The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-10

THE PUBLIC DEFENCE.


evening, December 20, 1871, ELISHA CAMP,
Esq, was called TO the Chair, and John .. DIckey,
chosen Secretary. The meeting being thus organiz-
ed, the Chairman, in few pertinent ana appropriate
remarks stated the object for which the meeting
convened which was TO take into consideration the
proprety Of pelitionng Congress for suitable works of
defence against the invasion of foreign enemy, at
this place
When, on motion, 1t was
Rssoired, That committee of five be appointed to
prepare memorable Congress, and to report TO an
adjourned meeting, resolutions expressive ofthe sense
of the meeting.
Whereupon the Chairman appointed o. Dickey,
A. ]. Field Nj. X Stow, d. n. Buraham and ID.
n. Barney, said committee.
The meeting then adjourned to Saturday evening
at the same place at b o'clock
On Saturday evening numerous assembly were
in attendance to hear the report OF the committee aP
pointed at the last meeting
The committee being called upon, reported the io-
lowing memorial, which was read
To the Honorable the Senate and House Of Representa-
tires Of the United States
The undersigned, your petitioners, inhabitants of
the county Of Jefferson and State of New York, re-
specially represent
That the county of Jefferson is one of the most inn
porant, well the most exposed counties OF the
northern portion ofihe State
That its abundant resources, its population lnum-
habitants and lis position bordering it does on
the River ST. Law and the Eastern extremity Of
Lake Ontario, add largely to its Importance, not only
in Commercial, but Military and Naval point OF
view:
The great natural advantages of Sackets Harbor,
induced the Government during the last war with
Great Britain, 10 make that place its great Military
and Naval depot fol carrying on Its military and ma
val operations against Canada
Twice was Sackets Harbpr attacked by the enemy,
and twice were they repulsed and this, too with but
temporary fortifcaton for its protection II was IN
deed not only hazarding the interests OF the whole
Frontier bordering the Lake but the honor and
success of the war the whole Northern Frontier,
in such a manner as no prudent Government ought
ever hereafter TO suffer To occur
In the event of naval ornaments TO any consldera-
Die extent being ever resorted to on Lake ontario,
Sackets Harbor from its bold water its excellence as
hartor and its great natural advantages, would The
safety Of which in the opinion Of your petitioners
should be insured against the enterprise of the enc
my by the immediate construction OF appropriate
works oil defence. Situated as it is directly opposite
Kingston one Of the strongest fortified towns in Ca
NADIA and adjacent the River St. Lawrence, it must
be the great point for the concentration Of troops
for the defence Of that portion Of the frontier and the
protection OF he Naval dept
The undersigned have thus far only adverted to Inc
importance Of Sackets Harbor in national point OF
view Without entering into details, they at once
become a deport of incslcuable al, antage, would
most respectfully represent that It's commercial ad-
vantages second 10 place on the Lake II being
the only natural harbor accessible at all times, and in
all weather during the of navigatlon-the bu
siness at that port amounting in 1888 10 about two
millions ofdollars which is rapidly on the increase,
that being the principal port for the whole export and
imp ofthe county, embracing territory quite
equal to that OF either of the States OF delaware or
Rhode Island.
Typographical surveys having been made of Sack
cts Han and its vicinity your petitioners would
most earnestly pray that an appropriation be made at
..f( sk. at
When D. uinhhSSfs, aP s e. IT. security and our
tee reported the following resolutions which after be-
ing read, were, together with tie memorial, unani-
mcnsly adopted.
Resoired, Thut while earnestly hope for the
continuance of the friendly relations with Great Bri
tain and all other nations Of the world yet experience
has taught that the maintenance Of ouI national
rights and honor has demanded and may again require
resort to arms; especially do the pending difficulties
between our country and Great Britain admonish us
upon this subject; and, as in the event of wal the
chief reliance of Government is on the virtue,
or and patriotism Of citizens the it is the du
y of the Government to provide for the defence and
protection of those citizens and Gin time of pre-
pare for war.
Resolred, That the Importance of Sacketts Harbor,
especially as a naval sation-the great natural advan-
tage Of its harhor being the only upon Lake On
tario at all times accesslbeample and safe-its prox
unity to Kingston and the st. Lawrence, and its IA
yorabe commanding position upon the Lake, has al
post our northern frontier between Lakes Cham
plain and Erie and recurrence OF hostillties with
England would again make Lake Ontario principal
theatre Of contention and Of action, it is all important
that this Harbor and be fortified to make il
secure place of rendezvous and retreat for naval
forces without which could not hope to acquire or
retain the command of Lake Ontario.
Resolred, That the rapidly increasing town OF
Kingston opposite u.s. its strong Notifications and mi
ltary advantages, its extensive fleet of steam and
other vessels now the Lake, with its other means
of defence and annoyance, invite and demand the i'm
mediate attention OF our Government to the exposed
condition of this post and frontier.
Resolped, That as the ship of war now under cover
at this place by being raced could be converted into
wal steamer, that the attention Of our Government
should be solicited to that subject
Resolved, In view of these considerations and as
the sense of this meeting that the honor Of the nation
and the security of the people alike require OF our Go
vernment, in the exercise Of enlightened forecast
the immediate construction of appropriate works OF de-
fence at this post and we respectfully request our Re
representatives. and Senators in Congress from this State
10 urge the subject upon the consideration of Con
gress and all possible and proper exerticns fol
the speedy accomplishment of this object.
The Hon. Joshua A. Spencer being present, was
called upon and addressed the meeting most eequent
ly and forcbly setting forth the necessity and pro
prety Of the under con- Iteration, considering
he did this place the most important On the whole
northern frontier ofhe State and the only one which
could with any dege. Of safety be adopted by the Go
vernment in time Of as the great Naval and Mill
,ary depot for Lake Ontario He also urged the great
Importance of our Governments putting the whole
country in perfect of defence speedily pos
sitle,
Tbs meeting being then ready to adjourn, on mo
ton of Mr. Zeno Allen, Esq, il was
Resoiped That the proceedings Of this meeting u
signed by the chairman and secretary, and published
in all the papers this county, and il the Albany Ar
gus and Albany Journal and the Mad sonian Ma
tional Intelligtncer and Washington Globe, and tina
copies thereof be forwarded TO each of the Senator,
and Representatives in Congress from this State.
The meeting then adjourned
Z. CAMP, Chairman.
J. o DIckEy, Secretary.
From the Village (Pd.) Record
MILEAGE.
NfaX.h.r. of Conoress receive from the public trea