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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
tion of the affairs of our country, with peculiar satisfaction, believ- ing that the gallant and highly gifted gentleman, who has been called by the voice of his countrymen to preside over their destinies, will turn his attention to this all important subject.- A navy we must have, and unless it is a well organized and regulated one, it can never be efficient, or of service to the country.- Mexico has set us an example, with impoverished coffers, she has through her energy, put afloat an efficient fleet built by the most experienced workman, and are vessels which are not surpassed by any in the world; and shall we not profit by this example 1 Is Texas so with- out rescources that she cannot put an equal force afloat 1 Shame, Shame, to think that our government should by her dilatory move- ment in this particular, cast such a reproach on her patriotic citi- zens; to place the country so low in the scale of nations.- The naval force' of 99 built by Mexico is not intended to lay in ordinary in their ports - to please the gaze of the vulgar crowd, but for service, they are efficient Men of 1Var, in every sense of the word: for what pur- pose were they then built, but for the prosecution of the War? and the moment the blockading force 100 now on their coast leaves (and there is no telling when that moment may arrive) the busy note of preparation will again be heard, and the Mexican Flag be seen on our coast, supported by a Navy whose officers have within the last frw months acquired a greater knowledge of naval warfare than they could have done in years under ordinary circumstances, are we prepared to meet them f ·where is the squadron which should have been building and in preparation during the past year? Echo answers where! It is not now too late; a few months will suffice to put in readiness a force sufficient to meet them, with the advantage we will have of bringing American seamen into the service, who never yet blanched in strife, but "Yard arm to Yard arm," have met the Ocean's Queen, and conquered - I will breifly recapitulate the force sufficient to form a navy, and also the number of Officers and men requisite. Viz -
Guns 20. 16. 10
1 ship or sloop of vV ar mounting 2 Brig's '' '' '' Each 2 Schooners '' '' 2 small tenders or gun boats mounting 1 gun,
1 vV Brig "
"
"
"
8 " to be employed as a
transport for stores &c - . These vessels will require 6 commanders, 2 Lt. Commandants, 25 Lieutenants, 7 Sailing-Masters, 8 Pursers, 7 Surgeons, 7 Assistant Surgeons, 12 Masters Mates, 52 Midshipmen, 8 Gunners, 8 Boat- swains, 8 Carpenters, 8 Sail Makers, 99 Petty Officers, 35~ ~ea- men, 305 Ordinary-Seamen, 205 Landsmen and Boys, to be d1V1ded amongst them as follows. Viz, "The original had the words "our enemy" following "The naval force of." They were scratched out and "built by Mexico" inserted. 100 The French, in the beginning of the so-called Pastry War, blockaded Vera Cruz on April 16, 1838.
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