The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-04 00:00:00

THE DEFE;

(From a Correspondent of the Times.)
In my last letter I mentioned that the American Govern-
ment was payicg peculiar attention to the military condi-
tion of California. The feeling which induces this care is
warmly reciprocated in the State. The Governor of Cali-
fornia, in his Message to the Legislature at its opening on
the 7th inst., alive to the importance of the subject, under
the heading " Harbour Defences," recommends that
"earnest representations should be made by the Legislature
to the national Government for complete protection to the
harbour of San Francisco ;" adding that "this is a subject
the imperative importance of which needs but to be sug-
gested, I am sure, to commar d your active consideration,"
Considering that the usual " good order has generally
prevailed throughout the State" for the past year, and that
the same degree of good order happily continues without
any probability of interruption, as his Excellency himself in
effect admits, it is difficult to conceive wherein the " impe-
rative" necessity exists for further warlike or defensive pre-
parations. Looking at the extent of harbour and other de-
fences already existing, the conclusion which suggests itself
irresistibly is that the future, and not the present, is de-
sired to be provided for.

Let us see to what extent the defence of the country is
already provided for.
1. A fort lately finished stands on the south side of the
Golden Gate, as the entrance from the ocean to the Bay of
San Francisco is named. This fort is four tiers in height,
one of which is on a level with the sea, which it is asserted
would enable the shot from its guns to hit a passing vessel
"between wind and water," and drive a ball right through
her, considering the narrowness of the entrance. The fort
completely commands the Golden Gate and such portion of
the sea outside, between the "Bar" and the entrance, as
requires great care in vessels passing into and out of the
harbour. It is a large, substantial structure of brick and
stone, having accommodation for 2,400 men, and is now
manned and occupied under strict war rules. Immediately
in the rear there is a battery on an escarpment in a hill,
upon which stood an old Spanish fort. This battery and
the new fort mount 164 guts, and the hill affords space
for an extended series of batteries to command the offing.
The ordnance combines all the modern improvements and
appliances of the present mode of warfare. Close to the fort
there are ranges of workshops and of dwellings for soldiers,
artisans, and civilians, A road runs from the fort along
the beach of the bay and under a steep bank, which could
be so escarped for batteries as to defend the road to San
Francisco. Altogether "Fort Point" is considered a very
strong position. Some of the citizens fondly say it is im-
pregnable, but I cannot pledge myself to this extreme con-
clusion.
2. At a short distance inland, on a slope facing the bay,
and nearer to San Francisco, stands one of the principal
barrack stations, formerly the site of the old Spanish
" Presidio" or military station, and still called by that
name. The " Presidio Barracks " are large, and are at pre-
fully occupied by both infantry and cavalry. Batteries at
this point can command a large portion of the westerly and
northerly arms of the Bay of San Francisco, or more cor-
rectly all these portions could be so commanded.
3. Alcatraz (or Bird) Island.—Within the bay, close to
the city of San Francisco, and opposite to the northern por-
tion of the city, are the fortifications called Fort Alcatraz.
The island is all rock, composed of hard compact sandstone;
its area about 35 acres; length, 1,673 feet; width 590 feet.
The apex of the island is 135 feet above the level of the
water. The whole of the island is fortified, encircled by
three batteries en barbette. The battery facing the city,
and commanding the outer and southerly portion of the bay
down to the Presidio, as well as the mainland between the
latter and the city, mounts 35 guns ; the battery facing the
Golden Gate, and commanding the entrance to the bay
down to Fort Point, mounts 16 guns ; and the battery on
the northern side of the island mounts 40 guns, which
command a wide range, including the whole of the
northern and north eastern portions of the bay towards
Sancelito (the old watering-place of Sir Francis Drake
and the early navigators), Angel Island, &c, The ord-
nance is of the heaviest and most effective class hitherto
used in fortifications, some of the guns being large colum-
biads, which throw shot of 1201 b. ; but, no doubt, guns of
still greater calibre will soon be added, as modern improve-
ments may suggest. The fortifications include a shot-
proof guard-house, drawbridge, and appurtenances. On
the crest of the island is a massive three-storied barrack or
citadel, arranged (pierced) so that from every point a fire
of musketry can be directed. There are also borate proof
magazines and a furnace for heating cannon balls. There
is deep water all round the island, and its sides in all parts
are so steep and sheer (except at the pier) as to make a
landing difficult. This national stronghold is represented
as a position of great strength and impregnable defence.
