UNITED STATES. 47 or work among the farmers, enlist, for a subsistence, in the army. The condition of the navy is, however, far differ¬ ent ; the regulation and discipline of which, can only be equalled by that of England . The beauty of their ships, distinguished for solid construction, excellent and convenient arrangements, have astonished us, after being accustomed to hear their fir-built vessels despised, and talked of with sneering contempt. They have as durable wood in their " live oak," as we can find in England , and let us beware of treating them with indifference.* The present naval power of the United States consists of twelve heavy ships of the line, one sixty gun frigate, twelve frigates of forty-four guns, three frigates of thirty guns, several smaller vessels, and others on the stocks. At the commencement of the last war, they had only seven frigates. Their commercial ships are the most beautiful vessels in the world ; and in durability and number, can be equalled by no power on earth but by Eng¬ land. There is no national church in the United States ; much is argued for and against this circumstance, and many regret the want of a church, countenanced, as a standard of faith, by the constitution; but in all matters where the conscience of man should alone control his belief, we must admit, that the govern¬ ment of that country act wisely in not interfering * Note G. '