6990. PRIVATEERS, Advantages of.—
Our ships of force will undoubtedly be blockaded
by the enemy, and we shall have no
means of annoying them at sea but by small,
swift-sailing vessels; these will be better managed
and more multiplied in the hands of individuals
than of the government. In short,
they are our true and only weapon in a war
against Great Britain, when once Canada and
Nova Scotia shall have been rescued from
them. The opposition to them in Congress is
merely partial. It is a part of the navy fever,
and proceeds from the desire of securing men
for the public ships by suppressing all other
employments from them. But I do not apprehend
that this ill-judged principle is that of a
majority of Congress. I hope, on the contrary,
they will spare no encouragement to that kind
of enterprise. Our public ships, to be sure, have
done wonders. They have saved our military
reputation sacrificed on the shores of Canada;
but in point of real injury and depredation on
the enemy, our privateers without question
have been most effectual. Both species of force
have their peculiar value.—
To General Bailey. Washington ed. vi, 100.
(M.
Feb. 1813)
