The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-28

particular, we have immense advantages over ner,
the possession OF the elements OF defence and as
sault, which can be worked up into effective
means. Our capacity, sir, to put the country IN
state OF naval defence is decidedly greater than
hers.
But, sir, as signs Of approaching war, the great
military and naval preparations IN which Great
Britain is engaged, ard of which we have heard
so much, are referred to and TO what do they all
amountl have said, sir, did not believe Great
Britain would go to war for Oregon, and consider
these preparations indication OF such purpose.
She makes periodically a survey Of her marine,
examines and repairs her dock-yards, cuts down
large vessels into and II is part OF her sys-
tenn She has been, and is now. busy engaged
in fortifylng the more exposed points OF her Coast
tut the reason of that was well known. All this
activity, to which the attention OF Senators and the
country has been directed, commenced before the
Oregon question had assumed Its present important
and interesting aspect at least before il had become
such prominent question between the two govern.
ments, as It now 49, Before the PRESIDENTS lnau-
Rural was delivered, sir, the British Premier. on
the 14th of February l8a5, in presenting the annual
estimate of expenses, declared he should ask vote
to increase the navy; and the reason ne assigned
was, that Great Britain had then three additional
naval stations to maintain one on the coast OF
Africa, one in China, and one in the Pacific and
that they would require an increase IN the naval
force OF four thousand men, and for the navy and
ordinance an additional sum Of 81 900 900 He also
proposed increase of the steam navv and, as he
declared, not tor any purpose of war OF aggression,
but IN consequence OF the extension Of their COM
me rec In all parts. He said, We do not propose
this increase from any apprehension CT wer, [hear,
hear or with any view whatever, to aggression.
Loud cries OF hear
All this was before Oregon had become promi-
nj topic, and may be traced To the pamphlet " On
ne State ofthe Naval Force of France put forth in
May preceding, by the Admiral Prince de Jonville.
and the publication of Theirs, going to show that
descent by Napoleon upon the English coast was
seriously contemplated from Bouogne, and would
have been carried into effect but for accidental
causes This pamphlet pointed out the weakness Of
the defences of the British opposite France,
and insisted, in case OF war; an army from France
might easily make sudden descent upon England,
and this through the agency OF steam. Steam, cir,
has placed those great powers on more equal ground
Brest. capable OF containing fifty war steamers Of
the first class, is only one hundred miles, CIV
hours run-from the coast of Cornwall Dieppe,
Boulogne, Calais, and Dunkirk, thoughsmaer ports
are from sixty to twenty-four miles only from the
shores of Sussex, Kent, and Essex. With that inn
mense control OF men which France possesses, and
with war steamers, what is to prevent her from re-
paying the visit England made to her capital thirty
years ago. Of ravagiug her coasts unless adequate
Notifications. either fixed or floating, and sufficient
military force be raised to prevent landing The
Duke of Wellington. himself, in his evidence before
the Committee on Sbipwrecks. raised by the House
OF Commons, says: " In the event of war. should
which now exist, would leave the coast Of England
opposite to those OF France IN very precarious su-
atlon" These forts, now erecting might protect the
points where they shall be buit but they do not insure
r. VI
and CELEBRITY OF steam, enables France to choose her
own point OF debarkation and attack. Wind and
tide are not to be waited Steam has revolution
ICED the science of naval warfare. rendering compa
rativey ineffective theaimmense sainavy of EGG
land for defence; at the same time increasing the
effectiveness of small steam-navy at least fourfod
lit unfits sir the tactics and strategy of past times
tor the present. and makes France, by her proximity,
most dangerous neighbor. When it is considered,
sir, that she has, in addition her force of 80 0OO
men IN Algiers, standing army, we'll disciplined
and equipped, OF 350, OO0 with magazines and arse
nails filed to repetion, and all munitions of war on
hand. besides nearly million Of militia and WELL
drilled national guard in all her provincial cities and
towns 1t Is very easy to believe, in the present state
proach, Great Britain would be alarmed hence,
her past and present activity Her insuar position,
SIR 10 no longer her sure protection. Her popular
national air
!" Britannia needs no bulwarks
No towers along the steep;
Her march il DER the mountain wave,
Her home il on the Deep"
is now no longer true, sir. She does need tho,.
"bulwarks," and at a vast expense she is building
flowers along the sleeps" and they all had refer
rnce-not to us, slr but to her dangerous neighbour
and hereditary foe She has to oppose to this ire
100 men; 80 600 of whom are scattered abroad over
the world-22 900 are in Ireland, to keep down the
connections OF people waiting their" opportunity"
when Engand's necessity" shall have arrived;
and the remainder, most of them raw recruits, are
scattered over England and Scotland. Well might
she be alarmed, sir, at the prospect before her.
The Senator from Delaware, sir, [Mr. J. M CLAY
naval power Of Great Britain, forgot to say. or at
least he did not say that much OF had to be spread
tor the protection OF her colonies, over the globe
md, without leaving these colonies and posts ex-
posed to the attack OF hostile tcrceand they are
the most inviting points of attack-she could not
concentrate fleet upon our coast that need give US
Tue slightest alarm. With the aid OF our vast and
unexceIleo commercial marine, such national ships
A Gnnn s~aa~ IL g
being blockaded, as we have been told, We could
blockade our enclny-I have no sort Of doubt about
It. So far as naval superiority s concerned-and 10
people be roused-and all doubts on that subject
would soon be put to flight. 1t 10 not our policy
to keep up, In time OF peace, and no war-cloud
impending. a cunbrous and expensive naval
orce-it will not, trnst, ever be our policy am,
sir, among the warmest and best friends to the navy
and because am SO, shall expose its increase, in
time OF peace, to any great extent, lest that shoulS
break It down. It is sufficient for us, sir that v,e
have the capacity, whenever an emergency .hsll
arlse, to make it more formidable than that Of any
other power on the face Of the globe, let t,t arrive
to-day, or at any time. l am confident, sir should
alacr:ty, the means and capacity Of the country 10
meet 1t, would be so displayed az to astonish our.
selves Should a war come, sir, in the prosecuted
OF our r'gnt. believe all parties would cordially
not be, as IN the last war; ga peace party" aiding
the enemy, preventing capitalists from loanino mo.
ney to the Government TO carry on and rejoicing
over our defeats. There would be no domesto
traitors. We should all be Americans in deed and
heart and hand, in cordial union, rally as one man
around orr countrys standard. A war; CIR, viii not
proceed from US. 1t must come from the other quar-
ter; and il it does come, it will be war OF aQrres.
sion, unssstaned by the of justice, or the SYM
.thies OF other hatlons We never will, we cannot
become an aggressive power; but when an assault
Is made upon U.S. SIR the whole land will rise as the
mighty man armed. and with vigorous and united
effort, overwhelm the aQgrcesOr. Sir / have dome
RRADxK-thank God
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