The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-12

OUR NAVY.

Much has been recently said in the various news
papers of our country concerning the Navy, and we
glad to perceive prevalent spirit in favor Of 1t
That favorable spirit should not be left to subsde
without effect It is the spirit of the people, and
should be proclaimed by every public organ through
out the land. The public servants should be made
to recognise this spirit, the imboded wishes OF
their constituents and the press should not cease to
remind them of it until they act in accordance The
people expressly desire efficient naval force, and
they expect their representatives 10 determine, and
provide for, what shall be efficient force to pro-
tect the maritime interests OF the country Upon
this point upon the financial provisions OF the Go
vernment, the expectations Of the people held in
suspense.
With an exposed sea and lake coast of four thou
sand miles, have at this time a commerce extend
ing to every port in the world which exposes ahoat
upon the earths wide waters $500 900 900 worth of
American property and seventy thousand American
seamen. In case of sudden with any nation
strong in naval pow en- the question arises is
Wy now large enough to protect the maritime inte-
rests Of the country! If il is not-which none DENY
1t should be made So be sold more liberal ma
ton. 1t has been wisely said of our navy, by the
distinguished head of that Department " 1t is better
to have none at ALL than to have less than enough
With less, our fleets would serve only to swell the
triumphs and feed the cupidity of an enemy.n
Admitting that is best to have increase of the
navy in case OF war, will it then be urged or pre-
tended that, WI en- the emergency comes there will
be time enough to enlarge and strengthen it? In
penoent only upon seamanship and bravery. Off
cannot now the earlier days of our history
be found in the merchant service, ready at once to
take war-ship into battle against an enemy with
officers and men well trained in gunnery, discipline,
and naval tactics. Merchant ships are not now rea-
oily found suitable for the naval service having great
strength with capacity and speed able to contend
with modern frigate, or to run down and take
even an armed sloop. What then can we depend
upon for naval efficiency if do not increase the
nav md odnr ata FINN, haro fofrr
for the purpose, unless expect to rely, vain
y did before the last war; upon the forbearance and
tender mercies Of powerful rivals on the ocean
The country may be told by politicians, who
clamorous for retrenchment, whether for partisan
purposes or from honest convictions it matters not
that the navy be increased sufficiently fast upon
the same sum which has been granted in years Just
past But it is shown in the Report of the Secretary
Of the Navy, that the sum appropriated last year,
would not have been enough to keep the present
number of ships and officers in active service. The
amount of means asked for the service by our dis
corning Secretary, is not even now half much
it might have been, if the navy had been regularly
increased from the time of the last war, in proper
ton to the resources of the country.
If with commerce employing one million tons of
shipping, could and did sustain six thousand men
in the naval service, we ought, at the ratio of
increase, when we have two millions one hundred
thousand tons OF shipping, employ at least twelve
thousand six hundred men in the navy. If we take
the increase of exports for the ratio should have
nearly the augmental. If take the increase
of population for ratio should have four
teen thousand six hundred men in the navy. If we
would proportion navy to that Of Great Britain,
in the ratio which our commerce bears to hers we
should have forty thousand in the naval service
or, if take France guide, in the same pro-
portion, we should have fifty thousand in the navy.
Now, mark and say ii our worthy Secretary has not
even been prudent, when he only asks for means
this year, far to increase the Navy as to employ
about nine thousand six hundred in the service
Will the legislators who soon to act upon the
question: refuse the for this very moderate in
crease, which ought to have been added annually for
the last five years. Will they refuse to sustain the
urgent efforts of the Secretary of the Navy for the
honor and safety of the country, because fo sooh it
may cost the people, upon average, ten twelve
cents per head more than it cost last year, If they
can decide thus, without feeling the deepest shame,
their constituents will blush for them and send them
others back perchance too late to repair the wrong
and retrieve their credit