hundred and twenty-two. In the years 1790, 1796, and 1802, it was owned by foreign nations, as follows: The extensive coasting trade of the United States, as well as the fisheries, will tend to increase the American navigation, and will always be an excellent nursery for seamen, from whence the American navy in case of emergency can be supplied with hands. Fortunately for the country, the American navy, formerly considered by many a mere gangrene upon the nation, seems now to be the favourite of all parties. Its brilliant success, during the late war, and in its late excursion to the Mediterranean, has raised its own fame, as well as that of the American character, and justly entitles it to public patron age, both in peace and war. The American navy, in the summer of 1815, consisted of about seventy ships, brigs, and schooners, besides some small sloops, and gun-boats. Not having in our possession an official list, we are unable to state the exact number of vessels, or the number of guns. Among this number, however, there are, it is believed, five, carrying seventy-four guns, six, forty-four guns, one thirty-eight guns, two, thirty-six guns, two, thirty-two guns, and twenty-three from twenty-eight to sixteen guns. |