The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-12
NATIONAL DEFENCES.

We made some observations in our last ID
per, on the necessity of immediate action u
Congress, in relation to the recommendation
made by the Secretary Of War and the Secrl
tary of the Navy, urging the Importance of prd
visions for the defence of our extended sea
board and lake frontier, in case of actual hosti
lies breaking out between this country and Grea
Britain We have no knowledge to warrant
in asserting that there is positive probabt
of war-we only know what all the COUNT
knows, that there are many topics of no rey
friendly negotiation between the two countrs,
and which superinduce the supposiion that a
collision is not Immediately probable, it ars
the aspect Of being possible at period nofery
remote. Whatever may be our hopes ar our
wishes-our duty is obyious-to redf to
practice at once and energeticay, thesson
which the approximation Of danger shop teach
us OIL being prepared for the worst consgency.
If an enemy should suddenly pouncepon US
now, we know that we are not fullNrepared
for him. AT our most important harbq where
the channels will admit vessels Of theAeavIest
draught, the Notifications are either BIT com
pleted, or are not supplied with their Appropriate
armament. For the defence of pointless as
saable by heavy force, we have n, means
whatever provided.
The two Secretaries, whose appropriate func-
ton it is to examine and recommend pans Of.
offence and defence, appear to have eiecuted
the duties assigned TO them with commmdabIc
sedulity. Congress has been informed ~ them
| of the wants of their respective brsnche of the
service, for the accomplishment of the great end
of securing a country with frontier so extended
as ours, from the incursions of an enemy-and
the action Of that body is all that is wancd for
an active prosecution Of the plans that have been
suggested. That it is time for Congress 10
act promptly, no one doubts. The questions Il
dispute with England are multifarious The
settlement of one point might not be difficult,
but when the mantle of Cancellation is to be ex
tended, TO cover such multitude of differences,
1t may be found too scant for the purpose. The
probability of war is therefore increased by.
the variety of the questions in dispute: and
If 1t were not, we should suffer the stmulant oil
excitement TO drive us to the immediate per
spirit of inacton and incidence has left it undone
for years. In peace we ought to prepare for
war-when war is menaced, our activity should
be redoubled And yet what is the spectacle
we behold in Congress A frutless disqusiton
on questions or order-at the very moment when
prompt action is required. With the most in
portant points of our country left unguarded, and
the absolute necessity Of immediate apnropF
tons to put them in a state of defence, we lind
week after week trihed away in frivolous de-
bates-and the most important interests OF ,At
country neglected, that honorable gentlemen
may indulge in pointless sarcasms or unmean
ing wit-or display their acuteness in spliung
hairs on points or order.
| If we peruse the report Of the Chief Engl'
neer we shall find that a large proportion Of the
Notifications necessary for the security OF unlir
portant points on the coast, are yet incomplete,
or at all events without armament What is
now wanted The action of Congress. What
stimulant can produce it 2 If no pressing want
gives it an impulse Congress seems almo.i
an inert mass--even with all the motives new
pressing on il for promptitude, TO rouse II iron.
lis sluggishness, seems almost impossible.
The largest city in immediate proximity ~
the Capitol has been left almost defencelcss
No immediate probability of an aggfessloh
from foreign enemy, should seem ncccs'as
Iry 10 have prompted measures for tbr im
per fertilization Of city like Baltimore
city 50 important, so exposed, and Il " Y
the Capitol should have attracted thr
terng care of Congress. A system ar
defence was projected long ago BY the r 4"
of Engneers-and what has yet been aa.
rized by the Legislature How I, tina