The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-04-22
NOTIFICATIONS.

FORTlFICATIONS.
In a list Of appropriations asked for by the
Department of War, to be expended the pres
ent year in tho construction and repair of foui-
fcations, which was drawn up by Col. Totten,
Chief Engineer, on the 2lst OF November last
we find Fort Adams, put down for O,O0O.-I
The sums required for tho Notifications on the
whole Northern frontier and New England
Coast, amour, in the aggregate to S463, ,52l
viz
Repairs Of Fort Niagara, New York, S275 500
Rebuilding the old fort at Oswego. N. Y, 10000
Fort at the outlet OF Lake Champlain, ". Y 50 900
Repairs OF Fort PIeble Portland, Name, 5000
Repairs Of Fort Scanned, do. do. 3,400
Repairs of Fort McClary, Portsmouth,
New Hampshire. $50
Repairs of Fort Constitution. do do. 367l
Repairs Of Fort Independence, and the sea
wall of Castle Island. Boston Mass, 100 900
Fort Warren, Boston, Massachusetts, $50 900
Fort Adams Newport, Rhode Island, 10000
FortiGcations IN New London harbor, Conn. 25 600
The total amount required for all the works
under the Engineer Departmen, is Sl,198, ,s72.
The Commixee of Ways and Means in the
House, desirous TO curtail expenses az much as
possible, addressed an inquiry TO the Depart
ment on the 5th OF March. asking whether {,
reduction of 90 or 25 per cent. could not be
submitted TO.
Mr. Poiuseu says in his reply
The estimate, Of this branch Of the service
together with all others, were attentvsly con
sidercd by me, and very considerably reduced
before they were sent to the Treasury.
My views OF the urgent necessity Of placing
the principal ports Of the mara,inie and lake
frontiers in respectable state sf defence at an
early day, would have led me- under any other
circumstances, to have accepted the original es
Inmates for Notifications but yielding reluc-
family 10 the emergency, presented them as
they now stand and hope that no other reduc-
ton will be made in them"
Mr.. Poinsstt also submitted the following Re-
port from Col. Totten, 10 answer to the enquiry.
Engineer Department, March 7, 1910.
Sr--In answer to the inquiry made by the
Committee of Ways aud Means, whether re-
duction Of twenty or twenty five per cent. 90
the estimates submitted TO Congress for fsrif-
Cations cannot be made without material inu-
nv to the public service and interests, ] have
the honor, in obedience to your directions, to
report
lst. That \ great proportion Of the items. in
the estimates for notifications, are for repairs
that are now IN progress, or that ATE designed
to be Immediately taken up.
The last annual report from this office refers
lo the importance Of placing, without delay, all
the existing for,ifcaiions that are TO be retain
ed as parts Of the system Of defence. in proper
condition for service; and as the works rcqulr
ing repair are numerous, those only were seec-
ted for repairs which were deemed most mpor-
tant. aud only such repairs were comprised 10
the estimates as were deemed indispensable.
ID. All the new Notifications in progress are
designed for the security Of the great points on
the coast-ponts which would be certain to at
tract the enterprises of an enemy. should war
find them with incomplete defences. Even
with large appropriations, some time must c.
lapse before mos, Of ,hem can be put in condlt-
ION to afford the full security demanded BY the
great value of tho objects. In the meantime il
is proposed that the lsbors. from year to year.
shall whenever il is possible. be so directed as
10 bring portions OF the works progressively in
TO a state Of efficiency.
Sd. The new works proposed to be begun are
among those Of the first necessity; and the a.
mounts asked for a besinnn. were put IN the
estimates as low as was thought could be done
with an expectation OF any material progress.
Finally. This department will devote itself
to the judicious application ofthe means, what
ever they may be, that Congress may grant /;
and will take espeeisl care that the means are
so applied as 10 advance the efficiency Of the
forthcaton. TO the utmost; but it is, at the
same time, bound TO say, that. considering how
much yet remains TO be done before the more
important places on the seaboard will be in a
defensible condition. the suggested reduction
cannot be made without material injury ts the
public service aud interests.
This is, however, on the supposition that the
country is liable within few years, and per
haps suddeoly. TO be engaged IN war. II Il be
otherwise-lf 1t can certainly be foreseeu that
long years of peace await us-thsn. the pro.
gress Of the works may be more deliberate; but
this departmentihas no right TO rest its estimates
on any such view OF the future.
have the honor to be- very respectfully.
your most cbedient, Jos. G. TOTTEN,
Colonel, and Chief Euginser.
Hon. }. X. Foiuset, Secretary OF War.
l. ;. FRissrE CoLuaBiA.- from
this vessel state that she was at Oahu the Goth