Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 2 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 2 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
Another member, to wit, SAMUEL SEWALL, from Massachusetts, in place of
BENJAMIN GOODHUE, appointed a Senator of the United States, appeared,
produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat.
A message was sent to the Senate, informing them that this House was
ready, agreeably to appointment, to receive communications from the
PRESIDENT; whereon the Senate attended, and took their seats. At 12
o'clock the PRESIDENT attended, and, after taking his seat, rose and
delivered the following Address:
_Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of
Representatives_:
In recurring to the internal situation of our country,
since I had last the pleasure to address you, I find ample
reason for a renewed expression of that gratitude to the
Ruler of the Universe, which a continued series of
prosperity, has so often and so justly called forth.
To an active external commerce, the protection of a Naval
force is indispensable: this is manifest with regard to
wars in which a State is itself a party. But besides this,
it is in our own experience, that the most sincere
neutrality is not a sufficient guard against the
depredations of nations at war. To secure respect to a
neutral flag, requires a Naval force, organized and ready
to vindicate it from insult or aggression. This may even
prevent the necessity of going to war, by discouraging
belligerent powers from committing such violations of the
rights of the neutral party as may, first or last, leave no
other option. From the best information I have been able to
obtain, it would seem as if our trade to the Mediterranean,
without a protecting force, will always be insecure, and
our citizens exposed to the calamities from which numbers
of them have but just been relieved.
These considerations invite the United States to look to
the means, and to set about the gradual creation of a Navy.
The increasing progress of their navigation promises them,
at no distant period, the requisite supply of seamen; and
their means in other respects favor the undertaking. It is
an encouragement likewise that their particular situation
will give weight and influence to a moderate Naval force in
their hands. Will it not, then, be advisable to begin,
without delay, to provide and lay up the materials for the
building and equipping of ships of war, and to proceed in
the work by degrees, in proportion as our resources shall
render it practicable without inconvenience; so that a
future war of Europe may not find our commerce in the same
unprotected state in which it was found by the present?
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