Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-03-12


The following sensible remarks are extracted
from the Boston Journal:
I'm peace prepare for war;" is the maxim which
Great Sniain has adopted. Her military, and more
particularly her naval arrangements srem to be
onse' on the presumption that the negotiations with
lhis government will DO unsucceSsful and that ar.
many months pass away, there will lie a war be.
tween treat Britain and the United Ststes. We
wish that that government may be deceived in ibis
anticipation. But the difficulties between the Go.
NeIhmehts seem 10 increase, rather than diminish.
The affair OF the Creole ap, ears truly alarming
vuI government have taken stand from which
they carnot recede-nnd arbitration on this subject
10 out OF the questionable South will never nsree
10 land our government will never propose 1t.
There rs no reasons why the Eng lish government
should desire war with this country-but there
are many reasons why she should not Ncyetthc-
less ihat Dvernment is perhaps At this time so far
MS physical force is concerned. better prepared for
war than at any period in the history of that nation
icr ships OF war have been increased within a few
yeaIs. Her new frisates and sloons of war IRE
OF great zs and streng,h-and carry ornaments
tar more heavy and effective than our finest fsales
and Sloops of war.
iouy-four gun frieate corries from ten to twelve
large Peixhan guns-each Of caibro Of from ten
10 twelve inehos-and sloop Of war carries half n
dozen OF the same kind. In a naval engagement
at long shots, or close quarters, these guns must
decide the tattle.
Again, the English government has vast num-
waT-TeauV aSiO
NJ a moments warnlng-besides, her steam mack
cts, which constantly traversing in every drec-
ton, the North Sea, the British and Irish Channels
the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean
end, with their tracks, roiicuating the caribbean
Sea, the Gull Of Mexico, and tho Gulf Streon,
through us whole extent and all of which can he
transformed from peaceable steam packets 10 Iormi-
dable iusntos in the course OF a few DAYS In this
way the English government can At the commence
meni OF a war; having at their command from III
slFnA aFA. - e.
our whole coast-enter many Of our bays and har-
bors-hnd destroy or lay under contribution many
OF our wealthy cities and town.
Besides. It IS well known, that Ivy allowing their
steam packets to enter our ports, and carry letters
rom one port 10 Others, thus diminishing to an ex.
tent, by no means inconsdernb!e, the revenue of
the General Post Office Department, their Com.
msnders are every day acquiring knowledge Of
our coasi-An acquaintance with its bays and inlets
land even qualify themselves 10 pilot vessels into
many OF our ports and har5ots
II our government nave any reason to spprehcnd
war between the two countries, sOmeihing surely
should be done for the protection Of our coast Oar
iorthcations should he put IN order without delay
and permanent or temporary battery of PaixhRn
guns. should be established at the entrance of every
harbor. After our cities are bombardod by fleet
OF steam ships, 1t will be too late to plant cannon To
prevent the successful attack Of an enemy We
believe that al this time, not single gun mount
ed on any Of the batteries IN Boston harbor-con
sequently few steam ships could, nj any time
enter this hnTbor, against wind and tide, pass up
The intricate p, ssages, rerpeirGte with impunity
whatever mischief the enemy might think proper
ard in few hours lie again IN the Bay, moving AT
rapid rate towards another port
surely the attention OF our government should he
turned towards the deencos ofou sen poris-unless
they feel more confident Of the continuation Of peace
than their language would seem to warrant.
And surely we may ajJ.-theso steam pa .kets,
which con lie transformed into formidable friga,es
IN the course Of few days." ought not To be al
lowed ITO enter our ports and carry letters from one
port TO others, thus diminishing to an extent by no
means inconsiderobo, the revenue Of the General
Post Office Department, their Commanders every
DAY acquiring knowledge Of our coasl--an &c
qua'ntaneo with ts bays and inlets-n even qurli
iying themselves To pilot vessels into many Of our
ports and hari ors"