Would it not be better to leave out of the Naval militia bill all the passage beginning ‘And in time of war either actual or imminent Etc. and ending ‘shall have the immediate command of them.’ it would be much more likely to pass if confined for the present to harbor defence, and if hereafter there should be a visible necessity of extending the duties of the Naval militia to our ships of war, the necessity of the occasion will make it pass more readily then. in the mean time the Seamen will feel less alarm if restrained for the present to harbor defence.    Affectionate salutations.