Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-03-31
BRITISH STEAMERS.

The following communication from ih'
Richmond Enquirer, presents number Q
considerations which are Of too great I'm
portance to be overlooked. There IS SONS
difference in having line Of British steam
ers running directly from our ports 4
British ports, and in allowing them 10 keel
up a regular communication along oui
coast. and between our seaboard Giles
These steamers can be commanded only
bv officers OF the British Navy, and are
supported by the British Government.---
The propristors are under special coairacr
to receive ornaments on board, and de.
liver them up to the Admiralty whenever
their services shall. be required as vessels
of war.
We should think that steam commu-
uicaiion between our Atlantic cities, and
the means Of supporting il, might be found
in the United States, without committing
il 10 Great Britain.
1T appears from public papers, that at
meetings Of citizens Of Savannah, Charles.
ton, Norfolk and New York, invitations
have been given to the steam packet ply
ing between Great Britain and the West
Indies, to touch al these ports going and
returning, and that Mr.. Forward, Score
iary of the Treasury in reply TO letter
from Mr.. Buchanan, the British CONSUL
General at New York, says, there IS moth.
ing in the existing laws to prevent these
steamers taking letters and passengers be-
tween the points on our coast at which
they touch.
If the existing laws are defective on
this subject it is to be hoped they will
speedily be corrected by additional legls
lation. Is it possible that our country
men, especially of the South, can have SO
little foresight as not to perceive, that 10
fostering this line Of steam packets, they
are doing every thing in their power to
nourish and support a powerful weapon OF
offence on the part of England in the
event of war with the United States;
and at the same time that they are weak
enng the lines of coast railroad, on which,
in the same con, urgency, we must mainly
rely for the transportation Of troops and
munitions Of war, for defence and protec-
ton? 1t really must be amusing to Lord
A berdeen, to find us so dull of percep-
ton, as to be willing that British war
steamers, built expressly for The contingen'
GU of ,car Nth America, and command
ed by officers OF the Royal Navy, who
will of course profit by the opportunity TO
make themselves intimately acquainted
with the soundings OF our coasts and har.
bors, are allowed to enter our ports. and
to transpor, regularly our mails and pas
sengers.
The object Of the above remarks is
mel civ to attract attention to matter
which seems so far most unaccountably
10 have escaped observation and remark.
1t is impossible, if properly weighed, that
any portion oil our countrymen can be
willing 10 incur the hazard of cteaslng
the power Of England TO injuFe AMI de.
yastate every par, Of our coast, IN The pos
sible, and not improbable contingency OF
an early struggle with her.
You are no doubt aware of the Fact,
that the steamers in question are support.
ed by large contribution annually made
by the British government, ION condition
that they shall be built of adequate
strength for war vessels; that they shall
BE- commanded by British naval cfficers,
md placed under the control of the British
Government in the event of u war