Mr. FOSTER. Mr. President, at the time of the recess yesterday I was commenting upon one of the 2 propositions upon which I rested my opposition to this bill, the very great expense necessary to prepare this locality for the purpose contemplated, and in connection with that was remarking upon the estimate made by the Senfrom Indiana, reading from a letter of the late Asst SecyNavy. That computed the expense of the necessary filling of this island at some 900,000 or one million dollars. I was remarking that in my opinion that was altogether an inadequate amount for the purpose, and especially if the island be as large as its friends claim, to wit, some 600 acres of land. The larger the island the worse in this point of view; for we have to create the island, that is, we have to create it so far as any necessary purpose can be accomplished upon it by putting pstructures and making it available as a naval station. The expense of filling an island of 600 acres even less than 3 feet over its whole surface would be much more than the amountestimated by the Senfrom Indiana. But the depth of the filling named, something less than 3 feet, is ver much less than the amount of the filling which will be necessary; and to show that I do not speak without autherity on this subject I refer to the report of the board of officers appointed by the SecyNavy in the year 1862 to make an examination of this and other sites. In their report, on the 5th page, they say: “LeagueIsland as I reclaimedmarsh, surrounded by a dry stone wall and embankmentof earth, raised to exclude the river. A portion of the island was reclaimed many yearssince, and is known as the old pmoeinatd, ow: we have no positive information on this but Presume that at the time the wall and ienmgbankmentwas built all the land worth reclaim was embraced within theinclosure; subsequently, and about 18 yearssince, as we are informed, the inclosure was extendedsoas to embracean addiitniognal area, nowknownas the newmeadow. Accord to a plan which has beensubmitted to by the board a committee from the Board of Trade, this old meadow contains 219 acres, and thenewmeadow 155 acres. On the north of the island, and between it and the main, there is a channel which, we are told, was of sufficientdepth in formerdays to float large ships of war; now it is a narrow and shallow channel, not sufficient to float vessels of any size used by the Navy. Large areas of marshes have formed on the east and west ends and on the north side of the island, and the whole appearance indicates a constant and rapid accumulation from the immense deposits of aware river. To raise the surface of this isltahnedDel to a height which would render it safe from the encroachment of high tides will require a filling of to ten feet over the whole area; and if, asfrhoams bneineen suggested, a line of wharf front be carried out to 23 the feet line, it will involve an additional filling of a space one mile fong, 100 and averaging 4 jo. feet wide and 19 feet decp. If this space is useof dredging machinneo stwfiillllebde, trheeqnuitrheed constant to Inaintain a sufficient depth of water to vessels accommodate the of the Navy. To furnish the materials for this immensefilling, which will amount in the aggregate to several million cubic yards, it is said that an abundant ocan be had from Rex!. Bank, on the opposite side of the river and from the gravel banks near the gas works. There is oan abundance of good material on the shores of NewJersey, but it must be purchased from the proprietors and transported acrossthe river a process which, in the opinion of the board, will involve an expenditure of at least one million dollars. Other sources of supply have been suggested, such as ashes from the city, cinders, ashes, slag, &c., fromthe furnaces, but we regard these sources as uncertain and the quantity limited, considering the immense quantity required to accomplish the object. The board is of the opinion that upon this point the advantages are vastly in favor of NewLondon.” If we make any reasonable estimate, of the cost of the filling of that island if it be 600 acres, (I say so much the worse for the Government and so much worse for the island,) 9 or ten feet over the whole surface, the amount of expenditure is a starth ng Sunn. On this same subject the committee of the HoRep, who went upon the ound and made a personal examination of. locality, also speak. They say on the 6th page of their report, made 12th May, 1864: “Lengue Island is situated at the confluence of the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, a few milesfrom the settled portion of the city of Philadelphia, andabout 100 miles from the ocean. It is at o: surrounded by a stone wall, backed by an embankment of earth some ten or 12 feet high. which servesto excludethe watersof the river. The whole surfaceof the island is from 3 to 4 feet below the surfaceof the river at ordinary high water, and but for the wall referred to would be under water at each recurring tide.” This is only an island in the absence of a tide; the