Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-01-08

- the Gulf Of Mexico, and in the Chcsa,
peake Bay. The works on the eastern
bank of the Potomac, below Alexandria,
and On the Pea-Patch in the Delaware,
are much advanced, and it is expected
that the fertilization at the Narrows, in
the harbor of New-York, will be com.
pleted the present year. To derive all
the advantages contemplated from these
fortltications, 1t was necessary that they
should be judiciously posted, and con-
structed with view to permanence.-
The progress, hitherto, has therefore
been slow; but, as the difficulties, in
parts heretofore the least explored and
known, are surmountcd, it will, in future,
be more rapid. AS soon as the survey
of the coast is completed, which, it is
expected, will be done early in the next
spring, the engineers employed in it will
proceed to examine, for the like pur-
poses, the northern and north-western
frontiers.
The troops, intended to occupy a sta
ton at the mouth of the St. Peters, on
the Mississippi, have established them
selves there, and those which were or
dered to the mouth of the Yellow Stone,
on the Missouri, have assembled that RI
yer to the Council Bluffs, where they
will remain till next spring, when they
will proceed to the place Of their destina-
ton. | have the satisfaction to state that
this measure has been executed in amity
with the Indian tribes, and that it promis-
es to produce, in regard to them, all the
advantages which were contemplated by
it.
Much progress has likewise been
Tnade in the construction OF ships of war,
and in the collection of timber and other
materials for ship building. 1t is not
doubted that our navy will soon be aug
mented to the number, and placed, in
all respects, on the footing, provided for
by law.
The board, consisting of engineers
and naval officers, have not yet made
their final report, of sites for two naval
depots as instructed, according to the
resolutions of March 18th, and April
Goth, 1918, but they have examined the
coast therein designated, and their report
Is expected in the next month.
For the protection of our commerce
in the Mediterranean; along the South
,ern Atlantic coast; in the Pacific and
Indian ocean, it has been found necessa-
ry to maintain strong naval force, which
it seems proper for the present 10 con-
tinue There is much reason to be-
Iieve, that, if any portion of the squadron,
heretofore stationed in the Mediterra.
lean should be withdrawn, our inter-
course with the powers bordering on
that sea, would be much interrupted, if
not altogether destroyed. Such, too,
has been the growth of spirit ofpiracy,
In other quarters mentioned, by adven-
turers from every country, in abuse OF
the friendly flags which they have as
suned, that, not to protect the COM
merce there, would be to abandon it as
a prey to their rapacity. Due attention
has likewise been paid to the suppression
of the slave trade, in compliance with
law of the last session. Orders have
been given to the commanders of all our
public ships, to seize all vessels, navi-
gated under our flag, engaged in that
trade, and to bring them in, to be pro-
ceeded against in the manner prescribed
by that law. 1t is hoped that these
vigorous measures, supported by like
acts by other nations, will soon terminate
q commerce so disgraceful to the civili- |
zed world.
In the execution Of the duty imposed
by these acts, and of high trust con-
nccted with it, it is with deep regret
have to state the loss which has been
sustained by the death of Commodore
Perry. His gallantry, in brilliant ex-
plot in the late war, added to the re-
nown of his country. His death is de-
plored as national misfortune.
JAMES MONROE.
Washington, December 7, 1919.