Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-12-25

on this subject, prepared by my immediate pre-.
decessor. IN pursuance of a resolution of the Sen
ate Of the 81 of March, 1911. and which Will be
transmitted 10 that BODY. Coucurrine, generally
in the views expressed in that report, no addition
TO their strength could be made by any observa
tons OF the undersigned. As the system cannoI
be abandoned, what has been commenced shouEd
pc Completed, and The works intended for the
more remote southern portion of our territory,
particularly require attention. Indications are
already made, OF designs of the worst character
against that region, IN the event of hostIlities
from a certain quarter, TO Inch we cannot be IN
sensible. The m submitted, with the
means on hand, for the completion of the works al
the mouth of the Cape Fear river, III North Car
DINA, at Charleston, Savannah, and ST. Angus
tine, will furnish adequate deiences to those pIa-
ces. In consequence of the delav that will ne
cessarIiy attend the completion OF Fort Calhoun,
IN Hampton Roads, the etiectual defence of that
position would require that a strong field work
should be thrown up at Wiiioughby point, IN the
event OF hostile Appearances; and All appropFia-
ton Of $50, 900 at this time, for that purpose,
would be I'M Portant, as its application would be
suspended until required by circumstances. Ga
the gulf coast, Pensacola, Mobile bay, and most
of the avenues to New Orleans, are fortified. In
relation To the Qualifications on both these sections
of coast, ii is believed to be our first duty, as it is
certainly the strongest desire OF this Department,
to place the existing works IN a state OF perfect
efficiency in the shortest possible time; and, to
this end, such means have been asked, as without
making northumberland upon the treasury, will
allow tabo: to be carried on vigorously. The
winter season is known to be the most favorable
TO such operations IN the attitudes where these
works are situated. and IL should be improved.
Indeed, unless appropriations are made before
the month of February, 10 use can be made of
them in those laii,udes within a year from the
time they are asked. To provide for the points
still femaInipy unDrOtecte1- IN tho event ot hos
tllities being threatened before the sytem of for
tIflcaiions Is complete, a resort TO steam vessels
OF light draught will be necessary and, IN refer
ence to some of them, where fertilization would
not avail, as already indicated, the species Of de-
fence will be indispensable. Five of these in
the gulf Of Mexico, and seven on the southern
par, Of the Atlantic coast, are deemed necessary
by the Chief Engineer. Their use, however,
will be greatly aided by the existence Of defend
ed points near a, hand, under which the vessels
could rendezvous. and which would, at the same
tune, protect the harbors for the service OF our
military and commercial marine. An appropria-
ton of $4,000 for the commencement Of a work
at or near the mouth of Cumberland sound, and
a similar sum tor a work at or near the outlet Of
ST. Sinon's sound, these being the best harbors on
that part of the coast within the State OF Georgia,
would, IN this point Of view, be highly cxpedient.
The secruity Of Mobile bay would be greatly pro-
NOTED by a work on Dauphin or Pelican island,
and one at Pas au Heron, and these works would
add greatly 10 the protection Of the coast passage
along the gull. An appropriation of 100000
Tor these, would be JudIcIous. The approprIa-
tons now suggested, are in addition 10 the gen
eral estimates from this Department.
Previous TO the commencement Of any Of the
works indicated, a preliminary survey of their
will be directed; and the p~roprie,y of
such a direction being now given, is under con
ration. !
A third element, Of great importance in the
consideration Of The deiences Of The sea coast and
of the northern and Northwestern frontiers, con-
sIsts IN the facility and rapidIty OF interior COM
munications. They are strictly means Of de-
fence, and incapable Of being perverted 10 any
purpose of conquest;a feature which commcnds
them to every friend of our Institutions. The
facility afforded by the ocean to movements
for the purposes of attack, Is met by a facility
Of movement on land, furnished bv the triumphs
of genius and art in the application Of steam
power TO land carriage, and IN the construction
Of heightened lines of canals. The speed with
which troops can be moved, obyia'cs the necessi-
ty of embodying large masses ofihem at any point;
and the amount of force required for the defence
Of any given post would, consequently, he dlmin-
lshed III proportion 10 the reduction in the time
10 concentrate IT, The whole force
the whole line may be rendered avaiIabie
for the defence OF any point IN that line; while,
such means of communication, a separate
army would be required at each city, harbor. or
military post, that was to be defended. This
nay be illustrated by facts within the knowledge
IF oil. Troops may now be brought from New
York to the city of Washington in eighteen hours,
n a condition requiring little or no repose
o Fl, them for imUeciate action. And the
Whole physical force Of the popnlous country
between those two points may be concenirat
d at any intermediate place in a few hours.
We're Philadelphia assai!ed or threatened, a
novenen, of military force from Pttsburg,
which but a short time since would have occupied
twenty to twenty five days, could now be
accomplished in five. Similar illustrations are
furnished by various railroads and canals IN DIFF
erent parts Of the country. And as the grea,
ecret Of success in war Is supposed to be the a
'illfy 10 oppose the many to the few, it is evident
hat, in any defensive operations. We shall be a
lie TO compete with and to conquer any Probab!e