The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-05-26


found ros only iniuicient to rein invafors, bur TO
repel predatory attacks. will apply .heie obier-
| vstions particularly to New York and Newport, on
whole Notifications the hesvien dfhurfements have
| been and hazard nothing when aE.rt that
they are Insufficient rem invafohs beeaufe land
ings may be effected beyond the range Of their hea-
| Wen metal, and becaufe their works are command
ed By eirermjseent heights; or to rcpel predatory
attacks. becaule they cannot obRrua the paiage Of
vefel of war, and being erected in advance Of the
objects to be protected with their batteries TO the
front, when paed they lofe all power to annoy
an invader. and Of eourle towns would be expol
ed to his depredstions.
Struck by theie reflections, was led to enquire
infinitely into the efficacy of the work. had furvey-
ed, and Of the merits Of fixed batteries for the de-
fence of our harbors in general; and after the mot
deliberate examination, found the former to be in
judicioufy fitted, badly planned and contracted ge-
Morally Of defective materials and the following OBJ
jetfions AgainA sxed batteries the plan have
purified were fusgeaed by the location In. Their
mmobility defroy their utility, unlefs a narrow
troeked channel mould oblge vefIels to approach
them within point-blank hot which, if 90 pound.
er may be ea;mated at $50 yards and render a
change Of wind necefary carry fueh veiels beyond
the reach of their guns.
End. They are generally fc much elevated above
the water, that when vefIel comes within point
blank ihot you obliged deprefs the muzzles of
hre, and renders it extremely precarious.
Srd Becaufe II is by accident only cannon can be
pointed to hit Object when in motion, and every
moment changing its petition.
9Th. Becaufe in obfruaed channels, no matter
what their direction, veHel with wind and tide, may
not be expofed to your efeetual fire more than ten
minutes.
5th. Beeaufe optical deluions proven. us from az
eertaning alliances by the eye, with fueieut preei
fion to regulate the aim Of ball againif any
given Object beyond point-blank range.
6th peeaufe it will require feveral hnot even at
Fixed objea beyond point blank range, to give the
proper elevation to piece to trike iueh object fuecef
ivey.
7th. Beeaufe they cannot prevent blockade vef.
fel may and fate anchorage beyond the range of their
guns. ~
sth. Becauie vefiels of war may witheut extreme
peril, lay before the heavier and beft contributed bar,
teries iufeient length of time to carry havock and
ditrei to the centre of our mon exPofed eitie-wit-
nefs the late attack of Copenhagen. And,
9Th. Beeaufe they operate defeniively, and there
fore loie the many obveas advantages Of the attack
Il does not reiut from thee facts that our CONNER
eal towns infuiceptble of defence BY forticati
ons on the contrary, it is acknowledged that BY oc
euPying the cireumjacent heights with firong holds.
and erecting heavy batteries, the wharves and ap.
proxinate iands, to deliver erofs FIRE, from mortars
as well as cannon, may only give them effec-
tual protection againft coup de main, but may &C.
complih the original Gegn of military fortrsG.s, TO
enable weaker battaiions reft ftronger until the
natural or adventurous force of the country NAV be
ahembed and brought into operations yet after all.
1t ihould be remembered that in generalfuperior num-
bers, with equal lkill and condua mua finally pre-
vail.
But prevouly to the erection of Notifications. we
fhould eautiouiy examine their utility importance
and expence the number of troops requite for their
defence and the capacities of the nation in men and
money; and, is alto worthy ofremark, that to rem
der work defenGve, it nun be equally ftrong in ali
its parts by nature and art.
Forthea,ons againfi predatory attacks are caleuIa
ted for the immediate defence Of places only bur A.
CAN'T invaiions thee immediate defences muit be fe
cured by the occupancy of all high grounds which
command them, otherwife you erect works for the
enemy. 80
Low, fat grounds, partially furrounded by bav.
or rivers fueh as the fife Of Charleaon) fhoud be
envroned the land de with the utmeil Iabour and
Kill, taking particular make every practicable
application of water by canals and inundations and
on the water line heavy batteries of cam on and NOR
tars calculated produce many crofs fires as poc
fbie hould be contributed and it will alto be found
exPedient to occupy the flands and oppoGre head
lands from which the place might be annoyed but
in hilly countries, fuch we find New.Yurk mr.
Newport, in addition the batteries for immediate
defence, all the heights which furround the town or
harbor NUT be fortified.
Dsfenees erected this feale, and agreeabIy to
the rules OF art, with durable materials land it is the
excefs folly to build with others) would co for the
harbour OF NewYork alone, at Leaf one and half
million OF dollars; after their erection, unlefs f,ta
bly, garronsd they would anf1er the end of their
ehaolifhmen., would be expofed confanty to an enc
my, q IN the courie OF long peace would moulder
decay and tumble TO pieces II may not be amifs to
obierve, in this place, that the wretched works here
totore erectd in our harbours have never been ade
qaaeiy or jadieiouly garrifoned ; and that at this
moment thoie of Charleaon Cape Fear, Norfolk or
Ne~-YorE, might be carried by a coup de main, and
the guns be turned with effea aganit the very OBJ
jects they are intended TO defend
Should the expenee of putting up efeefual defence,
and maintaining the heeefary garrijons exceed the
reiources OF the country, and ea with ito true no.
Icy, 1t may be alked whether we are to rea the
tafety Of our commercial towns and fhpping on the
pacific dilPolition good faith Of foreign overs
To which we may reply in the negative, and add
that 1t is certainly duty fee for thofe places of
dsfenes within the compass of abilities which NAV
be found mott economical, mon durable and moi ef
feeluaI.
After as elofe view Of this quehion as can be ex
pected from unfklled in naval affairs. I bav.
formed the eoncufoo, that next to a fIperior navy
floating batteries will be found more effeual 10 RI.
protection Of fea ports, and fould therefore be
preferred; but fpeak with exception to long tide
water rivers and channels becaufe thew NAV
be commanded by fixed batteries aud eheyaux de frs,
yet cannot be feeured by them agsnff blockade
10 determining on the ise, form and contribution
OF uch floating batteries, regard muR be had 10 ,bs
lerviees to be performed, and after due experiment,
he he odsia he ado e-IC r. 4