rest of the time it is river. “Topography. Thesoil is of theoharactergenerally found in the bottom lands of allivial rivers; soft and spongy upon the surface, and gradually passin throughvariousformationsuntil astratum of gravel sand an is reached. The borings of the commission” show a solid bed to be reachedat an average depth of 37 feet, lying on theold island at a depth of from 25 to 30 feet and on the new the depth of 56 feet. A recentexamination by a gentlemanconnectedwith the coastSurvey reports results somewhat differing from the borings of the commission. But the committee cannot avoid the conclusion that the entire surfaceof the island, or so much as may be deemednecessaryfor naval purposes, must be filled and piled before it can safely receivesuch heavystructures as would be necessary for a 1st class naval establishment. And in conclusiontheyareconfirmedby the testimonybetfhoirse them that the embankment and structures of the railroad in the vicinity upon the main land have settled from year to year, and required constant repairing; and from the fact that the foundations of Fort Delaware, upon an island notflowed by the tide, and though resting upon piles, settled in a few years to such an extent as to render its lower tiers of port holesuseless. “The filling alone would involve an immense out lay, as the adjacent shores are on the level of the river, and in many case sbelowits surface; and there would seem to be no other recourse than the purchase and transporting by boats of the necessary material from the opposite shores of NewJersey, unless, as is claimed, the mud and alluvium exca vated for docks should be expedient that would seemusedfor that purpose an to your committee not only partial and inadequate, but very prejudicial to the usefulnessand health ofing alone, the locality. This fill it has been estimated by the engineer of the bureau of Yards and Docks, would cost not less than $1,000,000 and this statement is by eve nexceeded exptehraietnocfeSdeennagtionreReIrDDLE, of Delaware, himself an and conversant with the locality, who estimated the expense at $10,00oper acre, and without piling. If to this be added the expense of piling to securesolid foundations, an expenseeven more than that of filling, the outlay for preparation of site alone would probably be very much greater thanthe completingof a 1st classnavy yard at NewLondon Secretary These difficultiesare forcibly statedby the of the Navy in his annual report of 1862, in the following terms: “'The objections to it are its low alluvial soil, the costof raising it to a proper grade, the depth it be. will to tom, penetrate before reaching safebot and the expenseof piling on which to erect superstructures. Theseare weighty objections, and it will require no inconsiderable expense to comethem.” over “In addition to this large outlay, it is the opinion tohfe cocmomppetleetniotnenagtinteheisrsl, otchaaltitytheoftiamyearrdeqsuuicsihteasfoisr contemplated would be from 8 to ten years.” That is the description of this locality, 1st by the board of officers selected by the SecyNavy, composing some of as respectable officers in the line of the Navy as any belonging to the service some scientific men and some engineers; the other, the report of the Naval Committee of the HoRep, who went upon the ground and made, as I have before stated, a personal examination of the locality; and I think soon a series of testimony as this will not be disre garded by this Senate. I certainly hope not. I believe, then, Mr. President, that I have established, as I trust by satisfactory evidence, the 1st jo. I laid down, which was that it will cost more money to prepare properly League Island for a of station and depot than to construct and complete all the necessary works for such an establishment at a fit and eligible site. I can show a calculation made on apparently a mathematical basis showing the cost of filling this island to be over 20 million dollars. The other proposition was that when completed it is a most unfit and ineligible site for the purpose contemplated, the objections to it being permanent and fatal. A few words now upon that proposition. Supposing the amount necessary to prepare the place for a naval station to have been expended and the structures completed, what then is the character of the locality for a navy yard? One objection, and a very strong one as it seems to me, is that this is a most unhealthy locality. A situation on the Delaware river, below Philadelphia, on the marshes and islands created by . the river, and piling up mud, must inevitably be unhealthy; and the evidence on that subject is perfectly conclusive. such localities are not fit for hu man habitations. intermittent fevers, fever and ague, and the usual complaints generated by the malaria arising from marshes and from the mud left bare at low tide are prevalent there, especially during the season of late sum mer and autumn. This, in my opinion, is the reason why the city of Philadelphia has not extended itself in the direction of this island. The city of