Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-25
Twenfy-fifsh Congress---2d sess.

REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR,
In compliance ,oih resolution Of The Senate # The 4h
October 1887 reatire to plan Dr tho protection V tae
North and Eastern boundary Of the United STATES
JANUARY 10, 1888.
Ordered to be printed and that 500 additional copies
be furnished for the use Of the SENATE.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR Jan 8, 1888.
SiR In reply to the resolution Of the Senate Of the
18th October last asking for pan for lhr protection
of the North and Eastern frontiers of the United Staes
&c. have the honor to transmit herewith extracts at
letter from Msj Gen. Scott, to the commanding gene
rail- In this communication, that officer does not sug-
gpst any plan Of defence but confines himself to
statement Of the minimum force required at the several
posts and stations for the protection Of the Northern and
Eastern frontiers Of the United States. Indeed, the
very thorough examination sea to this subject by
board Of engineers appointed after the close of the last
war and the general system of defence laid down by
them render Il unnecessary submit plans for ut
purpose All that can be done u.s. reiterate their
and 10 state the actual condition OF those
frontiers They exposed to insult and attack along
their whole line the inland borders, for want OF proper
gasons for the several posts, and the maritime frontier
from all the Notifications being incomplete, unfinished,
and unafned.
Admoniahed by the difficulties which had been
counteed, and the incredible expenses incurred al the
commencement Of the last war; from want OF prepare.
tion the nation, Immediately the return Of peace,
adopted for the defence Of the seaboard The
circumstances attending that contest. had shown that
the whole extent Of the coast was Vulnerable and thai
an active and enter prsng enen,y, with comparatively
small means. might keep the country in state Of alarm
by threatening the entire line and selecting the nngnard
ed points for attack-a mode Of warfare which obliged
the Government to incur great and disproPoronae ex.
pense, and to employ immense force in Intellectual
attempts to protect s detenceiess and extensive mari
time frontier.
The coast was reconnoered by board Of engineers,
and system of defence adopted intended to cover our
great establishments and principal Cities to clnse
Important habors to the enemy and secure them TO our
own navy to deprive the enemy OF strong positions,
where protected by his naval superiority, he might fix
m Gus terrItDrv-malntalN
during the war; and keep the frontier in state OF pepe
tua anrm TO prevent much possible the great ave-
nues of interior navigation from being blockudrd by
naval force at their entrance into the ocean, and to
YER the coastwise and interior navigation, and give
navy the means necessary Tor protecting this naviga-
ton. ...s
For these purposes sites selected and works pro-
jer.ed and nenoed upon scale commensurate with
the ,nsgnitsde Of the interests they intended 10
protect The whole system was adapted 10 the princi
Piles OF modern warfare and it the plan had been pro
secuted with The vigor with which it was com.
nenced, the forti6catinns our maritime frontier
Wight have been, if not completed in state to be de-
Tended and to afford protection to the points of
attack
Unfortunately the efforts to carry on these necessary
works have been relaxed Whether lued into security
by long peace influenced by other causes, the ma
ton has ceased to feel respecting them that interest their
importance ought to inspire Appropriations have been
denied altogether, made with sparng hand the for
Gfcatiuns have been left unfinished state, exposed
TO the action Of the elements, requiring costly and
tensve repairs before ney were naH nnlSneQ ana a!le
period of more than twenty years, and the expenditure
of many millions Of dollars, there is not fortress
our long line of sea deances capable OF resisting
ed brig; not one that may not be taken by saall force
and some Of them, from their quasi insuar position, if
captured may be occupied permanently during the
tinuance Of the only 10 be reaken al the cost of
much blood and treasure
The chief cause Of this neglect in Of our most i'm
porant interests, is the opinion which has generally
prevailed that navy the FIRST and best ratification
and that ali tho and energies of the country
ought to be directed the Improvement Of that of
the service No one has higher opinion of The navy of
our country than buve; but believe that even when
carried 70 the fullest extent to which can reach for
nv years come, i WILL alone prove entirely inadequate
TO defend the extensive maritime frontier Of Tie United
States.
The Board Of Navy Commissioners, in late report,
state that shaving due regard to the number uf
employed foreign and coasiing trade and in the
fse1es the force to be prepared ready for use when
ships the line, twenty Eve fgaes, twenty-five sloops
of war, twenty FIVE Steamers aud twenty Eve smaller
vessels and 4a. the frames and other TIMBER the cop
per- ordnsHce tanks and Chain cables should also be
prepared for Ten ships of the line and ten frigates-
These will probably be required to supply losses from de-
cav and casualties
The French navy now consists Of forty ships of the
line ty ftipaies and two hundred and twenty smaller
vessels That Of Great Britain, of hundred thirty
ships of the iipe, hundred and twenty frigaes,
seventy. sloops Of war. Oftese, theee are in
mission twenty SIX ships of the line eighteen figa-s
fty three sleeps and fifty smaller vessels Of war, and
six steamers and coasts Of both these nstons
lined with fortcaiioas mad possess ccsapeie system
Of perusneHt defsnces along their marme frootiers
Without such SYSTEM the navy will have no place Of
efuge when driven into barber BY stress Of weather, or
spoerior force and instead Of protecting CON
neree and harsssng that of the eney, will be con6ued
osether operations aiwaya distressing and
ard toooften humatiBa extentso which