regular troops-picked regi-
ments, all OF them--disciplined, well found,
and well commanded. She has in New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and her West In
dia possessions, some 5000 more troops, max
Ing an aggregate of 81, 200 regular soldiers,
that could be rapidly thrown upon our from
tiers.
This unusual assemblage Of troops in our
hemisphere may be accounted for on the
ground OF the insurrectionary movements
some year or two ago in Canada (; but 5000
regulars, with the aid Of the well organized
militia of the Upper Province particularly
would; 1t is the opinion Of competent Judges
-abundantly suffice 10 keep down insurrec-
tion, and maintain order and obedience in
these colonies.
This array, therefore, Of sscrack regiments
In Canada; so much larger than the alleged
necessity requires, may not nnreasonably be
Set down to the score Of awise policy, which
prescribes, when a difficult. doubtful and
long protracted negotiation is about 10 be seri-
ously entered upon, that it is always well to
put forth as much show Of power to enforce
what may be claimed, as can be hazardcd
without the appearance of direct menace.
It's herein precisely that we, on our side,
are deficient; and at the very moment when
our POSSIBLE enemy is in great force upon our
borders, and in great triumph every where,
we are naked, destitute, exposed, and pow
erless.
is it supposed that Great Britain does not
know thIs-or that, knowing it, our condition,
as compared with hers, will not exercise ade-
quate influence upon the tone and spirit i'm
Whlch negotiation on her part may be entered
upon and conductedl
Hseems to us to be shutting our ewes to
all experience to doubt that such must be the
elect upon her councils, of our restitution
and her readiness.
Turn we then to our seacoast defences.
From the Bay of Funday to the boundary of
Iexas. there are not excepting in the PENN
snla OF Florida) 100 regular soldiers on the
seaboard. Our whole army is in Florida, on
the Western, Northern, and North Eastern
frontiers. AT great expense, we have erected
at some polnts-Hampton Roads, for instance,
New DIRK harbor, and Newport--large and
strong Notifications; but they are without
man TO garrison them, and, for the most part,
them to assail an approaching enemy.
In this condition, instead of being a source
OF strength, they are actually cause of danger
to ourselves; they invite attack by their de-
fencelessness, and might be DESTROYED, by
even single frigate that should land it's ma
fines and sallors,-or, worse YET, be occupied
| by an enemy, whom such is the strength of
the works when adequately garrisoned, it
would be difficult to disodge, and who mean
while would command our own principal har-
| bors.
Surely, this is an alarming condition for a
country that has unsett ed and rather angry
points OF controversy with a great naval and
military Power.
we ailude to 1t, not to make it matter of
reproach to any one, but to arouse attention
10 the fact, and to induce, if it be possible,
such timely preparation of the means of de-
fence and offence as may in fact avert the oc-
| caslon and necessity of resoTtng TO their use.
The Navy is hardly more efficient or ade-
| quae to our wants.
i Rust wears more than use, and our NAVY
is rusty.
The stuff is there-and will be found when
wanted-but the naval administration has
been negligent, or unskilful, or both.
The whole naval force the United States,
according to the last Report from the Navy
Department, OF vessels afioat, and those con-
sldered mt, alter repair, for sea service, is
ships OF the line--Three decker,
1st class two decker,
I'd do do.
Race,
7irigates-lst class, 5
| I'd do.
20 sloops of war-lst class, 12
/ I'd do. 3
| Sd do. 5
/ Briggs and schooners,-.
/ Steamer for harbors--