Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-01-11
From the Ne1n- York Tribune.

Is very long and elaborate. Ii occupies above
seven columns of the elligencer, and gives full
and detailed account of the condition of our Navy
and many suggestions and recommendations as to
its increase. OF course we can say but little con-
corning it to-day; we shall merely note some of It's
prominent points.
The Secretary recommends an increase of the
vessels employed in suppressing the slave trade on
the coast OF Africa revision of the laws and
regulation OF the servlce,-the reorganization of the
Navy department by increasing the number OF
clerks and In other ways and the rapid increase OF
the Navy as fast It's means will admit. With
reference to this latter recommendation make
from the report the following interesting extract
A between the United States and any con-
siderable maritime Power would not be conducted
at this day it would have been even twenty years
ago. 1t would be a war of incursions aiming at
revolution. The first blow would be struck at
through our Institutions No nation, it is presum-
ed, would expect to be successful over US for any
length OF tme IN a fair contest of arms upon our
sOll and no sCise nation would attempt it. A
more promising eXpedlent would be sought, in
raging what are supposed to be the hostile elements
OF our social system against one another. An enc
my so disposed, and free to land upon any part OF
soil which NIGH promise success to his enter
PRISE would be armed with a four-fold power of
annoyance. OF the ultimate result of such incur
SONS, we have no reason to be afraid; but, even IN
the best event, war upon our own soil would be the
more expensive, the more embarrassing, and the
more horrible In It's effects by compelling the
same time TO oppose enemy IN the field and to
guard against attempts to subvert our social sys-
TENS.
Heretofore we have found in the shaowness of
many OF our waters security, to a certain extent,
against invasion by sea. SO long as maratime wars
conducted In vessels of large size and great
draft we had little to apprehend from them except
at a few points, and these susceptible of ade-
quate defence on land. But this security can no
longer be relied on. The application of steam
power to vessels of war, and the improvements
which have recently been made in artillery,
destined to change the whole system of maritime
Steamboats, of light draft, and which may
easily be transported the In vessels of
a larger class, may invade us at almost any point
of our extended coast, may penetrate the interior
through our shallow rivers, and thus expose half
our country to hostile attacks. The celebrity with
which these movements could be made the facility
with which they could change the point of attack,
would enable enemy, with comparatively small
force. to harass our whole seaboard, and to carry
all the horrors of war into the secure retreats of
our people. The effect of these incursions would
be terrible everywhere, but in the southern portion
of our country they might, and probably would, be
disastrous in the extreme.
1t is obvious that a war thus conducted must be
successful to very great extent, In spite of all the
defences on land which we could contrive. Moth
to a military garrison could protect us against it
Such is the exposed condition of our country, such
the character OF institutions and such the posi-
ton of people, that population of twice our
present number, under the best possit military
organization, would avail us but little. Whilst the
combined Powers of the world could hot subdue u.s.
even a secondary naval Power could avoid our land
defcnces, our armies defiance, and prosecute
against us a war intolerably harassng and disas--
trous.
The single question, then, which we have to de-
eide, In reference to this subject is, where and by
whom shall those battles be fought, which may
hereafter become necessary in defence of our pro-
perry our institutions, our honor, and our lives!-
Shall we meet the enemy upon the ocean, with
men trained and disciplined for the contest, or suf-
fer hun to land upon shores, trusting a
tered and harassed people to expe him from their
farms and their firesides! This question admits of
but one answer. But it is worse than idle to sup
pose that all those high interests to which have
alluded can be adequately protected by our present
naval force. Four thousand miles of exposed sea
and lake coast, foreign commerce scattered thrO'
the most distant seas, and domestic trade exposed
alike upon the ocean and upon interior waters,
are, In effect surrendered to the enemy, when they
entrusted to the protection OF twenty ships
In commission.
If these views be not altogether deceptive, the
policy of increasing our Navy, without further de-
lay, is obvious. HOW far 1t shall be increased,
the wisdom of Congress will decide. Looking to
it as the chief, if the only adequate defence of
our country against those wars of incursion from
which so much evil Is to be apprehended, respect
fully suggest that cannot safely stop short OF half
the naval force of the strongest maritime Power in
the world. Our policy Is peace, and we do not
propose to ourselves war OF aggression IN any
case, except so far as may be necessary as meas
ure of defence 1t is not probable that any nation
could detach from other service more than
L
our own coast; so that after deductlng such part
of our force could not employ at all, and such
part as we should be compelled to employ else
where, we might reasonably hope to repel from our
shores any maritime Power with only haflts force
in ships. With less than this, fleets would only
serve to swell the triumphs and feed the cupldty of
our enemy. 1t is better to have none at all than to
| have less than enough | am aware that this great
increase of our naval power cannot be effected IN
anv short time. | propose 1t only the object at
which our policy ght to aim, and towards the at
! tainment of which your measures ought to be
steadily directed. An annual appropriation, as
i liberal the means of the Treasury will in few
years accomplish all that is desirable.
The Secretary thinks that no new line of battle
ships are needed, but recommends large addition
to our frgates of the first class. He urges also the
/ establishment of higher grades in the service, and
the creation of the rank of Admiral. The Marine
Corps, he thinks, should also be increased. He
suggests the proprely OF establishing a Naval
School-of revising the laws for the government OF
the Marine Corps, and asks appropriations to sup
port the Squadrons.
The Navy of the United States is composed OIL
eleven ships of the line-hfteen rigates of the first
class-two trigates of the second class-eighteen
sloops of war--two brigs and four schooners-toul
steamers-besides three store ships, three vessel:
used receiving vessels, and five small schooners
WAR STEAM VEssELs.-We learn from the las
number of the Army and Navy Chronicle, that In
structions have been issued for building the follow
| ing vessels: at Norfolk, one of medium size, say
between 600 and 700 and one of 800 tons, to bt
propelled by Lieut. Hunters paddle wheels. A