North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-01
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
ENGLISH MILITARY AND NAVAL
PREPARATIONS IN AMERICA.
From the Washington Globe.
SENATE OF THE UNIrEn STATES, MARCH,
Illh 1910.

j 1 a.
The following resolution was taken III
for consideration:
Resolved, That the President OF the T..
States be requested TO cause 10 be com,
municated Ia the Senate all The inorma-
ton that is possessed by the Government,
or can be conveniently obtained, OF the
military ana naval preparations Of the
English Government on the Northern
frontier OF the Unied States, from Lake
Superior to the Atlantic Ocean, distn-
gushing the permanent from the Temporal
ry and field works, and particularly noting
those which are within the claimed limits
Of the United States.
Mr.. Norvell said, that he had submitted
this resolution, from strong sense OF duty.
His firm conviction was that the period
had arrived when preparations Of militia
~ and naval character on one side OF our
Northern frontier, ought 10 be met BY
corresponding preparations on the other
side. While the British Government was
amusing us with nee oeation, as Phip
amused the Athenans, il was making
quiet and steady progress in preparing lor
offensive and defensive operations, al all
important points near the enIire frontier
Of the United States, from Maine 10 Lake
Superior. While England was active, we
were slumbering al our posts, unarmed :,
and without defence. IL was time for US
to awake from this dangerous repose. 1t
was time for US to learn the whole extent
Of our hazardous situation.
In late letter Of the British envoy here
to the Secretary Of State, it is said that
these military posts have not been strength
ened, ",cih uie,u Of settling The ques-
lion Of tie boundary" The menace is
thrown out, too, that the attitude Of
Maine may render such measure indispen-
sbie on the part of the British, with a
viewto that question; il the people of that
state be not compelled To desst from the
armed aggreSsons which they continue to
carry on within the disputed territory.
Do we not all know that proposition
on the part Of the government, for The SET
tlement OF the boundary question, by COM
missioners, has been before the British
cabinet for seven or eight months, and
that no satisfactory answer has been re-
ceivcd 10 that propositions Was not this
proof presumptive that DELAYS had been
purposely interposed, until the means
should be prepared for coercve adjust
ment Of the boundary question, on the
terms which the British Government might
prescribe?
Again il had been stated, that the cabin.
Ell Of 81. James had written to its agents
in Canada, that the passage from New
Brunswick to Quebec ought TO be, and
must be, rendered open and free by either
amcable or lorcible means.
What Did all this indicate: Were these
preparations, these imputed declarations,
intended 10 imtimdate us into submis-
sion TO the conditions of settling the boun-
Diary question, which might be presented
10 Us by the adverse party?
Along the whole line Of Lake Ontario,
it has been stated that new military works
were in progress of construction, and that
the old works were in course of being
strengthe ned The military pests at
Maiden had also been rendered stronger.
White Wood island, which had been many
years ago most unfortunately coded TO the
British, was fortified, or about 10 be forth
fed. That island was in the river Detroit.
near It's mouth; and, with a powerful bat
terry, it would command The passage Of
both the American and British channels Of
the river, and lay the whole oi the upper
Lake country, with its important military
posts, its hourishing cities add villages, al
the mercy of an enemy. Military works
were constructed, or constructing, al Sand
wieh and Windsor, Immediately opposite
TO Detroit, and that prosperous city could,
from these works, 10 one hour be in ashes
And what was the state Of defensive mill
tary preparations on our side, 10 that qaar-