The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-29

The memorial was read by the Clerk.
The question was then put and the motion toprint
reconsldered.
The SPEAKER then resumed the call for petit
tons, which received and appropriately re
terred.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The SPEAKER announced the reports of commit
tees 10 be the next in order.
MIR. HOPKINS, fsom the Committee on the Post
Once, made report asking TO be discharged from
the further consideration OF some subject which was
MIR. CAMPBELL, Of S. c., offered resolution
abolishing Imprisonment for debt in the District OF
Columbia, which was appropriately referred
ORDERS OF THE DAY-rHE RESOLUTION OF MIR.
HALE IN RELATION TO THE NAVY.
Mr. HALE rose and said that he had but a few
words 10 say upon this subject and that was, al
though the present Chief Magistrate has reported
every thing in iourishng condition, and that eco
nomy had governed his Administration, yet he found
that the expenditures Of the Navy alone had greatly
exceeded under this Administration, that of the much
abused Administration of Mr.. Van Buren,, the ex-
penses Of which, in this branch of the service, was
greatly below the expenditures of this lie alluded
to the remarks of Mr.. C. J. Ingersoll on yes
terday, and referred sarcasticay to his new
idea of economy, which he Mr.. IngersolI] had
said should begin here before the Army and
Navy were touched. Sir, let US reach every branch
OF the public service, the Army and the Navy well
as every other department Of The Government. He
said that the Home Squadron was not wanted for the
purposes which Congress intended, and il was q use
less tax upon the people; and those for whom it
intended ridicule the idea of this Home Squadron
For the protection OF their interests Sir, the Navy
has for long time been the pet Of this Dation who
like spoiled child, had runaway with the patrmcny
of the nation but he not only for cutting off this
Home Squadron, but of the West India, tho Pacific,
and every other Squadron. 1t was perfectly ridicu-
ous for US to attempt to keep up these gorgeous
hnvvC nT nara mfr opd nIo thu fr,C
keeping pace with the monarches of the old world,
that our flag may float in every when people at
home ground down by system oftaxaton upon the
necessaries of life, to make this great national parade
at the expense of the laborng port of the country
whom he wanted to see elevated in the scale of i'm
portance. Sir, individually, (said Mr. H. | am not
hostile to the interests of the Navy, because he had
near and dear relatives who held commissions in the
Navy, but his duty to his constituents paramount
10 every other consideration.
Mr.. j. r. INGERSOLL said he was bound to say
in candor and sincerity that the report of the Sccre
tary OF the Navy, was drawn up with great industry
and unsurpassed ability. He felt himself bound to
say this, although he was politically opposed to him,
and had not even the pleasure of personal acquan
tance but he did say that he had read the report of
the Secretary of the Navy with pride and pleasure.
Sir, (sad Mr.. H. he had traversed from the
Banks of New Foundland to the river Amazon, and
pointed out to the country the manner Ia which the
Navy had been employed in protecting the various
interests which had been designated by Congress
and that, instead of the Home Squadron, as S me
gentlemen supposed, had been merely employed on
the coast, it had traversed every where there
was American commerce, giving ample and ade- |
quate protection to this vast interest of the country
and in which the North deeply nterested-it had
traversed the West India in search of pirates,
giving security to the hardy and enterprisng mariner
who engaged in extending commerce in !
those SEAS guaranteeing to them that ample protec
ton would be extended in all cases to the rights of
the American citizen which Congress intended in es-
tabshng the Navy-gradually increasing it the
commerce and the country demanded he ex-
treme sorry TO that his honorable and venerable
friend from Mass Mr. Adams) had raised his voice
against the right arm Of the Nations defence
which caused his heart 10 sink within him, from the
fact that his experience and judgment subjects Of
such importance were looked TO with that respect
which his character and position demanded but stern
justice to the gallant Navy, the pride and boast Of his
country-not only his own country, but of the whole
word-whose heI ole deeds not only familiar
to the civilized world, but TO the sem-barbarian
compelled him to dissent from the views Of his
rabe friend, in cutting down the Navy at this-one
of the most critical periods OF our national history
Sir, (sad Mr.. } is there a member this floor
who does not to tho events of the last with
Eng and whose naval power is unsurpassed by any
other nation, with the pride of American freeman
6, it is the haPpiest retrospection OF my lile lie
referred to IT with pride, and il is the policy
that could be pursued by this Government to
paralyze its energies, to which alone the coun-
Try look for that adequate support and prot,
in time of war. This miserable policy of cutting
down Regiment Of dragons one year and remount-
ing it the next was suicidal in its conception, and
should not be tolerated in wise system of legsla-
ton The Army was not too large, as had been as
serted by his venerable friend from Massachusetts
it is only in name compared to those Of other ma
lions, aud il should be gradually increased, the
country increased in population, territory, and
wealth, 10 give adequate protection TO seacoas and
frontier settlers. he in favor Of economy, and
much so as any other gentleman on this foor, but
the Army and the Navy not the place to begin.
Sir let the attention of Congress be turned TO the
proper application of the money appropriated and in
| this grea. deal might be saved in the
way Of economy, but he did object TO this
cutting down and tearing-up system intro
duced here under the mantle of retrenchment
and reform. Sir, if the ships afoat housed,
what would result 10 the Government in tn way:
Not one cent The ships would lie idle, and the
officers would be without employment drawing their
pay, and thus the country would in the long rum be
greatly the loser. The true policy of the Govern
ment was, TO keep their ships aoat and the officers
employed, as nursery III case Of war. In thus cut
ting down the Navy, the commerce of the country
might fall prey TO the lawess freebooter that infes
every quarter of the globe. This would not be
economy but a legislative blunder, in MISLEADING the
true policy Of the country for that Of economy He
complimented the Secretary Of the Navy for bs
tery report, and called upon gentlemen TO read at
tentively before laundering their anathemas at it, Ii
was worthy OF the source from whence 1t emanated !;
and he glad that he had discussed the subject of
the Navy so fully and ably lie alluded 10 an snec-
dote which told him by distinguished officer Of
the Navy, who formerly belonged TO the Navy
Board, which occurred board Of the U. s. rigato
United States, commanded by the gallant Decatur,
with thrilling effect. Ii was that tue British
surprised after coming board of the United States
as prisoners of war, that they had been captured by
ship inferior in numbers to which Decatur repli-
ed, that IT was to his superior gunnery, and his
crew being freemen, animated with love of coun-
try SIR, nothing in modern or ancient W arlarc
eclipe this brilliant and truly patriotic sentiment
pressed by the gallant Decatur now more. Sir,
! the American Navy Is tue boast Of the world, and
the pride OF the natoni and he hoped the spirit
manifested in this debate will be turned in differ
ent direction, and let the Navy go increasing graz
duay with the wants OF the country as was intended
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