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Debates in Congress.
GVN BdAT HILL.
•^Jt. Newton said it was not his intention
Isi- up the time ot the committee in a
uisHion on the subject o( gun-boats ;
a eh were he to attempt it he had no
"bt but he might be equally, qualified with
e trehflemen who had displayed their e-
^ nen.ee oh this occasion. He thought
?5 -y IhouW now take into consideration the
m. -v.tion of this country in relation to G.
— mfain. Why were they now talking of
- fence- offortificatious, and of gun-boats ?
«r=-c.a»se they had arrived at a perilous' crisis ?
3ne nation had been, attacked, the blood of
^-=- inhabitants had been spilt, and they must
E-».ve war if repaiati. n was not made. They
«sard by the papers that a minister was to
, «=¦: sent to negociate on the subject ; but
s^~ hen the minister arrived here, would any
j^«?ntleman say that they would receive that
• t -oaration which he was prepared »o off-r
Cr^Ie believed not" When our affairs
-~Vius situated, and as the gentleman from N.
Carolina (Mr. Macon) said a lew days ago
-when they were actually in a atate of war,
were
^^ they ...... -^^^^
«migbt they not to make a better use ot their
•time and the public money than in debating
¦*r>n the details of a bill ? If a treaty with
•G.Britain were laid upon their table at this
arnoment, should they for that reason desist
from preparations for defence ? No ; that
sanation had trampled on every moral princi-
ple ; there was no faith in her ; paper and
yarchment were no security for her good
conduct- II tliev wished to be respected
I
vwauv... II they
by that power, they must place themselves
in a situation to return injury for injury to
retaliate on her for the violations of their
rights. When they did thus, thev mi., ht
expect something like decency of coRduct
or respect for their rights from that power ;
until they put themselves in a situation to
command her respect, they would expect in
¦vain to receive it.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania, who
had made the motion for striking out the
ntimber 88, h-id assigned his reasons for it,
and his principal reason was, that it was nc-
a sary to apply the money which would
thus be saved to the building-of ships oPwar.
Mr. N.. would agree with that gentleman to
build ships of war, hut did not wish'to in-
volve it with other objects ; be did not wish
Vo make i.his bill a hotchpotch ; he wished
to let each species of defence stand on its
own ground. Were the house to adopt a
law authorising the erection of frigates, it
would take years to complete them ;
if however, they authorised the erec-
tion of gun boats, they could be built in
the course of six ot twelve months, and
¦would afford immediate protection to all our
ports, Which was the object they now wish-
ed to. accomplish. He knew a number of
gentlemen who were formerly greatly op
Tiosed to this mode of defence ; but no soon-
er was the outrage on the Chesapeake com-
mitted, thau thy emtjraeea the opinion in
V,
CSptlOB)
waters
favor sf their utility, and were Convinced
that the country could not adopt a better
mode. What were these gun boats con-
templated by the bill? They were vessels
that could carry heavy metal, thirty-two
pounders, they were indeed moveable forti
who deemed that it could ever be expedient
to make them the principal part of our
force ; such as is proposed by tbe present
bill. That they were a power, which some-
times might be useful, and therefore not
wholly to be omitted, in any extensive sys-
tem of defence, was agreed on all hands,
but when they were proposed in such num-
bers as to absorb appropriations, which were
wanted for a higher species ofdefei.ee, they
became a serious cause of apprehension to
the friends of an effectual protection to our
harbors.
Gun-boats might often be of no inconsi-
derable use in rivers, in shallows, and in
landlock bays. But in deep watei Karfe*»»,
rjlf,,_ Lif. -i i. i.i, ..-.a where the
ia had full access, they were of very limited
fficacy ; and comparatively they .might be
11 *"» -- ,'l.
ons
enemy
sea
e
said to be of none at all. Because, thetime
which an enemy would select to attack such
1- ' .!_ ,1____
our
the
power
by that power itself on whom the attack
was made. !Sv.
