The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-04
To The President Of the U. States.

most obedient servant
]. r. POINSETT.
To The President Of the U. States s
Head Quarters Eastern Division.
Elizabeihtown, N. j. March %, 1870
Sir: have received from your office copies Of two
resolutions passed, respectively the 18th and 9th In
san by the Senate and the other by the House Of
Representatives; and am asked for any information
the subject Of both either OF the resolutions that
may be in lmyl possession"
In respect to the naval force recently maintained
upon the American lakes by Great Britain, have just
had the honor TO report to the Secretary Of War; by
whom the resolution Of the House Of Representatives
tof the 9th instantly was directly referred TO me-
now con6ne myself to the Senate's resolution, re-
speeding military II omit naval preparations Of the
British authorities the Northern frontiers Of the
United States from Lake Superior TO the Atlantic
ocean, distinguishing the permanent from the temporary
and field works. and particularly noting those which are
within the clsimed limits Of the United States"
will here remark that, however we'll my duties have
made acquainted with the greater part Of the line in
question, have paid but slight attention to tho forts
and barracks erected by the British authorities the
borders Of Maine abous Fredericton, in New Bruns-
wick or in Upper Canada, ab0pc Cornwall being Of the
fixed opinion (Which need here be developed) thu.
oil such structures would be Of little military value
to either OF the parties in the Of new be-
tween the United States and Great Brtaia-
was, last summer, at the foot Of Lake Superior,
nettnef nearu OF pritisn Oafrack
the St. Mary's river, the outlet OF that lake.
Between Lakes Huron and Erie the British have
three sets Of barracks a. Windsor opposite to De-
troit, al Sandwich, little lower down, and the
third at Maiden, eighteen miles from the first, oil
built Of sawed logs strengthened BY blockhouses, loop
holes, &c Maiden has long been military post with
slight defences These have been recently strength
eDed The works At Sandwich and Windsor have also.
think been erected within the last eight months
Near the mouth Of tho Niagara the British have two
small FORTS George and Messsanga- Both existed
during the last war. The latter may be termed per-
mancnt work Slight barracks have been erected within
the last two years the side, the falls and
Chippewa, with breasworks at the latter place but
nothing. believe above the works first named the
Niagara, which can be termed fort.
Since the commencement Of recent troubles in the
Canadas and consequent thereupon) within limits,
Fort William Henry, at Kingston, and Fort yelling
ton opposite Ogdensburg, told works) have both been
strengthened within themselves besides the addition OF
dependencies. These forts may be called permanent.
On the ST. Lawrence below Prescott, and confronting
our territory know OF other military post Twelve
miles above Brockvle, there may be temporary bar
racks and breas.works know that Of late Brockvle,
has been military station.
In the system Of defences the approaches to Mon
trea, the Isle dur Noir, few miles below our line,
and in the outlet Of Lake Champaign stands the head
This island contains within itself system OF perma-
nent works Of great strength. On them the British
Government has, from time to time, since the peace OF
1915, expended much skill and labor.
Odletown, line, on the western side OF Lake
Champlain, has been station, for body OF Canadian
militia for two years. to guard the nelghborhood from
refugee indendiaries from side. think that bar
racks have been erected there for the accommodation Of
those troops, and also at station, with the like object
Aburgh, in Vermont
Its believed that there are important British forts,
extensive British barracks, on our borders from Yer
mont to Maine.
In respect to such structures the disputed terrific
ry Governor Fsireds published letters contain fuller
information than has reached me through any other chan
mel. have heard Of no military preparations by
the British authorities the ST. Crox Passaunaquod-
dy Bay.
Among such preparations, perhaps ought not omit
the fact that Great Britain, besides corps Of
well organized and well instructed militia has, this
time, within her North American Provinces, more than
10000 Of her best regunr troops. The whole Of those
forces might be brought to the verge Of territory in
few days. Two-thirds Of that regular force has arri
we'd out since the spring Of 1888.
remain, sir, with great respect, your most obedent
servant,
Brig Gen r. JONES, Adjulant General U. S. A.
Washington, March %, 1910.
To The House of Representatives.:
communicate to the House of Representatives,
in compliance with their resolution OF the 9th instant
reports from the Secretaries of State and War, with
documents which contain information on the subject
Of that resolution M. VAN buren,.
Department OF State,
Washington, March l3, 1910.
The Secretary OF State, to whom has been refer
red resolution Of the House of Representatives of
the 9th instant, requesting the Presdentto commune
cate to that body, il compatible with the public
vice, whether the Government Of Great Britain have
expressed to the Government Of the United States
desire to annul the arrangements entered into be-
tween the two Governments in the month OF April,
1877 respecting the naval force TO be maintained
upon the American lakes and that if said arrange
ment be not annued, whether there has been any
violation of the same by the authorities of Great
Britain" has the honor TO report to the President
copy OF the only communication on file in this De-
parlment on the subject TO which this resolution re-
fers Prior to the date OF that communication the
Secretary Of Slate, in interview invited Tor that
purpose called Mr.. Foxs attention TO the disregard
by her Majestys colonial authorities of the conven-
tiona arrangement between the two countries as 10
the extent of naval ornaments upon the lakes.
In the autumn Of the past year the Secretary of
State made known verbally, to Mr.. Fox, that, the
causes assigned in his note no longer existing, the
President expected that the British armament
upon the lakes would be placed upon the footing
prescribed BY the convention. MIR. Fox engaged to
communicate without delay TO his Government the
substance of the conversation between them; and
expressed his own conviction that, IL the winter
then ensuing passed without renewed attempts TO dis
turb the tranquility of the Canadas there could be
no sufficient motive for either Government main
tanning force beyond that authorized by The con-
venlion OF 1877
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
JOHN FORSYTH
To the President OF the U. s.