Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-03-14
The U. s. Navy.

In the speech Of Senator Fairfield oil
Maine, delivered in the Y. S. Senate on
the 9Th January, on The bill proposing 10
augment the Navy, We find the following
concise stement OF the present naval force
OF the country: ~
| /. We have now at sea, or in port ready
for service. one ship Of the line. six frig-
ates; fiji cen sloops-oi,war, six briggs or
schooners, four armed store-ships, one
sef-steamer, and ore on lake Erie.
! In ordinary, and which can be equipped
in three n nths, two ships of the line, one
ragee, Two hisa,es, four sloops, one sea-
steamer, two coast-steamers, and two
briggs; and one ship-of-,he line for harbor
service. In ordinary, and that .can he
| equipped in sir months, another ship-ol-
the-line, one irigsie, and two sloops.-
And in fsccltt mpins, two small tfgates
could be raced 10 large corvette sloops.
| This would give ah aggregate force Of
live ships-of-the-line, one razee, nine frig-
ates, two sea-steainers, twesty three sloops
eight briggs and schooners, two harbor-
steamers, and four armed s;ore-ships.
In addition TO The foregoing. there are
upon the stocks at the different navy
yards, four ships line, three frig-
dies, and two sloops-of- war; tie iron
s'eamer building at Pitsburg. one for har-
Dor defence contracted for al New York.
and one sliip-of-the-line, partially finish
ed, at Sackeu's Harbor, on lake Ontario.
Or these there could be completed fiji
three motths, one frigatc, and one sloop.
. In str months, two frigates, one sloop, and
the steamer at Pittsburgh. In t,rvirc months,
Two ships-ot-the-lipe. In fifteen months,
two more ships-oi-the line. Which added
to the aggregate number ofthose aflpat and
md in ., binary, would give us navy Of
nine ships of he-line, one rszee, twelve
frigaies, three sea-steamers, twenty five
sloops, eight briggs and schooners, two
bor.steamers, and four armed store
ships. We have also on hand. and in
good condition, eopplese live oak frames
Tot twelve ships-of-the-line, twelve frig-
ates, five sloops-of-war, and three smaller
sailing vessels, two sea-steamers, and one
coast-steamer. And incomplete live oak
frames for three ships -of-the-liue, four
t'SctSSs oIeC cIoopSs dhu tWO sudilCI
sailing vessels, tw6 sea and two coast
steamers, and white oak frame for
coast steamer. Contracts, it is UNDER
stood, have been made for completing the
frames Of The ships-oi-the-line, and the
frigates. E
The other materials on hand it may not
be necessary at this time TO cnumerate.
In view OF these statements, it will be
perceived thar Tie country IS not quite So
destitute, he would not say Of resources,
bit Of almost immediate means Of ,lele,ce,
as fhanS have Seemed 10 suppose. 1t has
become fashionable of late. in certain QUAR-
tiers, 10 decry and undervalue onr own
means and resources, and TO magnify those
of England: Comparing the condition of
the two countries now, with what they
were at the commencement of the last war,
and the advantage will be perceived to be
infinitely in our favor. At all events, no
Jason can be perceived for yielding any Of
pr just rights 10 a foreign power, or of
submitting TO national indigni,y and wrong
because we are incapable of protecting the
one. or Of resenting the other. A just es-
timation Of our means, will not be likely to
impair a just appreciation of our rights.