The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-13
THE DAILY UNION.

tage IN point of economy, as II regarded labor, OF
more than fifteen per cent over Brooklyn and twenty
per cent over Boston.
Again: this yard was already in very efficient
condition for construction, perhaps as much 80 as
any navy yard in the Union, and needs only dry
dock render its condition equally efficient IN ma
king repairs. The yard had already about eleven
hundred feet of granite wharyes, built in the most
permanent and substantial manner, admitting along
side war-ships of the largest size; was well pro-
ylded with all the means for the preservation Of
materials; with buildings, ship-hOuses, wet-docks,
tmber-sheds, and indeed with every other appen.
dage necessary for complete establishment for con-
structlon and equipment.
In addition to this, there other advantages
connected with that station possessed by no other In
this country, it, indeed, in the world. So precpi-
tate were the banks, 80 deep the water, and capa-
clous the harbor that fleet of three times the size
of the whole American navy could be anchored
there in perfect safety. This splendid harbor was
all times easy Of lngress egress and with per-
feet safety at all seasons OF the year.
1t was a remarkable fact that this harbor, or the
access to it, had never been known TO be obstructed
by ice in the coolest and most Indictment season.
Another important advantage in favor Of the
navy station OF Portsmouth, was its security from
foreign attack. Such was the great depth, mode
rate BREADTH and course of the river, between the
harbor and the sea- that 1t could be successfully de-
Tended at a small expense against the most formula
BILE naval force that could be brought an attack
But there was another consideration showing the
superiority of this station. II was this: that, du-
ring a considerable part of the year, that harbor
could not be bIockaded. Such was The nature of
the coast, and such the character of the seasons,
that feet could remain with safety the coast
after the LIST of November, during the winter
months-thus giving TO our ships a safe and unin-
terrupted lngress and egress during that OF
the year.
Again: This station at the eastern extremity
Of The Union, aud adj accent 10 the British possessions
in that quarter. At Halifax must be her great ma
val depot IN that quarter, IN case of war with the
United States. In that sectlon there will occur
many Of the naval conflicts between them and US
Hence the great importance Of making the navy
yard at Portsmouth station Of repairs and retreat
us we'll as of construction. He was informed that
dock could be constructed at that place about one
half the expense ofthose at Boston or Norfolk
Mr.. |. Z. HOLMES gave notice Of an amend
ment, (Which he would offer when in order) appro-
prlating 5000 900 for dry-dock at Charleston.
Mr.. LEVIN now modified the amendment here
tefore offered by him, to read follows:
Towards the construction OF dry dock at the Phadel
ha navyydri sl5OOOO And the Secretary OF the Navy
hereby directed ~ contract with the pTOpretOr for the
construction the Philadelphia navy ard OF sectiona
floating dry dock basin and railways according to the par
recommended by the Secretary Of the Navy his repO
congress, dated February Il? lsil provided the
Ia made by contract at the estimates before the
department"
Mr.. LEVIN addressed the committee in favor Of
his modified amendment, and mainly in reference tC
the comparative advantages Of the sectional and
balance docks.
Mr.. T. B. KING gave notice of the following
amendment
Fot 'hf OIL navy ara IN inc harpoT OF sa
Nav DenaTtnsnt snI the constr,cIion o( ~ JrviiocL
S2OOOOO"
Mr.. |. E. HOLMES expressed himself in favor
of voting for a dock for pensscoI, evan # !, u,,s
onIv a Iemnorarv STRUCTURE TIE hi bow.ver
made authorizations for works already existing and
he did NOT think il was exnedient in this short
ed manner to enter upon the expenditures for the
other works nronosed
Mr. RROCKENRROUGH pave notice that he
would, when in order, offer the following amend
ment.
5000 900 TO be constructed in such mode and pon mcL
plan may be deemed expeden useful and econom
ea IN every view to be determined by commission to be
not VI readn a. az he ana p en-
dent" =
Mr. BRINKERHOFF oNer sxrras.;no hi. vu,
lnoness tn vote the necessary annronr,,tion fo,
docks nj Pensacola and PhiIadeInbia hnt bis nrefr
ence TO leave the decision to the densrment of IN,
L;od ~ docL ~ I've oons,r,,o,aJ a. t,.a.,o5 II
,ho roa.ns ~ III JnSsn.o I.,h;ok 49, WV.
of The hill under considerat;on\ nroceeded ~ of ;,
the hill which he had yes,erdav moved ,usnsns;or
of the rules tn intrndure nrovidinp
of the nav of the ,rnyrvoInn,eers and rer,,Iars
% month during the war-and n the fac, that a, n
remsn who had 5aen so lo,d IN ,be,r nrofoSsoes -
desire for this increase did not see A. ~ Give hin, RI,
,,e.s md naus IN order the, ,hs~ ;h , ba Wv
Corded before the country And n,smnc6 ~ SOM me-
erropesus imnressions desipnedlv nerhans and ner
hans not had heen anrcad ihronabon, IT, ~
on this subject he embraced the present opportunty
n correct them and n Mace himself r,gb, hefore
Constituents and the country.
When the bill recognising the existence of wal
| with Mexico and providing means for the vgorou.
prosecution of the same was under consideration
an amendment vas offered by the gentleman from
Michigan MIR. CHIPMANl to increase the pay o
vounteers-and volunteers ony-not including tn,
pay of the regular army-to SO per month
Al ainst that amendment Mr. B. voted against it h,
| should vote again. coming in the shape in which i
did; and for two reasons: first the effect of attach
ing that amendment to the bill under consideration
| he feared would be to endanger its passage in tn,
other branch of Congress- or If not to cmbarrass it
when immediate action was required
| Mr. WINTHROP interposed and called the gen
tleman to order on the ground of rrelevancv2th,