The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

The bill for reducing the Naval Establishment of the United States, which passed the House of Representatives on Friday, may be considered, after the Presidential election, as the most important act of the session. Most of the other measures of the House have been negative ones. It has been attempted to continue the Sedition law. To the honor of the nation the attempt has failed. It has been attempted to renew the act prohibiting commercial intercourse with France at the very period when a treaty formed and sanctioned by the constituted authorities of the nation, and which restores amity and commerce between the two countries, had taken off these restrictions. This attempt also has failed, though its defeat was not accomplished without a bold appeal to sentiments of national honor, and an exposure of the principles of an act that tended to crush every advance that had been made to reconciliation and peace.

But in the act respecting the Navy, something is actually done. Millions are saved to the country; and that spirit, which was hastening, by rapid strides, to hurry the United States into measures calculated to embroil her with the maritime powers of Europe, is arrested.

In a state of peace, undisturbed by foreign alarm, it may rationally be hoped that our citizens will coolly estimate the contrasted benefits and evils produced by a naval establishment.

As in all the measures of government the great interests of the community should be pursued, and as all legitimate partial interests constantly harmonize with these, by this rule it will be proper to determine the propriety of a naval establishment, and the degree to which it ought to be extended.

At present, it cannot be denied, that great division on this subject exists among our citizens. Nor is this division altogether the result of those dominant political principles that seem generally to determine the creeds of politicians. Many of the federalists are against an extended navy, and some of the republicans for it.

But whatever variety of opinion may exist as to its eventual increase or diminution, it is believed that at the present period the great body of the people will feel a sentiment of gratitude to their representatives for relieving them from a great and heavy expense.

We will endeavor, without attempting great precision, to state the financial effect of the reduction made.

The present naval establishment consists of 40 vessels of various sizes, viz.
5 of 44 guns
4 of 36 guns
2 of 32 guns
4 of 24 guns
8 of 20 to 24 guns
3 of 18 guns
2 of 16 guns
5 of 12 guns
7 Gallies.

The annual expense of them, as stated by the Secretary of the Navy, amounts to 2,280,449 Dollars.

The Bill passed by the H. of R. reduces the navy to
5 of 44 guns
4 of 36 guns
1 of 32 guns
3 of 24 guns

Of these frigates 5 of 44 guns and 1 of 36 guns are to be kept in a state of readiness for service—the other 7 are to be laid up.

The annual expense of this establishment, as estimated by the Secretary of the Navy is
Dolls. 380,000

If from the existing expense viz.
2,280,449
Be taken the future annual expense viz.
380,000

There will appear to be an annual gain of 1,900,449

Further.
All the remaining national vessels are to be sold.
These are, 1 frigate of 36 guns
1 of 24 guns
8 of 20 to 24 guns
3 of 18 guns
2 of 16 guns
5 of 12 guns
7 Gallies

The writer of these remarks has not immediate access to documents enabling him to fix the cost of these vessels. But from a late report of the Secretary of the Navy, and from other information in his possession, their actual cost appears to have amounted to about 2,000,000 of dollars, including articles of stock which have been consumed.

It is difficult to estimate the proceeds of sales at this time; but they may be calculated upon as between one million and half a million of dollars.

No remarks are made in relation to the marine corps, as the measures of our future President, on whose discretion its continuance is to depend, can not yet be ascertained.