SOME UNPUBLISHED FACTS ABOUT THEIR CONSTRUCTION. 153 



foreign powers, the marine business in such a case ought to be separated from the 

 Department of War or the Department of War enabled by proper institutions to 

 conduct it in a manner more conformable to the practice of other nations." 



On April 30, 1798, the office of the Secretary of the Navy was established by 

 law. Benjamin Stoddert, of Georgetown, was appointed to the office. The records 

 of the Department contain nothing to show when the Constitution, United States 

 and Constellation were actually ready for sea. Secretary Stoddert on taking office 

 found them practically in a state of readiness. The year 1798 was the beginning of 

 the quasi war with France. The United States, Capt. John Barry, was ordered to 

 sea in July. Captain Truxton was ordered to sea in the Constellation on the loth 

 of August, and the Constitution, Captain Nicholson, was ordered to patrol the coast 

 on the 13th of August. 



These are a few of the features of the building of the first ships of the Navy 

 of the United States. Their records throughout the years have been a monument 

 to the men who planned them, the men who built them, and the men who manned 

 them. All of them became victors in battle — the Constellation in the actions against 

 the French frigates Vengeance and Insurgente, the United States in the victory 

 over the British Macedonian, and the Constitution in the capture of the British 

 Guerriere, Java, Cyane and Levant. Two of the three, the Constitution and the 

 Constellation, are proudly carried on the rolls of the Navy to-day, one hundred and 

 seventeen years after their launching. May they long continue as a living inspi- 

 ration to the nation. 



DISCUSSION. 



The Chairman : — Is there any discussion on this interesting paper prepared by Secre- 

 tary Roosevelt? 



Rear Admiral Washington L. Capps, U. S. N. : — At the request of the Acting Presi- 

 dent I was in communication with Secretary Roosevelt by telephone last night, and he ex- 

 pressed his very great regret at his inability to remain over and be with us to-day, not only 

 to present his paper, but also to join us at the banquet to-night. Imperative engagements in 

 Washington, where the Navy Department is now presenting certain information to the Naval 

 Committee, made necessary his return to that city on the midnight train. He desired that his 

 great regret at his unavoidable absence be conveyed to the membership of the Society. 



This paper is one which hardly lends itself to discussion. It is more in the nature of a 

 "human interest" document. I feel quite sure that no paper presented at this meeting has 

 greater human interest than the one prepared at such pains by the Assistant Secretary of the 

 Navy. He has embodied in this comparatively brief paper much data that intimately relate 