There was one object, Mr. N. said, which
should certainly be considered by the house
—it was this, that if they did go to war
with Great Britain they could not carry on
ah intercourse from one part of the United
S'ates to tbe other by sea, because the ene-
my being in undoubted possession of the
ocean, our vessels could not venture out.—
This communication must be carried on by
inland navigation ; and if any gentleman
would examine the map of the United States
he would find that a canal which would
connect the waters of North-Carolina with
those of Chesapeake Bay, was almost com-
pleted, as well as other canals, which
would suffice for the transportation of the
produce of one part of the country to the
othar. Now if they did nut ktep the Che-
harbors, »as the very time, in which they
wereuseless. An enemy, knowing the na-
ture of your defensive force, would always
choose a brisk and leading wind, with an
high sea. At such times gun-boais, it was
not denied, were of no efficacy, lying almost
level with the water, the force of the ball
was lost, or turned from its direction by the
waves.
But another and most important objection
to them a as, that they were abhored by sea-
men, who regarded them with utter con-
tempt. Men accustomed ta> sufficient ship-
room, could net brook beingcooped up, like
poultry, for a sacrifice ; with scarcely room
enough to turn or to stretch themselves. A
very respectable and eminent merchant in
New York had assured him,that it was im-
possible to get seamen to supply the present
number of gunboats in that harbor. That
they were disgusted with the little accom-
modation they afforded. That in case of
storm or exposure, they were the most com-
fortless places imaginable, giving their sea-
men no place of retreat, but a wretched
hold, into which they must creep,wherethey
could not straighten themselves, but must
gel like dogs upon their haunches.
On water the chief reliance must always
be on those accustomed to that element. IF
these are dissatisfied, they -soon common -
cate their discontent to the landsmen, and
militia serving on board. Indeed how is it
possible that these will not detest a service
at which the hardy sons of the sea repine ?
Besides so many men, as must be employed,
stowed together in such a email space as the
decks of these gunboats offer, are sure marks
for musquetry, and whenever they can be
got within reach of small arms, their danger
and exposure is extreme. I know there is
an answer to this—" it is a part ot the skill
of these boats (it is said) to keep at a dis-
tance, and out of the reach of the enemy's
fire by retiring as be advances." Tins
i brave scheme torms one capital objection to
the whole system, considered as a general
and principal portion of our defence. Its
tendency is to make men cowards. It
teaches them to look for salety, not in meet-
ing the enemy, but in running away. The
principle of every other military system of
which I have ever beard, is to make men
fearless of danger—ardent to meet the ene-
my—to lose the sense of personal hazard in
the zeal of conflict, if I may use the expres-
sion—to close in with death, and by daunt-
lessueso, frown him out of his terrors. In
-- other way can the natural fears of man
trio; safety in flight, is of all others
direct.means -.to.enciwa.-.je ifowardice. It
wns not tbejref re yviih at some regret that
he had heard hi.-- honourable colleague (Mr.
' CrewninslnVld) dwell with with such an ap-
parent satislactioil on the great advantage,
hich these boats gave of getting rut of
h-urn's ,« ay. and annoying the enemy from
shallows, and concealed behind points of
land ; retreating as the enemy advanced.—
He began to fear lest it might be thought*
that this was their ¦ ay of fighting' in the
northern staies, and that such were calculati
their warriors would make when the
should come. But, Sir, the soil in
which PREBLES spring, yields not men,
who will seek safety in flight, or who ill
hide themselves 'fieri danger approaches.
No, Sir. They will meet the enemy at the
harbour's month. Their bodies will be their
country's bulwarks. They will engage at
close quarters, and if you will not give them
decks ol your own to fight upon, they will
find means ;o fight on those of the enemy.
The effect produced by gun-boats is said
to he, at long shot, with ships of war, be-
yond the reach of whose metal they are to
be placed, and to whom also their small
size presents no object. But in making
these calculations gentlemen forget there
was such a thing as boarding and attacking
with boats, and that unless these gun-boats
were in their nature strong enough to cope
with the boats of ships of war, they must re-
tire from the reach of the boats, or fall a sa-
crifice. A gentleman, formerly an officer
in the American navy, who had vyy lately
returned from the West Indies, had assured
him that every thirty-gun frigate upon the
Jamaica station, carried ffmr boats, capable
of carrying forty men with an eighteen
pound carronade in the bow of each. His
colleague talked of fifteen men to a gun-
boat! Why if they should have forty, they
would each have to cope with two or three
times their number, with musquetry, and at
Close quarters ; and in a situation which, all
;igree. is most inauspicious for such a con-
test. Gentlemen say Great Britain is so
obi erfulon the ooean, that we cannot cope
with her in frigates and heavy ships, and so
we must have nothing but gun-boats. But
will gentlemen pleace to recollect, that ii
with the greater naval instruments in our
hands we cannot cope with her, ccttainly
we cannot with the less. If she is to con-
tend with a gun-boat power, will she not
bring into action a power competent to con-
tend with gun-boats ? Theomnipotence of
the British navy, on which so many gentle-
men rest their arguments against naval pre-
paration, if it prove any thing, is as conclu-
sive against gun boats, as against frigates &
line of battle ships.
