5770. NAVY, Increase of.—
The building
some ships of the line instead of our most indifferent
frigates is not to be lost sight of.
That we should have a squadron properly
composed to prevent the blockading our ports
is indispensable. The Atlantic frontier from
numbers, wealth, and exposure to potent
enemies, have a proportionate right to be defended
with the Western frontier, for whom
we keep up 3,000 men. Bringing forward the
measure, therefore, in a moderate form, placing
it on the ground of comparative right,
our nation which is a just one, will come
into it, notwithstanding the repugnance of
some on the subject being first presented.—
To Jacob Crowninshield.
Ford ed., viii, 453.
(M.
May. 1806)
