ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT. 127 Organization, days of inspection, or duty, with fines for non-attendance, same as in the other States. The foregoing enumeration may be considered explanatory of the military arrangement, adopted in the remaining States of the Republic, presenting a large numerical force, it is true, but so utterly incapacitated, from the entire absence of all discipline amongst them, or the least instruction in the ordinary routine duty of a soldier's life, that their very numbers may be said, to constitute one of the principal ingredients of their weakness-whilst unfitted to encounter any of the risks or dangers of an active military warfare. We turn from this arm of the national defence to the consideration of a far more important one-the navy of the United States, with which the public sympathies, on the other hand are in full accord, with which the pride of the Republic is more immediately identified, as well its future safety-its prosperity and well-being. CHAPTER IV. Navy of the United States-First date of its existence-United States Navy, in 1799 and 1812, when at war with Great Britain-American Navy and appropriation in 1844—Its efficiency-Naval exploits of the last war-Capabilities of the Nation to become a great naval power, considered - Inadequacy in the number of American seamen, to supply her Marine-Restraint of a seaman's life, unsuited to American taste and habits-Coasting Trade of America-Late War between Great Britain and the United States-Opportunities of the latter to test her capabilities as a naval power—American privateer and letter of marque-Public press in relation to the National Navy-The embargo and non-intercourse acts of the late War-Naval Power of Great Britain, in 1812-Summary of the principal recorded actions between the national vessels of the United States and Great Britain-American menof-war-their general faulty construction-Mercantile Navy of the United States-The enticing of British Seamen into the American Service. THE Navy of the United States, may be said to date its existence from the 27th day of March, 1794; on which memorable day, the United States Congress passed an act for the first formation of a naval force. The depredations committed at this time, by the corsairs of the Barbary Powers, on the commerce of the Republic in the Mediterranean Seas, irrespective of any other consideration, made this a measure of paramount necessity. Four ships of 44 NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES. 129 guns each, and two of 36 guns each, were directed, by this order, to be immediately laid down. There were, however, several armed vessels in commission during the Revolutionary War; but even these, dwindled into insignificance, long anterior to its close, either from the want of funds, to continue them in commission, occasioned by the depreciation of American paper currency-the other numerous demands upon the monied resources of the country, or perhaps, from the close alliance then subsisting between the Insurgent States and France, which supplied a naval force, wherever such was required, or could be made available. The few ships constituting the United States Navy, at the close of this war, were sold, by order of Congress, on its termination. The accession of Mr. John Adams to the United States Presidency, in 1797, gave a fresh impetus to the advance and general improvement of the American marine, to which the energies and mind of this statesman, was at all times directed; and from which circumstance, he has earned the proud title bestowed on him by the general assent of his countrymen, of the "Father of the American Navy." In 1798, and during his administration, there were twenty vessels of war in the service. In 1799, upwards of thirty. A law had also received the sanction of the legislature, directing the building of six seventy-four gun ships; but from some illunderstood cause, this law was never carried into 130 NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES. effect. In 1801, the United States Navy consisted The Naval force of America in 1812, the year of the commencement of the last war with Great Britain, one of the most important, as well as instructive in the past history of the United States, consisted of three ships of 44 guns-three of 36 do. -four of 32 do.-one of 24 do.-four of 18 do.three of 16 do.-four of 14 do.-one of 12 guns, and one schooner, besides gun-boats. Such was the numerical strength of the United States Navy, in 1812, to which the limited duration of the war had scarcely enabled her to make any addition, previous to its termination in 1814. Since then, however, the United States has considerably added to its marine force, which, in 1844, consisted of the following, viz.— 10 Ships of the line, generally carrying 100 guns. The Pennsylvania included, 146 guns. 13 Frigates of the 1st class, rated at 44 guns, and mounting 62. 2 Frigates of the 2nd class, rated at 36 guns, and generally carrying 48 do. 17 Sloops of war, of the 1st class, rated at 20 guns, and generally carrying 28. THE AMERICAN NAVY. 131 6 Sloops of War, 2nd class, rated at 18 guns, and generally carrying 22. 7 Brigs, rated at 10 guns each. 8 Schooners, rated 10 guns each. 8 Steamers-1 of 10 guns-1 of 4 do.-the remainder with out armament. 4 Store ships. 75 Vessels of all denominations, and which were disposed of as follows. In Commission. In Ordinary. Building, or on the stocks. Description. Ships of the line 3, as receiving ships 2 5 Those in commission are principally stationed in the Pacific-the Brazils-the Mediterranean-the East and West Indies. The crew apportioned to each vessel, generally consists, in ships of the line First class Frigate 2nd do. do. 834 men. 453 do. 367 do. 188 do. 55 do. When reviewing this state of the American navy, its distribution, together with the large amount of American merchant shipping scattered over every sea, it will naturally excite surprise, that so very |