The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-02
CONGRE SSION AL.
SPEECH OF HON. s. II. MALLORY,

FLORIDA,
On the Improvement of the navy delivered in the Senate
June 20, 1854.
The Senate having under consideration the bill for the inn
provement OF the naval service
Mr. MALLORY said
Mr. PRESIDENT: am very glad that my friend from Vir-
gna has made these remarks because they render the
planaon which prepared to give pertinent and
proper and should dislike TO the bill pass without
occurring for itself only his APPRECIATION but that of
every member of the Senate.
The bill before this body at late period of the
session that il is incumbent the committee to explain
the delay and show that it has been unmindu of
the important duties deyolved upon it. At early day
of the session. early February last had conference
with the corresponding committee of the House. and with
the Secretary OF the Navy The result of that conference
was an agreement upon certain important principles and
upon many details Of thorough naval organization The
Senate had at its previous session. passed bill for the
ganation of the navy which had gone to the House and
that on this occasion the bill should emanae from the
House and the able and accomplished chairman of the
Committee Naval Affairs there Mr. BococK undertook
to bring it forward. Circumstances, however which am
not able to expnin but which arose. perhaps, much
under the Of the House from the pressing charac
ter Of the business which has 50 long and earnestly
crossed its attention. have deferred the introduction of
that bill until within day two; and yet have not
been able to get q copy Oft t
Under these circumstances, your committee unwilling
to permt the session close without attempt obtain
some legislative action where much is manesy
say has deemed it proper to bring forward this brief bill
embracing few provisions and such only deemed
of special moment the service They have been prepared
under the cye and with the aid of the Secretary of the
Navy whose general concurrence in them feel at liberty
10 state They by means embrace all which the service
REQUIRES but convinced TINT much improvement must
be the work of time and detail Among other features
which the committees of both houses regarded essential
was that of the establishment of the relative rank Of the
several grades Of the service The committee OF the House
is in possession of its Details and trust they will be in
grated upon this bill believing as do that they gem
orally acceptable and that they will have beneficial in
uence upon the intercourse and consequently upon the
efficiency Of the whole corps seems to be no less expe
dent than just that the rights and privileges less than
the duties of every officer should be clearly defined
Though many important additions might be made to
this BILL the committee did not suppose that it contained
single provision liable to serious objection 1t aims only
pend upon sir that IL the present state of things per-
nitted to continue-whe the naval powers of the Old
World are stranng every attain the highest
of naval efcency-wc may build and equip the finest
ships that float but the time will when their guns
win but serve to salute the rumphs of their adveraries
Sir win not occupy the time of the Senate with remarks
Of my own upon the policy and national Importance of
sustaining and fostering this great branch of the public
service; but it may not be Improbable to to the
counsels which the fathers of the republic have soenly
and mpressvey left under circumstances which give
them peculiar interest Washington in his eighth annual
message, In reference to the navy, says
To an active external commerce the protection Of naval
which State itself is party But besides this it is in
our own experience that the most sincere neutrality is not
70 sccurc rs.pecf TO neutral flag requires narat oce
organisea an ready eiadioaie nsult and
couragng belgerent powers from committing such viola
tons Of the right. Of the neutral party as may first Or last
ted States to look to and TO set about the gradual in
crease Of navy Will not then be advisable to begin
building and equppng OF ships and to proceed in
the work ny II proportion g. our shall
Of Europe may not find in the unor
tunAte statcin which it was found by the present?'
General Jackson, in his memorable farewell address
speaking upon the same subject, says
,f -,
escape collisions with and the soundest dictates
of policy require that should place ourselves in cond
Un 2 J line
coast ndented by bays with deep opening
Il w tie end be found to be the cheapest and most e
with overfowing revenue that can year after year,
add it, strength without increasing the burdens the
project your rich and Aourhng In distant seas
but enable you reach and annoy the enemy and will give
ne
ons to guard point from attack against hostile force
advancing from the and selecting its object but they
indispensable protect cities from bombardment dock
yards and asenas from desrlction to give shelter
squadrons whom pressed by superior force"
Such SIR the views of these ilustrions men, and
let lis ace how the condition our naval service ac
cords with them.
design of the service altogether relative and ever
be measured by that of its probable adversarcs and
determining what the con0On and strength OF service
should be- have first ascertain those of the only naval
powers whose ability to contend with upon the sea is
unquestioned.
Perhaps the following comparative view may best illus
trae the relative force of navy in 846 sce Sen doc
18 goth Cong lst before the three great powers Of
Europe had put in commission many of their ships which
have since been sent to sea ID
Great Britain for every commerce. had aoat
and efficient 5sS guns
France had 1908
Ruasia 2,46G :"
And the United States had but 81 Z"
The British navy has at period been SO formidable as
at this moment will appear froma glance Stees List
Of tho Royal Navy for 1883 1t is stated at 545 effective
ships mounting l3754 guns many of them of the heaviest
character The list Of steamers gives: of l20
guns; Of lOl guns; Of 90 guns Of 80 8 of so
to 70 guns; Of 81 TO 40 guns.
The steamers in of completion were: %
100 to 100 guns of 90 guns 3 of 80 guns of so
guns
Tho application of the the ordinary shpofc-
line giving her auxiliary speed of from four
knots the salent improvement where the British have
e1colled the French Even while writing learn
that the Greasy ninety ship the Baltic feet
driven from her moorings and only saved from going
ashore on the Swedish coast by her crew.
Some idea Of tho formidable character Of the British
navy may be obtained by glance at the following force
which sailed from Spithcad the til Of April last and
which constitutes only the first division of the Baltic
feet: - Nv aasjef
Scrc~ ,iae-of battle chips. n
Ships. Guns Men, IT. r.
The Duke Of Wellington l3i lI00 7sO
laval Gaoroo oon .nn