2 



INTRODUCTION. 



As civilization progresses under the influence of 

 navigation, and the earth exchanges her stragghng 

 hordes of savages for enhghtened densely-peopled 

 nations, every climate and country will be more set 

 ajDart to its appropriate production, and the utility 

 of \he great conduit, the Ocean, will more and more 

 be developed, and become the grand theatre of con- 

 tested dominion — superiority there being almost 

 synonymous with Universal Empire — diy land only 

 the footstool of the Mistress of the Seas *. 



In the still horn* which has followed the cannon 

 roar of our victories, we seem disposed to sleep se- 

 cure, almost in forgetfulness, that we possess this 

 superiority, that we stand forth the Champion of 

 the World, and must give battle to every aspu'ant 

 to the possession of the trident sceptre. 



As soon as the recent principles of naval motion 

 and new projectiles, conjoined to shot-proof vessels, 

 shall have been brought to use in naval warfare, 

 marine will have acquired a great comparative pre- 

 ponderance over land batteries, and every shore be 

 still more at the mercy of the Lords of Ocean. 



When we consider the tendency of luxmious 

 peace, the effeminacy thence flowing in upon many 

 of our wealthier population,— when we view, on the 



See App. A. 