Philadelphia has been increasing in population, in wealth, in manufactures, in the arts, in all which constitutes a great city for many years, and has jitself in almost every direction with very great rapidity. Long may it continue to do so. Why, however, has it not extended in the direction of League Island, and why are there now some miles of unoccupied land between the inhabited city of Philadelphia and League Island?. And why has not i.eague Island been occupied by the merchants, the business men, the commercial men of that locality if it were so eligible a site for commercial purposes? Why has it remained a perfect waste as it is this day, a desolation? Its unhealthiness is among the causes; people will not go there and settle so long as th. city can be extended in any other direction; and it has not extended in this direction for years, and will not unless a purchase is made by the Government and works are erected there which will compel men to reside there. Now, is it proper for this Government to make a purchase in a locality, or accept as a gift for a naval station, a site which is unhealthy, which people will not seek, and will not inhabit unless they are compelled to do so? In addition to the unhealthiness of this site, its distance from the sea is a great objection to it. The House committee say in their report, from which I have just read, that it is about 100 miles from the sea. Other gentlemen here have spoken of it as being between 80 and 100 miles from the sea. It seems to be difficult to fix the precise locality of this island. I suppose that it is rather a fluctuating affair; but I had Presumed that we could fix its locality nearer than the difference between 80 and 100 miles from the ocean. The committee of the HoRep say in what I have read that it is about 100 miles from the ocean. Some gentlemen here have said 80 or a little over 80 miles. Let it be 80 or 100 miles, it is too far. It is exceedingly desirable that our ships of war, especially of this class, should be nearer than 80 or 100 miles to the main ocean. During the late rebellion, Mr. President, you and most of the members of this Senate remember the day of anxiety in this capital on a certain Sunday, which was made memorable by the action of the gallant little Monitor in Hampton Roads with a rebel frigate. None of us can have forgotton how almost every man in this capital held his breath during that day from apprehension and anxiety. What would have been the difference in the result as it respects this country, and as respects the deliberations in this Capitol this very day, if 8 or ten hours of delay had intervened in the arrival of that iron clad monitor at Hampton Roads? I will not speculate upon that matter. I will only say that we all know that it was a matter looked upon almost as among the direct interventions of Providence that that vessel arrived when she did. Had she arrived a few hours later the fate of our country and its Present condition might be very different from what they are. Mr. President, I am not about to indulge in any speculation as to the future; by no means do I wish to create any dark cloud of apprehension to rest upon us; but the idea of building a Navy supposes that we may have occasion to use it. If it shall become necessary in the course of events that the flag of our country shall be defended upon the ocean, and that our ports and harbors shall be defended by our iron clads, it is all important that those ships should be at hand upon the coast where an enemy will be found making the attack. If they are up our rivers 100s or scores of miles away it may be quite impossible to get them to the ocean in time to save a city situated upon the coast from bombardment and ruin. Is it wise to place our iron clad vessels so far from the coast that it will take a long time to get them where they may be needed for the salvation of the Republic? In connection with this matter of distance from the ocean are the obstructions of naviation. The channel of this river between league Island and the ocean is crooked, and there are bars and other obstructions to prevent the ascent and descent of vessels of any considerable draught of water; and besides there is the shallow water. There is not depth fof water at certain times of the tide to take up very many vessels that it may be important should be taken to this locality. But little more than 20 feet of water can be carried up at any stage of the tide, and not more than 18 feet at mean low tide. That is not a sufficient depth of water to float very many vessels that we may not only have occasion to build but to repair; and the idea of having our naval depot at a station to which our vessels cannot go, and from which they cannot get to sea, would seem to be as preposterous a notion as the mind can entertain. I know the idea is suggested that we must have this navy yard located beyond the reach of attack from the shore, and that it is very desirable to place it inland so that it will not be subject to an enemy's attack. That argument is good within certain