The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-23

FRENCH AND ENGLISH STEAMERS.

The French, we learn by the last arrivals, max
ing the most extraordinary efforts to construct
ers of war as an Offset to British steamers 1t is
fact but hardly noticed yet though that the adop
ton of this mode Of warfare, exposes Great Br
tain to invasion more than ever from the overwhelm-
ing military power of France. If Napoleon in his
day, had had our steamers, invasion would not have
been an idle threat then be would have been able
to command the winds and waves, and select the
points Of attack
French by the Minister of Marine in which it is pro-
posed to do away with all the French steamers OF war
between $50 and go horse power or rather to sub
stitue larger vessels for Them reserving the present
small class steamers for the packet service. The
whole steam-navy Of France is then to consist of 5
seam-frgates of $40 horse power Is steam-frigates
of $50 horse power 20 steam-corvettes of from 800
to 800 horse power, and 80 steamboats, of inferior
size-in all 10 steam-vessels, of which 40 will be
complete ships of war.
This very considerable force, however, exists at
present only on paper Of the number proposed in
the report of Admiral Duperrc % have yet to be
menced, mounting in all {, 800 horse power.
The committee on the grant Of extraordinary sup
Elementary Credits has been engaged on the demand
of the Minister of Marine and Colonies for
ordinary credit of 1896, OOOf to increase the num-
Der of war steamers
Ia the Navy estimates in the British House of
Commons, disposition is evinced to strengthen this
department Of the British Marine.
plants and alarms in this country this subject it
is positively denied that the British Government have
any right over the British Steam Packets employed
in carrying the North American and w est Indian
mails further than is avowed. The Falmouth
pondent of the London Standard says:
"None of the vessels, either of the West Indian or
of the North American line, (Which, under the able
conduct of Messrs. MIver of Liverpool, has been
signaly successfully in any way subservient to
Government beyond the proper and efficient per-
formance of their several contracts for the convey
ance of the mails and the Government have no more
power to command them for any other service than
they could vessel the property of any private and IN
dvldual INGREDIENT. In the event Of war; these ships
would not be employed for war purposes unless pre-
contracts mutually dissolved, and the
steamers sold to the Government, and We may most
easily prove that this has been contemplated,
by stating that the terms of the contracts actually
make provision for increased remuneration should
occur to render their passages more critical
Our opinion 1--WE sincerely trust it may in this
matter have to be tested is, that such vesees
would be rendered and acknowledged neutral by
all nations, and have the satisfaction of knowing
that the same view has been warmly expressed by
ofhgh authority, not only in other countries but
also IN our own.
The objection however, to these West India steam
Is the surveillance they have over our coast and
the study they must necessarily make of harbors,
it he denied, if the possibility has not been
contemplated, that they could be readily converted
into most efficient engines of war; thus, with such
cipil arm to strike and Defend it hardly neces-
sary in the navy estimates to provide for more
steamers.
The United States have two steamers Pro-
vision is made for the construction of another. If
Congress would act on the enlarged spirit OF Mr..
Secretary Upshurs Report it would order yet further
liberal appropriations and to employ and exercise
these steamers, well as to make them useful they
could convey the news either coastwise, from New
York to Liverpool.