American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-04-29
From the National journal.

perhaps there is no subject connected win our
national Growth and security in which the sagaclons
poitician feels deeper interest Than IN the system
Of pubic defence which has been adopted ana SO
literally pursued by Congress. Our Military hea
denny at West Point has attracted the attention aha
ne sdmir,tion of the wisest and most experienced
men. The gradual increase OF our Navy, which,
in its infancy, has proved itself an infant Hefcu'es'
gives promise OF increasing security to our com
merce and our coast. A judlcious and powerful
chain of forts will offer protection to that navy,
when opposed by dlsproporllonale NUMBERS anu
will also efficiently defend those inlels by which an
enemy nigh obtain admission to our Interior. VI
these Qualifications, Fortress Monroe, which con-
fronts the Rip Raps at the entrance oil the ohesa,
peakr Bay is considered 10 be one oil the most strong
and perfect maritime forts which exist either III the
old world or the new The Notifications oil lou
lon are we believe, held to be the most admirable
in the South Of Europe but these, as well as the
most powerful delences OF the northern harpors OF
that hemisphere, are decidedly INFERIOR oo'h ~
strength and in construction to Fortress Mohroe.-
Situated within about mile oil the KIP Maps every
vessel entering the Bay must pass within hall that
distance of the guns of the Fortress and as up
wards OF 200 guns can be brough! 10 bear within
hat rJnge, upon an object not larger than human
being, it would appear impossible Tor any hostile
vessel to force an entrance. The precautions tax
en- render this Fortress impresnaoie are no. less
to be admired. An external wall OF about 70 ieet
thick surrounds the entire area. The space DC
tween this outward wall, and the inner, IS hlied,
with canal perhaps 80 feet wide; and The whole
space OF This canal, together with the outer WALL Is
commanded by the guns OF the Castle. linus con-
st,ucted, men the most deeply versed in The science
of Notifications, and whose observation has been
most extensive, have not hesitaed to pronounce
/ he fnne ptrt he
value of such Fortress, in such sltuatlon is not
to be estimated by dollars and cents. 1t renders
one OF the most important inlets into our country
secure against the most courageous and enterprislng
of our enemies. Ii affords a sure protection Tor
our commercial marine, as we'll as secure asylum
Tor our ships of war. With the mouths oil our
great rivers thus protected, and the line oi Canals
along our Atlantic coast completed, our products
may be conveyed from the northern to the southern
extremity Of the Union, in perfect security. Even
il the congregated powers Of the world could then
encompass our shores with an unoroken chain OF
squadrons, we nigh, smile at the ineficiency Of a
blockade which could have no other effect than 10
throw Us more entirely those vast resources
which are 10 be found within our own country, and
which are more than adequate to all our real wants
and rational wishes
We cannot but rejoice, then, when we see this
system OF defence advancing 20 maturity-when We
see our army rendered daily more efficient, not b,
increasing its numbers but by improving its organ
cation, and providing against all possible conDgen
we behold the growth oil our navy, and
the adoption of measures calculated 10 improve i'll
In discipline and eputaton-when we observe the
Iudioious multiplication of forts extending an i'm
passabe brow along our coasl-and when we see
arising throughout the country desire to render
the intercourse between every Stale and Territory
more easy and Immediate. All these objects are
with our system of defence; aud while
we seek them, by steady and judicous application
Of our national resources, shall be carrying into
practical operation that sterling principle OF wise
administration laid down in The Inaugural address oil
Mr.. Adams which enjnns US g TO cherish peace,
while preparing for defensive war;