limits, but surely it is not worth while to Press it too far; for if it were carried to the fullest extent we had better have our naval station at Salt Lake. There it would be quite out of reach of an enemy, and our ships could lie there with perfect safety; but they would not, I suppose, be particularly useful, and it would not be worth while to make Salt Lake a naval station and depot. Is it worth while to make a naval station and depot so far inland that although it is not positively inaccessible it is accessible only with difficulty and not accessible with ships of the size which it may be reasonable to suppose we shall have occasion to build and to repair? In addition to the permanent objections on account of the distance of League Island from the ocean, and the difficulty of navigation from the tortuous character of the channel and the shall owness of the water during a considerable period of the year, these difficulties are greatly increased by the freezing of the river and the accumulations of ice, especially at this locality. During the Present winter there have been weeks and weeks when the Delaware river has been closed up by ice, and it is only within a very few days, if indeed it is yet true that vessels can pass between League Island and the ocean. There has been an entire blockade of that locality by means of ice for weeks and weeks during the Present winter; and if there had been occasion to use any iron clad vessels belonging to the Navy which were at that point, I will not say that it was impossible to have cut them out of the ice and get them to the ocean, but it must have been attended with very great delay and very great expense; and I am by no means sure that it. been accomplished within any such reasonable time as to have made the vessels available for any purposes that they might have been called for. On this subject I refer again to the report of the House ComNavAffrs, from which I have before quoted. Previous to reading, however, what that committee say in regard to the ice, I will read a few words on the points I have been commenting on, namely, the distance from the ocean and the depth of the water in the channel. The House committee say on page 6 of their report: “DISTANCE. “Another disadyantage is its distance from the ocean. The object aimed at is a yard for the repaisand construction of iron clad vessels and laying them up in ordinary when, not in service; but experience has demonstratedthat the monitor and iron clad class of  vessels, of all others, mostneed a clear harbor and a wide and unobstructed channel. Of all types of vessels they have the feeblestpowers of locomotion. They mind the helm with difficulty, and are least manage able in narrow sea room or in stress of great bulk, their novel construction, thweeiratahbesre.nTcheeoirf sails on which to rely, and of spacefor the crew to work in, render, them peculiarly unmanageable exept in plain sailing, and under favorable, conditions. The committee do anywhere not find that the2nditions exist in the Delaware river, and particularly not in the vicinity of League Island. It is nearly 100 miles from the ocean, up one of the most tortuous and difficult streams to navigate U.S. An examination of the chart of the CUoansit Survey shows the channel everywhere marrow and intricate to be in many places obstructed by bars and shoalsfrom the Capes to the city of Philadelphia. The report of the commission before referred to that "large areas of marshesare constantly forsmtaitnegs in aptpheearriavnecreaindicnaetaersthe island itself, while the whole a rapid accumulation from the immense deposits of the Delaware.'. From the hy drographicreport of the coastSurvey in 1861 it appears that, 'since the last, survey there have taken place marked changes in the easternchannel abreastof the upper part of Camden, the bar from the upper end of Windmill Island oformed almost to Cooper's Point. The shoal formerly extendingfar below Wind mill Island appears to have been much cut away. Important additions to along the Philadelphia ftrhoentw.”harv e:sare4.being made “'The 2ndportion of river betweenRed Bank atnhder'esurv'eoyc'o;mpinrcisluedditnhge the bar and the approaches to Fort Mifflin, Changes have been developed in this vicinity.' ‘The 3rd portion of betweenNewcastle and RetheedyriPvoeirntr, eisnucrlvuedyinegdwthaes Bulkhead shoal, and the approaches to ware. Part Fort Dela: of the shoal betweenDelaware City and Pea Patch Island has been cut away, and important changes appear to have taken place in the island. The small marshy patches known as Goose islands have disappeared, ’in one case the channel havin stahkifitnegdpnlaecaerly 2 miles from its original bed, an of flats, upon which therewere formerly not more than 2 feetof water. “These difficulties in practice have proved so for midable that theiron clads Sangamon, Patapsco, and Lehigh were within the past year obliged to be towed to sea from the Present yard, at an expense of per day each, and were 2 days in getting to the mouth of the river an expense of trip $500 for the