Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-07-13
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
National Defence.

not impossible, certainly, that another war-coud
may arise, as suddenly that which recently
overspread tho horizon, ''perplcIing nations with
the fear Of change" II is the part of prudence
TO be prepared for an event which may occur at
any moment. There are, indeed, but few subjects
of controversy now existing between the United
States and any European Government, from which
rupture is to be apprehended. But questions
may arise-such, for example, as Nj. Guizot's alb
surd idea of "a balance fpower" upon the Ame-
rican Continent, which, if il was disturbed by the
annexation Of Texas, will be forever annihiated
by the conquest Of some six eight of the Mex
lean States or a successful revolution in Canada,
obviously not very improbable nor apparently
remote event, to be followed, as it would unques-
tionably be, by proposition for annexation, in
order to ''round off" our Northern Frontier, and
10 give the exclusive control Of the Lakes, now
held by the United States and Great Britain in
Joint occupancy-these, and perhaps other ques-
tons, may arise at no very distant day, to disturb
the harmony of our external relations. For these
contingencies it behooves to be in a constant
state of preparation, which, in itself, contributes
powerful persuasive to peace, and guarantee
of its preservation.
Early in last month, Mr. Thomas Butler King
OF ueO.s SndlImdu VI the 4NdNdl SOiHuittCO VI
the House of Representatives, presented TO that
body an able Report on the subject of an efficient
Steam Marine-that new and formidable element
of naval warfare, in the use and perfection of
which, Notwithstanding the great natural adyan-
tages we possess over other nations, and although
we are the second commercial power Of the world
we are surpassed by every other nation, which, from
the extent Of its commerce, the number and
value Of its Colonial possessions, or the acces-
sibility Of long line of coast to the attacks
of an enemy, is compelled to maintain a resPec-
table naval force in commission.
One of the chief obstacles, doubtless, to the
more rapid augmentation of our Navy, has been
the great expense, not only Of the construction
of ships, but Of keeping them ahoat and the still
greater compa rative cost Of their frequent repair
the latter, in not few cases, having reached
and even gone beyond the original cost of build
ing. One hundred and fifty millions Of dollars,
1t is said, have been expended in building ships
since the close of the last war; and yet our naval
force ahoat and in port, bears no sort Of comPa.
rison in the number ofshps guns, to that OF the
great maritime powers of Europe. And, indeed,
when one visits sea-ports, and sees these mag
nifcent floating palaces, some of them half finish
and consequently rotting al the wharves, it is not
TO be supposed that the people will tolerate OF
their representatives sanction heavy additional
asah9s;'tvqnv n4tnoeq OF tleIesE and diIdPidated
hulks. The number of Government vessels in
commission before the war with Mexico broke
out 40, the annual average cost of maintain.
ing each of which is slO9,695; making an ag-
gregate, with contingent expenses added, of Six
Millions Of Dollars per annum. Great Britain,
by the arrangement made with the Cunard line of
mail steamers running between Liverpool and
Boston, which, in the event Of hostilities, would
be Immediately converted into vessels, is en-
abled to keep in active service twenty efficient
ships at annual cost of less than one million Of
dollars. This formidable feet, in the breaking
out of hOstties, could be at once concentrated
upon any point Of our defenceless coast she might
wish to attack, and sweep from the ocean I'M
protected commerce. And she is already prepar-
ing 10 add to their number we learn from
article ia the London Morning Herald, which in
forms us that the Government has entered into
a further contract with the British and North
American Royal Mail Company, the effect of
which is to secure weekly communication by
steam between Liverpool and the u. States -
tic by steam," and placing in her hands almost
irresistible means of assault upon US in the event
of war. France, too, is rapidly augmenting her
Steam Marine by establishing mail lines on the
same general plan The American government
meanwhile, contents itself with talking about fol.
lowing the example, and contenting itself with ri.
diculouS and costly experiments, to CRAFTY the
whims Of court fyorites, such Capt. Stock
ton, visionary eIperimenlers such as others
who might be named-the consequence Of which
Is, that, after the expenditure of many millions Of
dollars we have not more than one or two steam.
eTs, we believe in which prudent man would
willingly risk his life upon a rough sea, much less
encounter the shock Of battle in addition to the
perils Of the tempest.
We are gratiied that our correspondent, "Phi.
To-" has called public attention 10 this interesting
subject and we hope that he will continue its
discusson--though we confess we have very
little idea that the present Congress, though
II must he confessed sufficiently warlike in its dis
position, will adopt the measures necessary to en-.
able VS. TO cope, upon the ocean, where, in the
event Of an European war, the great struggle will
take place with the formidable rivals, with whom,
AZ some day or other, perhaps not very remote, we
shall be thrown into conflict.
Mr. Kings able Report recommends, in add.
ton 70 the mail bue heretofore proposed by the
Post Oh,ce Department from New York to Bre.
men, the establishment Of a similar line between
New York aud Hayre-another, along our own
coas, from New York 10 New Orleans, forming a
regular connection with the great Atlantic line,
and touching ct Mobile, Savannah, Charleston
and Noriolk--snd third for the transmission Of
the mail across the sthD,us Of Panama and to the
American settlements on the Pacific by line
from New Orleans 10 Chagres or Brazil. We arc
informed by the committee that Mf. X. X. Col.
Inns q New York, offers TO build Eve ships Of moi
los than 1000 tons burthoA. and perform tive
tsips moath be,woen New York an Liverpool