Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-07-29

now true,lt may become so, in dozen in
stances, If our citizens do not look better to
their own permanent interests.
NATIONAL FoRTIFIcATroF. One of the
objects most worthy the examination ofthose
who visit that delightful summer retreat.
Newport, is the great national work on
brenton's Point, to be called Fort Adams.
when fully completed, and it NAV probably
De accomplished in about five years from
the time OF its commencement, il will pre-
sent one of the best specimens of fortifca-
ton IN this, and perhaps in any other. conn
try. The original estimate of the cost of
the work is $3.50, 900, and the expenditures
1t Is believed, will fall within that sum. al,
though the Chief Engineer, Col. joseph G.
Iotten, who designed the plan. and ever
SINCE Its commencement has Superintendent
Its progress in detail, has frequently fnuna
good cause for varying the original DESIGN.
IN some measure, to give greater perfection
TO the work. A great deal of very expen-
sve excavation has also been gone through
with which was not anticipated; a large
portion OF the foundations, and the trenches
having been made by digging through solid
rock. Where the rock was not found there
IS hard clay, that on exposure to the air
becomes a material of nearly equal dura-
blilty. The long line of galleries, under
ground, tor the purpose of mining 1.-THE ex-
ploratlon OF which is matter of curiosity to
the ylslter,) are also cut, in many sections.
through the rock.
The labour thus far just begins to show
the outline of this great work, the exterior
wall having been laid generally to the level
of the first and on some of the water fronts.
TO the second tier of guns, nearly on three
SIDES OF the area to be enclosed by them,
which will comprise about 10 acres. The
extent OF the outward walls, when completed.
will be 4O64 feet, nearly three quarters of
mile.
There are at this time steadily employed
on the fertilization, so masons and $50 la
bourers, exclusive of the numerous people
engaged in procuring and bringing materi-
ais to the fort. The average wages of the
labourers are rather short of dollar per
day, the average pay of the masons, about
Sl 81. The Engineers engaged in the SUI
perintendence are Col. Totten and Lieu
tenants Beaverton, Bache, and Brown Ia
nephew of the late Gen. Brown.l The
cheerfulness and politeness with which these
gentlemen uniformly extend their courtesies
to visiters who evince proper disposition
for inquiry, could hardly be anticipated un-
der the circumstances in which they are
placed, and the frequent acquisitions that
are made upon them. The duty that devol- |
yea upon them is one requiring the utmost |
and promptnes, and there is eyery |
evidence that it has been faithfully discharg-
ed.
The amount expended up to the present
time, Is $260,000, exclusive of the cost of
the land, $4,000. Doubtless more labour
might be employed to advantage, and the |
completion of the work hastened at a very |
considerable saving of expenditure, in the
aggregate, should the annual appropriation |
by Congress, meet, instead of fall short of, |
las it invariably has) the amount asked for. |
The average amount of disbursements, at
the present time, is about $40 each working |
day, including cost of materials used. In |
the vicinity Of the fort, redoubt is to be
constructed to command an important eleva-
ton. On the fort and advanced work, $50
guns may be mounted, although that number
would probably never be wanted, unless all
the fronts were simultaneously attacked,
which could hardly happen under any cir
SuhistdHCSS' any uuIlDeI VI guns IndL COulu
possibly be required can be mounted under
the protection of Fort Adams.
In connexion with this work there are
others on the opposite shore in contemplation,
the entire completion of which would render
Newport, by the east passage, inaccessible
to any water force that could be brought
against the defences. Fort Adams will also
be as little assailable by land, as it is posi-
BILE to render fertilization having such an
avenue of communication, and a very small
garrison might easily protract siege on
that quarter, until reinforcements sufficient
to raise it, should come in from the surround
ing country.
We have been somewhat minute in this
description, though it is still left extremely
imperfect, ON account of the great impor-
lance of this work in a national point of
view, and from the fact, that the publick at
tention has heretofore scarcely been called
toward it. In its design and Importance. we
believe it is not inferiour to any similar work
in the country, except, perhaps, Fort Cal
houn.-P Providence american.