down of each vesselfor thesingle item of towage alone, an item which, in the aggregate, would amount in a single year to many 1,000 dollars.” Then as to the depth of water the committee say: “DEPTH OFWATER. “Of a similar nature to the foregoing is the objection on account of the inadequate depth of water, This is very obvious upon a careful examination of the soundings, as indicated by the charts, prepared by the coastsurvey., Qpposite Hog Island, and just below League Island, the channel is very narrow and shoals to a depth of but 18feet at its deepest point at than eighmteeean nfeleotwcatnidpea.ssNthoisvepsosinetl, dwraitwhoinugt wmaoirte 'iWngilmfoinrgatorins, eof tide. Near Cherryflats, and opposite haiffect. BeltohweNcehwancnasetlled, raanwdsinbutht ennineeigtehebnoarhnodoad of the Pea Patch Islands, the channel has shifted from the east to the westside of the island, and in as unanyas 3 places shoals to nincteen and a half feet. 25 to 30 miles below Now castle it againshoals to 21 feet. The cominittee regardthis asan almost insuperableobjection atolrethaedyDelawarefor a great naval station. We have morethan 19vesselsin our Navy which draw 20 fectof waterandover, and someof these are the finestand thostformidable in the American Navy; among them maybe mentioned the Minnesota, Roanoke, Powhatan, Niagara, Wabash. Colorado, Susquehanna, Puritan, Decatur, and Dunderburg, of the steamerclass, which draw from 20 to 23 feetof water, while someof the ships of the line draw from 23 to 25 feet. “We are upon the threshold of a new erain naval architecture. No one can tell what the exigencies dorfatuhgehtcoming years may call for in the size and England, of naval vessels. The boasted iron clads of the Mine taur, the Agincourt, the North umberland, and Elack Warrior draw 25 feet 6 inches. The French LaGloire, Normandy, and others, nearly 26 feet. And thesePowersare now deepening their docks and constructing new ones for the purpose of receiving vessels drawing 26 fect of water. o this connection the statementof one of the clannoa, voafl thceon's.tr.u.cto.rs oyfard, the Government, Mr. was laid before us: “That it wasindispensable, to makeanynaval station 1st class, to have a depth of at least 25 feet of water at low tide.” “Your committeecannot believeit consistentw ith a prudent regard to the future efficiency of the Navy tdoepeosttablish for all time the great naval yard and of the country at a point to which vessels of farogmreawtheircdhrathuegyhtcothualdnneoitgghetetetonsfeeeatecxacnenpottingceet, rtaanidn stages of the tide. And thenation might find reason to regret the acceptanceof the ‘munificent gift” in case a flect chased by a superior force of the enemy should be unable to reach its rendezvousin the Del iatws are or put to sea from thenceat shortnoticewhen !.might benecessaryat any other point threatefted.” Then, as to the ice, the House committee say: “ICE. “In addition to the objections already considered is tbhyeice, damage and obstruction to mayigation occasioned fast and floating, in the winterseason, which, according to statementssubmitted to the committee, itshea yDeerlyawfoarrme.idaTbhlee, civfidneont cinesuperable, objection to the point comes from such a variety of sources, and upon authority vsoerryeslitarbolneg, ltyhat it can hardly be discredited. It is statedby the commission appointed by the secretary. The officersof the Atlantic Insurance risks to PhiNlaedwelpYhoirak, issitnactreetahsaetddtuhreingprtehmeiwumintoenr months 100%.solely in consequence of the increaseddamagefrom, ice in the Delaware.’ fArdigmatireal Grcgory testifies to having nearly lost the Raritan there from that cause. And proof was submitted showingthat the local officesat Philadelphia excepted the ice risk in their ordinary policy s, scshoamregteidmes declined to take it entirely, and all an cztra premium for assuming it. A long list of vessels was also submitted from the marine offices of Philadelphia, which had beencut through or destroyed by ice in river within the past few years the AnDdelwawhialeretbhaeycoamnd mittee were investigating this subject, the U.S. gunboat Galena, ordered to join Admiral Far: ragut's, fleet, in getting to sea from Philadelphia was so badly injured by the ice that she was towed. to Baltimore, where she was detained a repairs, which cost the Government several mtohnouthsafnodr dollars, her voyage broken up at a time when her services were greatly needed by the country. It was also shown that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company had caused a survey to be made of League Island, with a view too it as their depot for coal, and that it was finally abandonedafter a report of their engineer, an "herewith submit extract fromwhich the committee as of very high authority.” Before reading that extract I will take leave to say that I suppose the Senate, in determining on a locality for a navy yard and naval depot, will be governed in their action for the country by at least as high considerations as would control them in acting for themselves in their own business, and