The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-07


as brought about by The Administrations Of
Gen. jackson and Mr.. Fan Buren,
NATIONAL DRrENcEs.
IL will be found, as matter of fact that while
General Jackson's and Mr.. Van Burens Admin
isirations were protessediy friendly TO national
defence, they have done almost nothing TO Sc
cure the object. In 1886 there was great pa
rade and note Of preparation, as if something
was about TO be done to put the country in a
posture of defence that should command the re-
spect Of the world, and give advice to those
powers which might be inclined 10 insult and
wrong
1t began in the Senate Of the United States
by the passage of the following resolutions, Feb
IS, 1885,
"Resolred, 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
sary for the purpose ought to be set apart and applied
the general defence and permanent security of the
country.
"Resolpsd That the President be requested to cause
the Senate TO be informed
81. The probable amount that would be necessary
for terrifying the lake. maratme and gulf frontier Of
the United States and such points of the land frontier
as may require permanent Notifications
"2. 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 field pieces for their
militia, and with side and pistols for their ca
valry.
"3. The probable amount that would be necessary
to supply the United States with ordnance arms, and
munitions Of war, which proper regard to self de-
fence would require TO be always on hand.
"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 floating batteries) upon the footing
of strength and responsibility which is due to the
curity and to the welfare Of the Union
In answer to this call we have from the Ord
nance Department an estimate OF S29,955, 1887;
from the Engineer Department $3l SOL 1868,
and from the Navy Board $3O,3l5, 900, or, de-
Quoting from this the value of the naval force
and available means in existence at the time
$12, 555,000, the remainder would be SIT, $780,
900; amounting in all TO $79,2S7, 205 as the
probable amount necessary to accomplish the OBJ
jects embraced in the inquiries of the Senate of
the y nlteQ otateS, aDOVe SpeClueu.
1t was of course understood that a series of
years would be required for the execution fthis
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 ordi
nary annual appropriation for the Navy, includ
ing the ordnance, at S7,O0OOOO," Of which S.,
$4,000 would be required for the force in COM
c,r e..
repairs of vessels; 100000 for the marine
corps and $1,30o,OOO for building and mate
rails.
With this annual appropriation, it was com
puted that by the year 1850, we might have a
naval force of Is ships of the line, 25 frigates,
25 sloops, 25 steamers, and 25 smaller vessels
in all l Is vessels of war.
But to this particular point of the proper an
nual expenditure, the Senate passed other reso-
lutions in April Of the same year, calling Tor the
advice of the different Departments. Towhich
the Ordnance Department replied. BY recon-
mending from tpo 10 three millions. (say ST.
100000 j the Engineer Department Sc, 000, 900,
and the Navy Board s4,250, 900, amounting in
all to Sl2, 100000, annual expenditure for the
national defences. 1t will be seen, that this es-
tmate of the Navy Board is much larger than
the one rendered a few weeks before, as il 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 in March, 1889
Resolved, That the President Of the United States
be requested 10 TO be laid before the Senate at
the commencement Of the next session Of CONGRESS
reports upon the military and naval defe.ces Of The
country, showing
First, the fortifcations other permanent dean
ces commenced, projected or deemed necessary.
For the Northern frontier from Lake Superior to Pas
samaquoddy bay. 2. For the maratimc frontier, from
Passamaquoddy bay TO Cape Florida. 3. The Gulf
frontiers from Cape Florida to the Sabine hay. A. The
Western frontier from Sabine bay to Lake Superior
With conjectursl estimate ofthe probable expense of
constructing or completing such works as may not
have been completed or commenced.
Second The state Of the armament Of tho fortif-
cations so far as the same may be completed
mcnced with conjcctural estimate of the expense of
completing the armament of all the forts which may be
commenced or deemed necessary to be constructed.
Third, The armorics, arsenals, magazines, and
foundries either constructed deemed necessary with
conjccural estimate of the expense of constructing
such of said establishments may yet be compile
tel or commenced, but which may be deemed ncces-
ssry.
Fourth, The floating OF steam batteries, or YES
sells which have been constructed in nd OF fortified
tons, may be deemed necessary to be contributed