MARCH, 1812.

Increase of the Navy.

SENATE.

will have the aggregate sum of $86,580,000, instead of the sum of $39,852,000 as estimated by that gentleman.

But there is just reason to believe that the estimates now presented are under, rather than over the truth. The estimates of that department have frequently been deficient, and extraordinary appropriations have several times been made to supply those deficiencies. The allowance for repairs, it is believed, will be found to be wholly insufficient in time of peace, and much more so in war. In December, 1809, the head of that department stated that the vessels then in service had been so thoroughly repaired, that in the opinion of practical men they were greatly superior to what they were when first launched, and that in consequence thereof, $150,000 would be sufficient to keep them in repair for one year. At the end of the year, however, it appeared $410,000 had been expended in repairs, notwithstanding their great superiority to new vessels.

that any large proportion of the volunteers will be called into service at any one time, or remain long in service when called upon. It is, therefore, not probable that the land service will cost the nation more than $15,000,000, because the regular force, if kept in service the whole year, will not require an expenditure of more than $11,000,000, and it is believed that the volunteers and militia who may be called into service will not cost the nation more than $4,000,000. The calculations of the honorable gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. LLOYD,) relative to the Navy, are liable to objections of a different nature. He estimates the present naval force of the United States as equal to ten stout frigates, and the expense of building twenty frigates of thirty-six guns at $3,420,000. The annual expense of thirty frigates he estimates at $3,060,000. The estimates of the War Department are not relied upon by the honorable gentleman, notwithstanding the history of that department entitles them to the fullest credit, while the estimates of the Mr. President: The estimates which have been Navy Department are implicitly received by taken as the basis of my calculation, can be demhim, not withstanding the history of that depart-onstrated to be less than what they must be in ment, from its organization to the present day, time of war. In the year 1809, $175,000 were proves conclusively that they cannot be safely transferred from the article of provisions to those relied on. That the estimates of that depart- of repairs, freight, and other contingent expenses,' ment, upon which the honorable gentleman has when the whole amount of the appropriations founded his calculations, are not entitled to im- for provisions was only $567,000. In the year plicit faith, can be clearly demonstrated. The 1810, $150,000 were transferred from provisions vessels in service in the year 1808 carried one to repairs, when the whole sum appropriated for hundred and sixty-two guns, and cost the nation that object was $353,610, and $110,000 were $1,056,872, which is at the rate of $6,520 per transferred from the pay to the repair of vessels gun. At this rate of expense, thirty frigates of also, when the appropriation for that object was thirty-six guns would cost the nation annually $718,115. These facts prove beyond the possi$7,041,880. In 1809, we had three hundred and bility of doubt, that the number of men authorfifty-four guns in service, which cost $2,816,129, ized to be employed were neither fed or paid, which is $7,736 per gun. At this rate of expense and consequently were not employed.. But in the thirty frigates would annually cost $8,354,-time of war, the full complement of men must 880. In 1812, the estimates are for three hundred and fifty-six guns, and the expense is estimated at $2.504,669, which is $7,035 per gun. At this rate of expense the thirty frigates would cost annually $7,597,800. The estimates of these years have been resorted to because they were the only estimates which were at my lodgings. The average annual expense of a gun during these three years has been $7,130, and the annual expense of the thirty frigates would accordingly The honorable gentleman thinks that a naval be $7,700,400, instead of $3,060,000, as estimated force of thirty frigates employed in the destrucby the honorable gentleman from Massachusetts, tion of the enemy's commerce would make her (Mr. LLOYD.) That gentlem in estimates the calculate-would bring her to terms. Mr. C. annual cost of repairs at 12 per cent., and the said if he could believe this he most certainly whole expense of thirty frigates for ten years, in- would vote for the proposition; but believing cluding the original cost of building twenty new that every seaman employed in the public vesones, at $39,852,000. The thirty frigates, accord-sels would be a diminution of that force by ing to the average expense of three years of peace, actually incurred, will cost the nation in ten years $77,004,000, to which add the cost of the twenty new frigates, and twelve per cent. annually on that sum, and on the cost of those now in service estimated at half that amount, and you

be employed, and the article of repairs, which in time of peace has so greatly exceeded the esti mates, must in time of war, if they perform any service, be swelled to an amount vastly beyond that estimated by the honorable gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr. L.) The expense of a navy of thirty frigates, according to the actual expense of that department already incurred, cannot be safely estimated at less than $10,000,000 annually.

which the enemy was to be most vitally_assailed, he was constrained to vote against it. The honorable gentleman from Kentucky has said, if thirty frigates can bring Great Britain to terms, why has not the Emperor of France brought her to terms, as he is able to send out one hundred of such frigates. If the gentleman from Massathe means, and no man doubts that he cherishes chusetts (Mr. L.) is right, Bonaparte possesses the disposition, to annoy his enemy so as to bring

1

her to terms. But he has failed in all of his attempts, and would no doubt fail were he to make this.

