UNITED STATES, June 3, 1797.
MONDAY, June 5.
_Defensive Measures._
The House then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union, and the Speech of the PRESIDENT, at the opening of
the session, having been read,
Mr. W. SMITH said, he wished to lay upon the table a number of
resolutions, which it appeared, if it should not be found advisable to
carry the whole of them into effect, were at least worthy of discussion.
He did not, however, at present, pledge himself to support the whole:
they were as follow:
"1. _Resolved_, That further provision ought to be made by
law, for fortifying the forts and harbors of the United
States.
"2. _Resolved_, That further provision be made by law, for
completing and manning the frigates United States,
Constitution, and Constellation.
"3. _Resolved_, That provision be made by law, for
procuring by purchase a further naval force, to consist of
---- frigates of ---- guns, and ---- sloops of war of ----
guns.
"4. _Resolved_, That provision be made by law, for
empowering the President to employ the naval force of the
United States, as convoys to protect the trade thereof.
"5. _Resolved_, That provision be made by law, for
regulating the arming of the merchant vessels of the United
States.
"6. _Resolved_, That the existing Military Establishment
ought to be augmented by an addition of one regiment or
corps of artillerists and engineers, and ---- companies of
dragoons.
"7. _Resolved_, That provision be made by law, for
empowering the President to raise a provisional army, to
consist of ---- regiments of infantry, one regiment of
artillery, and one regiment of dragoons, by commissioning
the officers, and by volunteers or enlistments, whenever
the circumstances of the country shall, in his opinion,
render the said army necessary for the protection and
defence of the United States: _Provided_, That neither the
officers nor soldiers shall receive any pay or emoluments
until called into actual service.
"8. _Resolved_, That provision be made by law, to authorize
the President to borrow, on the credit of the United
States, a sum not exceeding ---- dollars, to defray the
expense which may arise in providing for the defence and
security of the United States.
"9. _Resolved_, That provision be made by law, to raise a
revenue adequate to the reimbursement, within ---- years,
of such sum as may be borrowed, as aforesaid.
"10. _Resolved_, That provision be made by law, to
prohibit, for a limited time, the exportation of arms,
ammunition, and military and naval stores."
The resolutions having been read from the chair,
Mr. W. SMITH moved the first of them.
Mr. GILES wished the gentleman would reverse his propositions, and let
the one for raising money come first. He did not know whether they were
prepared to meet this expense. He did not mean to oppose the present
motion; he supposed it would pass. But he thought they were about to be
too precipitous in their measures. At a time when all Europe seemed to
be tired of war, and about to make peace, we seemed to be disposed to
rush into it. He did not believe that much good would be done by this
system of fortification. He did not think the United States were more
secure now, than before they had a single work of the kind. We have,
said he, an extensive sea-coast, and it was not to be expected that an
enemy would choose to come to precisely the place where a fortification
stands. It was his opinion that the interests of the country would be
served, by letting this matter lie over till next session.
Mr. WILLIAMS observed, that the sense of the committee should be first
taken upon the propriety of going into the measure; if there was a
majority in favor of it, (and he could not doubt it,) the matter would
be referred to a select committee, who would make their report upon it.
Mr. S. SMITH was in favor of going into this measure; for if the war
continued in Europe, he thought it probable we might be drawn into it.
Mr. SWANWICK should not be opposed to the present motion, because he
agreed with the gentleman from Maryland, that whilst the war continued
in Europe there was a probability of this country being drawn into the
vortex. But he thought there was some weight, also, in the observation
of the gentleman from Virginia, with respect to the ways and means;
because, if, after they should agree to carry into effect certain
measures, they should disagree about the means, their time would have
been spent to no purpose.
The question was put and carried, there being 62 votes in favor of it.
_Completing and Manning the Frigates._
Mr. GALLATIN said, if the question was to determine the principle of
manning the frigates, the resolution stood right as it was. But if it
were not intended, by adopting this resolution, to commit any man, but
only to say that they would take the business into consideration, and if
found useful and necessary, and funds were attainable, they would carry
it into effect, then the amendment of the gentleman from New York (Mr.
LIVINGSTON) would be proper. As to the committee's rising, he could see
no ground for it, as these propositions were not new--they had had them
before them for three weeks in the Speech of the PRESIDENT. Of course,
so far as related to the frigates, gentlemen must have formed an
opinion; yet he agreed that it was desirable to see some documents on
the subject, before a decided affirmative or negative was given. He was,
therefore, in favor of the amendment for a committee to be appointed. He
wished all those subjects which were of a doubtful nature to be then
determined. On the other hand, those upon which members were ready to
decide at once, either by an acceptance or rejection, might be voted
upon in the form in which they were introduced.
Mr. PARKER read the motion which was entered into last year, and thought
it would be a good model for the present.
Mr. W. SMITH was of a different opinion. He thought the committee should
first decide the abstract principle. He thought it would be wrong to
refer to a select committee a business in which every member was so
intimately interested, and he doubted not gentlemen were ready to decide
upon this abstract question. With regard to expense, he was of opinion
that if the situation of the country required it, that should be no
object. If gentlemen thought differently, they would of course negative
the proposition. Any information on the subject could be got before the
business was finished. He thought they should first say what were the
necessary objects of expense, and then provide the money, which might be
done by borrowing or by taxes. If there was a necessity for the expense,
there was no doubt the money would be raised. If gentlemen were not
prepared to discuss the subject, he had no objection to the committee's
rising, and, in the House, the Secretary of War might be called upon for
information.
Mr. NICHOLAS thought the question was not fairly presented. It was
whether they should man the frigates. But when they were called upon to
determine this, they should know when they would be ready to receive the
men. The probability was that the frigates would not be ready to receive
the men before the next session of Congress.
Mr. DAYTON (the Speaker) was in favor of the original proposition. He
wished to provide for manning all the frigates which could be got ready
before the next session of Congress. He believed if they adopted this
plan, unnecessary delay would be prevented.
Mr. PARKER was ready to vote for the proposition of the gentleman from
South Carolina. He believed the frigate in Philadelphia might be
equipped, rigged, and manned, in three months. The only reason why he
varied his motion was, that he might include the next proposition; but
he believed it would be better for them to stand separate, as, before he
voted for the additional vessels, he should wish to know how the means
were to be got, and for what purpose they were to be used. The vessel
at Boston, he said, would not be ready so soon, but it would be in
readiness before the next meeting of Congress; that at Baltimore would
be in readiness to receive her men in four months.
Mr. S. SMITH said, the frigate building at Baltimore would be launched
on the 4th of July, and the equipments were in greater forwardness than
those for the frigate at Philadelphia.
Mr. BALDWIN was against referring this proposition to a select
committee. It would be desirable, indeed, to know what the cost of doing
the business would be, but every one knew how little to be relied upon
were estimates of this kind. He was ready to vote for manning the
frigates; indeed there was no question upon which he was so ready to say
aye, as upon this.