The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-22
TIE MARITIME DEYxNcEs OF GREAT BRirAlS


(rrom the n. Y. Journal Of Com'ncrccl
The extraordinary and still unexplained augmentation
of the land and naval forces Of France, and the Apprc
hension That Louis Napoleon nteniy whcnevcr fayor
able opportunity shall Offer 10 carry out the ah of his
uncle Tor which the Comp Of Boulognc was FORM
cd ard invade the United Kingdom, has caused anxious
inqut.es to be made, both In Parliament and Through
the press Ms to the present condition Of England de-
fonces and the strength and efficiency Of the naval force
which she could at any moncnt should Louis Ma
polcon really take 1t into his head to have brush with
John Dull on British territory.
II appears from the Official returns published by the
admiralty at the request Of raramcnt that the total
naval force In commission consists OF zS7 ships lex
clusivc Of store and receiving slps carrying 4,7sS
guns and manned by SI9 sailors Of these there are
lying n homo ports ready for but not fully manned
Is sips-of the''1c mounting I,z45 gnns II frigates,
mounting AT guns 20 corvcttes and sloops mounting
29S guns IL gun vessels mounting 90 guns and lOS
gun boats mounting 2l6 guns This formidable force
would be capable Of being equipped Immediately chan
mel fleet were not the great difficulty which cxpc
rioncci in finding Notwithstanding the aid OF the
coast guard naval volunteers &C. Is found that enlist
ent for service in her Majesty snyy goes on very slowly
that none of the shpofwar in port have anything near
their full number Of en and that unless greater empta
tons the shape bounties and advantages are Of
fcrcd to seaen than those which given in case
oany sudden emergency large portion fthe home squad
ron would be Inefficient We're this difficulty overcome
and measures being tken to ascertain how this can
be done lit apparent that Great Britain has force at
her command amply sufficient to defend her from inva-
quite imposing enough to induce Louis Napoleon, or
man of much less sagacy and foresight than he un-
doubtedy is to hesitate long and ponder well before he
atterpts s.the conquest of England even though the
flower Of her army is engaged n Bengal subduing a
monster rebellion and portion Of her fleet is attending
Lord Elgin in his effort jointly with this country and
France, to break down the exclusive system OF the
Chinese, and open up the Fowcry Kingdom to the COM
merce of the world.
But while the English government are taking due pre-
caution to guard against every contingency and to re-
move all Of popular ALARM they are making no
osentaous displays of strength and no boasts OF their
naval superiority On the contrary they seem anxious
to avoid giving the least Of offence to other ma
tions and to consrue avorby possible the motives
and actions Of foreign governments 1T is not the pol
icy interest of England, said Mr. Disraeli, always
to gvo credit to foreign for the worst nten
tions" This is perfectly true. policy Of suspicion
and captions scnstveness all occasions
ducc to the greatness influence of nation whereas
generous confidence in tho honor honesty, and civi
cation Of foreign Sptcs is almost invariably tho surcst
and easiest way to those ofirratlon which
may exist and to promote that mutual confidence and
friendship upon which the progress and welfare Of ind
vdual nations 10 largely depends
The British ships ON foreign service arc as follows
EnstI Indi sandC