The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-12

iron on account of the Observation-Disclosures of that
material and the fact that it can be procured,
through the Mississippi and its tributaries, of
great excellence and at moderate expense.
With view TO the secdrity and repairs Of these
steam vessels, the navy yard already commence
ed at PENSACOLA Is to be completed, whilst ano-
Their is to be established on the Mississippi river,
at point sufficiently remote from the sea, to
prevent successful aggression on the rart OF an
enemy. One of the peculiar advantages at
taching to this second yard would be, that, by
having rope walk, cordage may be manufac-
tured at il for the Navy very advantageous
terms, hemp being one of the staples of the re-
gions through which the Mississippi and other
rivers that flow into it pass, whereas at present,
owing to the distance over which it must be
transported to the Atlantic, the price of it is We
ry much enhanced. AS auxiliares to these ma
Wy yards, the report embraces the establishment
OF depots at convenient points where fuel and
water may be had without Inconvenience
feature of the scheme involving very little ex-
pense. With reference to the ordinary en-
ployment of these steamers, in time of peace,
1t Is suggested that they be engaged in the reve-
nue. service, and be thus made available in pre-
venting the smuggling carried on through
Lakes Borgne, Ponchartrain, and other inlets on
the coast. 1t will be seen at a glance, that the
vessels thus disposed of would constitute a
Home Squadron for the Gulf, which could in an
emergency, be brought together without delay
and constitute force superior TO any that could
be sent by any foreign power. Such are some
of the details of the Honorable Secretary's plan
plan proving that its author is possessed of the
comprehensiveness of views which can alone
constitute the genuine statesman
Let US for moment turn our attention
to the consequences that would attend the
adoption Of the scheme, and see how well
it taies with the apathy manifested by Con-
gress towards report which has been with
that body since the latter end of January, and
still, as far as we are informed, remains among
the mass of national concerns that is, we hope,
to be disposed Of some time or other. In the
first place, the great object of thorough coast
defence would be attained at a moderate cost,
when the importance of the service is taken into
view; and in the second, home market would
be furnished to our Southern and Western breth-
rem for the products of their soil, which now
are comparatively valueless, from the causes be-
aforementioned. Not only would the territories
in the vicinity of the coast be benefited, but all
Of the States traversed by the head waters Of
the " father of rivers" and its tributaries would
share largely in the advantages conferred. 1t is
almost needless here to specify the portions Of
country included within the comprehensive de-
nomination above given, but we may be permit
ana, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana,
Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, among
the States to which advantages would accrue in
the way pointed out, as their hemp, iron, lead,
&C., would be brought into requsition. Who
that was old enough, during the late war with
England, to note its incidents with attention,
does not remember the intense anxiety that per
vaded the whole county, when British flee,
obtained possession of the mouth of the Missis-
sippi, and thus acquired the key to the whole
Mississippi valley, that future storehouse of ma
tons, can ever forget the burst Of national
gratitude that took place when the attack on
New Orleans eventuated in the repulse and dis
comfture of our foes Were another war to
take place with England, is there not every rea-
son to suppose that, among the first points to
which her naval ornaments would be directed,
the Gulf of Mexico and the neighboring seas
stand foremost? In such an event, what would
be the condition of our brethren In that quarter2
IL.
tack, whenever and wherever caprice or thirst
for plumber might dictate, would not their fate
be forlorn indeed, without Notifications and
without any naval force that could cope with the
swarms of armed steamers that, passing at will
from point to point, would carry ruin and dis
may wherever they should go? 1t might justly
be asked whether, with all these facts in view,
Congress can be so blind to the interests of the
country, and so regardless Of the public safety,
as to suffer report such as the one Of which
we speak to remain on its tables without even
the slightest manifestation Of concern. Such,
nevertheless, is the case, strange as ltmay seem,
and, to our utter amazement, we behold the
leading members of that body occupied IN as
certaining aohat retrenchment can be made
in the use of paper, ink, and quilts, sooner than
aid our patriotic Administration in carrying into
effect measures that would render our country
safe-may we add because they acould render
the Administration popular. Let Congress go
on with its dabbling IN small things, and let
its'members pursue their petty partisan schemes,
but they may rest assured that the day of reck-
oning will come, when they will meet with their
deserts, at the hands of an abused and indig-
! nant people.
The following remarks, from the Boston
Morning Post, which came to hand after the