The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-01-08


States would become desert, and our
eastern brethren might set out on new
pilgrimage, and retire into some wilder
ness where the littleness of man had not
been striving against the providence Of
God.
But itmay be said that the advocates
OF home market and domestic supplies
only wish to apply their doctrines to par-r
iicaar branches of our foreign trade, and
do not intend to destroy it altogether.
They consider it especially desirable to
s@idea home market for the immense
anioaift, of cotton which is exported to
other countries, and to employ our own
citizens in manufacturing such articles as
are now received in return for it. 1t
would then be found, that in getting rid
of one difficulty, we should encounter
another, for instead of exporting the raw
material, we should be Obliged to depend
on foreign markets for the sale of it in a
new form; and whether our exports con-
sisted Of manufactures or agricultural pro-
duce, we should be compelled to receive
foreign productions i'll leturn; and it might
still I've said, that we were encouraging
the industry 81 other nations, and ne
glecting the interests Of our own citizens.
The present state of ourloreign relations
points out tho onl y object which ought to
be kept IN view in laying duties and i'm
ports; and that is to provide revenue for
the defence OF the country. The greatest
amount OF revenue is derived from mod
crate duties, which neither give encour-
agement TO smuggling, nor materially di-
minlsh the consumption of the articles on
which they are laid. The hope is still
entertained that the questions in dispute
between the United States aud Great Brit
ain may be amicably adjusted; and that
there will be no serious interruption of
the commercial intercourse and friendly
relations which are of so much impor-
lance to both nations. But the grounds
OF controversy arc becoming so numerous
and complicated, that it is impossible to
tell how soon different state of things
may arsse; and i! is therefore the wiscst
course to make preparations for defence,
not with aHtew of bringing on hoslIities
with any Power, but TO meet aggression
from whatever quarter it may come.
Hitherto, we iiave trusted too much to
the justice and moderation of other 90
vernments, and even now, while dangers
appear to be thickening around us, we
are forming home leagues, not 10 repel
foreign INVASION, but to raise the price cf
domestic goods; and the Congress of the
United States, having already relinqushed
the proceeds Of the public lands which
might have been applied to purposes of
defence, are debating whether Il bill shall
be brought in for impairing the revenue
from imposts, to enable the propretors of
iron-Goundaries, salt-works, and manufac-
turing establishments TO make large pro-
fit on their investments
Measures of defence against naval
power are perhaps Of more Importance to
| Maryland than to any other State in the
Union. A hostile fleet having possession
of the Chesapeake Bay, might cut off the
whole of our trade, destroy our villages,
and lay waste large portion of the
State. 1t would be impossible to guard
every par! Of our shores, and while our
forces were preparing to defend some par
ticular spot, the enemy might land in
different direction, p,undera whole neigh
borhood, and return in safety to their
ships. The injury would not be confn-
cd to Maryland, or to the States border
ing on the Chesapeake. The inland trade
between the northern and southern States
would be interrupted, the produce of
large portion of the country would be de-
prlved of its most convenient outlet, the
militia of the neighbouring States would
be continually called from their homes,
and the enemy, after drawing the atten-
ton Of the government from other points,
might make an unexpected attack in some
distant quarter of the Union. This is not
merely a supposition of what may posi-
bly, happen, but description Of what ac-
tuaIly occurred during the last war.
These evils, and the disgrace attending
them, may be avoided by having, in adj
dilion to our regular naval force, sufli-
cient number of steam lriga,es to guard
the Chesapeake Bay. In case Of war, they
might be stationed in Hampton Roads,
where they would be ready to meet an
enemy at the capes, or assist in defending
the Notifications at Old Point. They
might follow superior fleet, if their own
force was greater than that of the steam
vessels which accompanied it, might
watch lis movements, prevent it from
landing troops or ascending our rivers,
4 and cut off its communication with the
sea. But the probability is, that feet
would not advance far into the bay, or at
tempt to occupy permanent position in
our waters, while we had strong dis
possible force to check its operations and
take advantage of any accident or disas-
ter that might befall it. In calling the at
tention OF the Legislature to this subject,