This is volume one of a three volume set History of the Navy of the United State of America continued to 1860 was originally published in 1866.
From the hour when the navy was first called into existence, during the arduous struggles of a most important revolution, down to the present moment, its services have been material and brilliant, and he is but an equivocal friend who shall attempt to conceal its real exploits behind the veil of flattery. Such expedients may serve a purpose, and answer for a time; but the truth will be certain to assert, and recover, its ascendency.
The country appears to be touching on great events. A war has commenced among us, though scarcely of a maritime character, must give extensive employment to the national marine, and may indeed demand, the exercise of all its energies. The Navy of the United States presents a very different aspect, in 1846, from that which it offered in 1815. Its existence has been trebled as to time, within the last thirty years, and its force increased fifty fold. As respects the navies of this hemisphere, it is supreme; the united marines of all the rest of this continent being unable to contend against it, for an hour.
