Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-31
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. \
\

(Continucd.)
From the preceding sketch of the system projected tor
the Defence of the Seaboard of the United States aP-
pears that all the Notifications proposed ore not Of the
same pressing necessity, of like Importance Some
required Immediately, while the commencement OF
Others may be postponed In proceeding TO class them,
it must be observed that the works of the FIRST class are
those destined to prevent enemy from forming per-
manent nomentary establishment, In the coun-
try, those which will defend the great naval arsena!s,
aud those which will cover the chief cities and towns
In the second class will be placed the works which
are defend those naval stations and those cities of
secondary rank, which, either from natoru! or artificial
defences existing works. SC, are not entirely without
protection, and may, therefore, wait until tie more I'M
porant points secured against drst attack; and IN
the third class will be arraye the works which complete
the defensive system in all its parts but OF WHICH the
construction may without great danger be deferred On
Ill the frontier shall have received oil the successive de-
grees Of strength resulting from gradual erection OF
The forts of the first and second classes fourth class
is added, containing such works as Will De necessary o
~ conditionally.
Table A. Joined to this report, contains the first class,
aud shows that the works Of this class will cost $l 609
a. will require to garrison them IN time Of
peace, and Sc, oG6 in case Of siege.
Table contains the works of the second class show.
ing tina. they will S73 900; will require 975 men
to garrison them in time peace and 1860 in c.se Of
siege ,,, ,,;., .,,,,
showing that their cost will be 4C7o, s24 that their
garrsons in time Of peace will amount 10 2,3e0 men,
and in time of siege TO q 45 men, showing, uso that
the total future expense of terrifying the maritime from
Tier will amount to $3 5Gl 6 the troops necessary to
guard these Notifications in time of peace 10 $40 men,
and 1891 in time of war, supposiag them all
(Which cannot happen) besicged at once.
The time required TO construct the whole system, must
depend upon the annual appropriation which the nation
may grant this branch Of the public service All that
need be said on the subject is that undertaking.
necessarily involving so much time, and of such vital
Importance the safety prosperity and greatness OF the
Union there should be relaxation of effort and per
severance. An undertaking Of such magnitude, must
with eyery effort be the work Of years. But may be
TOO much hurried as we'll as too much delayed. There
is rate Of progress at which it will be executed in the
best manner and at the minimum cost If more hur-
ried, it will he defective in quality, and more costly if
delayed.
France at least fAy years completing her mari.
time and interior deiences.
Some remarks will now be offered on the subjee, of
the Expense of erecting system Of defensive works,
and garrsoning them for war, comparing il with the
pense of defending tie coast without Publications. To
simplify the proposition the defence OF Portsmouth, Bos-
ton Narragansctt roads, New York, Philadelphia Bal,
more, Norfolk Charleston, Savannah, and New Or.
leans only, will be taken.
Surprising an enemy had concentrated ZOO men at
Halifax or Bermuda: the Government must, hearing
Of this force at once prepare 10 resist al all the points
mentioned above AS it will be impossible to foresee
which the first blow Will be struck it will be necessary
have troops encamped each and to meet the attack
With force not less numerically than that of the assal
ant the troops kept constantly under arms must at least
equal one half of the hostile expeditions while many
more, ready for instant serpce must be within call
These points ore Immediately accessible in some
and remote from in others, that after the
point Of attack ia announced by the appearance of the
enemy before it, there will be time for reinforce
ments 70 come from the interior.
BY maneuvring in front Of any of these places, the
enemy would induce us to concentrate forces there
when, suddenly pro6tting Of favorable breeze he would
sail to another. Which he would reach in few hours
and would not fail to sie2e if force were not stationed
there likewise, at least equal to his own No renoice.
Gun, in this arrive from the interior in time
rection upon the point he has just Quilted
!. Our whole coast, from Maine 10 Louisiana vonld
thus be kent in alarm by single expedition and such
is the and exposure OF the ssaboa.d that
INV MIGHT ruin us by war Of mere threa,ennps II
The cities and other great establishments not parr
soned they will become prey at once and il they are
rarrisoned, the treasury viii be gradually emptied the
credit of the Government exhausted; the weary and
starving militia will desert TO their homes; nor will it
be easy TO avert the contamination Of tribute, plage
and confagration.
The table T. Joined to this report, shows that 10 be in
readiness on each Of these vulnerable points, it will be
requisite 10 maintain 107 900 men, encamped and under
arms al the ten places mentioned, and 49, 600
dy to march and within call.
This number is, in fact, below that which would be re-
CURED for these points being, according TO our hy
pothsss exposed to attack from 10000 regular and
Del them unless aided by intrenchments, requiring
lime to construct them which might not be allowed and
INVOLVING expenses which not included in the esti.
nate: BESIDES, to have 90 600 men, especially le.
res under arms it will be necessary, considering the
pdemics that always assa such troops the
nation Of. these corps 20 ut least Is ,0G0 men.
The State Of LouBans, being remote from auccoI, re-
ires larger force under arms than The other points
bis force Is fixed at IT. co., supposng that the State
nay supply 5000 within call |