The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-31

70 sssinstsa .,a SIC @ 600
sl7 aao 600
Estimate Of existing preparations. 80. 300 Ooe
supplies. $500. 1000 900
Aggregate naval estimates. ....... .sai ass 900
Il appears that this magnificent proposition was
made to the Secretary OF the Navy himeelf, and
subsequently by him was reduced to ten steamers.
The following two most important reports, will ex.
plain the nature OF the propositions
NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 8, le46.
sr-In reply to the inquiries proposed in your letter
Of the aad ui,imo have the honor to enclose to you
report from the Boards Of Bureaux Of the Department
tions which are struggling to maintain the nssv..
country te outs which seeks only the sea1pa.on ana
defence Of l.. own territory the pr9,sc,onsoi ns CT,
resources; and although the existing naval establish
ments Of the United s,atos appesr SUFFICIENT 10 AZ pat
Srssn s.pscs Of oSr re1n
relations makes duty 10 suggest to the COMMITTEES on
Naval Affair." as
Thee greater preparations should consist, a. far a.
possbs of such expenditures will be bat an anticpa
don Of what at early day, wouldbe required in
case Of the establishment Of harmony with all nations
They should consist first. Of accumulation Of naval
II he vessels which are sHoa for such Of those on the
stocks it may be desirable 10 employ, and for such
others Congress may authorize to be built II meaIs
are granted immed be adopted for the
collection Of such materials and stores and the early
purchase Of oil them would Dc out
OF what would soon be required for ordinary expsnd
lures.
the disc elton Of the President should be
repair and equipment OF all the vessels 10 ordinary and
figs,es and sloops on the stocks Were such au
thority and granted the President could
ercse more free in the selection of vessels for
mm ediate preparation whilst the sexual expenditure
could be limited existing emergencies the vessels,
and Improbable outlays be avoided peace should
tnue
.nlis in hs hy vyhi m ar
IL confined to 500 sesmsn be suspended for definite
period. and that further enlstmens be authorized and
Il IL further proper in the event Of peace. to in.
crease our ssagoing stsamers. Al present. the United
can cruise at I would rscommend that authority
be granted for the construction Of three steam irgates
such an increase would not be dsproporionats to our
ants in time Of profound trarquillity
Will also oesems NECESSARY 70 'hs oronsnc ;
cpaton Of expense which at an early day must In any
coming ncy, be required.
roughly effective would involve the necessity Of feet
Of steamers foresch hsrbor in the country The enor.
nous expene would further increased by tho annual
repairs which would require repetition Of the whole
outlay once in seven or eight years tits still further
Ssr bs snd cos.s Would n tims Of
costly burden, without adequate equivalent. In the
event Of the iume dists employment Of mercantile
ships and for the defence Of ports In Corpora
ton with resident citizens, would be attended with
less aggregate cost and the fertility Of invention and
quickened TO devise methods Of defence that though
some hat Irregular would prove effective. till aorcs
Inquiries are now making into the capacity Of our
mercantile steamers for being thus employ and the re.
suit shall be communicate you 90 soon .: received
The danger be sppreheDded from inroads upon our
territory by hostile fleets will be greatly diminished BY
the disasters consequent storms the nece.sty Of ire
Tass he want e Of fuel the
gene OF the coast from sballowness Of
of our cit IONS in tho more densey psopsd regions and
the useessness Of naval attacks on sPsrseiy settled
coast for any permanent influence on the issue Of war
These have in ell times past made great
naval expenditures almost usss Of results against re-
mote settle ents on land.
volve useless expense, the continuance OF tran.
quiliity, and seem TO be sufficient, as precautionary
sgsnst any contingency that likely to occur, aud a.
preliminary to xtended organization 10 the event
Il should become neces,sry Will place the navy IN
our commerce. and to contribute effectively towards the
preservation Il peace
Very respectfully,
Your obdt servant,
GEO. BANCROFT.
Honorable Isaac L. HoLMEs.
Chairman of the Naval Committee Of the House OF
Representatives.
WAsHISoTor, Dec 30, l645
Sir: We have the honor 10 acknowledge the receipt
q copy Of the resolution Of the ssss on s Ds
csmber, Is45 which you transmitted to US, and IN CON-
pliancs with your endorsement, present the ioloving
he present state Of the country" to which the com.
mee alude for proposing an increase Of the
naval force supposed TO refer more especially to our
relations with Great Britain and TO the contingency OF
war With that power.
Tho possession Of convenient and strongly defended
ports in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Bermuda, Jama
CO. with others of loss importance In the Bahsmss,
from which supplies may be readily drawn and where
armamens may be organized. place II In the power Of
Great Britain to her extensive naval means With
great facility against the Atlantic and Gulf coasts ofths
United States. Sly
II IL not in our power to prepare sufcient fierce to
contend directly with the navy OF Great Britain on INC
ocean, in facts squadrons, nor TO protect our com
mercs By adoQuate
The defence Of cities belongs 70 the land
batteries wherever those batteries csn command the
passsees 20 cities and keepthe assaing force for
proper length OF time under their hre.
There srs Q few positions, however whore movable
batteries may not be used in connection with those
land to great advantage and In many such II
larry force would be Indispensable sugeested, there
FORE that class Of steamers should be provided that
should DO able TO mount two heavy guns carry about
ten days. fuel and have the qualities their sae
ne viga alton along coasts. Hs
These vessels could be distributed for their general
service, from Maine 10 the Chesapeake the Atlantic,
the Gulf Of Mexico and upon the lakes be able d al
times to concentrate transfer from point 70 nno
Their circumstances might render advisable AnoIner
class Of coast steamers would be required or nn Pr
lection Of tbs coasts and cities which lie on tne
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