Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-12-17

the Executive to do justice TO them respect
ively, and TO put an end, If possible, TO the
d;ssensions which have long prevailed, and
still prevail. among them.
refer you to the report of the Secretary
Of the Navy for the present condition OF tha'
branch of the national defence; and Tor grave
suggestions, having for their Office. the IN
crease Of its efficiency, and greater econo-
nv in its management. During the past year
the officers and men have performed theiT
duty in a satisfactory manner. The orders
which have been given, have been executed
with oromptness and fidelity. y larger fo:ce
than has often formed one squadron under our
flag was readily concentrated IN the Guii o.
Mexico. and, apparently, without unusual
effort. II IS especially TO be Observed that,
notwithstanding the union Of Sd considerable
Z force. no act was committed that even the
jealousy Of an irritated power could cons'rue
% an act Of aggression; and that the cofnman
der of the squadron, and his officers, in strict
conformity with their instructions, holding
themselves ever ready for the most active
duty, have achieved the still purer glory OF
contributing to the preservation OF peace
1t IS believed that at all our fore On stations
the honor Of our flag has been maintained,
and that, generally, our ships Of war have
been distinguished for their good discipline
and order. ] am happy to add, that the DIS
NAV Of maratime force which was required
by the events OF the summer, has been mace
wholly within the usual appropriations tor
the service Of the year, Sc that no ADDITIONAL
appropriations
il the navigating interest, have steadily and rapidly
increased since the organization of our govern
rDept until, it is believed, VIC are now second to
but ono Power in tho world, and at no distant day
we shall probably DO inferior to none. Exposed
as they must be, il has been wise policy TO afford
1nfnro
ships of war distributed in tho great highways OF
trado throughout the world. For moro than
thir,v wears appropriations hive boon made, and
annually expended, for tho gradual increase OF
our naval forces. In peace our navy performs
the important duty Of protecting our commences;
and, in tho evont Of war, will be, as It has beon'
n most efficient mems of defence.
Tho successful use Of steam nav CATION on the
ocean has boon followed by tho introduction of
war.steamers in great and increasing numbers
into tho navics of the principal maritime Power,
of tho world. duo rognrd TO our own safety
and TO an efficient protection to our largo nnd m
creasing commerce demands a corresponding IN
crease on part. No country has greater
facilities for the construction Of vessels Of this
description than ours. or can promise itself great
er from their employment They are admirably
adapted to the protection OF our commerce. 20
tho RI Did transmission of intelligence, and TO the
coast defence. In pursuance OF the wiso pohcy
of q gradual increase Of our navy, large supplies
r.,
building, have been collected, and are now under
shelter and in a state of good preservation, while
iron steamers con be built with great facility IN
various parts of tho Union. The usc of iron as
q material, especially in tho construction OF
steamers which can enter with safety many OF
the harbors along our coast now inaccessible to
vessels Of greater druught, and the prncticablllty
of constructing them in the interior, strongly ro-
commends that liberal appropriations should be
made for this important object. Whatever may
have been our policy in the earlier stages of the
government when tho nation was in its infancy.
our shipping interests and commerce comparative
" small, our resources limited, our population
sparse and scarcely extending beyond the limits
Of the original ihirteon Saies that policy must DC
essentially different now that wo have grown
from three to moro than twenty millions OF peo-
Dle-.that our commerce, carried In our own shlps
is found in every sea, and that our territorial
boundaries and settlement have been 90 greatly
extended. Neither our commerce. nor oar long
line Of coast on the and on tho lakes, can bt
successfully defended against foreign aggression
bv means of Notifications alone these are
essential at important commercial and military
points but our chief reliance for this object mus
bo on a wcll.organized, efficient navy. Ih'
benefits resulting from such navy are not confln
ed to the Atlantic States. The predictions OF th
;nte,or which sool. market abroad nre direct
dependent on the safety and freedom of com
merco The occupation Of the Baze below New
Orleans bv a hostile force would embarrass. l
not stagnate, tho whole export trade OF the Miss
issippi and affect the value of tho agricultural
products of tho entire valley Of tina; mighty rive
and its tributaries.
1t has mover been policy TO maintain lnrg'
standing armies in time of peace. They arc con
trnry TO the genius of our free institutions, "oul,
impose heavy burdens on tho people, and be dan
eerous to public liberty. Our reliance for pro
lection and defence OH the land must bs mainly
on our citizen soldiers, who will be ready, @
they ever have been ready in times past, to rusl
with alacrty, Mt thu call OF their country. 10 ne
defence. This description of force. however
cannot defend our coast, harbors, and inland seas
nor protect our commerce on the ocean or tn
lakes. These must DO protected by our navy