This representation it is not safe to gainsay. The position
is certainly a most favourable one for offence and defence.
Besides commanding the entrance of the bay and the more
distant approach from the entrance to the harbour by one or
two of the batteries, the passage (between the island and
North Point, a portion of the city) used by vessels in enter-
ing and leaving the port is completely controlled, and so is
the city. In short, Alcatraz fortifications command as much
of the Bey of San ritweiSCO, all round the island, as their
guns cover (or, in other cords, as far as their shot can
reach) ; and this portion of the bay so commanded includes
the magnificent haibour of San Francisco.
4. There is also an extensive garri-on at Benicia, on the
upper waters of the Bay of San Francisco (Straits of Car-
quinez), about 35 miles from this city. The site is well
chosen for the defence of the interior. It is en route to the
Sacramento river and to the town of the same name, the
capital of the State. Vessels of the largest class can sail or
steam to Benicia. The garrison is occupied by United States
troops and usually contains the ammunition and stores of
the army.
pmrnansen of tly•
offence.
Two days
5. Not far from Benicia is the United States Navy-yard
on Mare Island, also in the bay. This establishment is
on an enormous scale, and possesses a dry dock and every
necessary convenience for building and repairing vessels of
the largest class. It is not yet fortified, but I saw it stated
lately that works of defence were to be added. The ma-
rines taken and parolled by Captain Sanme the other day
are quartered here.
This imperfect description exhausts the present but not
the prospective permanent harbour defences ; for the last
advises from New York inform us that the Monitor, for
California, will be finished and ehiPPed in sections to San
Francisco in the month of January. She is to be set up
and launched in California. Her consort, the Wehauken,
is claimed to be a perfect success. As I mentioned some
months ago, there are three of these Moni,ors designed for
this coast—one for the defence of San Francisco, one for
Oregon, and the third for Washington territory ; besides an
where she will be stationed
er
iron clad frigate for the general defence of the coast, and
"Preparations are being made for supplying all these
means of defence, as they are called, but some of which
may on occasion be used as means
ago a quantity of materiel arrived at San Francisco from
Boston for the Government-I,ooobarrels of powder-1,000
shells, four guns and carriages, 33 boxes ordnance, and
some stores which are to be stored in the dockyard in
Mare bland.
With all these means of defence, with " 150,000 men in
the State capable of bearing arms and liable to military
duty,'' of,whom " some 50,000 are armed and disciplined
and ready for service," as stated IT the Governor, on the
aut amity of the Adjutant General, in the message before
alluded to, and confiding, as his xcellency does, in the
ability of this " numerical force, if properly armed and
equipped, to protect ourselves against any land force that
could be brought to menace our soil," and ignoring, as he
does, the United States forces stationed in the different Go-
vernment establishments just enumerated—taking all these
means of defence into account, as well as those so soon to be
added, it seems difficult for an ordinary observer to conceive
in what consists the imperative necessity of further protec-
tion to the harbour of San Francisco, if any land force that
could be brought to menace the country is all that the Go-
vernor is afraid of. The difficulty is cleared up, however,
when we look beyond the Governor's message to the press,
wbich explains the subject of preparation to be defence
against some " one of the great European Powers with whom
we might go to war, which, from the complication of our
civil diffieulties, may during these troublous times arise at
any moment." Of course, all this beating about the bush
means in simple terms that a war with England is consi-
dered probable.
Having seen what are the means of offence and defence,
and what are the preparations of our neighbours, let us
now take a glance of our own situation in our two colonies
of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. This will be
a very easy, but not an agreeable, task. In British
Columbia there is neither fortification, battery, nor a
single gun—not even one to fire a salute with. There
are some companies of Royal Engineers, who, with their
officers, are equal in all military qualifications to any sol-
diers in the British army ; but there is no permanent mili-
tary establishment of any kind yet provided for the
colony. In fact the defence of both colonies must always
chiefly depend upon the navy. The Home Government
has understood this from the first, and has prudently acted
upon the conviction by ordering a due portion of the Pacific
squadron to these colonies. The men-of-war, when not
cruising—a most useful and important duty, which they
sometimes perform by trips along the north coast, for colo-
nial objects, the chief of which is the regulation of the
Indians—tendezvous in the harbour of Esquimalt close to
Victoria. Until the rcc ent discoveries of iron casting and
iron floating batteries, and what not that I don't at the
moment remember —but say until Monitors were built—
our men-of-war were sufficient in numbers and equipment
for the protection of the colonies. But let us see how they
stand now, since the new-fashioned ships have come into

use,
We have at present in Esquimalt harbour the Topaze
(screw), one of the finest frigates in the navy, carrying some
700 men—full complement (she may now have about 650
to 600 men on board, besides officers), and the Devastation,
paddle-wheel, also a larga ship, but whose complement of
men Ido not know. Besides these two ships these are two
gunboats, of the period of the Russian war, generally em-
ployed in the inland waters on service, but often in port,
one at Esquimalt and. one at Victoria.
