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Editorial
December 7, 1798
Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
An editorial defends the nascent U.S. Navy against anti-federalist criticisms, arguing its utility for protecting extensive commercial interests amid precarious relations. It cites public confidence in the government via re-elections and promises extracts from a British naval history work tomorrow.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
NEW-YORK, December 5.
INFANT NAVY OF AMERICA.
Let there be a Fleet—and there is a Fleet!
(Acts of the Fed. Legi.)
Among other objects of anti-federal censure, the Infant Navy of the Union has been represented as pitiful in its present state, and dangerous in its probable advancement. This is one of the daily contradictions, by which our disorganizers attempt to delude the people and distract the government: They wish, as the sailors say, "to head us on both tacks;" but as I do not imagine our fellow-citizens will be readily induced to question the utility of an armed marine, whilst their commercial relations are so extensive and so precarious, as at this instant; and as the general re-election of their late defensive-war representatives, is an irrefutable evidence of their confidence in the actual government and laws of the union, I shall merely refute the alleged improbability of deriving any permanent advantage, from so "pitiful a navy as that of the United States," by a few extracts from a late work, in which the Rise and Progress of the Marine Force of Great Britain is fully detailed. The original is entitled: "Memoir on British Naval Architecture; by Ralph Willlet, Esq. F. A. and R. S. S."
A Friend to Commerce.
[Extracts to-morrow.]
INFANT NAVY OF AMERICA.
Let there be a Fleet—and there is a Fleet!
(Acts of the Fed. Legi.)
Among other objects of anti-federal censure, the Infant Navy of the Union has been represented as pitiful in its present state, and dangerous in its probable advancement. This is one of the daily contradictions, by which our disorganizers attempt to delude the people and distract the government: They wish, as the sailors say, "to head us on both tacks;" but as I do not imagine our fellow-citizens will be readily induced to question the utility of an armed marine, whilst their commercial relations are so extensive and so precarious, as at this instant; and as the general re-election of their late defensive-war representatives, is an irrefutable evidence of their confidence in the actual government and laws of the union, I shall merely refute the alleged improbability of deriving any permanent advantage, from so "pitiful a navy as that of the United States," by a few extracts from a late work, in which the Rise and Progress of the Marine Force of Great Britain is fully detailed. The original is entitled: "Memoir on British Naval Architecture; by Ralph Willlet, Esq. F. A. and R. S. S."
A Friend to Commerce.
[Extracts to-morrow.]
What sub-type of article is it?
Military Affairs
Partisan Politics
Trade Or Commerce
What keywords are associated?
Infant Navy
Anti Federal Censure
Naval Architecture
Commerce Protection
Federal Union
What entities or persons were involved?
Anti Federalists
United States Navy
Ralph Willlet
Great Britain
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of The Infant U.S. Navy Against Anti Federal Criticism
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Federal Government And Naval Establishment
Key Figures
Anti Federalists
United States Navy
Ralph Willlet
Great Britain
Key Arguments
Anti Federalists Contradict Themselves By Calling The Navy Both Pitiful And Dangerous
U.S. Commercial Relations Require An Armed Marine For Protection
Public Re Election Of Defensive War Representatives Shows Confidence In The Government
British Naval History Demonstrates Potential Advantages Of A Growing Navy