5766. NAVY, Gunboats.—
The obstacle
to naval enterprise which vessels of this construction
offer for our seaport towns; their
utility toward supporting within our waters the
authority of the laws; the promptness with
which they will be manned by the seamen and
militia of the place the moment they are wanted;
the facility of their assembling from different
parts of the coast to any point where they
are required in greater force than ordinary;
the economy of their maintenance and preservation
from decay when not in actual service; and
the competence of our finances to this defensive
provision, without any new burden, are considerations
which will have due weight with Congress
in deciding on the expediency of adding
to their number from year to year, as experience
shall test their ability, until all our important
harbors, by these and auxiliary means, shall be
ensured against insult and opposition to the
laws.—
Fourth Annual Message. Washington ed. viii, 38.
Ford ed., viii, 331.
(Nov. 1804)