Some time ago the Imperial Government sent out 14-
guns, 32's and 68's, for the protection of Esquimalt har-
bour, They hays heyer been Put in positien3 and 40 De*

(From the 2imes' Special Correspondent.)
BRESLAU, MARCH 31.
I subjoin another article from the Czas, illustra
tive of the apparent determination of the Poles to
be satisfied with no less than a full and unstained
concession of the national programme. Referring
to the alleged proposal of independence, the paper
indulges in the following criticisms :
" The situation of Europe becomes more and more depen-
dent upon the question of Poland. The idea of a Congress
started as a baloon d' essai and framed upon the model of the
Vienna Assembly in 1815, has not prevailed with the ma-
jority of the powers. Not even those desirous of handling
the question as an international concern, and referring it to
the action of the Vienna treaties, have been able to make
up their minds on this head. Another combination is fur-
nished by the mooted alliance between France, England,
and Austria, having for its object to extort the concession
of solid guarantees, and force Russia into a different course
with regard to Poland and the Poles. Further news refers
to the intention of the St. Petersburg Cabinet to preserve
the status quo, and decline making any alterations, except
an understanding has been previously established between
her and the two other Powers who participated in the divi-
sion of Poland. That the Cologne Gazette alludes to a French
proposal said to have been mado to the Ambassador of the
Powers our readers have already been informed by telegram.
According to the latest plan the kingdom of Poland, in its
present extent and within the frontiers of Vienna , is to be
recognised as an independent Sta.e in the form of a Rus-
sian Secundo •Geniteure.
" But all these proposals fail in one important respect.
They give no guarantee of darabLity. The clauses of no
treaty in the world are nowadays sufficient to support a
political arrangement now based upon the nature of things,
and the legitimate demands, both moral and material, of
the public mind. It is not enough to draw a line upon a bit
of paper to settle the boundaries of contiguous States ; it is
not enough to lay down a contract to define the relations
between the contracting Powers ; and it is altogether in-
sufficient to force npan a poople a charter to secure the
solidity and flourishing existence of the same. Na-
tionality is an airy nothing without freedom; freedorr
relies for its protection upon independence; and
how can independence be secured except by power ?
Power, not treaties, is the only guarantee of a na-
tion's existence in the world. Whatever mode,
then, may be adopted by Europe in restoring the nation of
Poland, nothing, we aver, will ever come of it while they
cannot resolve to abandon the strait-jacket arrangements of
1815.
" But the hallucinations of diplomacy do not even include
the independence of the Congress kingdom. The majority of
the proposals advanced are content with the status quo,
some little tether beiug, however, allowed f. r improve-
ments and gradual progress. Their only object, in point of
fact, is to restore provincial self-government. Of the other
parts of the Polish spoil, embodied with Russia proper, no
mention has been made as yet, and sill this would have
been possible enough upon the basis even of the Vienna
treaties. Already Lord Ca.tlereagh, in his circular note of
Jan. 12, 1815, addressed to the Powers assembled in Con-
gress, dilated upon the danger menacing Europe in case of
Poland being merged in Russia. But for the manifest intl.
bility of Russia to digest Poland, the integrity of Europe
would have been invaded by her. To-day the duty devolves
upon Europe of undoing the evil it created half a century
ago. But, instead of setting to work boldly and determin-
edly, she would fain free herself from her obligation by half
measures. On half measures turns all the famous and widely
discussed fuss of diplomacy.
" As it was not diplomacy which took the initiative in
rebellion, it is not diplomacy which, alone and unaided, can
decide the question of Poland. That question was forced
upon Europe by the insurgents ; and it is clearly the pro-
gress and development of insurrection which will exercise a
marked influence upon the conduct and ultimate issue of
the diplomatic business. Last week Europe was under the
impression of garbled news, propagated by Russian agency,
and stating insurrection to flag and subside from day to day.
