The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-06

no"etor ihcnheu some may be 70 pass over
this important question, it does appear 70 me.
that if our government be true to the nurnoses
OF its institution, they will accord ample nro-
lection to every section of our Union. Tha
period for according this protection may be
delayed, 10 the injury of our interests, and the
dishonor Of our national character but il can
not be always avoided, for, in some future ma
ritime war-such as, sooner or later, must
take place, and which we may be engaged in
the productions Of that vast empire, which
mas Tor It's only outlet the straits Of Florida,
VIII be etiectaally locked up, TO the fatal inju.
ryoi the country, or possibly to the dissolu-
ton Of the Union
IL IS not probable that an enemy will here
alter ever attempt to make permanent CONQUEST
OF any part OF our territory; yet past expert
ence has shown US with what facility an in
considerable military force, sustained by ma
val one, could agitate our whole seaboard. ha-
rass the militia, burn our towns and planta-
tons, and arrest entirely our commerce and
coastlng trade, for the want Of adequate means
OF defence, proportioned TO the resources and
real power of our country. At later period,
we have seen with what facility handful Of
pirates, without territorial protection, skulking
into and out of the harbors of the neighboring
islands, could pllage and destroy our vessels
trading to the Caribbean and Mexican seas,
and sacrifice the lives of our citizens with re-
lentless barbarity.
Foreign powers, with whom we are liable,
from conflicting interests. TO be brought into
collision, border on our territory, and occupy
chain OF formidable posts, stretching along
and overlooking our whole southern coast
such as Jamaica, Mexico, Cuba, Bermudas,
and the Bahamas; some of which are main
tanned at great expense, and might be the rem
devious for future means of annoyance and
attack OF our territory and commerce.
The Gulf Of Mexico and Straits of Florida,
constituting as they do the outlet of so many
productions of rich and valuable nature, thus
surrounded by various nations, bid fair to be
the scenes of much future contention. Our
own interests in that quarter are of immense
and rapidly increasing value, and which being
thus open 10 assault, ii appears to me it would
be wise policy in our government to provide
the arsenals and establishments for ships of
war necessary to the protection of our vast in
terests in that sea, and thus prevent lis falling
prey to the rapacious grasp of future belli-
gerants, as well as 10 avoid the necessity of
our ships of war navigating (perhaps in Grip
pied condtlon) a dangerous coast of such ex-
tent, to procure the necessary repairs and reft,
from the destruction of battle, the disasters of
the elements, and the decay incident TO our
vessels, and subject to great loss of time in GO
ing from and returning to their stations at
the south.
The new principles of European policy and
reform in relation to their American colonies,
aided by the fanatics, spread over our own
country, exciting an insurrectIonary spirit
among numerous class of our southwestern
population, together with the cupidity which
the rich productions of that country are calcu-
lated to create, seem to admonish us not to
trust too far to our own peaceful habits and
passive disposition, but to apply all the means
in the possession Of the government for the
permanent defence of that interesting portion
of the Union.
If these Impressions are just, it appears to
me OF the greatest importance that the con-
struction Of the dock and navy yard at Pensa-
cola should be pushed on with all possible
despatch; and that the navy should obtain
there every essential TO its efficiency and
the Government and country should find at
that place on the first emergency, ais the
means of defence for the coast and Its COM
merce. The best harbor in the Gulf of Next
CO, accessible at all seasons of the year en-
joying an exemption from tropical diseases,
and mild climate, nature seems to have
formed it for the great naval depot and rem
devious for our ships destined to protect the
Mexican seas. This harbor admits, with ia
cility Of ingress and egress, the largest sloops
Of war and merchant ships but this will not
be adequate to the future wants Of the ma
ton in the Gulf of Mexico The deepening
of the bar, or entrance, so as to admit vessels
of the largest class is essential to that port,
and is an experiment well worth trying
Should, however, the experiment fail, new
channel could be cut through the Island of
ST. Rosa, which, should think, would not be
work of much difficulty, as the island is
very narrow, and has deep water close to the
shore on the sea side.
The abundance Of the finest timber for the
construction and repairing of vessels OF war;
which grows on the shore Of the Gulf of
Mexico, and Immediately in the neighborhood
Of Pensacola which now has TO be transport
ed to the northern navy yards at great ex-
pensc and labor added to the facilities which
the internal Improvements in state Of pro-
gress in that country will afford for the trans
portation of every material for fleets of war,
constitutes strong reason for the early estab-
lshment of school of workmen and mechan-
les, so essential to the ends proposed, Of meet
ing any future wants at that place. and de-
veloping its utility as a naval depot and rem
devious for the ships of war.
Considering the exposed state Of this Sec
ton of our Union from the causes before emu
merated, and the Gulf Of Mexico and its out
lei uhe Straits Of Florida) is our Vulnerable
point, through which flows SO large portion