Mr. W. Smith moved the first of them.
Mr. Giles wished the gentleman would reverse his propositions, and let the one for raising money come first. He did not know whether they were prepared to meet this expense. He did not mean to oppose the present motion; he supposed it would pass. But he thought they were about to be too precipitous in their measures. At a time when all Europe seemed to be tired of war, and about to make peace, we seemed to be disposed to rush into it. He did not believe that much good would be done by this system of fortification. He did not think the United States were more secure now, than before they had a single work of the kind. We have, said he, an extensive sea-coast, and it was not to be expected that an enemy would choose to come to precisely the place where a fortification stands. It was his opinion that the interests of the country would be served, by letting this matter lie over till next session.
Mr. Williams observed, that the sense of the committee should be first taken upon the propriety of going into the measure; if there was a majority in favor of it, (and he could not doubt it,) the matter would be referred to a select committee, who would make their report upon it.
Mr. S. Smith was in favor of going into this measure; for if the war continued in Europe, he thought it probable we might be drawn into it.
Mr. Swanwick should not be opposed to the present motion, because he agreed with the gentleman from Maryland, that whilst the war continued in Europe there was a probability of this country being drawn into the vortex. But he thought there was some weight, also, in the observation of the gentleman from Virginia, with respect to the ways and means; because, if, after they should agree to carry into effect certain measures, they should disagree about the means, their time would have been spent to no purpose.
The question was put and carried, there being 62 votes in favor of it.
Completing and Manning the Frigates.
Mr. Gallatin said, if the question was to determine the principle of manning the frigates, the resolution stood right as it was. But if it were not intended, by adopting this resolution, to commit any man, but only to say that they would take the business into consideration, and if found useful and necessary, and funds were attainable, they would carry it into effect, then the amendment of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Livingston) would be proper. As to the committee's rising, he could see no ground for it, as these propositions were not new—they had had them before them for three weeks in the Speech of the President. Of course, so far as related to the frigates, gentlemen must have formed an opinion; yet he agreed that it was desirable to see some documents on the subject, before a decided affirmative or negative was given. He was, therefore, in favor of the amendment for a committee to be appointed. He wished all those subjects which were of a doubtful nature to be then determined. On the other hand, those upon which members were ready to decide at once, either by an acceptance or rejection, might be voted upon in the form in which they were introduced.
Mr. Parker read the motion which was entered into last year, and thought it would be a good model for the present.
Mr. W. Smith was of a different opinion. He thought the committee should first decide the abstract principle. He thought it would be wrong to refer to a select committee a business in which every member was so intimately interested, and he doubted not gentlemen were ready to decide upon this abstract question. With regard to expense, he was of opinion that if the situation of the country required it, that should be no object. If gentlemen thought differently, they would of course negative the proposition. Any information on the subject could be got before the business was finished. He thought they should first say what were the necessary objects of expense, and then provide the money, which might be done by borrowing or by taxes. If there was a necessity for the expense, there was no doubt the money would be raised. If gentlemen were not prepared to discuss the subject, he had no objection to the committee's rising, and, in the House, the Secretary of War might be called upon for information.