---------+--------------+------------+------------+-------+------+-------
| Ships of | | | Total | Total| Total
Nations | the Line | Frigates | Sloops |Vessels|Cannon| Seamen
---------+--------------+------------+------------+-------+------+-------
| ships guns | guns | | | |
| | | | | |
| from to| from to| | | |
Spain | 72 112 - 58| 41 |109 | 222 |10,000| 50,000
Portugal | 10 80 - 58| 14 44 - 30| 29 | 53 | 1,500| 1,000
Naples | 10 74 - 50| 10 | 12 | 32 | 1,000| 5,000
Venice | 20 88 - 16| 10 | 58 | 88 | 1,000| 14,000
Ottoman | | | | | |
Empire | 30 74 - 50| 50 50 - 10|100 galliots| 180 | 3,000| 50,000
Holland | 44 74 - 56| 43 40 - 24|100 | 187 | 2,300| 15,000
Denmark | 38 90 - 50| 20 42 - 20| 60 chebecks| 118 | 3,000| 12,000
Sweden | 27 74 - 50| 12 38 - 20| 40 gallies | 79 | 3,000| 13,000
Russia | 67 110 - 66| 36 44 - 28|700 various | 803 | 9,000| 21,000
France | 81 118 - 64| 69 40 - 30|141 various | 291 |14,000| 78,000
England |195 100 - 50|210 |256 | 661 |12,000|100,000
---------+--------------+------------+------------+-------+------+-------
2714 59,800 359,000
Taking the whole of these fleets, and estimating their expence by that
of the British marine, it must amount to about twenty-six millions of
pounds sterling per annum, equal to 115,555,555 dollars, 50 cents. Can
we reflect on this table and not feel, in the most sensible manner, the
folly of the eleven European nations, who support such establishments for
their mutual oppression? Is there an American who, after viewing these
horrid consequences of divided Europe and her barbarous policy, that can
for a moment harbour a wish, that these happy States should be divided,
and each petty government, in proportion to its resources, augment its
fleets and armies either for defence or to gratify a mad ambition, by
depredating on its neighbours? If there be such men, they are in a state
of political insanity, and the worst enemies to the American people.
The humane and excellent Dean Tucker, in his work on political economy,
published during the American revolution, has observed, "That the wars
of Europe, for the last two hundred years, have, by the confession of
all parties, really ended in the advantage of none, but to the manifest
detriment of all. Suffice it to remark, that had each of the contending
powers employed their subjects in cultivating and improving such lands
as were clear of all disputed titles, instead of aiming at more extended
possessions, they had consulted both their own and their people's
greatness much more efficaciously, than all the victories of a Cesar or
an Alexander." This important truth should be deeply impressed on the
mind of every American.
But I will return to the fleets of Europe, and endeavour to point out the
principal causes of the great increase of those engines of oppression,
and from whence the wealth has arisen to support such expences. I will
also shew the increasing resources which will, if science does not check
it, enable England hereafter to support a marine of fifteen hundred armed
ships, with as much ease as she now does seven hundred and sixty.
In 1602, the British nation could not possibly have paid for the expence
of such a navy as it possessed in 1701, and in 1701, the resources of
the nation were not equal to the expence of the navy of 1801. The reason
is, that since 1602, the sciences have developed immense resources.
Chemistry and mechanics have multiplied the produce of productive labour,
and increased the riches of every nation in Europe; the commerce of
China and the East-Indies has been opened; Russia and Sweden have become
civilized and commercial; South America, the West India islands, and
North America, have, from a few hundred persons, grown to a population
of at least twenty-five millions; who have created a vast and productive
commerce, of which there was no conception two centuries ago. Agriculture
has every where been improved; the earth produces more for a given
labour; manufactures are carried on, in various degrees of perfection,
in every country and district of country, which, creating surplus wealth
to pay for luxuries, returns millions of riches on so enterprising
and commercial a people as the English, which, added to their own
improvements in mechanism, manufactures, and agriculture, enables the
government, at this day, to expend thirteen millions of pounds sterling,
annually, on their marine. Yet the people in general live better, have
more enjoyments, and because they have more enjoyments, they are in
reality not more oppressed than the people of 1625, who paid only fifty
thousand pounds to the marine. Such is the natural consequence of a
general cultivation of the useful arts; but a just government and a wise
people, should take care that the wealth which the useful arts give to
them, should not be uselessly expended.
As imports and exports are the consequence of increased population and
industry, the following will shew how the expences of the British marine
have not only kept pace, but gained on her sources of wealth.