MARCH, 1812.

States, which made it extremely hazardous for our privateers to approach our own coasts, or enter our own harbors. It is expected that our situation will be very different in the event of war at this time. Instead of possessing the principal ports of the United States we expect to expel them from the whole of their continental possessions in our neighborhood. If this should be the result of the war, their means of annoying our commerce, and of destroying our privateers, will be greatly diminished, and their power of protecting their commerce from the depredations of our privateers will suffer an equal diminution.

The use proposed to be made of these frigates, if built, certainly meets my approbation. The idea of protecting our commerce by a naval force, which has been pressed with so much vehemence by some of our navy gentlemen, is worse than visionary. A navy can injure commerce, but cannot afford it protection, unless it annihilates the naval force of the adverse nation. Unless, therefore, we have the means of creating and supporting a naval force able to contend successfully with the British navy for the empire of the seas, we must abandon all idea of protecting Mr. C. said that his friend from Kentucky, in our commerce against that nation. Great Britain, the discussion of this question, had taken a view with her thousand ships of war, is unable to pro- of the taxes which were intended to be imposed in tect her commerce even in sight of her own the event of war. Every measure of additional coasts. According to my understanding of the expense at the present time involves, at least in views of the honorable gentlemen, these thirty contemplation, the idea of additional taxes; but frigates are to be employed in destroying the he should have been glad if this incidental view commerce of the enemy, and not in fighting her of that subject had been omitted by his honorable public armed vessels. They are in fact to be friend, who, notwithstanding his objections, innational privateers. In this point of view, the tends to vote for such of those taxes as the exiproposition to cashier the officer who should gencies of the nation shall require. Some of his strike the American flag seems to be at war with observations appeared calculated to make an unthe nature of their employment. They are to favorable impression upon the public mind, against direct their efforts to the destruction of merchant internal taxation; although he was convinced vessels, and to avoid collision with the ships of that the honorable gentleman did not intend war. It is to be apprehended that men, whose them to have that effect. If we engage in war, duty it is to avoid serious conflicts with the these taxes will be necessary, and it will be a enemy, will grow timid from habit, and will re-subject of deep regret if they should be rendered sist but feebly when inevitably forced into them. more objectionable by the observations of those The character of the naval officers of the United who feel the necessity of imposing them. The States makes a regulation of this kind wholly direct and internal taxes imposed during Mr. unnecessary. Their enterprise, their courage, Adams's administration were certainly unpopular. and intrepidity, are too well established to re- But, Mr. C. said, he had always understood that quire a regulation of such severity. As then the they were so, because they were believed to be gentleman does not intend to dispute the sover- unnecessary, and because they were imposed in eignty even of our own seas with our expected the most objectionable form. The measures of enemy with this naval force, but intends to em-expense adopted by that Administration made ploy it in the destruction of merchant vessels, an increase of that force appears to me to be wholly unnecessary and impolitic. Individual enterprise, directed by individual interest, will more effectually destroy the commerce of the enemy, than any number of frigates in the power of this Government to build and employ. The Baltimore Federal Republican states that a French privateer in the Atlantic ocean has captured about thirty merchant vessels, and that the impression made by this single privateer was so serious that thirteen vessels, several of which were frigates, were employed in cruising for her. The truth of this statement may be relied on, because that paper is not in the habit of exaggerating French successes, or of aggravating British sufferings. But it is said, that although our privateers were successful at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, before the conclusion of that contest they were entirely destroyed. Admitting the fact to be true, it does not necessarily follow that such will be the result of the war now in contemplation. After the first years of that contest, the British forces were in possession of the principal ports and harbors of the United

those taxes necessary; but it was believed that the expensive measures then adopted were not required by the actual state of affairs. The nation disapproved of the object, for the attainment of which those expensive measures were adopted, and consequently were opposed to the additional taxes which were imposed at that time.

