American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-12-28

ALEXANDER Macomo, Chicf Engineer, 10 the Deere
Iary OF War.
81 regret TO state, that the anticipation that Fort
Delaware would be completed out OF the appropri-
alton of 1928, has not been realized. In making
that representation in the report of last year, the
Department was governed by the report of Major
Babcock, the experimenting engineer but expe.
Ience has proved that his estimates were erroneous
IL is also with regret that state that the final in
spection Of the Board Of Engineers upon the exc
Icutlon OF the work. has not been creditabc TO the
officer; besides The erroneous estimates he had
Ideviated from the plan in several particulars 10 the
Injury OF the work. His conduct was considered
$50 reprehensbe, that court of inquiry TO inyes-
Itga'e it, ordered, and it being conceived that
the opinion Of the court lay the just foundation for
further measures court martial ordered TO try
Major Babcock, on charges growing out oil his con-
duct superintendent, OF which, however, he was
acquitted. the belief of the tina, the errors
were errors of Judgment, and not intentional.
The occurrence has been one OF modification TO
the Department, but it feels thorough conviction
that Fort Delaware is the only one of the fortidca-
tions which, on final inspection, will be found to be
defective, either in the workmanship, or in the wan,
OF conformity to the plans. his particular work
was commenced at early period, before the com
mencemen, of the present system. and the errors
that have been committed may, at least in some
system under which it was commenced.
Under the act of Congress OF The 50th Of April
last TO procure the necessary surveys, plans, and
estimates, upon the subject Of roads and csnais,'
the Board Of Engineers Tor internal improvements
have made the requisite examinations in relation to
routes Tor canals contemplated to be established
between the Chesapeake and Ohio, the Ohio and
Lake Ere, east OF Cuyahoga and Great Besver,)
the Allegheny and Susquehannah, the Susquehan-
CT, h.. n.a, Dor,
are engaged in examining the routes between
Buzzard's and I}arnstablr Bays, and Narragansett
Bay and Boston Hatbor. The requisite surveys in
relation to the above have been comu cnced by por
ton OF the topogr aphcal engineers, and by civil
engineers the route between the Chesapeake and
Ohio; and the greater part oil those on the eastern
slope have been completed
Under the act oil the oath Of Nav last, to i'm
prove the navigation Of the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers arrangements were prepared, under the su-
of an officer Of the Typographical
Engineers, to carry into effect the first section, by
making one OF the required experiments over the
sand bar below Henderson, being one OF those de
signatcd; but the river, when at its lowest stagcI
last summer, being much higher than the ordinary
level at the lowest stage, il was conceived that fair
experiment could not be made and it was accord |
ngly postponed until the state of the river should
be more favorable. To carry into effect the second
section, contract has been made with Mr.. John
Bruce OF Kentucky to remove all snsgs, sawyers,
and planters, in the Ohio, between Pittsburg and
he Mississippi, and in the Mississippi between the |
mouth Of Missouri, and New Orleans, the execu-
ion OF which, during It's progress will be superin.
ended by officer Of the Corps OF engineers
Tho has been ordered to Pittsburg, to be in readi.
less for that service
Under the act Of the Goth of May last making
appropriations for deepening the channel leading
nto the harbor of Presqusle, in Pennsy lvania and
or repairing Plymouth Beach, in Massachusetts
'flcers OF the corps oil Engineers were assigned to
uperintcnd the fulflment OF those objects but
we're prevented by unavoidable circumstances, from
entering their respective duties before the month Of
August. II was found alter collecting materials
md making other preliminary arrangements al
'resqu'isle, that the had advanced too far
md the weather had become too cold, to authorize
he commencement OF the construction, the first
age of which would be driving piles, an operation
hat would require exposure in the water. The
at Presqu'lsle, therefore, will not be
commenced until the next spring, unless it should
'e found TO be practi able to drive the piles through
he ice in the ensuing winter. The success OF a
partial experiment lately made, has thoroughly sat
shed he engineer having the superintendent Of
he work, OF the feasibility and efficiency of the plan
o fulfil the pun poses for which it isintended.
The Military Academy not only continues 10 sus.
ain the high character for discipline and scientific
which exhibited in the last annual
eport, but has evidently improved in its general
condition. AT the last June examination, before a
numerous and scientific board of visitors, very
avorable exhibition of the atainments of the ca.
let's confirms this opinion. The number Of cadets
low at the Academy is two hundred and fifty four
md the number OF those which we're graduated and
promoted into the army last year, is thirty one.
the Military Academy progresses
With remark able success under the present system
for its go, ernmen, by the War Depart
nent it is evident that the institution is susceptible
II future Improvements in its organization. These t
improvements have suggested themselves in the U