_Table of British Imports, Exports, and Expence of the Marine, in pounds
sterling._
In 1701
Imports 5,869,609_l._
Exports 7,621,053_l._
--------------
Total 13,490,662_l._
_Expence of the Marine_
1,046,397_l._ or one thirteenth of the whole imports and exports.
In 1798
Imports 46,963,000_l._
Export of British manufactures 33,602,000_l._
Export of foreign goods 14,387,000_l._
--------------
Total 94,952,000_l._
_Expence of the Navy_
13,654,013_l._ or about one seventh of the total imports and exports.
In 1800, the population of the United States was estimated at 5,214,801;
with this population, we import from England to the amount of seven
millions sterling per annum, for which we pay, in direct and circuitous
trade, equal seven millions, making our imports from England, and exports
to pay for them fourteen millions, or equal to one seventh of the imports
and exports of England. Therefore, as it is the profits of trade which
support the British marine, we pay one seventh of its whole expence, or
about two millions sterling, and, in fact, support one seventh of seven
hundred and sixty armed ships, equal 108. Thus we cherish an evil of
which we complain, and unless we can destroy it, we must continue to
nourish it.
In 1700, the population of England and Wales amounted to 5,475,544; in
1800, to 9,343,578; it did not double in the last century notwithstanding
the great increase of trade. As her population is now equal to one person
for every six acres, there is a powerful check on its increase, and the
rational calculation is, that it will not double, or rise to eighteen
millions in the next two centuries. But the United States is doubling its
population in about twenty-five years, or, for probable correctness, say
in thirty years; consequently, in
1830 we shall have; 10,429,602
1860 20,859,204
1890 40,718,408
1920 81,436,816
Even then, the acres of the United States will be more than ten to an
individual. As our habits and customs are English, it is a reasonable
calculation, that
In 30 years, we shall take from them to the amount of 14,000,000
60 28,000,000
90 56,000,000
This is more than they now send to all the world, which wealth resulting
from American labour, being turned into England, will increase her
resources equal to the maintenance of her present marine: for, as I
before stated, if of seven millions which we now import, we furnish
funds for the seventh part of her naval expences, or say two millions.
Seven is into fifty-six, the imports of ninety years hence, eight times;
the United States will, therefore, furnish sixteen millions sterling
per annum, to support the British marine, and enable England to double
her present naval establishment. Thus we are continually aiding and
supporting, the only tyranny which can oppress us, or disturb our
tranquility.
I am aware that, opposed to this statement, it will be said that we
shall become manufacturers, and hereafter import, in proportion to our
population, less from England; but, in a vast country like the United
States, where lands are cheap, and men can easy be provided for in
agricultural pursuits; it will be difficult for the manufactures to keep
pace with the population. We are now much greater manufacturers than we
were twenty-five years ago; yet our imports increase; the manufactures
of England have augmented ten fold in the last century. Although her
population has not doubled, yet her exports and imports have kept near
even pace with each other. The consequence of manufactures, is to create
abundance and give the means of purchasing luxuries; therefore, more
persons enjoy the luxuries of fine articles. England has her manufactures
established and her people taught; she has the start of all the world,
which she will keep for very many years; nor can such superiority be
an injury to America, or to France, or any other nation, provided the
profits are not expended on a military marine to oppress them.[N] Then
what is to be done to arrest this enormous evil, this organizing system
of oppression? One of three things must be done: we must have a marine
of a force to be respected, or we must suffer our commerce to be as
limited as the British government may think proper, and be laid under
contribution; or, military marines must be destroyed, and liberty given
to the seas.
[Footnote N: Many appear to be of opinion, that if Bonaparte could get
the command of the seas, or had it in his power, he would reduce London
to ashes, and destroy the arts and manufactures of England. Carthage is
always cited as an example of a conqueror's vengeance. This, however,
has never been my opinion, because it is not justified by any act of his
life. In all the countries he has conquered, he has ever respected the
sciences and useful arts; he has not burned Vienna, Berlin, or Madrid.
Had he no other motive, his own fame, in a great measure, depends on the
protection which he may give to the sciences. But, independent of this,
I believe he well understands the benefit which Europe receives from
English arts and industry; and his war is not against them, but against
the manner in which their profits are applied; that is, against the
marine, and interference of the British government in all the concerns of
the continent.]
