Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1856-01-16
Mr.. DOBBIN's REPORT.

OF Mr.. Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy, communica-
ted through the President of the United States to
Congress. The Report shows first, the duties per-
formed by the several squadrons during the past |
years and then the Secretary refers at some length
to the action of the late Naval Board. That portion
of the Report We gave in our last and we now copy
his remarks urging an increase of the Navy. The
Secretary says:
INCREASE OF THE NAVY
subsequent reflection and a comparative estimate
OF the relative strength of the naval forces of other
powers have but served to confirm me in the policy,
urged heretofore, of gradually but steadily increas-
ing the naateriet of our Navy. solem conviction
OF its Importance is my apology for reterating with
earnest solcitude, my recommendation to the last
Congress to orderthe construction of additional
number of steam sloops of war, carrying each about
twcaty guns, of the best modern Improvement re-
quirng draught Of not more than eighteen feet,
and thereby being capable of entering every South
ern as we'll as Northern port of any magnitude Ves-
sells of this size have attracted much consideration
and acquired much character during the recent con-
ticts in Europe. This addition to the increase so
wisely ordered by the last Congess would augment
our marine to point forming nucleus, which, sus-
tanned by the merchant marine would aid largely to
protect our country in sudden emergency-con-
tribute much to our estimation abroad and our con-
f1ence at home
{The facility with which an invincible volunteer
army may be raised from countrymen, trained
the settled policy of having but a small standing
army. This remarkable feature in the character of
our people has wrung from those even by no means
partial to institutions the reluctant admission
that the Americans are the most warlike people on
earth fear, however, that this circumstance has
caused some of our legislators to become unnlindfu
OF the equally welssttledsac that ships capable of
resisting and contending with vessels of war require
h,uch time to construct them properly; that mater
ais from the forest start up in our shpyards
aplc IdiprS at he far In fha
quest of Mexico which illustrated brilliantly the
reliability ofvoluneers should not be forgotten that
there was naval force of the enemy to annoy
commerce attack coast or disturb trade with
even apprehension of danger
reference to the report of the Bureau of Con-
! struction &C., will exhibit the number of vessels
| in condition for useful service / deem it my duty
canddly to express the opinion that Navy is not
only too dminutive to be expected to contend fairly
with that of other respectable nations is insufficient
to give adequate protection to our commerce. but is
unquestiOnably too feeble to command the edters Of
our coastJ Indeed, when comparison is fairly
instituted of what would be the demands for service
upon Navy noao in the event of war, with the
demand upon it in tbs war of 1912, my opinion is
that it will be found that country is not bet
ter prepared for sudden emergency than it
| then. The aggregate tonnage of the United States
in 1912 was 269 997 SO 95 tons for the fiscal year
| ending June 30 1855, it 5,2l2 600 1895 tons.
| In 1919 our whole coast to be protected extended
along the Atlantic merely from Maine to Florida.
Since then not only have Florida and Texas been
added but a Pacific coast, bordering new country
teeming with population and wealth. Thus, sir, it
appears that the Navy will have millions more of
| commerce to protect and thousands of miles
of coast to defend. could not, if would, disguise
the truth that even respectable Navy must neces-
sarily involve large expenditures But it is equally
true that without naval strength six months war
| with any nation with powerful marine would, in
the seizure of rich and valuable cargoes, in the des
truction of fleets OF merchantmen and in plundering
detenceless points along the coast cost more far
more than a squadron of invncibe men of-war.)
Recent occurrences in Europe demonstrate the
folly Of relying upon Navy so feeble, so impotent,
for either assault defence, that policy required it
to be carefully sunk to avoid enrching the enemy.
The United States cannot, by such policy, maintain
rank and command respect The governments of
the Old World vieing with each other in mag
nfyng and pcrfecting this of defence Our in
stitutions if they do not excite their positive jeal
ousy, not the objects of large share of their
esteem; and weakness may, sooner or later invite
the interference of those whose ideas of regulating
| the balance of power may so expand as to compre-
hend not simply our foreign, but Atlantic, Paci
c, and State relations. regard the steady increase
| of naval strength not sodr, but peace measure
a-measure OF defence involving grave questions of
commercial security and national independence. Ne
| gotiation and diplomacy aoW be exhausted before
aear is nude upon nation of brace men, poacertul
and readyJor the conflict. And now, sir, if ever, is
the auspicious time with an abundant treasury, to
make all investment than which none can be found
more national and safe.
1 am not unmindfn of our large merchant marine,
which, when manned by our hardy tars and brave
countrymen, would be an annoyance and terror to
our enemies, visiting their commerce with terrible
q retaliation. But must have ships of to meet
in combat upon the ocean the heavy guns and train
cd veterans of powerful foe. There is much in
the proud consciousness of national strength that
stimulates trade, embodens enterprise, and nerves
the of commerce. And while by no means
suggest the policy the necessity of so large naval
force as powerful nations FOSTER yetit desra-
bic, and attainable too that the American citizen,
whether in the opuent emporiums along the coast,
or in the rural retreats of the INTERIOR borne in
his adventurous spirit to traffic in the thronged
ports of the strong or the obscurer ports of the
barbarous and the weak, should gather confidence
and courage and energy from the reflection that he
belongs to government recognized by all as able
promptly to avenge his wrongs and to vindcate his
rights.
In building the frigates directed by the last Con-
gress, much of the seasoned material which had
been providently collected in the yards was used
in preference to purchasing, thus fastening their
completion with choice timber. In order to replace
as much as the fund would allow, the Bureau of
Construction, &C., has made contracts for the deli
very of new supply, to be applied to the construc-
ton of first class sloops-ofwar whenever Congress
shall so order. The Merrimack at Boston, the Wa
bash at Philadelphia, and the Minnesota at Wash
ington, have been launched The Niagara at New
York, and the Roanoke and Colorado at Portsmouth,
Virginia, will be launched in few weeks. The Of.
fcsrs, constructors, and mechanics, have evinced
praiseworthy zeal in striving to advance the COM
petion of the six steamers, and have thus far won