Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-09
ON ROADS AND CANALS.
INTERVENING OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

ON ROADS AND CANALS.
INTERVENING OFFICIAL DOCUMENT.
Report Of the Secretary If War 10 Congress.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR. /,
January 9Th, 1919.
SIR: In compliance with a resolution
Of the House of Representatives, OF the
4ih of April, 1918, instructing the Score
iary OF War 10 report TO that House. al
their next session, a plan for the appli-
Gallon OF such means as are within the
9 power of Congress, for the purpose of
opening and constructing such roads
" and canals as may deserve and require
the aid OF government, with a view TO
military operations in time ofwar: the
transportation of munitions of war !:
and aiso a statement of the works of
The nature aforementioned which have
been commenced, the progress which
has been made, and fiIe s,eans and
prospect of their completion :-togeth-
or with such Information, as in the h.
pinion OF the Secretary. shall be mate
rial IN relation 10 The objects of The re-
solution" have the honor is make lie
following Report
a iudiclous system of roads and canals
constructed for The convenience of com
mtrce and the transportation of The mail
only, without any reference to military
operations, Is itself among the most eff
ciehi means for the more complete de-
ience OF the United States" Without
adverting 10 HE fact, that the roads and
canals wllicl, snch system aould re-
quife, are, with few exceptions. nreeiseIy,
those which would be required Tor The on
rFa'loiis OF war, such a system, by conso
'ldat,ug our union, increasing our weaItI,
an" nscal capacity, would add greatly 70
our resources IN var. Ills in a state of
war, when nation is compelled TO putall
ei lis resources, IN men, money, skill add
devotion TO country, intorequisition that
rs government realizes, in IFS security.
The beneficial effects from people made
prosperous and happy by wise direction
oil It's resources IN peace. But | forbear
10 pursue THIS subject, though so Interest
ing, anu Which, the farther il is pursued.
WIZ tiIe more clearly establish, the intimate
connection between The defence and safe
~ OF Tie country and IFS improvement
ana prosperity, as do not conceive that
1t constitutes the Immediate object of this
report.
Ahere IS no country to which good
system OF military roads and canals is
more Indispensable thanfo the u. S. As
great as our military capacity is when
compared wifa the Dumber Of our Deo-
pie, yet, when considered in relation TO
Inc vast extent OF our country, il is very
small; and, u so great an extent fterri
Tory renders II very difficult 10 conauer
us, as has frequently been observed. il
Ought not to be forgotten that il renders
il no less difficult for The government 10
aHOru protection 10 every portion of the
community. In The verynatlire of things.
inc difiicuiiy OF protecting every part, SO
iohg as our population bears SO small a
to the extent Of lie couniry.
cannot be entirely overcome: but II NAV
be very greatly diminished by good
system OF military roads and canals
The necessity OF such system is still
more apparent, " we take into cousidera-
ton the character Of our political max
inns aud institutions. Opposed IN pru-
cipie 10 large standing army, our main
reliance for defence must be on the mill
TIA, TO be called OGt frequently from
great distance, and underline pressure of
an actual fgSasI N. The experience OF
Tie late var amply proves, ~, tie present
slate otOUs internal improvements, the
delay, the uncertainty. The anxiety. and
exhausting effects of such calls. The
facts are too recefl 70 SECURE details, aud
iheimpression 100 deep to be scon for
goteu. As It's the part OF wisdom 20
profit by experience, 50 II is OF fbc at.
most importance 30 prevent a recurrence
OF . similar stale Of things, 10y tic appli-
cation Of a portion of our means TO Tie
construction Of suci roads ai,d canals az
are required with ayiew t., military on.
ereilons ~ time Of war, The ifsnsporiaiion
OF the munitions of war, and more com
plsie defence Of The u. States"
IN a'iGucsilons 1T military preparations.
Lrcc o. ONi frontiers rculIirp Sotcini ~