Mr. Dana spoke again on the subject of reform in the system.
Mr. Macon and Mr. Stanford explained.
Mr. Boyd was against the reduction of the Navy under present appearances.
The motion to strike out the remainder of the section was carried, 61 to 25.
Mr. Smilie moved to insert, in the place of that part which was stricken out, the following:
"And further, that the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to keep in actual service as many of the frigates and other armed vessels as in his judgment the nature of the service may require, and to cause the residue to be laid up in ordinary in convenient ports: Provided, the whole number of officers and seamen shall not exceed that fixed by the act 'in addition to the act, supplementary to the act, providing for the Naval Peace Establishment, and for other purposes;' passed the 21st day of April, 1806."
Mr. S. read the law alluded to in this amendment, which would go to retain in service thirteen captains, nine masters commandant, seventy-two lieutenants, one hundred and fifty midshipmen, and nine hundred and twenty-five able-bodied seamen, ordinary seamen and boys.
Mr. McKim opposed the amendment, because he was altogether opposed to a reduction of the Navy in the present state of the world.
Mr. Smilie replied. He said he had no apprehension of danger to his country from laying up a few frigates.
Mr. Bassett stated that the whole number of seamen now in service, was but two thousand seven hundred and twenty-three. If the number was reduced, the expense of reducing and re-enlisting them within a short period, would exceed the expense of keeping them in service during the interval.