Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-12

that is, the security which the establish
! ment OF Naval depot at York, won. d af-
ford to Richmond. the metropolis Of Vir-
sinia. Richmond is only vulnerable thro'
York RIVER; an assaihng enemy will ne
yer attempt it through the long and means
dering and intricate navigation of James
River. Ifyou will examine the map of the
state, you will ind York River the great
highway INTO the heart of the State
Leave York River undefended, and Rich
mond is never safe.-Had the British feet,
winch transported the army OF Gen. Ross
to the Chesapeake in the late war, have
taken the channel of York River, with the
design of attacking Richmond, this beauti-
full. tlourishing, and public spirited CITY,
would. in twenty four hours have been ta.
ken, sacked, and laid in ashes. The enc
my could have left their heavier shipping
in possession of Yorktown and it's river !;
thus attracting the attention of the militia
OF this lower country their lighter ship
ping would have proceeded to West-Point !;
such as we're too large to cross the bar at
this place, would have remained there :;
occupying second station on the river
whence they they could barrass the coun-
try the lighter armed vessels, and trans
ports, which passed the bar, could have
proceeded as high up as navigation admit
ted, and debarking their forces, Certainly
within thirty miles of Richmond) this town,
and the whole intermediate country would
have fallen sacrifice to the enemy. Nor
would his retreat to his shipping have been
cut of in this space of time; as every man
who has paid attention TO the organization
and discipline -four militia, will knows that
militia force, sufficient to repel the army
OF Ross, couls not have been collected.ln
as many days, as the invading army would
have consumed hours, in this expedition.
hese may be disagreea5le truths but
now is the time these truths should be spo-
ken, and proper measures of security taken.
Ii the government of the Union, with the
previous knowledge, many days, of the
landing and advance of the enemy upon
Washington, could not secure or procure
a force sufficient to repel the invaders,
what could the government of Virginia
have done, with few hours information
onlys Irepeat, that Richmond is alone
assaiiaule through York River.
York Town is the point at which
Richmond should, and can only be pro-
tected-it is the key to this city and to the
whole interior of our country. In another
point of view, il is Of the utmost Importance
that York-T should be fortified in
another, if York is left undefended, it will
probably be seized by the enemy an in
telligent enemy will not overlook it: it will
be convenient to him as secure naval rem
devious for his shipping, from whence he
can with facility plumber and destroy the
valuable commerce the Chesapeake, and
maraude upon the coun.ry-these advanta-
ges seen, he will strongly fortify it, & forti-
fed so long ayile retains the maritime supe-
riority, SO long will he no d the place and
river; nor can you drive him from it with
the whole force of the state: for remem-
Der the army OF Corhwallis was forced to
caPtulate, in consequence. only Of its being
blockaded by sea, by very superior naval
force, to that which he had at command
In my next letter propose to notice some
of the objections. which the zeal of a wr-
ter in the Norfolk papers, has thought
to raise against York-Town
FRIEND TO THE NAVY.
York, 8th June, 1876.