The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-03
From the Mercantile Journal.

OUR NAVY.
Mr.. EpIToR-I lately gave several reasons why the
ships Of war on the stocks, should be launched
and fitted Immediately for sea- will now add an
other which must be obvious to every observing
mind.
Our seaboard is totally defenceless, and in the alb
of Notifications, have reliance but on our
naval forces. The State of Maine is more exposed
in case of war withtGreat Britain, than any other
State in the Union, having Canada along her whole
northern line-New Brunswick on the eastern and
an extent of nearly 800 miles of seaboard destitute
of almost the shadow of fertilization, and having
harbors accessible to ships Of than any other
State in the Union-and where more than double the
tonnage of merchant vessels annually built than
in any other State. Surely the exposed condition OF
Maine requires some consideration.
1t is a well known fact, that in two with Eng
land the enemy have taken possession of the harbor
Of Casino and of all Penobscot Bay-decidedly the
best Of war harbor in the United States and ex
ercising great influence the whole coast OF
Maine, New Hampshire, and Observation-Disclosures
where two-hrds more of the tonnage of the Union
is owned.
Now, as our Government have never made an Ell
fort to ortity this port, there is other way TO pro-
tec it but to put those ships now on the stocks aoat
without delay, and have them fitted for serylce-ths
would prove an obstacle, at least, to enemy who
might feel disposed to occupy this position at
ly period of war, and give us time to erect fortfca-
tions. A naval force being movable power, would
also, if circumstances required it, be able to defend
any other assailable point. Indeed, this movement
is wanted now for the defence of our own and per-
haps other large cities-for here believe there is
not one gun mounted for our defcnce-and at this
moment there is not, 10 my knowledge, port our
whole coast that is not exposed to an immediate at
tack from war steamers, in war should sud
denly take place
good movement has commenced under our
present Administration, for the building of war
steamers for the protection of our large bays and
rivers and we shall stand in need of some of these
vessels along our seaboard but | am far from be-
lievng that maritime is to be carried on hereaf-
ter, solely by these vessels. We want another class
of ships for this purpose, such our Navy is now
without. And trust long to the keels Of 10
or IL of these vessels laid, and soon completed
mean GO gun ships on two decks sufficiently large to
carry metal Of the largest caibre that machinery and
manual labor can exercise and manage TO advantage
These ships will require less dimensions than the
Pennsy lvania, and will draw less water OIL cfu"o
fewer men to man the,, atu uley VIII san faster
Indeed the Pennsylvania would doubtless be a much
more efficient vessel, if of her decks should be
taken off, and her armament reduced to about Sc
guns, with larger calibre Guns for shell firing can
then be introduced to advantage, and scientific prn-
ciples relating to this subject established by expert
ment, and, in of war, trust to advantage.
Mn