5752. NAVY, Bravery of.—[further continued]..
Frigates and seventy-fours
are a sacrifice we must make, heavy as
it is, to the prejudices of a part of our citizens.
They have, indeed, rendered a great
moral service, which has delighted me as
much as any one in the United States. But
they have had no physical effect sensible to
the enemy; and now, while we must fortify
them in our harbors, and keep armies to defend
them, our privateers are bearding and
blockading the enemy in their own seaports.—
To James Monroe. Washington ed. vi, 409.
Ford ed., ix, 498.
(M.
Jan. 1815)
