James Madison Papers

Naval Force against Algerine Corsairs, [11 February] 1794

Naval Force against Algerine Corsairs

[11 February 1794]

In debate on the naval shipbuilding program in the Committee of the Whole, Tracy argued: “The objectors against the armament are penny-wise and pound-foolish” (Annals of Congress description begins Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). description ends , 3d Cong., 1st sess., 449).

Mr. Madison replied to several of the arguments of the gentlemen who were in favor of the resolutions. He went into some minute details respecting trade and commerce, and particularly remarked, that there was not any security for Portugal’s renewing the truce with Algiers after the present term should expire.

Philadelphia Gazette, 12 Feb. 1794. After further debate, the committee approved the ways and means committee’s report of 20 Jan. by a two-vote margin. JM was in the minority when the House on 21 Feb. passed resolutions based on the report and on 10 Mar. approved “An act to provide a naval armament.” Washington signed the act, as amended by the Senate, on 27 Mar. (Annals of Congress description begins Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). description ends , 3d Cong., 1st sess., 459, 498; U.S. Statutes at Large description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America … (17 vols.; Boston, 1848–73). description ends , 1:351).

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    Madison Papers
    Title
    Naval Force against Algerine Corsairs, [11 February] 1794
    Author
    Madison, James
    Date
    11 February 1794

    Reference

    Cite as
    “Naval Force against Algerine Corsairs, [11 February] 1794,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-15-02-0151. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, vol. 15, 24 March 1793 – 20 April 1795, ed. Thomas A. Mason, Robert A. Rutland, and Jeanne K. Sisson. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, p. 257.]