The Arkansas banner., 1845-05-14
WAR STEAMERS IN ENGLAND

SefVant' (olgned,) C. JOHNSON,
 ?. II General.
 WAR STEAMERS IN ENGLAND.
 Let us see what is the position of England m the important matter of steam navigation That country, which is the only one that pre- cedes us Tn commerce, in some of the branch es o which we are even her superior, that proud and naughty nation with whom the 1 prospect of collision grows less distant every day, as we oppose to her oligarchical government and institutions, made for the ex- elusive benefit ofa class-to the grasping am- bltlon for the acquisition of more territory ito her shameful spoliations of nations weaker than herself-and to the interest which she has to prevent the development oi the resources of this republic in particular the gradual but sure advance of our popula- ton Tn numbers, of our land in its terriloral limits, and the dissemination of our republican principles of self government, all antagonistie and striking at the very existence of the Br- ish monarchy.
 During the past year, (1844,) the number of sailing line of battle ships in the British navy was reduced from fourteen to seven, sta toned as follows :-three in the Mediterrane- an, one in the Pacific, one in China, one in the West Indies and North America. They were principally ships wearing the flag of the admiral commanding the station. At the same time that power possessed one hundred and twenty-five war steamers U seyen:y-sev- en of which were fit for immediate service, armed and equipped for sea- She had actu- ally in foreign service of these, As, viz 10 in the Mediterranean, on the coast of Africa, l2 on the coast of Ireland, , on the North America and West India station, } in the South sea, and on hydrographical service. The remainder of the 77 were at the disposal of government for foreign missions or trans- ports for troops. This account does not in- clude other government steamers on the Canadian lakes, in the different colonial local services, or those of the East India company, and in addition to these a reserve was main taned; also, not included in the above esti- mate of77, eleven vessels laid upin ordinary, but equipped for sea.
 But even this immense force hardly com prises the half ofthe steam navy which Eng land can bring into a war. We must add to 1t two hundred steamers employed in pacific pursuits at present, but which ill few weeks could be transformed into vessels of war. In fact the government makes the stipulation that the steam packets, Sc. employed in the mercantile marine shall be puilt to answer ali the purposes of war, and in their construct ion this end has been chiefly attended to- They possess great sWiltness, large capacity for munitions and sea stores, fine accom- odations for troops, and their decks are ready as soon as the hurricane houses composing their cabins are swept awy, to receive the formidable artillery of heavy caIibre, now lying in grim. silence ill her AIajesty7s ordance depot at Woolwich. Look also al the man. ner in which England has gained the advan- age of us on our N Northern frontier, as well as the maritime coast. By ship canals con meeting the great lakes with the navigablC waters of the St. Lawrence, she can in a few weeks if necessary, cover the waters of those lakes with any amount of steamers of war introduced from the ocean! what could wC do to oppose them ? literally nothing, while flying from town to town, thls immense force making their appearance suddenly when ano where they were least expected, would raA- age, burn, destroy, and disappear.
 Thse facts, which might be still more en larged upon, 1t is believed, are suilicent tc show that our delences should be eSseatiaiil uaral in the west as well as at sea and in the Gulf of Mexico. As to invasion by an army marching into the interior, the character c our people, their being accustomed to tho use of fire arms, and the facility with whcl an army could be collected, forbid the pos sibiity of such an attempt being successful nor would an enemy endeayor to make sucl a demonstration if led by a sagacious general
 It must however be borne Tn mind that { squadron of l5 war steamers. in addition tf their own compliment of men, can transpor an army of 10000 men supplied with artillery and munitions of war.
 These would be abundantly sufficient fo the purposes of annoyance to our sea or lak' board, and could be embarked and disembar i ked with ease.
 Now the only way forus to ward fithes' attacks, and to be in state of readiness to of fer the shew of resistance, is to from stean navy,
 It should be mentioned that the Brltisl Ministry ask for an appropriation ol neaFi, i five millions of dollars this year which woui almost cover the expenses ofour whole nav for simple increase of the steam power C the royal navy to that amount-sN r. e3'
 From Me N 0. CoW1er
 THE PROSPECT.
 The Charleston Mercury is of opinion thi probably an extra session of Congress WI be called to meet the new aspect oi our rela lions with Great Britain, and intlmates thi