that any standard lower than that would be beneath us as legislators. Surely we will not select a spot which a business man of sagacity and good judgment would not select for the same purpose if it were a business of his own to be accomplished. Now we have the benefit of an examination of this locality, not, it is true, for a navy yard and naval station, but for business purposes of a commercial and mercantile character, involving precisely the same interests and the same questions that are involved when we are considering whether to fix upon this as a naval station, and that not by an individual or a company of individuals at all prejudiced against this locality or who had any interest adverse to the locality, but by a company peculiarly desirous, as we have every reason for believing, of building up the city of Philadelphia and adding to its already great wealth and great prosperity. This was the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, who thought of using this place as a depot for their coal, and I repeat it involved almost identically the same questions for a private enterprise that are now involved in the inquiry whether we shall take this island for a public purpose. They had a survey of the island by their engineer to determine whether it was a proper site for the purpose contemplated, and I read from his report: “I trust that it may not be considered as overstep ping the limits of the question intrusted to me, if a few remarks bearing upon the navigation of the river during the winter season be Presented as a point of great moment in comparing the sites at iomnmediaItselalyndabowviethit.the Point House, and those “You will perceivethat the face of League Island is subjected to the full force of long the floodtide fromthe reach in the river, extending southwestwardly, the effect of which has been, as rePresented by statementsof thosemostfamiliar with our river athned its winds, currents, and bars, to !. up the drifting ice upon the entire island shore line; and, indeed, I have before me evidence to the effect that in all times of obstruction by ice vessels can be brought with much less difficulty through the Horseshoe channel than to League Island. It may be stated that an ice guard could be constructed that would relieve the front from the driving ice of the flood tide, but the effectof such break water would be to cjeacutsiengdeypoousits within the surface affected, thussub to a continued and heavy expenditure or dredging.” This is signed by “Strickland Kneass, civil engineer.” This was some time ago, and League Island is still a waste and a desolation, and unless it can be palmed off upon the government it will never be anything other than a waste and desolation, unless indeed the locality around Philadelphia should increase with such wonderful rapidity and spread over all the surrounding surface to such an extent that as a matter of necessity this mud flat shall be elevated to make a place, such as it will make, for human beings to live upon. I think, then, Mr. President, that I establish the 2nd proposition which I laid down, and that is, that after this place has been prepared for a naval station, after the works have been completed at this point, it is still a most unfit and ineligible place. If these 2 propositions are true; 1st, that it will cost more money to prepare it than it will to construct and complete these works elsewhere; and 2nd, that when completed it is a most unfit and ineligible place, ought we to take it? Both the propositions I certainly substantiate by evidence of as high authority as can be produced in the Senate. It seems to me the authority is unquestion able, conclusive; and in that state of facts, that the proposition of accepting this island for this purpose should ever be entertained seriously is most strange. The idea that the honorable Senfrom Indiana suggests, that these public works are to be distributed over the country and are not to be confined to anyone locality, is very well if you apply the principle to proper eases; but if you."; the principle to this question of navy yards I repudiate the notion altogether. The idea that any section of the country is entitled to have a navy yard for the benefit of the locality I look upon as a monstrous fallacy. Are we to select a site for a naval station for the benefit of a locality? The idea will not bear consideration for a moment. At all events, I scout and scorn the notion that we are to select a naval station on the ground of benefit, or of a debt due, if you please, to the locality. Let the public works of the country, that may almost as well be in one locality as another, be fairly distributed over the country. If there be any advantage in having them in particular localities, give the different sections of the country the benefit of such establishments. That is fair, just, and equal; but the idea that we are to select a naval station on any such ground as that is not to be endured. We are to select a naval station where nature has provided the best place for it; and if all