The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-11
THE POSITION OF THE COUNTRY IN
REGARD TO NATIONAL DEFENCES.

Having promised In our last continuation Of
tins subject, we will now proceed to present few
brief extracts from the last annual report Of the
Engineer Department illustrative of what we
have before attempted TO show.
Gan the measures at the disposal Of this depart
men, were promptly applied. The result, however
has been the entire inadsquaey Of the disposable
funds and has fallen far short of what demanded ny
the actual condition Of the national dettnces
The appropriations OF the last session Of Con-
gress applicable to these Objects were not made till
the middle Of July and when made, the state II the
Treasury attached restretions leaning the grants in
tangible for the rest of the year. Owing, however,
demand for employment on the part Of the labo-
rers, mechanics, and Contractors have fortunately
been enabled TO do something anticipation of the
moment when aPoriion of the appropriations may be
disbused; and we have been able do but tie siss
This, surely, is very delicate way of stating
the necessity of setting people to work for Gov
eminent on credit.
Fort Prebie. For want Of means, nothing done.
Appropriations not araiiabis"
Fort Independence. Owing to the want of funds
&c
"Fort Warren In consequence Of the erhaus-
ton of former appropriations" &C.
"Fort adams Wnhthe sum called for, il will be
easy" &c. Prorided they can get IT,
Neao York Harbor. The contemplated repairs
will be commenced soon as funds can be command
ed" sc.
Fort Hamiiton. As soon as The appropriations
become apaabie the important repairs will be prose-
cuted with pigor," &c.
Fort Lafayette Appropriations not available"
Fort Gibson. Needs appropriation"
Works ON Staten Island. 1t is hoped something
will be done for them as they occupy important
position"
/" Fort on Sellers Point. The City Of Baltimore
is almost wholly without defence An appropriation
is solicited"
Fort Washington" Important An appropria-
ton asked.
Fort Munroe Repairs necessarily slo,o from the
small amount of funds"
Fort Cas1eH. The small appropriation not apail-
able. Nothing DONE"
Castle Pinekney" Funds much wanted.
Fort Sumpfer. The appropriation for this work
not being at command the operations necessarily post
poned.'
Fort Picksns. $4,000 wanted"
Fort Mckee. By the sale of small building"
on the premises it goes ahead.
" Forts Morgan, Pike, Wood, Battery Bienpenue,
Ioirer Dupre, Fort Jackson, and Fort ST. Philips.
In consequence Of the appropriations no: being arai
able" &c.
Fort Livingston. The available portion of the
money appropriated, would allow only of the ;ollec-
ton Of small quantity Of materials" No work
done.
The Lighthouse at Goat Island. Very important
that the appropriation be granted at early day"
"Fiynns Knoll Lighthouse The appropriation
having rererted to the Treasury" &c. We don't un
derstand this
H"'son Ripr improvement. Operations sus-
pended Tor ".nt of funds While ,caiiing for the &C
uoh OF congress, has been necessary, in order to
avert total ioss to ssu considerable portion of the
public property This we do under stand
Hog Island Channel. I have the honor to rene,r
my former recommendation" That is, for money.
Repairs Of Fort Marion. The funds being
nearly exhausted, the work suspended
7" Ohio Riuer Scarcely any thing done for wan,
offunds The perishabe property sold TO provide for
necessary expenses"
improvement Of Red Rirer". Money borrowed
to carry il on. Arrearages due $l1 ,03S 80.
" Missouri Riper The funds applicable, being
exhausted" &c.
" improvement Of The Mississippi, ADORE the mouth
Of the Ohio. In consequence of the exhaustion Of
the appropriations, nothing has been done"
Pier in The Harbor Of Saint Louis. Nothing
done for the same The perishable property
disposed of at public sale"
" National Road. The means of paying unliq ui-
dated claims must be retained"
Presuming we have extended these quotations
(some Of which are abbreviated) far enough to
make an impression, and which will perhaps at
tract attention as curiosity, we will stop here,
mott however, for want of Astounding materials
of the same instructive class
The same story remains to be told, if we had
time, Of our armories, Ordnance foundries, De
pots OF arms and ammunition, Navy and Dock
Yards, and of the Navy itself. Ii might be said,
with no slight aspect Of truth, that the nation,
like a broken merchant, would seem to be about
winding up its affairs.
Having travelled over this wide field OF facts,
all Of the same general class, to pick up few of
the vast multitude offered TO our hands, for the
instruction they afford, we review the ground,
and go back to the point where we started, filed
with amazement, with absolute incredibly, when
we are forced to observe, that the men who have
talked so loudly, and promised so much of their
devotion TO the doctrine and work of national
defences, with all power in their hands, should
have left the whole scene such a wreck and des-
olation That they who came into power with
an OVERLOOKING Treasury land a prosperous coun-
try-none ever more prosperous-not knowing