Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-08-20
DOMESTIC.
I From the lyashinston CIobs

D6nR YIN w VIII a ~ " ~ etu VI N
steamboat, OF the safe arrival Of the President, at this place
The sea-baih proves advantageous to his health. His up.
petite is better, and his strength increasing.
10 inc, the novelty OF the scenes around, is very inter
es'ing. The hrst view OF the ocean is an era in the life
OF a Backwoodsman-and although I was not startled, as
WAS Black Hawk OH his coming here, to find the water
soH, yetthe boundlcss view, the rolling waves. the canvass
which brightens the prospect on all sides, the military
strong hold standing IN gloomy strength on the point, and
the chaotic state OF this castle in ruins, before its erection,
have made more impression OH my mind, than they did on
that OF the stoicai savage.
| had formed but a very imperfect notion Of the value OF
The Foriresscs which have been so long in progress at this
point, and as you may be as ignorant As l was myself, be-
lore my visit, II may not be undressing to give you some
details OF the position and condition OF these works.
The channcl which leafs in from the Capes OF vir-
gina to Hampton Roads, ~. at Old Point Comfort, reduc-
ed to a very narrow line. The stosl water, which, un-
Kept in an %nnremitting ripple, has given the name OF Rip
Rars TO this place. When the bar is passed, Hampton
Roads. which extend to Norfolk, about l6 miles distant,
AMI into which James River, Elizabeth River and NaDse-
mond Mouth, afford the finest anchorage in the world,
and in them all its navies might ride with perfect safety.
" III a view oil making this a secure retreat for ships Of
war anu Tor our commerce, in any future contest with a
naval power, Fort Monroe WAS built on the point. on the
nght side oil the channel at the entrance Of The Roads
n" +" II" u, e ,hs a.; o. The ZIP kaPs, is directly opposite the
will completely command the channel, and it will be IN
possible for a siagie ship Of war to pass wi,hou, the per-
mission oil the power holding the foriresses. They are so
constructed, as TO present immense batteries of cannon
upon an approaching ship, from the moment she comes in
reach, from the Capes, and throughout all the benIings
- '"S '"''NA ~ SIl De uUUtF the nOWCr OI The
cannon; for the forts present a new aspect at every turn,
and in all probability the interdicted shin would be a
wreck, or a confisgrauoE, from the hot shot thrown into
ier, before she completed half the circuit OF the channel.
There is much salutary experience, bought, however
dearly, in the lessons of the late war. These waters were
then the resort Of the British feets-and while all Ameri-
can vessels were either driven from their own harbors, or
captured, the enemy made himself at home here-sent
detachments to Baltimore and Washington--ravaged the
shores oil The Chesapeake-burnt our Capitol and Navy
Y ards, and Laid the whole country under contribution
The erection OF the two forts at this central point of our
gives a refuge to our naval force, if driven in
by superior numbers, and will, in effect, not only exclude
Hampton Roads TO the enemy and shut him cut from
James River and Norfolk, our naval depot, but must de-
Ter mn from ever venturing up the Chesapeake Bay. II
such an attempt were made, tho first calm would put the
most powerful fleet OF an enemy completely al the mercy
a lew steam frigates or steam batteries, which, by means
OIL 'heir self-inoving power, would be enabled 10 take such
Positoh as suited Them, aud TO set fire to The ships Of the
enemy with hot shot, or cut them off in detail. The shell.
OIL ihese iorts, too, would enable a few ships, lying in
security under their guns, to sally out and take advantage
OF any storm which might separate a blockading force. eS.
posed to the accidents of an open sea.
ihese circumstances give great importance to The works
winch are 10 form the gates to Hampton Roads-and, as A
consequence, IN a great degree 10 the whole Chesapeake
Bay. Fort Monroe is already finished and is at this mo.
meht IN admirable condition, il its armament were com
P'eted' L hd the pleasure the other day, of witnessing
the review OF tho troops stationed al The Point under Col
Eustis, ana were exceedingly delighted with the fine.
"e"i'hy looks d Tie men-the exactness with which they
performed Their evolutions-thc genteeI, soldicrly air
which characterized the whole corps, giving them tho
appearance, rather OF a body OF gentlemen in arms. than n
"t'"hoh VI COMMON soldiers. l never saw greater neat
IN The dress-alicrity Of look-or promp,itudc and
oil motion in any body oil troops, than we're
by those under the orders OF Colonel Ensris.
