The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-18
From The United States Gaelic.
THE NAVY.


We call attention to the suggestions of the Secre
tary Of the Navy, for increased force to protect
our interests at hazard in the Pacific ocean.
The cruising ground Of the squadron extends over
an immense space. Our commercial interests are Of
vast Importance; and without exceptions, our naval
commanders have found their squadron entirely mad
equae suitably to protect their interests. The Paci
fc islands require-much more frequently than is
practicable-the presence OF a United States ship.
The period requisite for ship TO visit those islands
from the contnent--three to four months-renders
it always announcement and often impossible to spare
vessel from the squadron upon that very important
service. The continued unsettled condition Of the
Governments bordering upon the coast, renders the
presence OF the whole squadron Indispensable to the
protection Of our interests there, This IS The con
current testimony of every naval officer who has
commanded in that sea.
Among the largest and most important interests at
stake in that quarter, is that of whale fisheries
The cruising grounds of our whalers are all remote
from the continent, and their rendezvous is usually
at some Of the groups of islands. AT this critical.
juncture, indeed II has been heretofore this vast
and important branch OF our commercial marine
this splendid nursery of seanen-is entirely without
protection.
The propriey of having squadron IN the Pacific
is admitted by the fact that is sent there's wisdom
and policy dictate that when Government under
takes the maintenance and protection Of great
liona interest that it should be done electua!y
cause any thing short Of adequate protection tal3 OF
the end devised, and puts the nation 70 great and
useless expense.
The commerce of the Pacific is source Of great
wealth and convenience this country 1t affords
large and profitable outlet for produce and manu-
features, and gives employment to large number OF
sips. II enables our tars TO reap from the sea- as do
farmers from the SOIL rich harvest tor their IA
Dor and while thus gathering wealth for Themselves
and providing for the comfort and convenience OF the
nation they at the time rendering themselves
the most efficient defenders of then country II is
this invaluable interest doubly valuable which loudly
and most Justly calls for protection, for IN tnrn they
will protect their protectors these hardy men who
pursue with such untring zeal and sasacy the icNla
thans of the Deep will hunt with equal courage and
ardo the foes Of their country If therefore this great
interest is entitled 10 protec NJ (and who VIII question
its rght il should not be mere mockety, II should
be protection real and entire; and let Us say to econo
msts that in protecting them we are IN t1ct only pro-
tccting ourselves.
Great care is taken and very gleat expense incurred
in manufacturing and in preserving arms and aumu-
milton our rigid economists vote cheetully Tor al
these appropriations. Let us tell them that II IS an
matter TO make or to purchase arms ana ammu-
and even to build forts-hut IT Is not an easy
matter to build up splendid commercial marine, and
that all the and ammunition IN the country are
not worthy OF thought when comparea with our M
teress which float upon the sea. And yet countless
| thousands layshed upon the one, whrte stinted
appropriations doed out to the other with all the
reluctance of penury to unworthlness. Besides,
mere matter Of dollars and cents, efficient rotec
ton to interests in the Pacific would enable
enterprise to secure a tourshlng commerce, me
value of which to the nation would amply repay The
| expense ofprotecton.
There is another view connected with this subject
to which, now shall barely advert 1t Is this
The time is at hand when the United States should
assert and maintain her right to the Oregon Terri
tory, and unless the wise and patriotic suggestion OF
the Secretary be adopted, we shall present the con
TEN ptible spectacle of powerful nation, assuming
a position she may not be able to maintain through
the culpabe negligence of Congress In providing
suitable means. These the suggestions of com
mon The interests of our citizens are at stake,
and independently of the right OF lour citizens to de
mand irem the hands of Government complete and
electua projections to prevent the fruits OF the indus
try and enterprise of citizens from becoming the
spols of enemies, and thereby enfeebing US as 1t
cur in the views of this subject expressed in the report