Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-27

time that he intercepted all water communication WIN
Mobile and Pensacola, be able to reach New Orleans
from the southern shore of the lake, or might continue
onward through Lake Nlaurepas Amta t'sel ana toe,
vile river thereby reaching the Mississippi at the head
of the Delta or, landing within the mouths OF Chei
Meneur, he might move against the city along the ridge
Of the GENTLY road.
or Ioke Rorone. il BAYOU Bienvenu, naygable chan
mel uhe one pursued by the English army the last war;
mot running into the Mississippi, but possessing shores
Of such nature as enable troops to march from the
mint of debarkaon tie city little to The south OF
his is BAYOU Dupre also affurding easy to the
citv The avenues just named are defended By tort al
the Rigoe,s; another at Chef Menleur; another at
Bayou Bicnrenu, and tower at Bayou Dupre
The deenccs of the river placed at The flaquennc
turn the lowest position which be occupied. Fort
Jackson is on the right shore, and Fort ST. fhllP little
lower down. on the left this last work must be repaired
or renewed The expense is estimated at SLY OOU.
The only permanent work required at present west OF
the Mississippi is fort 10 occupy Grand Ierre island,
for the purpose Of defending the entrance 10 Barralaa
bay excellent habor for floating force guarding the
coasng trade that side and whence there arc several
passages leading to the Mississippi near New Orleans
The estimate for this work is 500 600.
Before leaving this part of the subject 1t is necessary
10 advert 10 the important uses which may ne inade OF
movable floating drtences in aid OF tortlhcations
The applications Of this auxiliary force along the coast
of The United States may be very numerous, and has
been before remarked, would in certain cases, be re-
quisitc to attain full security for all the objects needing
protection. In the case we have Just been consider
ing, for example, Notifications will enable Us to pro-
trct New Orleans, from the most serious and de-
ternined efforts of enemy but, owing to the great
width Of the passages, cannot! by forlcaons alone
deprive an enemy of good exterior ancorages, especial.
y the very excellent west of Chandelier island nor
entirely cover the interior water communications be-
tween the Rigoets and Mobile. We must, therefore,
either quietly submit all the annoyance and inju-
ny which an enemy in possession of these passages
may infct, avert them by the timely preparation OF
In their
capable under the favorable shelter Of the forts, of be-
ing always the alert and of assuming an offensive or
defensive attitude according TO the Designs conduct or
situation of the enemy AS these means of defence are,
however, secondary 10 forGcalions, in every sense as
the which they may be needed must depend on
the relation of our naval force that Of other Powers
relation continually varying, the shapes which these
aux'aries to assume-tlic materials OF which they
are to be formed The weapons they to USE the agent
which is 10 give them power points which every
ten years of this age of rapid Improvement in the arts
may effect complete cyo utions it is considered prrna-
go into Details and premature to 20 into expense
ITO he concluded IN reTt.