Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-23
WAsHINcfoN CRY, Sept. IL.
DEFENCE OF OUR SEAPORTS.

Why, it is asked, by the federal prints, if
war be expected, do not our administration
prepare for itf 1t might be sufficient to
reply, that, when measures of defence or
offence have been proposed, those who now
make this clamor are the very persons who
nave endeavorcd to- thwart them. But we
will not avail ourselves Of this argument
The government has, in the course Of four
ears past, placed Notifications wherever.
deemed requisite, and repaired those prcyi-
ousiy existing. At the port of New York,
Tor instance, where attack seems most to
De expected, the Notifications will be COM
pleted and in readiness for service by the
f,rst OF the ensuing month. But where arc
the men to garrison thems it is asked. We
reply that there are due proportion of the
United States troops stationed at New York !;
and that 1t never was contemplated by any
man OF sense, much less was such an idea G.
yer entertained by Congress, that the Uni
ted States were to keep in constant service
ten or twenty Thousand artillerists to garri-
son tor active service all the forts of The Uni
ted States. Reliance has ALWAYS been placed
Tor cases OF emergency on the militia, the
constitutional army ofthe United StateshEhs,
on our sea-board, as much as Oh CURVES
tern frontier, are expected to contribute
their quota to the defence OF the county,
FOR the defence of the towns Of Portland,
fortsmouth, Boston, New-Yorh, Eor4oik
Philadelphia, Baltimore ard Charleston, and
ether exposed points, against sudden ATTACK
II mas always been expected that the militia
woIld contribute their aid by their artillery
to garrison the forts, and by their infantry to
cover them from surprize by land. There
is a garrison of the United States troops IN
each fort, and abundance of ordnance and
ammunition. These, assisted by the artilie-
~ OF the towns, would be competent, in four
and twenty hours CT less, to all the purposes
OF defence against sudden attack. There are
fyct living brave old artillery officers and
military veterans in every city, competent to
take command of fort and defend it TO the
last extremity. There is no hardship in be-
! ing compelled to contribute to the defence OF
cur own fire sides; it is a part of the duty
OF every citizen, but which is less severe
on our sea-board, where seldom called into
action, than in the remote territories, where
the citizens arc frequently required to be
under arms.
1t has been said that some of the guns of
the forts were dismounted. In the late cpl
ping times ofpeace," the guns were dismoun-
ted, we are informed, because, when noun
TED Tor long time and not used, the carria-
ges suffered considerably but a day or two
is sufficient to replace them and on enqri-
ry we find that orders have been actually
givento place them Immediately in a state
tor service; which is probably ere this ac-
complished
Let not the federal editors fear, if the Bri-
tons put into practice the clustering menaces
OF Their Editors on both sides the water,
lsmail as appears to us the probability of
tnelr dong SOY but we shall be prepared to
give them as warm reception as they can
desire.-Nat. hitelEgencer.