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

! world of itself; and, Will, thai facility o
intercourse, 10 perfect which, the dispos
able means of The Country is ADEQUATE
would flourish and prosper under th,
pressure of war with any power. But
dropping this more elevated view. anc
considering tie subjees only as il regard.
military operations in time of war. ano
tile transportation of the munitions O.
war what could contribute so much as
,his communication to the efiectual and
cheap eie'ence of our A ilautic frontier p
Take the line Of inland navigation along
he coast, The whole of Which, il is es,im
atedi, could be completed. forsca vessels.
~ digging one hundred miles. and al the
| expense of S3.0O0.OO0, the advantage
| whlch an enemy with a naval force now
mas, by rapidly moving along the coast,
| anu harasslng and exllausiing The coun-
| ,pS' "nh'n be is great measure LOST 10
| hihi. IN tact, The capacity for rapid and
| pronopi movements and concentration.
| would be, TO the full, as much in cur
| power. We would have, in most ofthe
| points OF attack. a shorter line to move
over IN ORDER 10 concentrate our IN cans !;
anu aiuen by steamboats,, would have
| me capacity 70 pass il ina short time, 6:
win greater certainty, ilian what en- rne-
| my, even WI, naval superioriiy, would
| nave 10 attack us. Suppose ll,c fleet of
such an enemy should appear off The
| Capes of Delaware before n cou,,l M,
sibiy approach and attack ps.iladeInIia
| information, by Geographic copm,,n;ca.
| ton, might be given 10 Baltimore and n
! YORK, and The forces stationed ,bere
thrown ia Tor lis relief. The same mirhi
take place if Baltimore or New Y5rl
shonid De invaded: AMI, should an Al
'ack be made on any of our cities the
| hiiitia and regular forces, at a great dis
lance along The coast, could, IN a Short
'lthe' De thrown IN for lis relief. BY his
speedy communication, the regular for
ces' whhthe militia ofi.,e cities and their
ht,gnDorhood, would be sufficient Ia 70
PEI ordinary InvasIons, and would either
preveni, or greatly diminish. the barass-
ingseais upon The militia OF the interim,
IL 10 these considerations we add ,bncL..
racier OF The climate Of the southern no
si'Ion-of The Atlantic frontier. so fatal 10
iHose whose constitutions are mi inpreel
10 II, The value OF This system obedience
by The regular troops and the militia ar,
custoined 10 tie climate, will he ore,tI,
enhanced. Should this line of inlan,,
navigation be constructed. 10 eniov lie
dement's fully, il will be necessary IN cor-
er II against the naval Operations of Am
enemy. II Is thought that This NAV he
easily effected, 10 tile sonili of The Cbes-
apeake, by land and steam batteries
fhai bav Is Itself one Of the most imnor-
tan, Inks In this limo of communication .
aho us defence against naval force
ongii', u practicable, ion rendered com
pie'e. Twas carefully surveyed. The last
summer. by skilful officers, for his pmr.
pose IN part, and il is expected,bat their
report VIII throw much light upon This
Important subj CT. Long Island Sound
ahother part oi The line which is exposed
only. ""'"' ioioe
II remains. in relation to the defence of
Tue a'ish'ic frontier, TO consider the
ue"ns OF communication between ii and
ne western states, which require tie aid
VI ,ne government. Most of lie obser
vaiions made relative TO the increased
strength and capacity of The cn,,ntty' 80
pear up under the pressure of war. from
the coasiwise 7cominuDicatiop ~.
nlIcable in high degree at present. aud
are daily becoming more so. 70 those
WIN HE western siaies /; and shouId a
war Tor conquest ever be wsacd against
us, an event moi probable, bmi moi IN Ic
iaid entirely out OF view, the roads and
canals necessary To complete The com
mnnicaiiou with that portion III o,ir
country, would be of The ufmos; impnr-
farce
The interest of commerce. and the
spirit oirpalry between fhe great Allan.
TIC cities, VIII do much 10 perfect ,l,r
means OF Intercourse with the west. Tn,
most important lines Of communication
appear TO be from ALBANY TO the lakes.
IRON Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washipn
ION, and Richmond, to the Ohio river
ana from Charleston and Augusta, 10 the
tennessee; all OF (which are nov COM
mandiug Tie attention, IN y greater or less
degree, OF HE sections Of The country
immediately Interested. But IN sicl, great
undertakings, so Interesting in every
point OF view To the whole union. anil
which may ultimately become necessary
to IFS defence, The expense ought mol 10
iali wholly on The portions of the conn
Try more Immediately interested. As The
government las deep stake in ilie,n.
and as The sy stem obedience - i'll not be
perfect without tlIeircomplelioh, il ouqi,t
Al iesst 10 bear = proportional share Of
The expense Of their construction.
proceed next TO consider The roads
and canals connected with The defence of
Our northern frontier. That portion Off
which extends 10 the east OF Lake Clam
plain hasnot heretofore been HE scene
OF ex'eusiec military operations: and
am not sufficiently acquainted wifb the
nature OF the country, 10 venture an opin.
ION whether We may hereafter b.. called on
10 make considerable military efforts in
HAT quarier. Without, then, designating
ANY military improvements, as connected
with this portion Of onr northern from
TER, would suggest the propriciv,
should Congress approve OF the plan Tor
2 military survey Of the country 10 be
hereafter prnposcd 10 mako a aiirre, 81 NJ