The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-04
Navy DEPARTMENT., J
Washington, Dec. 80. IS45.

Sir We have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of a copy Of the resolution Of the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs of the House of Repre-
seniaives, dated 18th December, 1916, which,
yon transmitted TO us, and, in compliance with
your endorsement, present the following sugges
lions for your consideration -
The present state Of the country" to which
the committee allude, as reason for proposing
an increase Of the naval force. is supposed to re-
fer m9Ze especially to our relations with Great
Britain, and to the contingency Of war with that
power.
The possession of convenient and strongly de-
tended parts in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
Bermuda, Jamaica, with others of less import
ance in the Bahamas, from which supplies may
be readily drawn, and where ornaments may be
organized, place it in the power of Great Britain
to use her extensive and naval means with great
facility, against the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of
the United States.
1t is not IN our power to prepare a Sufficient
force to contend directly with the navy Of Great
Britain on the ocean. in fleets or squadrons, nor
to protect our commerce by inadequate conveys.
The principal defence or our cities belongs to
the land batteries, wherever those batteries can
command the passages to the cities, and keep
the assaIIing force for proper length Of time un
der their FIRE.
There few positions, however, where mo-
with those on land, TO great advantage, and in
many cases such auxiliary force would DO indis
Pensable. IL is suggested, therefore, that class
OF steamers shonld be provided that should be able
to mount two heavy guns, carrying abont ten
days fuel and have the qualities to ensure their
safe navigation along our coasts.
These vessels could be distributed for their gen
eral service from Maine to the Chesapeake on the
Atlantic, or the Gulf Of Mexico, snd upon the
lakes, be able at all times to concentrate or trans
fer from one point to another, as circumstances
might render advisable. Another class Of coast
steamers would be required for the protection of
the coasts and cities which lie on the sounds and
rivers Of the Atlantic coast, south of the Chesa
peake, and on some portion Of the Gulf Of Mexico.
These shond be calculated expressly for the
navigation of those shallow waters, but able to
carry one heavy gun, and with all the other ad
vanlages which could be given, with the limited
draft Of water necessary for the free and safe
navigation Of the interior waters on which they
to operate. The number which we would
propose for these two classes ia one Of the larger
class for Lakes Michigan and Huron and twenty
seven for the Atlantic coast, and twelve Of the
smaller class for the Southern coast besides those
which are now available.
The existing Convention with Great Britain
would prevent greater increase on the lakes
than IS now proposed but The fact that there are
many private steamers on the Lakes which could
be speedily armed IN case Of need, renders, in
opinion, no fuTthur increase OF vessels Deces-
sary to secure our interest in that quarter. Sup
plies Of ordnance stores should, however be lodg-
cd at different ports. ready FOR use.
To enable US to annoy the commerce Of Great
Britain, OF to otherwise operate TO her injury
through naval means, we would recommend the
number Of sea steamers, like the Mississippi, but
raber enlarged, should be increased to FIVE that
orr frigatss shonld be increased TO thirty. and oOT
slnops 0f war to forty IL is also deemed advisable
that FIVE Of the frgates and six Of the sooPs should
be fitted With sncb steam arrangements as may
be best adapted TO use in aid Is sails without ma