The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-03
From the Baltimore American.
DEFENCE OF THE CHESAPEAKE-lNCREA


The following resolutions, passed UNANIMOUSLY by
both houses of the Mary land Legislature, are very
appropriate, and in entire accordance with puohc
sentiment in the State.
An increase of naval force is requisite, whe-
Their the probability of is regarded or not Up
on the lowest basis of ordinary establishment, IT
ought to be twice large as 1t Is now The extern
siye and growing commerce OF the country would
give active employment to such force IN time OF
peace and the dignity Of the nation can hardly be
satisfied with less
There are occasions Often happening in which the
national honor and the rights of American citizens
abroad require for their prompt vndcation something
more than the slow process Of diplomatic remon-
strance-or in which the latter derives its chief eii
cheney from the presence of naval power ready to
enforce the claims of justice. The account we pub
lshed yesterday of the affair between the British brig
Charybdis and one of the South American States,
may illustrate such cases refer TO. Yet it
would happen probably nine times in ten that, il
such an eXigency should in respect to an
American citizen, our consul, or civil representative
the spot would find himself without the means of
sustaining himself and his Government in the de-
mands which his duty might mpe him to make. The
naval power of Great Britain diffused all over the
world co-eXtensively with her commercial relations
and exercised with vigor which it always
be respected constitutes Of the most important
elements of her diplomacy In the recent
of the Santa Fe expedition, captured in Mexico
British subject, who happened to be among the
prisoners, was released upon the demand Of his
Minister before the detachment reached the city of
Mexico. But an American citizen, according to the
statement of young Coonbs, lately published, was not
only detained in captivity but was subjected to indig
mites and abominabe msusage for weeks in that
capital and when he finally liberated it not
through the nerposition of our Minister which seems
TO have been very ndiffereny regarded, but from
private considerations which the tyrannical Dictator
of Mexico chose to entertain. With regard to an
other American citizen in that expedition, young
Howard native of our own State of Maryland, we
know not that any thing has been accomplished for
his deverance.
Thus it will be until we come to the determination
of making the power of the Republic known and felt
in the arm of its naval force. We may cherish what
IDEAS we please of national greatness and mpor-
tance-but foreigners in distant countries and espe-
cally semi-civzed foreigners, whose ideas of right
depend greatly upon the power that attends to enforce
twill believe only according to what they The
armed ships of nation at last its best representa-
tives abroad and this representation is of kind that
is easily understood and appreciated.
The resolutions of our General Assembly relative
to the defence of the Chesapeake deserving of the
special attention of Congress-. The Notifications in
Hampton Roads are of no use whatever in guarding
the mouth or Boy that the entrance of hostile
fleet would be unmpeded. The interior of the coun-
try, through the rivers of the upper Chesapeake
nowhere perhaps accessible as by those avenues,
The Capitol may be approached with facility 1t is
not therefore for city alone that we would earn
estly solicit the attention Of the Government to this
subject
The whole country is interested in it. An armed
steamer or two, which for that matter might form
part of the Home Squadron, would be Of essential
service in our bay. They would find useful employ
very often in aiding such vessels the coast
like the Frances Stanton might be driven ashore, or
otherwise suffer distress. 1t is proper, too that the
Government, now in time of peace, should be making
experiments of the efficiency of steamers and
floating steam batteries. And for this purpose there
is no place more suitable than the Chesapeake Bay.
Resolution submitted by MIR, Dennis, on the 18th
of February, l842, and passed by both Houses.
Resolped, by the General Assembly Of Maryland
That in the opinion of the General Assembly the
Navy of the United States is the right of our
tional defence and that the utmost vigilance of the
National Government ought to be exercised 10 give it
the most vigorous efficiency
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this General As
sembly, that Congress should at its present session
make adequate provision for more rapid increase of
our naval force
Resolred, That the exposed condition ofthe Chesa-
peake Bay, ought to invite the earnest and immediate
attention Of Congress to an energetic system of
sures for its complete defence; imperiousy required
for the protection of the interests not only of Mary
land but of the whole Union, particularly as involv-
ing the safety of the National Capitol with its costly
public buildings, It's invaluable archives, and more
than all, the honor and dignity of the nation
| ReSolped That the Governor be, and he is hereby
requested copy Of the foregoing resolutions
to be sent TO each of the Senators and Representa-
tives OF this State in the Congress of the United
States to be laid before the two Houses of Congress
ARMY MOVEMENTS