Such a protection would be hazardous, as it would be, at any time, in the power of the nation that should be employed, to conclude a truce with Algiers, and leave the trade of the United States at the mercy of her corsairs.
While the expense of protection was perpetually to be incurred, it would never furnish the strength which that expense ought to give.
With a navy of her own, America might co-operate to advantage with any power at war with Algiers, but it would be risking too much to depend altogether on any foreign nation.
To the argument that the force was incompetent to the object, it was answered, that, from the documents before them, and from the diligent inquiries of a large committee, the number and strength of the Algerine corsairs had been ascertained, and the armament contemplated in the bill was believed to be sufficient.

If gentlemen thought differently, it was surprising that they did not move to augment it.
The expense of the frigates had been strongly urged.

But the saving in insurance, in ships and cargoes, and in the ransom of seamen, was more than equivalent to this item.

"But are not the slavery of our fellow citizens, and the national disgrace resulting from it, to be taken into the account?
these are considerations beyond all calculation.

Who can, after reading the affecting narratives of the unfortunate, sit down contented with cold calculations and syllogisms?
their narratives ought to excite every possible exertion, not only to procure the release of the captured, but to prevent the increase of the number of these unhappy victims." That a bill providing six frigates, to exist during the war with the Algerines, should excite apprehensions of a large permanent navy, and of an immense debt, was truly astonishing.