Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Albany Gazette.

HOW far, what extent of force, our commerce can and to be protected; what naval force is adequate for defence of our line of coast, and particularly those important ports; what should be the dimension of an American navy, at home or abroad as convoys or as guarda costas, are interesting questions, meriting discussion at large by men of skill and of political science.

Universal protection by direct means, might be impracticable, a general system of convoying, it might be vain for us to attempt: but there are certain channels of trade most important for the profits of commerce, and most exposed to depredations, to which this species of protection might be usefully applied.

There are certain foreign stations also where the aid of ships of war would be sensibly felt at home. however, in the approaches to our commercial cities, where plunderers lie in wait at the critical points of our commerce, where every vessel is a prize, a naval protection would find its principal theatre.

But a very important though more remote view in which a navy would contribute to the national defence. is in the case of invasion. Some may vainly imagine that the wars that desolate the rest of the world will never reach us: that we shall ever enjoy a halcyon of peace; and it is upon this visionary supposition alone, that any one can seriously deny the necessity of a navy. It is, on the other hand, upon the probability of future war, that sound practical men ever have contended, and still contend for a naval force. as the great, natural and surest defence of the U. States.

Such men rely upon secure and active efficient instruments; our theorists and temporising politicians, on the contrary, rely in the first place, upon the vastness of our situation, and in the next place upon the native energies of the country. Our situation is indeed among the choicest features of our good fortune; not, however, because we are out of the reach of hostile ambition or foreign enterprize but because large armaments and distant expeditions are carried on under many disadvantages, and are exposed to great risks; and because, by means of a naval force, we may most avail ourselves of all those disadvantages. It is a fortified coast that that can bar a descent. The whole revenues of an empire, expended in fortifications, would not render so extensive a coast impregnable to invasion. It is that moveable bulwark, a naval force, on which we must chiefly rely to arrest, and discomfit an invading enemy. It is the right arm of our defence, the first like and the surest. Without a navy, the advantages of our situation is indeed something, with it is everything. Let us suppose a case that probable in itself, and perhaps not very remote, that the conqueror of continental Europe, the ally of our natural enemy, Spain, should close his present European career by a peace with Great Britain; let us suppose that, satiated with conquest at home, but thirsting for colonies abroad, he should use to resume his grant of Louisiana and extend there, with the addition of Florida and Cuba, a power vice-royalty stretching from St. Augustine to the mines of New-Mexico; or suppose a simple case of serious collision in this quarter just- ly to be expected, between one power determined to extend itself, and another anxious to preserve its territories; what then would be the defence on which we might best rely? The question admits of an easy answer from any one who reflects upon the comparative character of French naval power, and the irresistible force of his who reflects upon the difficulties of transporting large armies across an ocean, and the means of availing ourselves of those difficulties.

It is far from my design to enter into particulars, or to advocate specific measures. It is hoped that the all important project of a navy will be brought up in due season for a full discussion in congress; and it is presumed, that if there should not be honourable to the nation, it will be for the want of that light which able and able men may throw upon the subject. I remain

my characteristick sketches.