Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-05-04

force to land any where, between the
Rigolets, and the Bay of Mobile, and to,
pass towards the Mississippi above the
city, lest such body might be thrown
in its rear, as to cut OF its retreat These
considerations show the great advantage
of establishing, at the mouth oil the bay
of Mobile, very strong works, such as
would be adequate to all the purposes
suggested. ~ * 80
If Notifications were necessary, only
to protect our country and cities, against
the entry of large ships of war, into our
bays and rivers, they would be of little
use for the defence of New-Orleans,
since that city cannot be approached, so
near, either by the Mississippi, or in any
other direction, by such vessels, for them
to make an attack on it. In the Gulf,
within our limits west Of Florida, which
has been acquired since these works
were decided on, and commenced, there
is no bay or river, into which large ships
of war can enter. AS defence there
fore against an attack, from such vessels,
extensive works would be altogether un-
necessary, either at Mobile Point, or at
Dauphinc Island, since sloops of war,
only, can navigate the deepest channel.
Bat it is not for that purpose alone that
these works arc intended. 1t is to pro-
vide, also, against formidable invasion,
both by land and sea, the object of which
may be to shake the foundation of our
system. Should such small works be
erected, and such an invasion take place,
they would be sure to fall at once into the
hands of the invaders, and to be turned
against US.
Whether the acquisition of Florida
may be considered as aftording an i'll
ducement, to make any change in the
position or strength of these works, is
circumstance which also merits atten-
ton. From the view which | have ta-
ken of the subject, am of opinion, tina,
it should not. The defence of New
Orleans, and Of the river Mississippi,
against powerful invasion, being one
OF the great objects. of such extensive
works, that object would be essentially
abandoned, if they should be established
eastward of the Bay of Mobile, since the
force to be collected in them would be
placed at too great distance to allow
the cooperation necessary for those pur-
poses, between it, and that at the CITY,
In addition to which, it may be observed.
that, by carrying them to Pensacola, or
further to the east, that Bay would fall
Immediately, in case of such invasion,
into the hands Of the enemy, whereby
such cooperation would be rendered ut
terly impossible, and The state of Ala.
bama would also be left wholly unpro-
tectcd.
With view to such formidable IN
vasion, Of which we should never lose
sight, and OF the great objects to which
it would be directed, | think that very
strong works, at some point within the
Gulf of Mexico will be found indispensa-
biz. | think, also, that these works
ought to be established at the Bay of
Mobile, one at Mobile Pom, and the
other on Dauphine Island, whereby the
enemy would be excluded, and the COM
plete command of that Bay, with all the
advantages attending it, be secured TO
ourselves. In the case of such invasion,
it will, it is presumed, be deemed me-
cessary to collect at some point, other
than at New-Orleans, a strong force,
capable of moving in any direction, and
aifording aid to any part which may be
attacked, and, in my Judgment, no po-
sition presents so many advantages, as a
point of rendezvous, for such force, as
the mouth OF that Bay. The fertilization
at the Rigolets will defend the entrance
by one passage into Lake Ponchartrain,
and also into Pearl River, which'empties
into the Gulf, at that point. Between
the Risolets and Mobile Bay, there are
but two inlets, which deserve the name,
those of St. Louis and Pascagola, the
entrance mo which, is too shallow, even
for the smallest vessels; and from the
Rigole,s to Mobile Bay, the whole coast
is equally shallow, aifnrding the depth
OF few feet Of water only. Cat Island,
which is nearest the Rigolets, is about
seven and a half miles distant from the
coast, and thirty from the Rigolets. Ship
Island is distant about ten miles from
Cat Island, and twelve from the coast.
Between these Islands and the coast, the
water is very shallow. As to the precise
depth of water in approaching those
Islands from the Gulf, the report of the
typographical engineers not having yet
been received, it is impossible to speak,
with precision, but admitting it 10 be
such, as for irigatcs, and even ships Of
the lin9 TO enter, the anchorage at both
is unsafe, being much exposed to north
ives, winds. Along the coast, therefore,
there is no motive for such strong works