our naval stations are then thrown into one corner of the Union, if that is the best place, there they ought to be. The idea of spreading them for the benefit of localities, when the public service requires them to be elsewhere, is neither patriotic nor wise. I know it is suggested that NewEngland has several naval stations. If she has more than the country requires, abolish them; and if it be shown here, while I have a seat in the body, that anyone of the naval stations or navy yards in NewEngland is not required by the wants of the Government, I will vote to abolish it. I will continue by my vote no naval station in any section of the country merely for the benefit of the section. If the country does not want it, abolish it. I am not asking, and do not ask, that this navy yard be located in one place or in another on the ground of preference for a section or advantage to a sec.tion. If Philadelphia is the best place for all the navy yards in the country, let them all be there. If NewYork is the best place, let them be there. If Washington, if Norfolk, if Bruns. wick, if any other locality is the best, let the selection be made, and there let it be. The annendment of the honorable Senfrom Massachusetts, which is now under consideration, proposes that this be done; that the board of gentlemen named in the amendment shall make a selection of a suitable place. I am sorry that gentlemen speak of the fact that there are no navy yards in the middle States, or no navy yards in the southern States, or no navy yards in the northern States, or no navy yards in the western States. That is not an idea which we should encourage here. The question is, in the 1st place, does the country want a navy yard at all; and if it does not, no matter how many good places there may be for one, none should be built. If the country does need a navy yard, then the question is, where is the best place. Ascertaining that, the question is answered, and it is not answered by saying that there are other sections of the country that are patriotic that have not got any‘navy yards. We do not build navy yards as a reward for patriotism, or at least we should not. We should not be called on to make a selection on the ground of the patri otic character of the people, but because of the natural advantages of the spot, and that question is easily determined by men of skill. The other is a question which will always be very difficult of solution. The western States have no navy yards. There is no navy yard in the State of the honorable Senfrom Indiana, a most patriotic State, a State having done as much in this war, to save the country, to perpetuate our liberty and our Constitution as any other State in it. She did nobly and gallantly, but ought we to go and build a navy yard in Indiana on that account? The Atlantic ocean happens to lie on the coast of NewEngland and NewYork and on the border down to Cape Florida, and does not wash the shores of Indiana. I suppose we must have our ships built where they can be used. The idea that we are to distribute the building of them elsewhere according to the advantage that it may be to the o: is an idea which I wish to wash my hands of altogether. Now, as it respects the best location, I by no means undertake at Present to say what the best location is. I only say, that from the evidence which I think I have qdduced here, it is very clear that League Island is not only not the best location, but it is wholly unfit as a location; and if there are no other or better places no, I will not make that supposition, because it is preposterous; but I was going to say that if there are no other and no better o we had better have no navy yard at all. ut, sir, there are other and better sites. There is no question upon that subject. This very city of Washington is on a noble river. We have a navy yard here almost within call from the roof of i. Capitol, a station that, so far as fresh water is concerned, and so far as all the advantages which are claimed for League Island are coneerned, greatly surpasses League Island. Some of the objections to it are of the same character, particularly its distance from the sea; but the objections on account of ice and depth of water are much less here. There is no difficulty about this locality; it is all prepared, and a very little additional expense would make the navy yard at Washington perfectly fit and proper for the purpose contemplated. There are many other points on the Chesapeake bay eligible, desirable, and proper for the location of a yard of “this description. Then, again, in the State of the honorable Senfrom NewJersey [Mr. CATTELL] there are no doubt many excellent points, and I am sorry that that honorable Senator has his eyes so strongly fixed on Philadelphia that he cannot look behind him over his State of NewJersey and see the many attractive points in that State, far superior to League Island in all the advantages which nature holds out for the location of a navy yard. So, again, in the waters of the Hudson unquestionably there are.greatly superior