It was not his intention to have made any
observations on the importance and neces-
sity of a navy in a war with any European
nation, with which we might be engaged ;
but as other gentlemen had referred to that
subject, he would make some brief sugges-
tions on that head.. He consldn-pd that war
unce oeciaicu, and a navy was inevitable.—
Did gentlemen seriously believe that the
talents and skill, and enterprise of our sea-
men, could be confined to gun-boats & pri-
vateers ? Wben the thousands of brave ma-
riners, whom war will have deprived of sub-
sistence, and condemned to our harbors,
shall hear that the enemy is off their coast,
capturing whatever small force falls in their
way ; will they be content with any thing
less than a power capable to cope with
them ? A power which our seamen as
competent to wield as theii's; and which,
although it may not equal in point of num-
ber of vessels the force of the enemy, yet
may be such as essentially to foil particular
efforts. Sir,oar seamen * ill claim the right
of being enabled to look the enemy in the
face ; and in three years of war, a navy
would be forced upon you by a sense of du-
ty which circumstances would make
impressive. It is true, it would be a navy
of hasty erection, constituted of ill-season&d
timber, and less perfect workmanship. All
which disadvantages, by a foresight of the
real situation and wants of the country, yen
might now, by using atime of peace, whol-
ly obviate. I know that to gentleman from
the south and the west, tbe very name of a
navy is odious. It is a sea-power. It is a
power which from their local position, they
can never wield. Of such a power it is na-
tural for men to be jealous1. And if state
influences or local prejudices are to guide
the policy of this nation,]! will not deny that
it is as wise as it is natural. But if we are
really one nation and one people, can there
tbe most i °W defence, besanse it is possible we may
abuse it to our Bijitfy ¦
Bnt it is rirged that the navy of Great
Britain ;s stronger than any we can possibly
St it. And is that a reason we
| e wholly defenceless? Because the
armour of our enemy is impenetrable, is
that :i reason we should engage him quite
naked ? But there are circumstances, wtiieh
would give any navy we may possess
great advantages, even in a contest with
that nation, so long as it was reserved for
harbor and coast defence, Their ships would
be at a distance from friendly ports, our's at
home. Our men would engage, hot weak
phi*! by long voyages, and righting in sight
of their own shoars In. case of an attack
upon our cities, had we a naval force, we
could always by contiguity to the shore out,
number our enemy. We could put as great
a force on board as we pleased, and by com-
ing to close quarters, make victory almost
certain. The time would not allow him to
enter as fully into this subject as he wislied,
a"d hereafter intended. He had spoken up
o.i the spur of the occasion, and had limited
hit self to counteract some prepossessions
that he had seen attempted to be excited.
LEGISLATURE,
House of. Delegates, Maryland.
Saturday, December ig.
Ordered, that Mr. W. H. Brown and
Mr. Belt be added to'the committee apoint-
ed on the petition of Notley Maddox.
The report on the petition of John Wil-
kins was read the second time, and the reso-
lution therein assented to.
The further supplement to the act relat-
ing to public roads in Queen Ann's county
was read the second time and passed.
On motion, the house resolved itself into
a committee of the whole on the bill to re-
gulate and discipline the militia of this state
Mr: Hawkins in the chair. After sometime
spent therein, the speaker re .umtd the chair
be surmounted. But this scheme of seek-
be any thing more unwise or impolitic ?—
Sir, if gentlemen from the southern states
would rid themselves of their local prejudi-
ces, they would see that a navy was a
most desirable power for the purpose of their
own safety. In case of a war it would be
the only instrument of communication be-
tween the different ports of our widely ex-
tended coasts. In our harbors it forms the
best and most certain species of defence, and
it serves also as convoys to our troops, which
the exigency of war might require to be
passed from one extreme of the continent to
the other. It would enable the strength of
the north to be brought in the shortest time
possible, to the aid of the south; Instead of
being an object of jealousy, it ought to be
valued as a bond of national union. I ask
gentlemen from the western states, how, in
case ol a war, they expect to preserve their
communication with the sea and the Atlan-
tic market, but by means of a naval force ?
