Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1840-04-30
CONGRESS.
SURVEY AND DEFENCE OF THE COAST
OF MISSISSIPPI sc


In Senate, Mr.. HENDERSON rose aud soid
amcharged, Mr.. President with The presentatio
OF memorial from he Legislature ofthe Stat
OF Mississippi, seeking from Congress sur
Vey oiIhe coast and bays, sounds and harbors
within, and adjacent 10 their State. 10 the enc
ana purpose OF making such naval establish
Inents and tortlhcations there as shall subserye
inc protection OF the ports and commerce con
necied with these waters. OF SO much moment
10 deem the objects contemplated by this
memorial, that should not consider nv aeen-
~ properly discharged by silent reference Of
TINS important paper. must therefore claim
,ne indulgence of the Senate, while shall brief
y attempt togive some faint impression of the
magnitude OF the subject TO which it refers--
And IN doing this, shall note the necessity al
50 OF a naval depot and navy yard in the same
connection
These waters, which the memoraists sup:
pose it TO be the duty of the Government to
place within its exclusive command constitute
large bay ofthe GulfofMexco, usually known
Vas Lake Borgne, and lies between the southern
snore ofthe State Of mississippi and that por-
non OF Louisiana that stretches down into the
sGuf on the north side Of the mississippi river.
This bay presents very toerable roadstead
Iand anchorage ground for large ships, when.
entering westwardy, they shall have passed
Ia line, drawn from the eastern boundary ofthe
|Stale Of mississippi, acrossto the most western
portion OF the Cumberland islands, and under
shelter OF which Islands the most ample secur. E
~ is obtained. But the harbor is considered
10 improve in its approach TO Ship Island. AZ
me western extremity which, and thence on
70 Cat Island, the anchorage is known 10 be
good, the waters of sufficient depth, and in the
judgment Inexperienced mariners, the harbors ,
20 land-locked as to furnish safe and annie
9helter Tor any size and number of shipping III
is likewise well attested truth, as set forth ,
Ply Inc memorlalsts, that these Islands and the (
eolacent shores are proverbial for their health
|ulneSs. And another fact ofgenera notoriety, n
lnd partly authenticated blythe reservations 4
nade IN your land Office, is, that all the ham h
nocks surrounding the shore and bordering IN /
|. '"e rivers ana bayous emptying into this |.
lay' are covered or skirtcd with live oak tim d
lr1-whllst the Pearl and PascagouIa rivers, Ii
YHh other adjacent countries and wa,er-cour-I n
rs; iournlsh white oak, cypress, yellow pine, .
|np other tlmbers, Of the best quality and in Il
NnauslIess abundance. The fitness of this "
ny lot ship yard and naval station is further b
psa'neo from its convenient supply Of hemp, Ia
pnuage, and iron from kentucky and.Tennes- "
Se' 'ead and copper from Missouri, tar and ro> In
\ from me adjacent shore, and provision SUP +
les rom the great garner ofthe West. With. :;
local partaIly or inviduous comparisons. 4
gereiorc' assume the TACT, and challenge ar,y j
Eu'ny or estimates involved in the assertion. =
~ 'here IS no point on our marine border il
'sceePlible ofsuch an establishment where 4 ! !,
ice referred to. r' = ~ =. y
u designating The Ship Island or its vicinape or