All she might obtain for Poland then appeared as a crumb
thrown to a beggar who could not take care of himself.
Hence we derive the lesson that the diplomatic proposals
must be regarded as the upshot of a time highly unfavour-
able to the Poles, and.which could not but lower their posi-
tion in the eyes of the world. It is just possible insurrec-
tion will increase within a few days. If Europe perceives
her error, and finds the cause of Poland gaining strength,
instead of flagging and lapsing into oblivion, as she fancied,
the opinions as well as the offers of diplomacy will become
far different from what they are to-day.
" The cause of Poland is not only the cause of the Go-
vernments, but, in a higher degree, that of the peoples. From
the first point of view it is a struggle only between two
political Powers, those of Poland and Russia; from the
second, it ought to be regarded as a moral contention, and
a war between freedom and slavery. For the sympathies of
the civilised world it is only indebted to its identity withthe
interests of freedom and progress. This sympathy is apo •
tent ally of Poland; it exercises a considerable pressure
upon the Governments, supporting them at the same time
in their endeavours, and stimulating them to interest them-
selves in our behalf. In Sweden, for instance, Government
interests are at one with public opinion, and strengthened
by the latter. In Italy, on the other hand, the Govern-
ment continues on friendly terms with Russia, while the
people, animated and carried away by the impetus of feeling,
cannot understand a policy which makes liberty crave the
alliance of despotism.
" The cause of Poland is reflected by, and connected in
manifold ramifications with, the entire condition of Europe.
To Poland Turkey is indebted for the prevalence of quiet in
the Danubian Principalities ; Prussia for liberation from the
gravest troubles ; Italy for a respite which will give her
time for internal development; Denmark for safety from
German intervention ; and even France for the satisfaction
and pleased excitement of the public mind In the presence
of the Polish question all others have ceased to exist, or I
have been reduced to matters of local import.
"There is no cause for surprise, then, that the question of
Poland should now be passing through an introductory
stage, comprised in a revival of the Vienna treaties."
As will be seen from the above, the Czas, along
with the National Committee, demands net only an
independent Poland, but the reunion with her of
Lithuania and the other " provinces" as a gua-
rantee of power and lasting independence. Of these
disputed provinces Lithuania has been Polonized in
the course of centuries, and, it is proved by abun-
dant evidence, wishes for no better future than can
be secured in the closest alliance with the
genuine Volhynis, Podolia, Kiew, and
Ukraine, however, are chiefly inhabited by Ru-
thenians, and, both in regard to nationality and
religion, more intimately attached to Russia than
their former masters, the Poles. But here, too,
though the country is the cradle of Russian power
and faith, and had been possessed by Poland only
from the middle of the 16th to the end of the last
century, the nobility and upper classes generally
are Poles and Roman Catholics.
Prince Napoleon, says the Dztennik Poznanskt,
has been challenged by Count Sigismund Wielopo-
ski for having insulted his father in the notorious
speech delivered in the French Senate.

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—This theatre has been
visited by the following distinguished company since
the production of " Lady Audley's Secret":—Lord Enfield,
Dowager Countess of Harrington, Sir Thomas Troubridge,
Sir B. Graham, Sir J. Lowther, Duke of Wellingt?n, Earl
id e and
Sefton, Countess of Fife, Princess Mary of Camb
tai.n James
r
party, Captain oust, Hon. Miss Cust, Cap
M'Donald, Captain Hutchinson, Sir J. Drummond, Lady
Gooch, Lord Pollington, Baron Marochetti, Captain Camp-
bell, Colonel De Bathe, Lord Yarborough, Colonel Caven-
dish, Sir T. Liddell, Hon. Mrs, Duncan, Lady Wallscourt,
Marchioness of Downshire, Lord A. Paget, Earl Uxbridge,
Lord Vaughan, Lord Aylesford, Lord Clanwilliam, Coun-
tess of Waldgrave, Lord Cardigan, Earl of Fife, Earl of
Hardwicke, &c,
POETRY THAT IS NOT A DRUG.—Mr. Tenn SOU'S
Poems have just appeared in a fifteenth edition. Y
The heaviest wail ever known was taken out in
the middle of March by the Ellora to India China, and
the Australian colonies. It consisted of nearly 1, box
es
of b
of letters
i and newspapers, these latter being unusually
numerous n consequence of the reports which they con-
tained of the reception and marriage of the Princess of
Walea,