Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-19

Having observed that had pressing ue-
mand for q sum of money when came into this
Office. which could not readily command O.
than by means Of my furniture, It Is
nroper that should state the cause. Having
witnessed in the late war the defenceless con-
dition of our maritime frontier, aud felt most
sensibly its pemicious effect, while acting In
the Department of War, and Congress hav-
ing decided at the peace to establish chain
of Notifications along the coast, and to aug
ment the Navy toa certain extent, and to es
tablish naval depots and dock-yards, at certain
distances, l resolved to give promptly every
impulse, and all the aid III my power, to this
very important national undertaking. l had
had some experience in the wars of my own
country, and had likewise paid attention to
works Of the kind in my missions to Europe.
thought, therefore, that, by examining the
great inlets, and the commanding ground
bearing on each, should be better enabled to
Judge of the reports which might be made
through the proper Departments, by the En-,
gineers and Naval Commissioners appointed
to survey the coast, respecting the sites and
nature of those works, than could otherwise
possibly be. thought, also, that, by making
this inspection in person, might from the
Office which held, draw the public attention
more forcibly to the object and stimulate the
officers engagedin the works, and in the pub,
lie service generally, to more vigorous ana
efficient discharge of their duty. In 1917
the first year Of my service, l visited the
coast, and every important inlet from the
ocean, especially those leading to our primer
nal cities, from Baltimore to Portland, thence,
through New Hampshire, and Vermont py
Rouse's Hoint, on Lake Champlain, along tne
northern frontier, through the Chatougue
woods, to the st. Lawrence, thence, to Sack
ett's Harbor, and by Lake Ontario, to the MA
CARA Strait, and by Lake Erie TO Deuon
thence, back, to Sandusky, through the s'A.e
of Ohio, and by the Cumberland roaa, :.' ~
which some attention was due, TO TINS ivy.
In the ensuing year, the business pressing M
this quarter, viewed the works on tne roy y.
mac. and examined the entrances INTO the S-
Mary's, York, and James rivers, passing 1y
Norfolk. to Elizabeth City, on the Albemarie
Sound. The season being far advanced when
CONGRESS adjourned, Icould not then proceed
farther. In 1919, PASSED by the same route
through the Southern States, by Charleston,
and Savannah, along the Southern frontier,
through the Cherokee nation, the states OF
Alabama, Tennessee, part of Indiana, through
Kentucky, back to this City. In those routes,
and as thought in that service, for had l not
90 considered it, Ishould certainly never have
undertaken them, expended larger sum
than nv furniture amounted to. Had l not
received the money for it, or raised it by the
sale ofother property, l could not have made
that inspection. The documents relating to
a particular item, the transportation afforded
me, unsought, and unexpected, though USE
jul, by the General Post Office Department
or part Of the distance, not more than one
bird, in 1917, amounting to one thousand
,ine hundred and twelve dollars, will give an
dea of the expense attending those visits.
Inspected, at the same time, our manufac-
DRY of arms at Springfield, our public arsenals
md our garrisons, along the coast and IN the
Interior, with view to stimulate, also, all
hose who were employed at those stations to
faithful discharge of their respective duties.
Having been long employed in negotiations
With three of the principal powers Of Europe,
he great object Of which was to prevent war,
s has been already shewn, l knew well, so
ar as l was capable of knowing any thing
veil, for had never studied any subject with
% much attention and soIcitude, the dangers
o which we were exposed, and the means OF
.yerting them, so far as it was possible to avert
HEM made this inspection, therefore, I'M
Ter firm conviction that the completion OF
hose works, military and naval, would be OF
ncalculable advantage to our Union, in all its
most vital interests, that, by their moral effect
IN other powers, they would tend to prevent
var, and prolong the intervals and blessings OF
,eace that, when war should be inevitable,
hey would diminish its calamities; that they
would, in an eminent degree, promote econo-
nv; that they would strengthen the bond OF
Union itself, and thereby give anew and most
powerful support to our Republican system of
government. Being deeply impressed with
hese sentiments, and having so recently re.
,eived the highest proof of the confidence of
ny country, was willing, though then in del
cate health, to make this exertion, at my
own expense, from strong feeling OF graft
ude to my fellow-citizens for the kindness
,hewn Inc. 1t is proper to add, that the ex-
oense attending those visits, was much dimn-
shed by the hospitality and accommodation
Afforded me throughout the Union, and espe-
,ially in the principal cities, where the ex.
pense was greatest.
Whether it will be proper for the Chief
Magistrate to make occasional visits through
he States, or any of them, during his service,
s a subject into which do not enter, nor is it
involved in those which made. Sites for for.
ifications and dock-yards were to be fixed,
and the works to be commenced and execu-
ted with judgment and despatch. A single
visit to all the points in question was sufficient
Tor the object contemplated, which, being
made, the repetition would be unnecessary.
The sites being established on principle, would
require no change, nor admit of any, and the
works being well executed, would last, with
repairs, forases.
Having shewn, above, the manner in which
the agency of the furniture fund was discharg.
ed, and explained the transaction relating to
my own furniture, Twill now proceed to other
details, with which it is equally necessary. that
you should be made thoroughly acquainted.
| allude to my private account with Col. Lane,
of which, in the items, and the causes which
produced it, l will give an explanation equal
ly minute.
In the agreement with Col. Lane, as agent
for the Furniture Fund, respecting my own
furniture, and the advances made by him to
me, in consequence thereof an account was
r