to League Island. NewLondon, of course, from my situation, I should not be apt to forget or overlook. I may, perhaps, be greatly prejudiced in favor of NewLondon. I may think that the advantages of that location are greater than they really are. That is quite possible. I’very Senator, I presume, is conscious of feeling somewhat more interested in his own home, the locality to which he belongs, than he does in other local ities. And I am by no means so weak as to suppose that my imPressions in regard to that locality must necessarily be exactly correct in all respects. I only say that it is entitled to have a fair hearing, a fair examination; and if its advantages are superior, quite paramount to those of any other site, f doinist that it shotild not be overlooked. The only advantage talked about which is worthy of consideration at League Island, as compared with NewLondon, is in the matter of fresh water and in having a supply of iron and coal nearer at hand than NewLondon. So far as fresh water is concerned, by the expenditure of a very small amount in compari son with what will be required at League Isl and a cove of fresh water can be prepared a few miles above the city of NewLondon, into which vessels can be raised by means of a lock and kept in a large basin of fresh water of 100 or more acres, perfectly safe and in perfectly still, quiet water at all seasons of the year, and that perfectly pure and fresh. At that locality a vessel could get into the ocean in the course of an hour's time at any season of the year without obstruction and without difficulty. I have a little map in my hand, which has been prepared by a very competent engineer, showing the locality and the situation, which, if members will take the trouble to look at, they will see that by an expenditure of money greatly less than will be required at League Island perfectly pure, fresh water will be obtained, and a basin for these vessels to lie in incomparably superior to anything which is talked about at League Island. Then, in connection with this same basin of fresh water dry docks can be prepared into which vessels can readily pass by their own gravity; here they may be built and pass out in the same manner, not subjecting them to the strain which they are always subjected to when they are launched, if launched in the ordinary way. Thus great expense and great risk will be saved. All this, I say, is perfectly within reach at NewLondon, at an expense of some money, no doubt, but greatly less than the expense to be incurred at League Island be: fore one single stone or one timber can be laid down for the erection of the necessary structures. I trust, then, Mr. President, having taxed the patience of the Senate longer than I had intended, that I have at least shown what I attempted to show; in the 1st place, that the expense of preparing League Island for a naval station and depot is altogether too great for the country to incur; and in the next place, that after the site has been prepared and the works completed, it will not be a fit and proper place for the vessels of the U.S. engaged in the naval service. The amendment of the honorable Senfrom Massachusetts does nôt propose even any delay in this enterprise. I have thought that perhaps some gentleman might object to it on the ground that we have been discussing this subject for some time and it is necessary that action should be taken, and that this amendment looks to delay. It is not obnoxious to that objection. It looks no more to delay than the bill before us does. The bill before us looks to delay to the extent of an examination. It provides: That the said League Island, marsh adjacent, and Back Channel, with its shores as aforesaid, shall not be received or accepted until the title to the whole of the same, as herein described, is completeand inde feasible, nor unlessthe acceptancethereof shall be recommendedby a board of officers to be appointed by the President. So there is to be an examination and recommendation of this site by a board of officers appointed by the POTUS There is nothing, therefore, in the proposition of the honorable Senfrom assachusetts which will delay action on this subject except that it may be said it will take a few days longer to examine several sites than it will to examine one site. That is all the delay there can be, and I ask whether that ought to be an objection to the amendment. If League Island is to be examined, ought not the other sites be examined also, and to have the benefit of the opinion of the board in regard to their comparative merits? Is there any conceivable objection to that? If League Island is so superior, will not the officers who are appointed say so and make a short end of the matter? Will it not be better that there should be a delay of a few days or a few weeks even and have the whole subject examined, rather than the delay necessary to have only one location examined? I submit the matter, believing it will be for the best interest of the coun: try that this amendment should be adopted and the examination made.