The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-12

be expected that five six vessels, most OF winch,
Of the smallest class, can properly protect our
commerce and people, along coast Of three
thousand miles in extent, and throughout an ocean
four thousand miles wide ] respectfully suggest
that little attention has heretofore been paid 70
the important interests OF country M the racine
ocean. There is at this time, stronger necessity
than ever for more strict vigilance and more active
exertion part, to prevent other nations from
subecting trade to injurious restrictions and EN-
barrassments. The English settlers have, by their
enterprise nearly eDgrossed the trade from The Co
lumbia river TO the islands, SO that countrymen
efectually cut off from it, as If they had no
rights in that quarter. The people Of various eoun-
tries, are rapidly forming settlements all along the
shores Of the Pacific from Columbia river to the Gull
OF California and this, too, with the countenance
and support Of their respective Governments In
the mean time, doing literally nothing
for our own interests in that quarter To those
OF our people who inclined TO settle there,
do not hold out the encouragement
OF reasonable xpectalion that we wi protect them
against the violence and injustice OF other nations
few small vessels, scarcely many as we ought 20
keep constantly upon the coast of each OF the South
American nation. on the Paeifc-ihese too, charged
with the duties which twice tn ir number would not
be able TO perform offer hut little aid support to
the infant settlements Of our People, remote from eech
other, and demanding the constant presence of some
protecting power There are many considerations,
connected with this subject of deep Importance in
themselves but which belong rather to other depart
ments of the Government than 10 this. l advert TO
them only SO far as TO just fy in recommending
very large Increase of The Pacific squadron.
In the East Indies we have only Two ships the fiji
gate Constellation, Captain Kearny, Commanding the
squadron and the sloop of war Boston, Commander
Long. IL Is owing more TO cur good fortune than t.
our strength, that commerce has suffered
ieria interruption. That little squadron has done all
that could have been expected of it, and it deserves
much credit for its great vigilance and activity, and
for the prudence and sound discretion with which
Commodore Kearny has acquitted himself OF the i'm
porant trusts reposed In him.
On the coast OF Africa have squadron. The
small appropriation Of the present year believed
to be scarcely sufficient to answer the pressing de-
mands of more important stations and hence no
vessel has been equipped expressly for the African
seas. The sloop OF war Vandala, Commander Ram
say, belonging TO the Home Squadron was assigned
10 that service IN Mach last, and is still on the
The ratification OF The Treaty with England renders
1t necessary that squadron OF at least eighty guns
should be assigned To that service.
regret To say that In consequence of the unpro-
tected condition Of our trade that coast several of
our vessels have been captured by the natives and
Their crews harbarously murdered The last aggres-
sion OF THIS sort was upon the schooner Mary Car
ver Captain Farwel, "a the district of BeIibee nine
~ miles south of Cape Paimas Instructions have
been glvea TO Commander Ramsay to proceed to that
pont and demand such PREPARATION the circumstan-
Cos OF tie case may require. This, however, will be
atsbest but little satisfactory ysince chast
Wh'SH Can NC ihHcteu such saVages, can ether
do honor to our hag prevent other outI ges of the
like kind. Our Commerce with Africa is rapidly in
creasing, and is we'll worthy Of all the protection
which IL asks. This protection is to DC derived no
fom any terror which be inspired by the desruc
ton Of few able villages on the sea beach but
from the presence of armed vessels able to prspent
well as 10 punish all violations Of the rights and
laws of fair trade.
need scarcely add that our duty in the suppress
sion OF the slave trade, cannot be discharged without
a much larger force the coast of Africa than we
have ever yet maintained there.
The retarn OF the Exploring squadron, late under
the command of Lieutenant Charles Wilkes has civ
en- to the country rich and abundant stores in all
The departments of natural history. | am now
arranging them, under the authority of law of
the last session of Congress. Lieutenant Wilkes
himself Is engaged in PREF airing narrative Of his
voyage, and IN completing the various charts of the
numerous surveys made under his direction la this
work he has, at his own request the assistance of
Lieutenants o. Carr, L. A. Budd, and G. M Tot
ten, of the Navy. regret that | have no authority
to furnish him with the addt onal aid which he has
right 10 expect from the scientific corps attached to
the expedition. There is no fund under my control
out OF which compensation could be paid To them
respectfully suggest that provision oug hit to be made
for TINS. The country looks tn vety deep in crest
for the results of this expedition and it is due not
less to the officers concerned in than the country
ITSELF that they should be fairly aud properly laid be-
fore the world Ii scarcely he expected that Mr.
Wilkes, even with the aid of the few naval officers
whose assistance he has asked, in any short time
accomplish task of much labor nor is il reason
able to suppose that naval officers, however skilled in
what properly belongs 10 their profession will be able
to perfect the drawings and other mechanical works
and works Of art, necessary to prepare this pubica
ti,n in the style contemplated by Congress.
When had the honor To present 10 YOU the usual
report from this Department. at the commencement of
the last session of Congress, pr cctded upon the
idea that il the sci led policy of the Government
gradually to increase the Navy. Notwithstanding
the favorable change which has SINCE occurred in our
foreign relations and notwithstanding the present un
tarorabie condition of the public Treasury, ! have
seen reason TO believe that this policy is less ap
proved now than heretofore by the great body of our
People. 1t Is true that the circums ancrs in which
now placed render necessary, very great modi
hcations OF the systems which would otberW ise be
proper but the opinion is general as it ever
has been that suitable nary absou ely necessary
TO the protection of our trade the security of peo
pie, and the responsibility of our Government For
tunaely, there Is nothing in the circums of
country, TO render this IN any gree, heal ques-
ton. Apart from the general proposition tina, what
is best for the general interest should be REGARDED
best for The wh1e, there is local and icuiar
res, IN nine tennis Of our country, which demand
respectable naval IS Adjustment. The commercial
towns on our Sea board, by which nearly all TO-
reign and coasIing trade Is conducted have mmc-
dille aud Ic an interest in the subject to rem
der unnecessary any remarks upon that point The
various agricultural and manufacturing classes seal
tered throughout the country, and connec ell with
and dependent upon this trade, have nJirect ME
rest not less al Parent The great and Increasing
commerce of the iakes although less exposed than
that of the ocean, is yet far too important To be
left undefended, against The single power which
may become its enc ny. But the Cult of Me xco has
peculiar claims 1t Is believed that there is MT in The
world equal of commercial and agricultural
interest belonging To any one county, much al the
mercy OF the most moons iJ,rabir maritime force as is
that of lie Gulf Of Mexico. Not only The States
which lie i'm ncdaicy that water hut all those whose
streams enie- into H. including the vast and fertile
gion OF the Mississippi and It's tributary waters make
tins their chef channel of commerce. A nd may
properly add, also, uncomfortable in he
ticle OF cotton sent from Texas by Of the Red
river, and pay ing tribute to commercial agenc