Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-06-05
By Request. |
FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGEycER.
q FORTTFICATIONS,

| ~ - 's'"S.
FROM THE NATIONAL 1SrELLrGEScER,
EORTIFICATIoNS.
Messrs. Gales e. 3edton:
In the late Inaugural Speech, Of which
the country has SO highly and almos
universally approved, no topic is more
emphatically noticed than that which
heads this communication. From the
earnest manner in whichit is presented
it is clear that the experienced and pro-
found statesman who now sits at the
helm, considers a judicious system Of
fortification for the defence of our mari
time frontier as of vital importance to the
security of the country. Such also sp-
pears to have been the impression OF
Congress. and, in fact, that of the whole
community at the termination OF the late
war, when the recollection of its dangers
was still fresh in the memory OF the
public. In the first session of Congress,
after the termination of the war, the sum
of eight hundred and thirty-eight thou
sand dollars was appropriated for forth
}fiCatlons, on the report OF the Secretary
of War recommending the annual APP
preparation of that sum; and during the
same session, joint resolution was
passed with the intention of authorizing
the President to employ in our service
General Bernard, one Of the most scien-
tific and distinguished engineers OF the
age. The system thus wisely com
menced has, till the late session Of Con-
gress, been steadily pursued. The Pre-
sident, in all of his annual messages TO
that body, has, with an earnestness wor-
thy of its importance, recommended it
to the attention of Congress, while, on
their part, till the period above stated,
they have evinced, by granting the ne
cessary appropriations, and sustaining
the measures adopted by the Executive,
an attachment TO the system not less
steady.
That the money appropriated might
be applied in the most useful manner, a
Board of Engineers was created, in 1871 s,
consisting, in addition to Gen. Bernard,
Of the ablest engineers in our service,
and with whom naval officers of distin-
guished merit were associated; to which
Board has been assigned the duty OF
causing a minute and accurate examina-
ton and survey to be made OF the mari
time frontier, and to prepare and lay be-
fore the Executive system OF tortltica-
ton for its permanent defence. They
Immediately commenced the perform
ance of this laborious and important du-
| o.I l,l,Arp attbn,,,rh
brought to close, have already given a
| mass of information which must be OF
| incaculable advantage to the country.
The report of the Secretary of War of
the 18th of February last, to which the
President refers in his inaugural speech,
presents summary of the proceedings
of the board; the system of fertilization
which it has recommended, the estimat-
ed cost of its completion, the progress
made in executing it, and its effects,
when completed, on the defence of the
country. would earnestly recommend
this interesting and important document
to the American people. 1t should be
read by every one who takes any interest
in our independence and prosperity, and,
I hope, in order to Its extensive perusal,
you will give it an early insertion in the
columns of your widely circulating Jour-
nal
After the able view which is taken of
the proposed system of fertilization, in
the report to which have referred, it is
not my intention to discuss the subject.
l will have accomplished my object,
should l succeed in recommending it to
the careful perusal of the public; but |
cannot omit this opportunity of present.
ing few reflections, growing out of the
proceedings of the last session OF Con-
gress in relation to this and other esta-
blishments connected with the defence
of the country.
The state of the Treasury gave rise ia
many discussions calculated to disclose
the temper and principles which govern.
ed the individuals who composed the last
Congress towards those establishments
In order to be correctly informed, have
observed these discussions, and the
measures which have grown out ofthem
with great care. There appeared to me
a marked difference between the tenn.
per of the Senate and that of the House
The former, with wisdom and steadi.
ness worthy so enlighted body, steadi'
ly looked to the lasting interest OF the