Lesson Resources
The New U.S. Navy
- Annual Address by George Washington
December 3, 1793 - Senate Draft of an "Act to provide a Naval Armament"
March 18, 1794 - George Washington's Message to the U.S. Senate
June 3, 1794 - A Bill to Establish the Department of the Navy
April 11, 1798 - John Adams's Message to the U.S. Senate
May 18, 1798
Teaching With Documents:
Launching the New U.S. Navy
Background
In March of 1794, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the "Act to provide a Naval Armament." It authorized the President to acquire six frigates, four of 44 guns each and two of 36 guns each, by purchase or otherwise. In addition, it specified how many crew members would be necessary and what their pay and daily rations would be.
National Archives and
Records Administration
Center for Legislative Archives
Records of the U.S. Senate
Record Group 46