Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-09

tention; The eastern or Atlaniic frontier;
the northern or the Canadian frontier
| and the southern. or the frontier Of the
Gulf Of Mexico. On the west and north
ives. we are secure, except against Indian
hostiiifies: aud he only military prepare
tons required in that quarter, are such as
are necessary 10 keep The Indian tribes
in awe, and TO protect the frontier from
their ravaSes. All of our great mill
larry efforts, growing out OF a war with
an. European power, must, for the pres
eDt, be directed towards our eastern,
northern or southern frontiers and the
roads aud canals which will enable the
gov rnment TO concentrate IFS means for
defence, promptly aud cheaply, on the
vulnerable points of either OF those from
iiers, are those which, in "a military point
OF view, require the aid ofgo,
propose TO considereach oithose frontiers
separately, beginning with the Atlantic,
which, III many respects, is the weakest
and most exposed.
+ From the mouth OF ST. Croix to that of
81. Mary's, the two extremes of this from
tier,eis distance, along the line of the
coast and principal BAYS, without follow :
ing their sipuositirs, of about 2, 100 miles.
On this line, including itsnavigabie rivers
and bays, are situated our most populous
cities, the great depots OF The wealth and
commerce of the country. That portion
OF II which extends 10 The south of The
chesapeake, has, with the exceptions of
the cities, and their immediate neighbor
hood, sparse population, with low
marssy cpuptrH, extending back from 100
10 100 miles. To The norih Of the Chesa-
peakc. inclusive, IL affords, every where
deep and bold navigable BAYS and rivers.
which readily admit vessels OF any size
against line so long, so weak, so expes-
Ell, and presenting such strong motives
.or depredaiions, hostiIities the most Ira
RAISING and exlausting may be carried
gu by naval power; and should the sub
Ingaflon. of HE country ever be attempt
ed, II Is probable, that against this from
tier, facing Europe, the seat of the great
powers of the world, the principal efforts
would be turned. Thus circnmstanced
tIs the duty of the government TO render
II as secure as possible. For muchoftb This
security we ought TO look TO navy. and
a JusIcIous and strong system OF fortifica-
lions: bnt not to the neglect ofsuch roads
and canals as will enable the government
10 concentrate, promptly and cheaply
al any point which may be menaced. The
necessary force and means for defence.
10 resist ordinary hosiilities, having
Tor their Object the destruction of our
towns and the exhaustion of our means
the force ought TO be drawn from the
country lying between the coasts ant. The
sources OF the principal rivers which dis
charge through it into The ocean but.
10 resist greater efforts, aiming at con-
quest, should il ever be attempted, the
force and resources the whole commu-
MY must be brought into resistance.
40 concentrate, then, a sufficient force
on any point Of this frontier which nav
be invaded, troops must he marched, and
munitions OF transported, either along
Inc lineof fhecOasf, or from The interior
OF the Atlantic states, 10 the coast or
should the invading force be Of sncl,
magnitude as 10 reqnireit. from The wesi.
ern states; and the roads and canals ne
cessary for lie defence of This frontier
are those which will render these opera
lions prompt, certain and economical.
From the coast Ia The Allegheny moun-
talHs, and the high land separating The
streams which enter intotheSt. Lawrence.
from those OF the Atlantic, i'm which the
principal Atlantic rivers take their rjse.
HE distance may be averaged al about
700 miles and Tie whole extent, from the
81 Mary TO the ST. Cfoix, is iniersected.
al shori intervals, by large navigabIe ri.
Vers ana The principal roads of This por-
non OF our country, through which IFS
great commercial operations are carried
OH. These, aided by the steam boats.
now introduced on almosiall of our great
rivers, present great facilities 10 collect
tiie militia from the inferior, and TO trans
port Inc necessary supplies and munitions
OF war.
Much undoubtedly remains 10 he done
TO perfect The roads and improve tbe ma.
VACATION OF the rivers but This. for tI,c
most part, may be safely left TO the STATES
and The commercial cities particularJv ir-
ieresied, as the appropriate objects of
Their care and exeriions. The attention
OF both has recently bees much tnrned
towards these objects, and few Years
viii probably add much 10 facilitate the
Intercourse beiweentb the coast and the in.
terror OF the Atlantic states. Very differ
eni IS tire case with tie great and inner.
lani line OF communication, extendi,,0 a
long HE coast, through Atlantic siaIrs.
NO object OF the kind is more i,nnoy-
iaDt; and there is none 10 which STAFF
or lndlyldusl capacityis more lnadcouatc
j must he perfected by lie general gov
ernmeilt, or not Perfected AZ all. al least
Tor many years. No one or two states
have sufiicIcHi interest. II is jgDmedi-
aiely beneficial 10 more Than half of ilie
states Of The Union, aud. without The aid
OF the general government, would Tedure
Their co operation. II is, AT all times.
most important object 10 ilIe nation
ana, IN war will q naval power, is al
iDosi indispensable 10 our military, con-
merciaI and financial operations. II NAV.
IN sIugle view, be considered tie great
artery OF tie country and, when lie
coas'lng trade IS suspended by war, tI,e
vast intercourse between lie north and
south, Which annually requires five hun.