Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-04-10
To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
HEAD QUARTERS EASTERN DIVISION.

-
Sir: have received from your office copies OF
two resolutions, passed, respectively, the 18th and
9Th instant. by the Senate, and the other by the
House of Representatives and ! am asked for
"any information on the subject of both, or either
OF the resolutions, that may be in myl 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
Repre-, entatives loft the 9Th insrant was directly
referred to me.
| now confne myself to the Senate's resolution,
respecting ",mllitary I omit naval Preparations
of the British authorities on 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 claimed limits
! of the United States"
will here remark, that however well my du-
ties have made me acquainted with the greater
part of the line in question, have paid but slight
attention to the forts and barracks erected by the
British authorities near the borders Of Maine, above
| Fredericton, in New Brunswick, or IN Upper
Canada, dbore Cornwall, being of the fixed
opinion, which need not here be developed, that
| all such structures would be of little or no military
value to either of the parties in the event of new
war between the United States and Great Britain.
| was last summer at the foot of Lake Superior
and neither saw nor heard of any British fort or
barrack on the ST. Mary's river, the outlet OF that
| lake.
Between Lakes Huron and Erie the British
have three sets of barracks; one at Windsor, OPP
posite TO Detroit; one at Sandwich, little lower
down. and the third at Maiden, eighteen miles
from the first; all built of sawed logs, strengthened
by block houses, loophoes, &c. Maiden has been
a military post, with slight defences. These have
been recently strengthened. The works at Sand
witch and Windsor have, also think, been erected
within the last six eight months.
| Near the mouth of the Niagara the British have
two small forts-George and Mcssisanga. Both
existed during the last war. The latter may be
termed permanent work. Slight barracks have
leen erected within the last two years on the same
works at the latter place but nothing, believe,
above the works first named, on the Niagara,
which can be termed fort.
| Since the commencement of recent troubles in
the Canadas, and consequent there upon) within
orr limits, Fort William Henry at Kingston and
| Fort Wellington, opposite to Ogdensbury, (old
works,) have both heen strengthened, within
themselves, besides the addition of dependencies.
| These forts NAV be called permanent.
On the s.. Lawrence, below Prescott, and con-
fronting our territory, know of no other military
post. Twelve miles above, at Brocliville there
| may he temporary barracks and breastworkS.
know that Of late, Brockville has been military
| station.
In the system of defences on the approaches &c
Montreal, the Isle aur Noi9 few miles below
our line, and in the out let Of lake Champlain
stands at the head This island contains within
itself system of permanent works OF grea
strength. On them the British Government has
from time TO time, since the peace of 1915, OK.
pended much skill and labor.
OdIetown near our line, on the Western side o
Lake Champlain, has been station for body Of
Canadian militia for two years, to guard the neigh
bordood from refugee incendia ries from our side
think that barracks have been erected there fo
the accommodation Of those troops, and also at
station, with the like object near Alburgh, in Yer
mont.
1t is believed that there are no important Brtlsl
forts, or extensive British barracks, on cur Dor
ders from Vermont to Maine.
In respect to such structures on the disputed ter
ritory, Governor FalrfeId's published letters con
tain fuller information than has reached me thrc ng
! any other channel. have heard Of no new mill
tary preparations by the British authorities on tn
ST. Crolx or fassamaquoddy Bay.
A mong such preparations, perhaps ought no
to omit the fact that Great Britain, BESIDES hume
rous corps of well organized and well instructed
, militia, has at this time, within her North Amer
can provinces, more than 10000 of her best reeu
lar troops.-The whole Of those forces might b
brought, to the verge Of our territory in few days
Two thirds of that regular force has arrived GU
since the spring of 1888.
remain, sir, with great respect,
Your most obedent servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
| Rr;o Cen r Jones Adi't Cen H. s A.