The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-08


albert M LLOYD, is agent for the Maids ,nian for
Cleveland, Ohio, and its vicinity, and is authorized
receive subscriptions.
The position Of the country in regard to ma
tionatdefences and The possible epent o. 1ar,
as brought about By the Administrations of
Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Pan Buren,.
NATIONAL DEFENcEs.
II will be found, as matter Of fact, that while
General Jackson's and MI. Van Buren's Admin
istrations were professedly friendly to national
defence, they have done almost nothing to Sc
cure the object In 1886 there was a great pa
rade and note Of preparation, as if something
was about to be done to put the country in
posture Of defence that should command the re-
| spect Of the world, and give advice to those
powers which might be inclined to insult and
wrong.
1t began in the Senate Of the United States
by the passage ofthe following resolutions, Feb.
IS, 1886:
"Resolped, That SO much of the revenue of the
United States, and the dividends of stock receivable
from the bank of the United States may be neces-
say for the purpose ought to be set apart and applied
to the general defence and permanent security of the
country Il
"Resopsd, That the President be requested to cause
| the Senate to be informed
i ~. The probable amount that would be necessary
for terrifying the lake. maratime and gulf frontier of
the United States, and such points Of the land frontier
as may require permanent Notifications.
-. The probable amount that would be necessary
to construct adequate number Of armores and arse
nails in the United States and to supply the States with
field artillery, especially brass feldpcces, for their
militia and with side and pistols for their ca
valry.
90. The probable amount that would be necessary
to supply the United States with ordnance arms, and
munitions Of war; which proper regard to selfde-
fence would require to be always on hand.
i "a. The probable amount that would be necessary
to place the naval defence Of the United States lin
Guiding the increase of the navy, navy yards dock
yards and steam-foatng batteres) upon the footing
Of strength and responsibility which is due to the
curity and to the welfare ofthe Union"
In answer to this call we have from the Ord
nance Department an estimate Of $29, 955 1887;
from the Engineer Department $3l ,561 1868,
and from the Navy Board $30,3l5, 900, or, de-
Quoting from this the value of the naval force
and available means in existence at the time,
$l2, ZOO, the remainder would be $17,76O,-
900; amounting in all 10 $79,2s7, 205, as the
probable amount necessary to accomplish the OBJ
jects embraced in the inquiries Of the Senate of
the United States, above specified. a5#A
/ it was Of course understood that series of
years would be required for the execution ofthis
plan of defence. For example, in the reply of
the Navy Board to this call dated March 2, 1886,
'sthey respectfully propose to establish the ord-
nary annual appropriation for the Navy, includ-
ing the ordnance, at $1,000, OOO," Of which S.
$4,000 would be required for the forcein COM
mission; 100000 for navy yards $950,OOO for
repairs Of vessels; 100000 for the marine
corps and $1,5ooUUo for building and mate
rails ..sg.
With this annual appropriation, it was COM
puted that by the year 1850, we might havea
naval force Of Is ships Of the line, 25 frigates,
25 sloops, 25 steamers, and IS smaller vessels
in all 1 Is vessels of war.
i But to this particular point of the proper an
nual expenditure, the Senate passed other reso-
buttons in April Of the same year, calling for the
advice of the different Departments. To which
the Ordnance Department replied, by recon-
mending from taoo to three millions, (say 49,
10000 , the Engineer Department Sc 600, 900,
and the Navy Board $4,25O,OoO, amounting in
all to S12, 100000, annual expenditure for the
national defences. 1t will be seen, that this es-
innate of the Navy Board is much larger than
the one rendered few weeks before, as it does
not include the expense of the actual service.
We shall hereafter consider the apology for
the almost total neglect of these hopeful promi-
ses, and proceed in this place to notice the revi-
val Of this excellent spirit, after period of two
years inaction, as indicated by the following
resolution Of the Senate of the United States,
passed 10 March, 1889.
Resolped, That the President of the United States
be requested TO to be laid before the Senate,
the commencement Of the next session Of Congress,
reports upon the military and naval deences of the
country, showing
First, the Notifications or other permanent deen-
ces commenced, projected, or deemed necessary.
For the Northern frontier FROM Lake Superior to Pas
samaquoddy bay. Q. For the maratime frontier, from
Passamaquoddy bay TO Cape Florida. 3. The Gulf
frontiers, from Cape Florida to the Sabine bay The
Western frontier from Sabine bay to Lake Superior
With conjccturaI estimate ofthe probable expense Of
constructing or completing such works as may not
have been completed commenced
Second The state Of the armament of the fortifi-
cations, SO far the may be completed or COM
menccd with conjectura estimate Of the expense of
completing the armament Of all the forts which may be
| commenced or deemed necessary to be constructed.
Third, The armories, arsenals magazines, and
foundries either constructed deemed necessary with
conectural estimate Of the expense of constructing
such Of said establishments may yet be compile
ted or commenced, but which may be deemed neces-
sary. sglt3
Fourth, The floating of steam batteries, ves-