The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-28

The memorial was read by the Clerk.
The question was then put aud the motion 10 print
was reconsidered.'
The SPEAKER then resumed the call for petit
lions, which were received and appropriately re.
ferrcd
REPORTS or COMMITTEES.
The SPEAKER announced the reports Of commit
tees 10 be the next in order.
Mr. HOPKINS, from the Committee on the Post
Once, made report asking TO be discharged from
the further consideration of some subject which was
naudbe.
Mr., CAMPBELL, of s. c., offered resolution
abolshing imprisonment for debt in the District Of
|oiu'hoia, when was appropriately referred.
ORDERS OF THE DAy-rHE RESOLUTION OF Mr..
HALE IN RELATION TO THE NAVY.
MIR. HALE rose and said that he had but a few
words to say upon this subject, aud that was, al
though the present Chief Magistrate has reported
every thing In lourishng condition. aud 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
abusedd Administration of Mr.. Van Buren,, the ex.
pen'es OF which, in this branch Of the service was
greatly below the expenditures of this. He alluded
TO the remarks Of Mr. G. j. Ingersoll on yes.
terday, and referred sarcasically to his new
idea Of economy, which he Mr. lngersol had
said should begin here before the Army and
Navy was touched. Sir, let us reach every branch
W TUG puulC the Army unn Tue Navy
well as every other OF the public service. He
said that the Home Squadron was wanted for the
purposes which Congress intended and il was usu-
less tax upon the people; and those for whom wss
intended ridcule the idea of this Home Squadron
for the protection OF their Interests. Sir, the Navy
has for long time been the pet of this nation who
like spoiled child had runaway with the patrimony
Of the nation but he only for cutting of this
Home Squadron, but of the West India the Pacific,
and every other squadron. 1t was perfectly rd,cu-
lous for us to attempt to keep up these gorgeous
shows OF pageantry aud pomp, under the pretext Of
keeping pace with the monarches of the old world,
that flag may float in every sea, when people at
home ground down by stem OF taxation upon the
necessaIics of life, TO make this great national parade
at the expense of the laborng portion of the country
whom he wanted to elevated in the scale of I'M
portapce. Sir, individually, (sad Mr.. ~ am not
hostile TO the interests OF the Navy because lac had
near and dear relatives who held commissions IN the
Navy but his duty TO his constituents paramount
TO every other consideration.
Mr. J. IL. lNGERSOLL said he was bound to say
in candor and sincerity that the report Of the Secre.
tary OF the Navy, was drawn up with great industry
and unsurpassed ability. He felt himself bound to
say this, although he politically opposed to him.
and had not even the pleasure OF personal acquain-
lance, but he did say that he had read the report Of
the Secretary of the Navy with pride and pleasure
Sir, (said MIR. ~ 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 b, Congress !;
and that Instead of the Home Squadron, as IS me
gentlemen supposed, had been merely employed on
the coast 1t had trayersed every sea where there
was American commerce. giving ample and ade-
quae protection to this vast interest of the country
and in which the North was deeply nteresed--it had
traversed the West India seas IN search of pirates
giving security to the hardy and euerprising mariner
who was engaged IN extending our commerce in
those seas guaranteeing to them that ample protec
ton would be extended in all TO the rights of
the American citizen, which Congress intended in es-
tablishIng the Navy-gradualiy increasing it as the
commerce and the country demanded. lie was ex-
tremey sorry 10 that his honorable and venerable
friend from Mass Mr. Adams had raised his voice
against the right 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
couniry-not only his own country, but OF the whole
world-whose he ole deeds were not only familiar
to the civilized world, but to the semi-barbaran
compelled him TO dissent from the views Of his vene-
rable friend, IN cutting down the Navy at this-one
of the most critical periods OF national history.
Sir, (said Mr. | y is there member on this floor
who doe, not TO the events of the last with
Eng and, whose naval power is unsurpassed by any
other nation, with the pride OF an American freeman
Sir, II Is the happest retrospection OF my lie. He
referred to IT with pride, and 1t is the policy
that could be pursued by this Government 10
paralyze It's energies, TO which alone the coun-
Try look for that adequate support and protection
IN time Of war. Tins miserable policy of cutting
down Regiment of dragons one year and remount-
ing It the next was suicidal IN It's conception, and
should not be tolerated IN Wise system Of egisla-
ton The Army was not too large, as had been as.
serted by his venerable friend from massachusetts,
il is only in compared 10 those OF other ma.
lions, aud IT should be gradually increased, the
country increased ~ population, territory, and
wealth, 10 give adequate protection 10 seacoss and
frontier settlers. lie was in favor of economy, aud
much as any other gentleman on this floor, but
the Army aud the Navy was not the place TO begin.
Sir, let the attention of Congress be turned 10 the
proper application OF the money appropriated, and in
this gr,a. deal might be saved in the
way OF economy, but he did object to this
cutting down and teariug-up system intro
duced here under the mantle of rerenchment
aud reform. Sir, II the ships alost housed,
what would result TO the Government in tn way
Not one cent The ships would lie Idle, and The
officers would be without employ ment drawing their
pay and thus the country would, IN The long run be
greatly the loser. The true policy Of the Govern
ment was TO keep their ships atlost aud the officers
employed as nursery IN case VI war. In thus cut
ting down the Navy, The commerce Of the country
might fall prey 10 the awless freebooter that infest
every quarter of the globe. This would not be
economy, bat legislative blunder, in misaking the
true policy Of the country for that Of economy. lie
complimcnted the Secretary Of the Navy for his
tery report, and called upon gentlemen TO read Il at
tentiyely before laundering their anathemas at it, 1t
was worthy of the source from whence II emanated
and he glad that he had discussed the subject Of
the Navy SO fully and ably. lie alluded to anec-
dote which was told him by distinguished officer Of
the Navy, who formerly belonged to the Navy
Board, which occurred on board OF the L. ). irgato
United States, commanded by the gallant Decatur,
with thrilling effect. II was that the 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 repll-
ed, " that II was to his superior gunnery and his
crew being frcemen animated with love Of coun-
try Sir, nothing inmodern or ancient warfare
eclpe this brilliant and truly patriotic sentiment cx.
pressed by the gallant Decatur, now more. Sir,
The American NAVY IL tie hnasi Of the world and