The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-10-25

be confessed, that the probable incon sss,i-
ence of the smoke does no, amount to the
tcnih of that II Il ships decks, since there
are more thantcn times the space and ,apei'-
lures for it to spread in, and escape through
The walls of the castle are 8 feet thick on
the ground tier, they will be seven feet thick
OH the next tiea, there being a recess of one
foot for the jobts of the second floor to lie
upon, and in tie mass ofthe wall. arches are
turned ser each pa ir of embrazures, so that
If il were possible to batter a each into
the lower ter, the upper one would rest up
on those arches, and exhibit the appearance
Of bridge, composed of very solid piers.
the outside cuswork Of the wall is laid in
VIVA, is called flemish bond. and each stone
is dove-tailed h such a manner that no ore
can be disloc$ed without being first broken
to pieces OVID each embrazure is "a Rat arch
of remarkably neatness and strength, the
first platform Win be ready to receive its guns
at the close If this season.
This account of the castle may be closed
by observing hat wit IN its walls is an in
exhaustible wall of the finest water, from
which all the shipping of NewYork, might
be watered with case.
ii. BIDLOW'3 ISLAND.
The front will of Mortar Battery which
commands allIthe channel and anchoring
ground to thefull distance that a shell can
be sent, is neaay up to the intended height ;
the form given Ito this front is irregular, OIL
account of theposition of the island, and the
irregular shap, of It's Dank but it has been
calculated to 1--we the greatest sides of the
angles perpendicular to the line of approach,
ana the shortf sides to flank them. This
Battery will BIZ on the level of the ditch Of a
star Fort in itsrear, which not only viii! COM
mand it, but Till command and protect Ell
lis's island. The excavations for this work
are made, andthe mason work will be car
ried OH at the opening of the spring. i'll the
mean time thswurk will go on until the Sc
verify of winter puts stop to it.
III. ELLI5'S OR OYSTER ISLAND.
The old &ooden parapet is taken down at
Ellis's Isl;nd, and the platform for a gun
battery is icompleted, there only remains to
wall up parapet, when it will be ready to re-
Ceive its CANNON. a-
N. CITY or NETWORK.
I. A foundation is preparing by encomps-
sing with a Polygon ofblocks space of two
hundred feet diameter i'm a S. w. direction
of the fhg staff of the old battery, the blocks
will form seven sides of an octagon, two
sides onthe town side being made into one,
the blocls are nearly all sunk, and they
will be worked UP above high water mark
before winter, so as to be perfectly safe from
the ice ;.within the space that will be en-
closed, a foundation will be laid, and Cas-
tie erected similar to that OIL Governors Is
land already described.
IL. OHHubert street a foundation is alrea-
dy laid fer a circular Battery of about 90
guns in one Tier-which will cross fire with
the one last described so as to render it i'm
possible for an enemy's ship to lie off the
the batteries before described will make j,
impossible for any attack to be made OF the
east river, SO that even if it were to be AL
lowed that all these batteries could be pas
sed, the city of New-York would be safe
while the enemy at the same hazard would
have to pass back again.
V. The height of Red Heok and the mar.
roqus may be contemplated as sites for forti
fications, to be erected as soon as arrange
ments can be made. j might easily proone
my communication, by informing YOU of the
laboratory, mag,zine & arsenal, now build
ing under the direction of Col. Williams, a,
the place where the kingsbridge and Bloc.
mingdale roads separate, about two miles 8,
a half from the city hall. 1t would be plea
sing to me to describe the naval force staff
oned by Ma. Secretary Smith, in the har
bour, under the command of the gallant com
modore Rogers. And the task would be nc
less agreeable to make known to you. the
various and important measures adopted il
pursuance of the laws of the common wealth
for the public safety by Governor Tompkins
But detailed enumeration of these severa
matters would lead me far beyond my limits
therefore conclude by expressing my fer
vent wishes for your health and prosperity
SAMUEL l.. MITCHELL.
To the Hon AMBROSE SPENCER.
JERSEY ELECTION.
To tie Editor IF the Mercantile .Hd1c2ft
ser.