JOINT RESOLUTIONS.
No. 6.

Joint Resolution pertaining to the defence
of the Sea Coast of the United States from a
ioreign foe.

885

WHEREAS in time of peace every nation ought
to prepare for war; and

WHEREAS the armored ships and heavy ord-
nance in use, generally, in the Navies of

Preamble.

the various nations of the world, require
for adequate defence on land the best forti-
fications and heavest guns that ingenuity
and money can provide; and

WHEREAS Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries
pass through and under possible access by
war vessels to the finest sections of Mary-

Preamble.

land and Virginia, including also the Dis-
trict of Columbia and the National Capital,
as also a means of interrupting or destroying
a large and valuable section of American
commerce by an enemy; and

WHEREAS the entrance to Chesapeake Bay is of
such a character that defence by torpedoes

Preamble.

is difficult, if not impossible, and can only
be defended, if at all, by armored ships of
war, monitors or other floating batteries,
against a hostile fleet; and

WHEREAS by reason of the prohibition of the
Federal Constitution the several States are
incompetent to make any provisions for

Preamble.

their own defence, and the revenues and
finances of the United States are in such a
condition as to warrant the expenditure of
a sufficient sum of money for the defence of
the Sea Coast of the United States; therefore,

Preamble.