The daily union., 1852-05-13


contracted fof with Robert l. stevens pursuance
act icongress passed April H. 1912
Mr.. President should have felt disposed to leave this
report and The unanimous recommendation of the Com
mltlee on Naval Affairs, without word OF comment,
10 the Senate il had not been asked make ex-
panalion, and if The importance OF the subject OF which
II treats, AT the present luncure OF ume did not seem TO
require from me some few remarks. Considering the
relation which the city OF New York bears TO this gov
ernmen and TO the whole country, the committee OF
opinion that every reasonable preparation for her defence
IN time OF war with maritime power ought 10 be
adopted.
Twill not dilate on the Importance in military or ma
val point OF view, OF that haroor It's great Importance
must be obvious to all minds who have given the sub
jec oil national defence any consideration. But must
say that while thus important II is the most exposed,
perhaps, OF any other important city OF the first class
the seaboard Sir, our deences require immediate at
tenlion. The signs OF the times premonory of war
and revolution. Almost every arrival from Europe in
forms us OF wake preparation BY the great powers OF
thai continent Upon the throne OF Francel say throne.
for in TACT Louis Napoleon monarch, and supreme
bitter OF the destines OF France, much as Napoleon
the Great in his zenith-upon the throne OF France
now sits whom the necessities OF his position
to compel to rivalry OF his renowned kinsman and pre-
decessor Ii examine the history oil Europe, we will
find that since the time OF Charemagne whenever France
under the control OF bold RESTLESS ambitious or
INSCRIPTIONS monarch, she invariably engaged IN
long and bloody waIs with her neghbors.
In addition 10 the national propensity to interfere with
the affairs Of her neghbors, which modern history shows
is the characteristic OF the French eoquently
told the other day in the able and instructive speech OF
they believe wrongs to avengc and dishonor TO wipe
away France more powerful than she is
now Near thirty years have enabled her TO recruit the
of the Emperor; and for twenty years past she has
assduousy exeed all her TO regain that mill
ary efficiency which has always given her command
ing ascendsncy in the affairs OF the world She has re-
gained it. She is at present the OF dsquieude and
alarm 10 all the contiguous powers She stands In the
panopy and attitude OF defiance; and no one can say
how soon, or where, she will not pour her mighty ar
But all will agree that no great European can take
place without endangerlng peaceful relations with
one other of the begerents We are admonihsed,
therefore, not to neglect those preparatory defences which
in would be Indispensable for the protection OF our
seaboard ~
We had lessons this subject during the
late with Great Britain, and i would be the height
Of faulty another should find us no better pre-
pared Tor 1t than we now are.
And vet sir, am not exaggeating when say that
at this present time quite defencelessour cities
and harbors quite much exposed TO hostile incur
sions-as they in 1912. They have grown in wealth
and population quadrupe what they were then; but,
when consider the increased facilities for attacks
which foreign naval powers possess, we shall hnd that
Notwithstanding your forts, your most important posts
are vulnerable as they were in 1912.
/ Whilst the engines and implements OF war have been
OF late years vastly augmented Tor offensive operations
those for harbor defence have not been correspondngy
increased by hostile squadron is no longer depend
ent the tickle winds for opportunity TO approach
your shores your harbors. They hover. at
their chosen distance coast dlsiractng and
alarming the whole seaboard and pounce with CELEBRITY
and precision, under OF night upon the devoted
place which they doom TO destruction
Steamships of great power and speed have been con
structed infinitely formidable than anything which
we had 10 encounter in 1912 Your forts have not been
increased strengthened in proportion TO the increase
OF power with which other nations have fortified them
selves.
There have always been great doubts entertained by
the most scientific and experienced TO the ability
OF the besconsucted forts 10 prevent sailing vessels.
with leading breeze, from passing them; and there
seems TO be little no doubt that steamships may be
built which would pass unframed, materially, any FORT
Steamships may undoubtedly be built, which, with aid
per hour. Such vessel IN six minutes might approach
and pass any Of your forsa night without being disabled
One such vessel, mooTed in New York bay. might
kindle that great city into flames, and, screaming the
proud note OF triumph, leave heap oi smoking rulns
Nothing could prevent such catastrophe. BE assured,
senator's, and let felowctzens everywhere be as
sured that nothing could preven, such catastrophe, In
| The event of war with great naval power, but a
steam floating battery, such that contemplated by the
plan OF Mr. Sevens-indesTuctbe shot and shell proof,
and bearing armament consisting o such guns, SIN
gle shot from which would be sufficient TO disable the
most powerful an-of-war now launched One such
vessel would be sufficient TO defend New York harboI
from any force which could possibly enter IT, II would
combine the mpregBabe qualities possessed by stone and
mortar Notifications, with the advantages belonging TO
ships-of-wa for ocomolion. The mere knowledge by
any enemy tha, barbor enjoyed the protection OF such
formidable protector would be sufficient to deter them
4 from hazarding experiment of its omnipotence.
Now, sir, II seems 10 me, when one OF the most ac-
complshed engineers and naval architects OF America
is willing TO construct war-shlp for harbor defence,
that ought without hesitation TO avail ourselves OF
his skill and enterprise for such purpose.
MT stevens Is gentleman OF ibe hgnest aitainnents
in those pursuits which with hereditary passion he
has devoted the greater part OF his LIE. he gente-
OF large fortune and OF reputation. he Ia not
ordinary SPECTATOR seeking job Of government. but
higb.minded, patriotic gentleman, who from elevated
and pu bile considerations and not from motives oil pecu
mary profit, tenders his skill, science, and experience
unsurpassed in his department by those OF any one) to
the service OF the government He is willing TO connect
his reputation with the navy OF the country tie has
acquired, by long years OF experience aud expensive ex
pefmens, dexeritY and felicity IN design and execution
IN nautical architecture which he s willing TO place mt
the disposal OF the government. lie does not want 10
make money OF you; but he desires TO confer on the
country the benefit OF his superior knowledge, whilst at
the time he Identifies his reputation with the naval
history of the country. rF
He Is the builder and proprietor OF the yacht Maria,
which beat the Amerca--which under his brolher Com
modoe Stevens achieved that victory all the
val chivary Of Great Butan--a victory worthy TO be
rolled with those other glorious umphs of American
naval vaor during the waTof 1sl2-whIch have done
much elevate the national character, and inspire
hdence and self reliance American progress, all your
campaigns shore, from Canada TO the city OF the Mon
! tezumas
The offer OF such render his skill available TO
the OF the country ought 10 be met with prompt
tude, aacrty, and Hberality by the government.
II not proposed by Mr. Stevens to supersede the use
of permanent local Notifications No thinks of sub
suling any floating battery for them The floating steam
as substitute, but as an auxiliary TO foricsiiops They
fixed and fatonay and invaluable al certain points,
where they command the channel OF lngress or an enc
my In passing such fortress, the enemy, except under
favorable circumstances may be destroyed or crippled
in such result. In Auch