If war is now thought to be necessary by the nation, we ought not to doubt for a moment that the people will willingly furnish the means necessary for its vigorous and successful prosecution. If there is not a sufficiency of good sense and patriotism in the nation to submit to the impositions necessary for the successful execution of those measures which have been adopted pursuant to their wishes, and for the protection of their rights, then indeed our rights and liberty are but empty names-the idea of our free and happy Government, an idle phantom! Whenever the fact shall be demonstrated, the preservation of our Constitution, and the integrity of the Union, will not be worth a struggle. But, until it is demonstrated, its possibility ought not to be admitted, and will not be admitted by the National Legislature.

TUESDAY, March 3.

Mr. CRAWFORD, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of the Board of Commissioners west of Pearl river," reported it without amendment.

SENATE.

act, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act concerning the commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France, and their dependencies, and for other purposes," was resumed; and, after debate, on motion by Mr. TAYLOR, the bill was recommitted to a select committee, to consist of five members, further to consider and report thereand Messrs. TAYLOR, CRAWFORD, LLOYD, REED, and SMITH, of Maryland, were appointed the committee.

The bill, entitled "An act supplementary to 'An act providing for the accommodation of the General Post Office and Patent Office, and for other purposes," was read the third time, and passed.

Mr. LLOYD stated that he had received, and asked leave to submit to the Senate, a resolution of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, approved by his Excellency, the Gov-on; ernor, stating the perfect ability and disposition of the government of that Commonwealth to make the most prompt provisions for the immediate supply of such blankets and clothing as the General Government may wish to contract with the citizens of the Commonwealth for, sufficient to meet any contingency which may occur, and to request information of any other articles which are or may be wanted for supplying the Indians, as there can be no doubt of the ability of the Commonwealth to supply, by contract, any such articles, mostly, if not altogether, from their own manufactories; and the resolution was read. Mr. TAYLOR, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act making a further appropriation for the defence of our maritime frontier," reported it amended.

On motion, by Mr. LEIB, the further consideration of the bill authorizing a subscription for the Laws of the United States, was postponed to the first Monday in April next.

The bill to incorporate Moses Austin, John Rice Jones, Henry Austin, and others, into a company, by the name of the Louisiana Lead Company, was resumed; and, after debate, on motion by Mr. LLOYD, the bill was referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, further to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. BRADLEY, LLOYD, Gregg, CutTS, and LEIB, were appointed the committee.

Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House such information as he may possess relative to captures made by the belligerents since the 23d day of June, 1811, of vessels of the United States bound to or from the Baltic, or within that sea; particularizing the nation of the captors, the cause assigned for detention, the names of the vessels, masters, and owners, and the port to which the vessels so detained belonged.

Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled An act to alter the time of holding the circuit court of the United States at Knoxville, in the district of East Tennessee, in the State of Tennessee," reported it amended.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill supplementary to the act, entitled "An act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage," together with the amendment reported thereto by the select committee.

On motion, by Mr. BAYARD, the further consideration of this bill was postponed until the first Monday in December next.

The third reading of the bill in addition to the 12th CoN. 1st SESS.-6

Mr. POPE communicated a resolution of the

Legislature of the State of Kentucky, recommending an improvement of the militia system of the United States; also, a resolution requesting their Senators and Representatives in Congress to endeavor to procure the establishment of certain roads or highways therein mentioned, under the authority of the General Government; and the resolutions were read.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill concerning the Naval Establishment; and it was agreed that the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, March 4.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act to alter the time of holding the circuit courts of the United States at Knoxville, in the district of East Tennessee, in the State of Tennessee," together with the amendments reported thereto by the select committee; and, having agreed to the amendments, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. - On the question, Shall this bill be read a third time, as amended? it was determined in the

affirmative.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act giving further time for registering claims to land in the western district of the Territory of Orleans;" and it was ordered to a third reading.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made yesterday by Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, and the motion was amended and agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House such information as he may possess relative to captures made by the belligerents since the 1st day of May, 1811, of vessels of the United States, bound to or from the Baltic, or within that sea; particularizing the nation of the captors, the cause assigned for detention, the names of the vessels, masters, and owners, and the port to which the vessels so detained belonged.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act making a further appropriation for the defence of our maritime frontier," together with

Proceedings.

the amendment reported thereto by the select on the subject, reported a bill for improving the committee; and, having agreed to the amend-navigation of the river Potomac, opposite the city ment, the President reported the bill to the House of Washington; and the bill was read, and passed accordingly. to the second reading.

Proceedings.

A message from the House of Representatives for further amendment, it was determined in the informed the Senate that the House have passed negative. a bill, entitled "An act supplementary to 'An act to raise an additional military force," in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. The bill last mentioned was read, and passed to the second reading.

The following Message was received from the in part, a bill to provide for the designating, surPRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: