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particularly when we observe with what care 

 our rivals complete such of their ships as were 

 begun during the war, and also the measures 

 they are adopting generally to be enabled to 

 contend against us, at a future period, with 

 numerical strength in their favour; and, in 

 fact, the methods they pursue are well calcu- 

 lated to obtain the object they steadily keep in 

 view. The conduct of an enterprising enemy 

 should always be narrowly observed, and a 

 countervailing power be prepared, commensu- 

 rate to the means of aggression. The Ameri- 

 cans build their ships much faster than we do 

 on our side, and for this reason, strength is the 

 chief object with them, and if that be obtained 

 they care but little about beauty of model or 

 elegance of finishing; in fact, they receive no 

 other polish than what is given them by the 

 axe and the adze. On the other hand, we 

 employ as much time upon ours as we should 

 in the European dock-yards: they are un- 

 doubtedly as strong as the Americans, they are 

 handsomer and much better finished, but they 

 are far more expensive, and will not endure a 

 longer period of service. When we reflect that 

 ships built on this lake will not last more than 

 five, or at most six years of actual service, it 

 may be a subject not unworthy of considera- 

 tion, whether we cannot, with some advantage 



