THE UNITED STATES NAVY.*
WE must begin by rendering a tribute of respectful admiration to the indefatigable industry of the compiler of this book. The first volume—the volumes are quartos, measuring thirteen inches by eleven—is wholly occupied by a bibliography describing documents, public and private, and books of all kinds. The items number nine thousand two hundred and eighty-four. This is followed by indexes of subjects and authors. In the second volunie we find Part L, "Administration of the Navy Department and Events and Dates of References in U.S. Naval History" ('pp. 1-22); Part II., " Engagements, Expeditions, and Captures of Vessels of War" (pp. 23-281); and Part III., • " Captures of Merchantmen " (pp. 283-471). Part IV., giving "A Complete Record of Every Vessel's Service and Fate" ; and Part Ir., describing the " American Privateers," with a record ending in 1862, the " State Navies," which bad a brief existence of eight years ending with the peace of 1783, and the "Confederate Navy" (1861-1865), are to follow. The beginnings of this great history were small indeed. In October, 1775, the United States Navy started with a cruiser of fourteen guns and another of ten. A month later thirteen more; with a total equipment of three hundred and seventy-two guns, were ordered. A year later the first "seventy-four" was ordered. In 1785 we hear that the United States were "entirely destitute of a navy," and that Algiers 1:consequently had commenced open hostilities ; but it is not till 1794 that the House of Representatives passes a Resolu- tion that a naval force, adequate to the protection of United States commerce, should be established. What was actually done is not clear, but we find that in 1801, when peace had been made with France, the Navy was put on " a peace footing," and all but fourteen vessels sold,—for £62,000. Entries showing strained relations between Great Britain and the States follow, till in June, 1812, we have the declaration of war, the United States Navy then consisting of eighteen seaworthy vessels ! It must be allowed that much good work was got out of this modest provision. This war was followed by hostilities with Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. These concluded, Congress appropriates £200,000 for eight years. Out of this nine "seventy-lours" and twelve "forty-fours" were to be built. The modesty of the amount makes us envious: Little of import- ance happens till we reach 1860 and the Civil War, and when this is finished we find another period of quiet ending with the Spanish War. A noticeable entry is in 1882, " the con- tibruction of three steel vessels." Some notice of this important dad Chronological History of the ITaited States Navy, I77e-1907 By ▪ Robert Wilden Neeser. 2 vols. London : Macmillan mud Co. [1210*Asetij
work seemed to be called for, but we have touched the fringe only of its contents.
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