Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-11-29
Uestsfn .?ymoru and .Iar1i Dtpot.

Oar readers have noi perhaps, forgotten some able
s;,c!cs in the Southern Literary Messenger by Lieut.
Mldry, under the signature of "Harry Bluff, strongly
recommending the selection OF Memphis, (Tepnessee,l
iot the Western A.mory and Naval Depot and Dock
Yard The matter was brought before the Committee
Naval Afai.s Of the House of Representatives, at
Washington They advocated the claims OF Memphis,
~ forcible terms and, the Gath August 1872,
h passed The House. authorizing the Secretary OF The
Alvg 10 have made an examination and surrey Of the
a:bor Of Memphis in reference to the expedency OF
establishing Naval Depot and Yard for the building
sad repairing steam ships aud other vessels OF war at
that place, aud approprating $1,000 to the particular
purpose. The bill not reached IN the Senate, ana
lid not become Law. The citizens of Memphis have
.ecenily taken up the subject with great ZEAL We
hsce been politely furnished with the copious docu-
lents sustaining their claims. At the reqnesto the
NayoT and Council OF Memphis, Col ID. Morrison
surveyed the route for canal from point on Vol
aver 10 Memphis. III mes)- reports that It IS
's:y ble will not cost than $4,000, and
wall, after abundant supply for The National Armory
aad Depot, contribute =. $40 horse power for watering
the city, and Tor aour aad mills cotton factories,
M all the various manufactures that may be required
81 shew the benefit to he conferred number of
States we quote from Circular of the COMMITTEE, ap-
pointed By the Corporation of Memphis
10 .3rhaasas 1t would secure the completion oi the
Government road from Memphis to the Western FROM
,cr To Lousiara, Mississippi, iatama and Florida
ii would the convenient supply OF war steam
oe- and arms md munitions of War, AT all times Tor
their defence, more certainly and promptly, than any
athe7 port To Tennessee, mississippi, alabama,
georgia. South Carolina, WORTH Carotina, ITgtI.a,
and .Iaryiaai-it would secure the speedy compile
'ioa o the great and important railroad connection
between those States and The Mississippi river, at the
head OF uninterrupted navigation, from Memphis,
through Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia. .
Eatolina 10 Cnarleston-more than halt OF winch IS
in operation-thence via Wilmington lori from Co
isaa5a via Rlleigh y. c. through Petersburg Rich
nond and Fredericksburg, (Va) and Washington City
and Baltimore TO Philadelphia, all of which IS now IN
ailofdng all these States great thorough.
fare .1 The certain and prompt supply oil men and arms,
war for the defence of the Southeastern Atlantic
border and in peace The most important interior route
ior land travel in the Union, combining speed and GER
I2n;y, and throwing q large portion OF the South
Western travel through the Eastern cities on their way
n the North; and the travel from The Northeastern CT
lies on the same route back TO the Southwest.
awhile The States in The Southwest, South and South
cast above named, thus directly interested in the
location Memphis from convenience and interest,"
other point holds out the national advantages IL
al he S,aiss in the Northwest. Supplies OF arms and
munitions Of be obtained thence by all of them
conveniently and certainly, as from any other point
and more certainly to the Northwestern frontier
dlns io,c ater and ice, than from any point on the
while the market those establishments would
ao'a ;or all the products of the Northwestern States
would be equally OPEN and nearly equally convenient
ana access.ee . them all "
Live oak io ti;,ps, can be transported TO Memphis in
,he easiest mannef, and on the best terms-and the
finest tnioes can &c procured in the vicinity The
hardy and muscular boa,snsn Of the West, will make
,s best BY defending the Mississippi river
with steamships, you give full protection to the whole
Western Valley, destined be the wea!ihiest and
iaost populous part OF our country. These and many
other reasons are urged and with much force.
From cur own observation, We are satisfied that no
tste. position the West for these impo,,an, Govern.
men works, can be chosen than the growing town OF
Memphis, with her towering bluffs, washed by the
broad and deep Of the Mississippi and as il were
guarding the immense region above and below. We
should like 10 see the noble steamships passing constant,
y from The Baze Memphis, "a distance of 800 miles
Ia Of war; would not the min pon, Of attack BY
hostile aeel be upon New Orleans, aud how easily could
sEayal force be procured from Memphis, that would