With such a force, the Mississippi may be
kept open. Without such an one, it would
be inevitably closed.
But it is said we cannot protect our com
nierce ail over the world. This objection is
to the use of the power, and not to its na-
ture. Cannot we trust ourselves ? Shall we
refuse to get in preparation an instrument for
and Mr. Hawkins reported, that the com
mittee had taken into consideration the sub-
ject matter referred to them and had made
several amendments, ar.d rep irted the said
b.ll with the amendments.
On motion, the question was put, that
the said bill have a second reading on Tues-
day next ? Determined in the negative.
On motion, the question ,vas then put,
that the nine be printed ? Resolved in the
affirmative.
Ordered, that the same have a second
reading on Wednesday next.
Adjourned.
Monday, December 21,
The bill authorising and directing the
sales of certain lands lying in Worcester
county and belonging to William Fleming
deceased the bill f r recording certain wills
in the register's office of Worcester coun-y,
the further supplement to the act relating to
the public roads in Queen-Anne's county,
the resolution in favor of John Wilkins. &
the resolution in favor of Gassaway Wat-
kins, were sent to the senate.
Ordered, that the message relative to an
address to the President of the U. States
i„. ,.-ifh-i.-,......
The following message was read.
We concur with you in the opinion that
it would be expedient to appoint-a joint
committee of both branches of the legisla-
ture to prepare an address to the President
of the United States, and on the part of
the house of delegates Messieurs-------aie
appointed to to join the members chosen by
the senate for that purpose.
Mr. T. B. Dorsey, Mr. Bruce, M. Tabbs,
Mr. Keir and Mr. Mitchell, were appoint-
ed by ballot a committee for the above pur
p^se, and the question was put, that the
house agree to the said message I Resolved
in the affirmative, and the message was sent
to the senate,
Mr. P. Spencer had leave of absence.
A petition from Rebecca English, of Mont
gomery county, praying to be supported out
of the poor-house ; and petitions from Den-
wood Hicks and William Kiinails, of Dor-
chester county, praying a further tine for
the payment of balances due by them to the
state, were preferred, read and referred.
Mr Kerr delivered a favorable report on
the petition of Nicholas Brewer j which was
read.
Mr. Page delivered a bill, entitled, an act
to confirm a certain road therein mentioned ;
which was read.
A petition from George Handy, register
of wills, and William Done, clerk of Somer-
set county, praying that they may have
public offices built at the expense of the
County ; and a petition from Joshua C. Hig-
gins, ot Anne-Anindtl county, praying he
may be authorised to collect the balances
due Jasper E. Tilly, as sheriff, were preferred,
read and referred.
The bill to lay out and make a public road
in Q.ueen-A line's county, was read the se-
cond time, passed, and sent to the senate.
A petition from sundry inhabitants of
Dorchester county, praying a law to prevent
the fixing weirs or hedges across Cabin
creek, was preferred, read and referred.
Mr. Kriggs delivered an unfavorable report
on the petition of Martha Gandy ; which
was twice read and concurred with.
A petition from Mary Watkins, of Mont-
gomery county, praying to be supported out
ef the poor house, was preferred, read and
referred.
The following order was read :
Ordered, That for the remainder of the
session no member have leave of absence
unless the same be asked for in person, and
that the committee of claims strike every
member off the journal of accounts the day
after he leaves the ciry.
And the question put, that.the house agree
to the first part thereof, as far as the word
The question was then put, that the house
agree to the residue of the said order ? De-
termined in the' negative.
The house proceeded to the second read-
ing of the bill to incorporate a (ire insurance \
company in the city of Baltimore, which
being amended, and read thvonrhout, the
question was put. shall the said bill pass ?
Resolved in the affirmative.
The report of on the petition George P.
Hinckle, was read the second time, and the
resolution therein assented to.
