East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1862-02-18
Reported BY a. W, srolt, for tn. Bay City Pres.
TX senate, Jan'y 4th, 1862.

heported by a. w sroLL, forthe bay Clty rress
-gilst b1s IN SENATE, Jan'y 4th, 1862.
Mr.. IyGRRsoLL, unanimous leave hay.
ing been granted, introduced the follow
ing ''i@ f', t.t' tp Hsi
JoIsr REsoLurIos for the location and establishment
of naval station and dock yard within the State
OF Michigan; ai 'pijoi
Whereas, The relations Of the United State. with
foreign countries are such that deem II important
that prompt and ample measures be taken 70 pro-
vide adequate protection 10 the commerce OF oui
ives srn likes, and TO ensure the more perfect de-
fence Of our exposed frontier, believe II OF the
highest interest and the Indispensable duty Of the
Government of the United States 10 immediately es-
tiblish naval station and dock yard, for the con-
strncton and equpent Of suitable vessels for such
prote ton; and
Waersos The State Of Michigan, almost entirely
surrounded hy navigabe waters, the opposite shores
OF large portion Of which are held by foreign
government, thus exposed 10 ncursions and nyason-
by which the immense commerce Of tbs northwest,
and other property Of its citizens are sujett TO cap
ture and devastation, and absolutely demanding, by
such peculiar situation the and protection of the
Federal Government; therefore
Resofued, That our Senators In Congress be In
struced, and our Representatives requested 10
urgently present this motnentpus subject 10 the at
tention Of the General Government, and TO use all
honorable means TO secure the immefiaie location
and establishment of Naval station and dock yard
at such point on tho Saginaw river, within the State
Of Mehicnn, as shall be selected by the Navy De-
part nent for that purpose ,l.sr1.h rr r.t..
trinsnit copies Of the foregoing preamble and reso-
lutons TO our Senators and Representatives. in Con-
gress. 80
Z The resolution having been referrsd to the Com-
mttee on Federal Relations, tho same WAS reported
back with mendment-substituting Grand
Haren, on Lake Miehigan," instead Of "at some
ing the adoption Of the resolution as amended by
the Committee, Mr. Ingersoll moved to renstate
SaginaU as originally introduced in his resolution
Mr.. INGERSOLi. said - zoe " sses
Mr.. PRESIDENT = When / had the
honor this morning to introduce the res
olutions now under discussion, which on
my own motinn were referred, aud the
Senate subsequently did ne the honor to
designate the Committee Oh Federal Re-
lations as the most appropriate medium
for primary action, had little thoaght
that before the close of the afternoon
session, / would be called upon tn disscct
my own hantling, or protest against any
fundamental change that might be made
either bymy own Committee or the action
of the Seuate. These resolutions, sir,
When first introduced, designated the
Saginaw river as the tno-t eligible place
FOR National backyard and Na,a Dep Il
IN onrc great chain of lakes. Ii was re-
frried to the Committee On Fe.ieral Re
lations who, during the recess OF the
Senate, Ina the same under consideration,
and without much deliheraiion, (for time
did not allow il, a majority Of the coin.
miitee instructed me as their chairman
To report the re>olutions hack to the Sen
ate substituting fnr the "Sa1i,sa,0 rirsr, /"
the words, "Grand Harsn. at tho mouth of
Grand Rirer, on Lake Mich,yan" cor.
sente,l thus I" be governed, rather than
TO delay action ON the subject, for mi
noritv report-inforining the committee
that here in the Senate, should at the
proper time, move to strike ont the local.
tv they had inserted, aud reinstate the
"Sagina,o rirsr," as originally introduced
This, Mr.. President, have done; aud
after thus far quietly listening to the de-
hate that has ensued, propose to give
briefly the reasons that have influenced
INV action in this matter, aud notice the
objections which those Senators have
urged who favor Grand Haven as the
best place for Naval Deppt. .ga11 s
Mr.. President,-The uiility-I may
say, the actual necessity Of depot fol
.he marine defence of the ports aud com
merce of .our great inland waters, is con
ceded by all; and it ,nay well be ques
ton of interest as To what point shall b,
selected for its location. hold, sir, Ma
point TO be most eligible which shall b,
somewhere midway between the termin
of an yunobstructcd navigation on onl
northwestern lakes. From Buffalo, at th,
lower end of Lake Erie, to Chicago, a
the heal If Lake Michigan. our coast j
dotted with innumerable ports, all o
which make mp the great marine tee
that whiteps with it's canvas the water
Of Lake Erie, Huron, Michigan and Sn
per;or. There is not port along thi
whole line but must feel its exposure il
the ecent of war with Great Britain
aud not port but must acknowledge tn
necessity Of defensive works. need no
then, sir argue conceded fact a nava
ldepot and national dock ard are needed
Their location is the only question.
have named the Saginaw riier as th
Ininst elihible locality, not bccansc it i
within the lwentyseighth Senatorial Dis
trici, which haze the houor to represen
on this floor, hut bccauSe along this grea
coast, FROM point to point, which hav
/ named, nature has made that locality pr,
erceiimcs, above all Others, the mos, d,
!, sirallle for the purpo,e named- becaus
the most central, the most accessible, All
! The most secure. These are the thre
principal rcasons to be urged IN the :,
/. tlcctim of site for naval depot. b,
, there are other CONSIDERATIONS which
propose to notice, in favor of the locatio
(which nv amendment seeks. To mal
them manifest as by comparison, allow N
bhcre, sir, to ask the honorable senator
the 29th (Mr. .Wi.bey,) who claims for
J, naval deppt at Grand Haven great
! safety because of the Fort at Mackina'
!; whose guns smight challenge the pas>a!
. of an epemy's vessel, why be does N
carry bis depot to Lake superior, beyol
" -. a...1 ..S.ut Cta Mar,a9 S,ra1v