Washington sentinel., 1853-12-09

strength and force which the patriotism, the
energy, the nautical skill, and mercantile ma
rine of a great nation would soon rally to
our assistance. Other nations, in addition to
| their large navies, have their immense mer-
camille marine and their steamships also. But,
| again, what have we to defend and protect?
We have an Atlantic coast Of much more than
two thousand miles, stretching from the Rio
Grande to the st. Croix, studded with magni-
icent cities, and thriving towns We now have
Pacific coast extending for many hundred
miles, from the confines of Mexico to the far
northwestern inviting country, rapidly popu-
lating, totally unforti6ed, separated by noun
tains and deserts from the military power of
the government.
new empire has, as by magic, sprung into
existence. San Francisco promises at no dist
ant day to become another New York, and our
prosperous trade in the Pacific, amid the won
dora nf ooIanaAsnn, tn hoo. tha relation to
China and Japan which that of the Atlantic
coast bears to the continent of Europe and
Great Britain. We have over four millions of
tonnage; American vessels, freighted with the
rich fruits of American industry, penetrating
every sea; and thousands Of our countrymen,
whom busy enterprise has borne to distant
lands, or whom misfortune has wrecked on
some inhospitable shore, all look to their coun-
try's flag to protect them. Is our present navy
sufficient for all these great purposes OF de-
fence and protection? l am very far from IN
timating an opinion that we should steadily
maintain q naval force as large as that of some
Of the powers mentioned They have large
colonial settlements on islands and continents
remote from their seat of government Their
jealousies, their proximity to each other, their
peculiar form Of government, all combine to
require for their purposes far larger naval
force than we need. But, while they are an
nually enlarging theirs, shall we allow the dis
parity annually to become greater? The fol
lowing warning admonition on this point by
Washington, in his eighth annual message, en-
forces this view: "To an active external com
merce, the protection of naval force is indis-
pensable. This is manifest with regard to wars
in which State itself is party But, besides
this, it is in our own experience that the most
sincere neutrality is not n sufficient guard
against the depredations of nations at war.
TO secure respect to a neutral flag requires a
nasdt force, organized and ready to cindicate
It from insult and aggression. This may pre-
vent even the necessity Of going to war, by
discouraging belligerent powers from commit
ting such violations of the rights of the neutral
party as may first or last leave no other option.
These considerations invite the United States
to look to means, and to set about the gradual
IuCTcdSc Vi u navy. VIII II HOly LucHy Uc uu-
visable to begin without delay to provide and
lay up the materials for the building and equip
ping Of ships-ofwar, and to proceed in the work
by degrees, in proportion as our resources shall
render it practicable without Inconvenience, so
that future war Of Europe may not find our
commerce in the same unfortunate state in
which it was found by the present." take
it to be fair proposition, that our navy should
at least be large enough to command our oicn
seas and coast. Otherwise, it would seem to
be not only useless appendage, but fall an
easy prey to the enemy, and add to his strength.
And in view of this point, it may be we'll to
remember the positions overlooking our home
commerce--the Bermudas and West Indies
well fortified and held by other nations. 1t
may be said that we have strong Notifications,
and that they can be relied upon for defence
But our Notifications, with their conceded i'm.
portance, without navy, have been well com
pared to shield without sword. Perhaps it
may be alleged that our navy was comparatively
small in the war Of 1912, when our gallant of |
fcers achieved brilliant victories, won for them
selves imperishable renown, and broke the
charm of the enemy's naval invincibility.
Those were, indeed, great achievements. And
we still have proud spirits in the navy whom
opportunity would call forth, and who would
again accomplish all that valor and patriotism
could accomplish. But, without enlarging
upon the circumstances which helped to occa-
sion success then, or dwelling upon the disas-
ters that then befel our commerce, when we
call to mind the formidable, growing, and, in
numbers at least, the overwhelming strength of
the navies of the many great nations with
whom we claim equal rank, may it not be well
to consider that it may even be possible to tax
too severely the yalor and skill of our small
navy, however gallant? As, however, we have
enjoyed season of profound peace, with the
exception of war with nation without
navy, it is perhaps not to be regretted that we
have deferred enlarging ours thus long, as we
can now advantageously avail ourselves of the
vast improvements suggested by the tests OF
experience and the inventive genius of the
architects of our own and other countries,
Steam is unquestionably the great agent to
be used on the ocean, as well for purposes OF
war as of commerce The improved system of
screw propellers, instead of side-wheels, is one
of the grand desiderata TO render the use OF
steam effective in naval warfare, the one being
exposed to the shot of the enemy, the other
submerged, and comparatively secure. When
the bayonet was added to the musket, the in
vention was applauded for placing in the hands
of the soldier, at one time, two engines of de
structioa; and the introduction of the screw
propeller has been similarly appreciated, as
combining, without confusion, two elements of
progress--the sail and the steam engine. Side
wheel steamers are much impaired in their ca
pacity for sailing, and consume too much coal
for distant cruises. Those now on hand can
be made to answer well for short cruises, and as
dispatch vessels. The screw propeller being
upon principle not so much interfering with
the sailing capacity, with the improved models
of the present day, can be so constructed as to
sail as well as the best clipper ships, and
reserve the use Of steam for emergencies
when greatest speed is required, or when, in
calm, a desirable position can be the more
promptly and surely taken. The great neces
sary expense incident to the expedition to Ja-
pan could have been materially, indeed one
half curtailed, had it been in the power of the
department to have supplied the squadron with
screw propellers, instead of the side-wheel
steamers, now costing SO much from the con-
ANN ptiop of coal