Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-17
From the Providence X. T. } american.
NATIONAL FORTIEICAIION..


One Of the objects most worthy, the .xamina-
ton Of those who visit that delightful! summer
retreat Newport, is the great national work on
Brenton's Point, 10 be called Fort Adams
When fully completed, and il may probably be
accomplished in abou five wears from the time
OF It's CONNIE ncement, it will present one OF The
hes, specimens of forti6calion in this, and per.
haps in any other country. The original esti
mate of the cost OF he work, is $3.50, 1000, and
the expenditures, il is believed will fall within
that sum, although the Chief Engineer, Col.
Joseph G. Tolten, who designed The plan, and
ever since lis commencement has su2eri"tend-
ed its progress in de:all, has frequently found
good cause for varying the original design in
some measure, TO give greater perfection 10
the work. A great deal of very expensive cx>
cavation has also been gone through with,
which was not anticipated; large portion of
the foundations, and the trenches having been
made by digging through solid rock. Where
the rock was not found there is a hard clay,
th on exposure TO The dir becomes a material
Of nearly equal durability. The long line of
galleries, under ground for the purpose of min-
ing (the exploration of which is a matter Of
curiosity to the visi'or) are also cut, in many
sections through the rock.
The iabour thus far just begins to show the
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 he
area 10 be enclosed by them, which will CON-
prise about l9 acres. The extent Of the out
W I'd walls, when completed will be 1864 feet,
nearly :hree quarters of mile.
There ale at this time steadily employed on
the fortf alton, SO Masons and | so labourrrs,
exclusive Of the numerous people engaged in
procuring, and bringing matr'i als 10 the Fort.
The average wages Of the labourers are rather
short Of "a dollar per day, the average pay Of the
Masons, about 81 so. The Engineers engaged
in the superinendance, are Col. To,trn, and
Lieutenants Beaverton, Bache and Brown "a
nephew Of the la,e Gen. Brown.) The cheer
fulness and politeness with which these gentle
men uniformly extend their courteses to visit
ors who evince proper disposition 70" inquiry,
could hardly be anticipated under the crcum.
stances in which t"ey are placed, and the FIRE.
quent reousiions that are made upon them. The
duty tina, devolyes upon them is one requiring
the utmost vigilance and promp,ness, and there
is every evidence that i, has been faithfully
discharged
The amount expended up to the present
time is S28o,ooO. exclusive of the cost Of the
land $4,000 Doubtless more labor might be
employed 10 advantage, and the completion Of
the work fastened, al a very considerable saw
ing Of expendI'ure, in the aggregate, should The
anhual appropriation BY Congress, mee:, instead
offail short, las ii invariably has) ofthe amount
asked for The average amount of disburse-
men,s, at the presen, time, is about $40 each
working day, including cost Of materials used.
In the vicinity Of The Fort, redoub, is TO be
constructed to command an important eleya.
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 circumstances.
Any number Of gus that could possibly be
required can be mounted under the protrc-
ton Of Fort Adams.
In connexion with this work there are others
on the opposi.e shore in eontempis ion, III, en-
tire completion Of which, would render Newpor:
by the East passage, inaccessible to any water
force thai could be brought agains; the deIenc-
es. Fort Adams will also be as little asssilable
by land, as 1t is possible to render for,i6calior
having such an avenue Of communication, and
a very small garrison might easily proti act a
siege OIL that quarter, until reinforcements SUI