Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-02-09

1 III N'f-NN ~'NsN
these Notifications; but IT was not so
with maritime forts The efficacy of
these had been tested in England and
France, and in other nations of Europe.
England, with all Der power. has not
neglected her maritime forts. The gen.
tleman had argued that we must rely on
our navy. frue: anti he would 20
with him to the greatest extent to cher
ish the navy; bat the navy required de-
fences; il wanted harhors, secure dock
yards, and forts; and the gentleman
might see, from the brief statement he
would make, that the protection Of the
navy was one of the principal objects
of Notifications.
Before the late war--ana ne must re-
fer TO that period, because il was an inl-
portant era in the history of our coun-
try, in all its consequences, and in none
more than in directing the talents and
energy of the country to repair the de-
fects which our experience in that war,
discoyered--b before that war, I'VE were
undeiended. except by some small forts,
intended for the defence Of single points
and towns which were in the vicinity of
these points; but extending no defence
TO other parts of the country II bad
been urged, because these were not
| fouEd sufficient to defend the country.
there was reason for new ones But
these had repealed the approach Of the
enemy where they Stood. Neither bos-
ton nor New York had been assaled;
while New Orleans had been attacked
and endangered. He called the a.ten-
.on of the house 10 the consequences
Of deficiency in this sespect For the
want OF forts the enemy had been ena-
/ bled to blockade the Chesapeake. to
throw the whole country in ednfusion;
every man was driven from bis occupa-
ton, and compelled to become soldier,
without knowing whittier TO go. We
were received By war of .hreatehing5.
What would have been the consequence
in the south, but for the skill and bra
very of the gallant troops at New Or
leans, and the heroism of the gallant
general who commanded taeme What
would have been the fate Of the coun-
Try If New Orleans had fallen?
Ii was to correct these evils, to pre-
vent their recurrence. and to guard the
frontier, chat this system has oeen a
doyted The moment the war had pass
ed, the government devoted itself to re
medy the evil, by providing system Of
national defence, not oi Notifications
only. Having determined On this, they
lappointed Commissioners 10 examine
the whole Of our frontier, and see
where fort. might be more ede ctually
placed. These commissioners recon-.
mended not only system Of fortifica~
ltion, but of national defence; pointing
out at the same time, how we might,
hereafter, most easily and certainly
guard our coast. The great objects,
and he quoted the language of scientific
men, and not the Prescriptions of his
own knowledge, for he had only learn
ed, as other gentlemen might, from the
perusal of the documents before them,
were. LIST, the Navy--2d, Notifications
Sd, Interior Communication by land
and water--and 4thly, the regular ar
my, aided by well organized militia.
These are all the parts of great whole;
all connected with view to combine
the efforts of all so as to sustain each
other, and to render the combined eff
fort effectuel We could not take one
part of the system without impairing
the rest, because it 10 perfect whole.
Such is the system recommended by
the Engineers, and adopted by Con-
gress. This IS the system Of defence.
Let gentlemen examine it as they will,
here ii is. The navy is part of this:
Notifications, with view to support
the navy, and to prevent it from being
injured. How are thesc to operate in
aid of the navyi Your navy requires
ports, harbors, rendezvous--dock yards
to build ships. Your dock yards must
be defended, while your navy isabroad
in search of the enemy. Suppose your
navy is oyertsten by the calamities' of
war; is overtaken by disasters; and de-
feated; where is it to repair? You
want your Notifications 90 protect the
lizards while your vessels are repairing.
This is great object. No power ever
Idisregarded it; and it would be madness
to disregard it, with the necessity star
ing us IN the face.
| He did not wish to be misunderstood.
His objact was simply to give informa-
ton. He would now refer to the re-