"A line band OF music-the presence of the PresiJen,
oil the Commanding General Macomb, and his La.
dy, and other visiiers, attracted to the station Tor the
"eneht oil sea bathing, may have added to the anxiety
OF 'he men 10 acquil themselves handsomely, as il GER
Amy added 10 The interest and expectation OF The OCCASION;
but nothing short OF the most admirable tiscjpliue could
',hPafl u SKILL ana preserve the neatness, which was
by The corps, and the perfect police which APP
pedred throughout their quarters. am satisfied there is
not a military post in any country which exhibits a more
perfect model OF military government. From the cannon
.na' numbered from The rainpaTis, every thing within
ihem' including the dormitorics, rcfeciorics, and hospital.
even down TO The shaving apparatus, of the common sol
uief; an, are IN perfect order and in perfect keeping; and
tue Colonel and his subordinate officers certsiDly deserve
very highly of the nation, for maintaining the spirit. skill.
ana discipline IN this little band, which may hereafter
serve 10 light up, when necessary, the martial fire of our
countrymen-to animate and instruct them.
The Kip Reps, " here the President has fixed hs quar-
10. The bench oil The sea air and bathing, will. trust.
before long, become a noble structure. " hen flushed il
VIII be a monument worthy OF the people who have law
lshrd their means in its erection, aud OF the genius of The
Engineers by whom IT was planned. Tie area OF the
siruc ure, as o iginally stakei oil, includes FIVE acres: great
part Of which was % feet below the sul face OF the sea. and
hat nearest The surface Is feet. To get a foundation above
water Tor the Fort or Castle, an Island has cen raised. bv
rocks Into lhe water until, by gradu 4 accun,I..
lion, 1t has emerged above The tides ! he rock of " which
ms Island Is formed, has been brought from great distsn-
ces and twas expense. The high price given in the frs,
instance was the subject of much surprize and led IN the
inve s'iga altos by Congress Of the Mix contract, in which
Vdndevehier (Nr. Calhoun's Clerk) was inplicated-a
circumstance That led TO the suspicion tn Mr. Calhoun.
who made the contract, was somewhat interested. He
was however, acquitted Of any participation with Tho par.
Ties deriving emolUmcnt from The contract.
Alter a foundation was obtained for the Castle above
nigh water, the building OF the Castle was begun, and car.
rcd up so as to form The first embrssures. 1t was found
tlat the settling OF the artificial mould of Stone cr,cL
ell the walls. The building, was, therefore discontinued.
but immense masses OF granite have since been brought
aud lodged upon the lines OF the work, That the weight nj
the material, designed for its final completion, might be
employed ~ consolidating its foundations. For some wears
lhls marine pyramid sunk between six and eight inches:
during the last year, although pressed with the weight Of
all the material gathered for the supersfruotre. il settled
about three inches. II is the Presidents opinion, that the
erection OF The Castle may now proceed with safety, and
II is probable that lie will direct is immediate compile.
lion.
The present aspect Of the place is rough and savage,
ana when the surge rusbes In among the hollow piles Of
granite, and The wind whistles among the naked spars
which are planted round the walls for the support of tI,e
scaHoldlng. the music OF the surrounding elements of sea
aud air, IS quite In keeping with the dreary, desoIate spot,
which, al 4 distance, looks like a Gibraltar beaten down
by cannonade, aud fallen PROSTATE in the sea. Upon the
highest point OF this mass Of stony rubbish, a little psvil.
lion is fixed Tor the President, and with his Telescope i'm
hand, he muses,-watches the distant sail, or gives his
mind To the books and papers with which he is surround-
ed. a good-natured guest, on the side Of Point Comfort,
addressed a letter to US the other day at 81. HeIend-but I
told him in return, that on our side the channel, he might
see the noble figure Of MSrius, on the ruinso Of Carthage
a parallel which would hold in all particulars except that
the Hero OF modern times, had contended always for his
country, TOR IT'S oDu sdhe-had conquered lis savage and
civilized foes, aud triumpbed over punic faith and cofrup.
lion, in waging a war OF patriotism, and not Of ambition
mitage, the unalloyed reflection, that all bis successo.
were followed by The blessings, and not the curses of his
eo~untrymen.
The President regretted 10 find the Delaware in Hsmp.