The bill to quiet the possessions and fix
the lines of the lots of ground fronting on
the west side of Pbilpot street, between
Will street and Thames-street, in the city
of Baltimore, was read the second time and
passed.
On the second reading of the bill relative
to writs of capias ad satisfaciendum, the
question was put, that the same be recom-
mitted for amendment ? Rtsolved in the
affirmative.
Ordered, that the committee which pre-
pared and brought in said bill be di-chargedf,
and that Mr. T. Dorsey, Mr. Blackistonw
and Mr. Sudler, be a committee to amend'
the same.
A petition from John Woolford & others^
of Dorchester county, praying that part of
the real estate of Levin Woolford. dece?sedy
may be sold, a petition from Richard Trim-
ble of Baltimore county, praying the wiW
of Mary Davidson may be confirmed, and a'
petition from Daniel Forney, nf Baltimore
county, praying compensation for a turn-
pike road, running through his land, we?e
preferred, read and referred.
Mr. Henry delivered a f'avoiable report en
thefpetition of Denwood Hicks and Wil.
liarn Ennajls ; which was twice read, and
the resolution therein assented ro.
A petition from John C. Bond, late she-'
r!ff of Harford county, praying to be in.
dulged in the payment of a balance due by
htm to the State, and to be released from the
additional nine per cent, due thereon, was
preferred, read and referred.
The further supplemmt to the act to in-
corporate an insurance company in Balti-
more town, was read the second time, and
passed.
On the second reading of the bill for the
relief of Nathaniel L. Cuew, Peter Miles &
Robert Neslit, of Baltimore county, the
question was pat, that the house adjourn f*
Determined in the negative.
¦ The question was then put, shall the said-
bill pass ' Resolved in the affirmative.
Adjourned.
" person ?" Resolved in the affirmative-
Tuesday, December 22.
. Present as on yesterday, except Mr, P.,
Spencer.
The bill for the relief of Nathaniel L.
Chew, Peter Miles and Robert Nes'eit, the
further supplement to the act to incorporate
an insurance company in Baltimore town,
the bill to quiet the possessions and fix the.
lines of the lots of ground fronting on the
west side of Philpotftreet, between Will-
i reet and Thames-street, in the city of
Baltimore, the bill to incorporate a (ire insu-
rance company in the city of Baltimore, the
resolution in favor of George P. Hinckle,
and the resolution in favor of Denwood
Hicks and William Ennalls, were sent to
the senate.
The bill for the relief of Mary Gvviun,
and the bill to lay out and open a toad in-
Frederick county, were read the second
tune, passed and sent to the senate..
Mr. W. Mcffit delivered a bill, entitled,;
an act for the relief of Henry Waller, of
Kent county, which was read.
The bill to Viy out and make a public road
in Baltimore county, was read the second
time, passed and^ent to the senate.
A petition from sundry inhabitants of-
Chavles county, praying a lottery for the
purpose of repairing the church in Porf.
Tobacco parish, a petition from John SinnU
Brooks, of Prince George's county, pra\irg
that a certain certificate maybe received in
part payment of a debt due by him to the
state, and a petition from the managers of
the Baltimore general dispensary, praying:
to be incorporated, and. to receive pecuniary
aid from the state for the benefit thereof!
were preferred, read and referred.
Mr. Street delivered an unfavorable reporB
on the petition of sundry inhabitants of Har-
ford county, praying that a certain road, or
part thereof, may be reviewed ; which was
twice read, and concurred with.
A petition from Edward Reynolds, <4V
Calvert county, praying that his claim a.,
gainst W. and R. Mollison may be paid, was
read and referred.
Mr. Steuart delivered a bill, entitled, an
act to confirm the will of Mary Davidson*
of the city of Baltimore, deceased, whicbx
was read.
Leave given to bring in a bill to autho-
rise the levy court of Charles county to levy
a sum of money tor the purpose thereiij
mentioned, and a bill to authorise the levy
court of Anne-Arundel county to levy a
sura of money for the purpose therein men-
tioned.
Mr. T. Moffit delivered a-bill, entitled
an act in fav^rof the representatives of Ri-
chard Hall, late of Cased county deceased ;
which was read.
Mr. For wood delivered a favorable report
on the petition of John C. Bond ; which
was twice read, the resolution therein as*
sented to and sent to the senate.
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