Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-04

AZ" Icoiuuon offered by Mr.. Stewart, OF
fennsyivania. calling OH the Secretary of War for
estimates OF the expense of liae OF canals along
the Atlantic sea-bosrd, from Boston to New Or
leans; and also ola complete system of fortifca-
ton, was read
T., Mr. 5. stated that he did not feel particularly
nesirous that the House should enter into the con-
s'aerafion OF It at this moment, but was willing the
question OF consideration should be put. II was
put accordingly, and decided in the negative.
MI. locke OF Tennessee, laid on the table the
following:
Resolved, That tho President of the United
ota'es be requested to be laid before this
Rouse, statement exhibiting the several items, as
az the same exists in the Department OF
The Treasury, OF the credits allowed to j. Monroe
oy the Auditor ofthe said Department under let
ter addsessed to the said Auditor by Robert Smith
then Secretary OF the Department of State, dated
May D, 1910, under the 4th, 9th and 7th charges
OF the account of the said James Monroe. referred
to in the said letter.
Mr. Haynes Of Georgia, offered the following
Resoloed, that tho Secretary of War be directed
70 report TO this House what addition to the hill
tary establishment will be necessary TO ensure, in
time oil peace the preservation of the various works
enoracea In The contemplated system Of national
defence
This resolution lies one day.
Ahs Speaker laid before the House the following
communications, viz
l. letter from the Secretary of the Treasury.
transmitting the information called for by the House
On tne Itth INST. In relation TO the price at which
.ne iands originally sold for, which have been re-
under the acts for the relief OF
OF puDhc lands, and the price at which they have
oeen reso!d- The communication was ordered TO
lie upon the table.
= a communication from the Secretary of the
Navy, transmitting the Annual Report of the
commissioners OF the Navy Pension Fund; which
was ordered to lie upon the table.
AN engrossed" Resolution directing the survey
OF certain mall routes between Baltimore and Phila-
oeiphia" was read third time, passed and sent to
the Senate for concurrence
FOhIlflCATlON APPROPRIATION BILL.
Nr. McLane moved again TO 90 into commit
zee oil the whole on the bill I" making appropria-
lions tor Fortifications."
MIR: Forsyth moved to postpone the further
week.
MIR. Forsyth OF Georgia, in support of his mo-
tion, observed, it would not be for him o
make many observations. The House was already
informed, that, at an early period of its session
MS colleague had offered resolution to obtain in
pom intended to bar upon that bill The OBJ
Ject Oh the 80 was distinctly stated: it is not We,
answered; We have been told that the War De-
p"l'nen' mas not had time to act upon it. A SINH
lar resolution had been before that Department for
more than two years. Suggestions have been
maze Dy the Chairman of the Committee of WAYS
! ahus he'ns, and by the gentleman from South Ca
roiina' which deserve consideration that ,he infor-
! nation asked, If it could be obtained in time
would nave no bearing whatever or the present bill
a. understand this subject, these suggestions are
erroneous without the information sought for we
cannot do our duty. IL has direct and iuportapt
bearing on the question of granting or REFUSING
,'iese appropriations. The subject before US is a
OH making appropriations for the execution of
wha Is called the great scheme of national defence
ue question: where Is his great scheme. VIZ are
.oa That The House has had the plan of forcations
oe,o'e u, ana that 1t has been adopted--public
juaSment mas been pronounced in itsiayor When.
sT. why, some years since, appropriations were
made Tor the erection of forts at certain no;,,s -,
'he Representation of our Engineers tina, these
points, with many othafs, ought TO be fortified .,d
s - the cunaatIoD oil the assertion that the whole
''"e'e was adopted IN all It's parts--those for
"hich appropriations were made, sad those for
winch there were none. I subscribe 10 No su,b
inference; u such opinions entertained by old
and distinguished members of the House. twas
time the whole subject should be seriouslv sY,,.;r1
ell. Ian this exarpinstion be made without an an.
sWM 10 the resolution OF my coIleague> R,t 10,
US inquire now Ear we are now prepared TO az,
eveh upon the iorts commenced, and in progress
Inc want OF requisite information would be hes,
SHOWN by referring 10 particular works. There is
10 be tort at Old Point Comfort; enormous sums
nave been already expended upon il; the enpi-
neers ask Tor morei we ask, in turn what has been
done! We are answered certain walls of stone or
ock have been constructed, barracks and romforta
Ole quarters Tor the officers have bee, erected and
we are gong on with the fort. we ask, further
wha' SORT oil tort Is 1t, that you building or in
lend 10 build! Is there plan before us-has ON.
oeen submitted Tor examinationifi it has have the
engineers, adhered TO it, Has new plan been n
tnptpI- nr hay aalta -.
nal scheme! Who among us IL now able 10 an
swer these questions? See the danger and follv
OF proceeding thus at hazard, in its consequences
we are now to give $4,000 for this work: we
place the whole at the discretion Of the War De-
psrtrnent. What is TO prevent the plan Of to-day
from being abandoned Tomorrow and the ,lao of
Tomorrow, nall year hence, for another, which
promises TO be more effective? What means have
you Tor knowing or preventing such changes, eyerv
one OF which necessarily protracts the execution
OF the work, and increases indefinitely he exneos
Oh H. 30 much for work in progress. Take an
other example from this bill, Fort Calhoun. Bv
Inc report OF the engineer, with the Presidents
message to Congress, il appears that the founda
ton OF this work is at iengt h perfected On this
foundation, so long preparing, and so expensive
there is to be tort, no stone of which ia vet aid
owe US money for this fort, say the engineers.
$4,000 dollars, to begin with. For what kind of
lori IS the money wanted! what il its shape; is il
circular, or square, or octangulsr? VIVA, are its
d'nenslons-how many guns will it require what
Will II cost-what is its bearing on other fori6ea-
lions! What others are intended to be erected TO
bear upon ~ Will gentlemen deny the impor
lance OF these questions? II is, however, said.
tnat THESE questions come too late; Fort Calhoun is
determined on. BY what act? Where Is the Las
OF its creation! Some years ago money was an
propriated TO build Fort Calhoun, and to this YOU
are TO look for the form and value OF the proec,ed