What kind of a marine would obtain for us that consideration and respect
which would give to our merchant ships unmolested admittance into the
ports of Europe? Fifty ships of 80 guns each, and thirty thousand men,
certainly could not guarantee to us such respect. Russia has a greater
naval force, and dare not show a ship out of the Baltic. Yet fifty such
ships would cost the United States twenty-five millions of dollars, and
seven millions of dollars a year; which, added to repairs, dock-yards,
arsenals, navy-boards, and agents, may be estimated at ten millions a
year. But even could such a marine secure to us a reasonable liberty
of commerce, America could not now bear such an expenditure; and where
is the additional commerce to pay for ten millions a year, expended to
protect it? Should our resources, in twenty years, enable us to support
such a marine, I have shewn, that the British can augment their fleets
also, and spare a force to meet us at sea. But were America to try her
finances to the utmost, and establish a marine equal to fifty ships of 80
guns, it would be to us the greatest of misfortunes; for so many persons
would become interested in obtaining a support from it, that, like
England, we should continue adding, until our successors would find it a
power superior to their liberty--one which would load them with taxes,
press their children into senseless wars, nor leave them permission to
complain. Should we ever be necessitated to have a marine of a force to
be respected, such are the accumulated evils under which our posterity
must suffer. But if science and energy should sweep military marines
from the ocean, America will be the garden of the world--an example
for Europe to imitate. When we contemplate the immense sums which are
expended in European marine establishments, and calculate the infinite
good which might have been done with the capital, we have to lament that
man, instead of gratifying his ambition in wars and devastation, has not
sought a more noble and lasting fame in promoting the arts, the sciences,
and civilization.
The annual expence of the navy of Great Britain amounts to upwards of
thirteen millions a year; as long as war continues, the expence will not
be diminished; but taking the chance of war and peace for the succeeding
twenty-five years, and estimate that the marine will cost ten millions
a year, the expenditure in twenty-five years will be two hundred and
fifty millions of pounds sterling. If driven to have a marine, such might
be the expenditure of our successors; if we can avoid it, the capital
might be expended in useful work. I will now give a short sketch of the
improvements which might be made in America for such a sum:
First, twelve canals, running from the eastern and northern parts of the
United States to the south, each fifteen hundred miles long, and fifty
miles distant from each other, equal to eighteen thousand miles; thirty
canals, running from the sea coast to the interior, each six hundred
miles long and fifty miles apart, or eighteen thousand miles--total,
thirty-six thousand miles, at three thousand pounds sterling a mile,
amounting to one hundred and eight millions. Canals to this extent,
would intersect a country fifteen hundred miles long six hundred miles
wide, equal nine hundred thousand square miles, or seven hundred and
fifty-six millions of acres, not an acre of which would be more than
twenty-five miles from canal carriage; and which acres, allowing six to
an individual which is equal to the density of English population, or say
seven, allowing for rivers, roads, and canals, would be ample space in a
country which, by its improvements, must be fertile for one hundred and
eight millions of inhabitants.
2d, Two thousand bridges, at thirty thousand
pounds sterling each, equal; 60,000,000
Two thousand and fifty public establishments
for education, at forty thousand
pounds sterling each 82,000,000
The canals; 108,000,000
-----------
Total 250,000,000
The two hundred and fifty millions, raised by loan and funded at five
per cent. would, if expended on a marine, lay a tax on the people of
12,500,000_l._ sterling a year, equal to 55,555,555 dollars a year, with
a horde of excise-men and tax-gatherers, to torment honest industry. But
if expended on canals, the profits to transport would pay the interest,
and give inconceivable advantages to the people. Such communications
would facilitate every species of industry. Canals bending round the
hills, would irrigate the grounds beneath, and convert them into
luxuriant pasturage. They would bind a hundred millions of people in one
inseparable compact--alike in habits, in language, and in interest; one
homogeneous brotherhood, the most invulnerable, powerful, and respectable
on earth. Say, legislators, you who direct the destinies of this great
nation, shall Americans, like servile creatures of established habits,
imitate European vices, or copy them because they are familiar? Shall
they nourish a useless marine, lay the basis for its increase, and
send it down the current of time to futurity with all its complicated
evils? Shall such a system consume our resources, deprive the earth
of improvements, draw into its vortex ambitious men, divert the best
talents of our country from useful works, and interest them in its
support--creating non-productive labourers, who must be the consumers
of the produce of the productive class, and diminish their enjoyments?
Or will you search into the most hidden recesses of science, to find a
means for preventing such incalculable evils? And direct the genius and
resources of our country to useful improvements, to the sciences, the
arts, education, the amendment of the public mind and morals. In such
pursuits, lie real honour and the nation's glory; such are the labours
of enlightened republicans--those who labour for the public good. Every
order of things, which has a tendency to remove oppression and meliorate
the condition of man, by directing his ambition to useful industry
is, in effect, republican. Every system, which nourishes war and its
consequent thousands of idlers and oppressors, is aristocratic in its
effects, whatever may be its name. These sentiments exhibit my political
creed, the object of all my exertions; and these principles, practised by
Americans, will create for them a real grandeur of character, which will
secure to them the respect and admiration of the civilized world.