Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-13

cripple and destroy the enemy; and their power of
ton would enable tem under almost all circumstances,
to approach the fleet, and TO retire, when necessary,
where they could not be pursued l think il doubtful!
whether squadron would anchor in the Chesapeake, or
proceed up it, if competent number Of these batteries
maintained and placed in proper positions.
These considerations may we'll lead US 10 doubt the
necessity of such extensive permanent works. while
their non existence at the time the system adopted
jusies the views which then Prevailed; and, without
advancing any rash ecture may anticipate such
improvements in this branch Of the public service
will make it the most efficient of coast defence.
These vessels properly constructed, may become float
ing forts almost equal 10 permanent Notifications in their
power Of annoyance and defence, and in other advanta
ges far superior 10 them Being transferable deences,
they can be united upon any point, and few Of them
be thus enabled to protect various places. We have
been brought by circumstances 10 gid nvestga-
ton of our of defence, and to re.examlnaton
of the whole subject. After interval of twenty
years of tranquility, public sentiment and the
Of the Government wcre by unexpected circumstances
more fnrcbly directed TO this mutter. The result
not fail to be advantageous The whole subject be
now re-c1nmined by Congress- with oil the benefits
which much experience has brought, and with the ad-
vantage of adapting the system to the advanced state of
the country.
There are Two bills for Notifications now pending be.
fore Congress. One before tho House, amounting to
600, and intended TO prosecute works already
actually commenced. The estimates Tor this bill NAV
therefore be considered necessary in themselves under
any view Of the general subject and not unreasonable
in for the present year because they include The
operations of two years. The incidental expenses how
ever, may be safely reduced onc-half as it will not be
necessary to make such extensive repairs were cons
dered requisite when The estimates were prepared.
The bill pending before the Senate contains appropria
tions for nineteen works, and for the sum of
5000 ,O00 to be expended for steanbntteres The es
Inmates which this bill founded were prepared al
time when prudence required that arrangements should
be made for different state of things from that which
now exists An examination of the general system of
defence not then expedent; and the means of pro.
tecting the most exposed points, ugreeaby 10 norna.
ton previously collected, asked of Congress. Ii
was no tune then to stop, aud instead of prosecuting
established plans vigorously to lose the period of action
by surveys and examinations and discussions But The
opportunity is now afforded, without danger 10 the pub
lie interest," of applying the principles suggested to the
works under consideration.
It cannot be doubted but that Notifications at the fol-
lowing places, enumerated in this bill, will be necessary
At Penobscot bay, for the protection Of Bangor &C.
at Kennebec river at Portland; at Portsmouth; at Sa.
em at New Bedford; at New London; upon Staten
Island; a, Sellers Flats; redoubt Federal Point;
for the Barancas; for Fort St Philip.
These proposed works oil command the approach 10
places sufficiently important to justify their construction
under any circumstances that will probably exist. ]
Think therefore, that the public interest would be pro-