Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-06-27

Of La Poinie, extinguishing the Indian IT,
lie 10 the Lake Superior country, and
now that Mas been discovered that you
have immense mineral wealth there, it has
been deemed proper to establish militia
ry post on the southern shore ofthat great
interior sea, nearly opposite to Isle Roy.
a! F, and by the public newspapers re-
Gently discover that the troops to occupy
it have been ordered to be taken from De-
troit.
The establishment Of such post as is
contemplated nearly opposite to the point
where our national boundary leaves that
great lake, in its progress towards the
Lake of the Woods, | believe to be most
wise and prudent. But Detroit con-
ceive to be one of the very last places
from which the troops should be taken to
be stationed there. Such, sir, is our sit
uaton at and below Detroit. Above and
along the straits of Sinclair our situation
is vet more exposed. Those straits
in many places are scarcely half a mile
wide. At their upper extremity you
have small stockade called Fort Ora
tot This commands the entrance into
Lake Huron. But on the British shore.
and almost Immediately opposite, at Port
Sa wney,' comes in large and most adj
mirably constructed military road, leading
to that point from the head of Lake On
tario. Here, therefore, and at many 9TH
er points on those straits, the British Gov
eminent will be enabled in the event OF a
national war, on their part also. fully to
control all navigation into or from the
lakes above-io interdict it altogether
Nor is this all about seventy miles up
from the outlet of Lake Huron, on the
Canadian shore, is the fourishing town
of Godericb, very recently grown up;
and 10 that point also permanent and ad.
mirabIy constructed military road, from
the head of Lake Ontario. is 10 progress
of rapid completion. Besides this. there
is water communication leading from
Montreal up the Rideau canal, the river
Ottowa, and lake Nippissing. 10 the up
per part of Lake Huron-a communiea-
ton long known to the British northwest
company, and through which, for CEN
turv, past, those Indian traders have been
in the habit of sending their merchandise
and transmitting their furs and peltries
from their establishments on Lake Supe.
rior.
Figure 10 yourself then, sir. if you can
what would be the condition of the coun-
try, if hostilties wers suddenly TO COM
mence along that frontier. All military
movements on your part up the straits Of
Sinclair would PROFESSIONALLY be holden
in check, Cor those straits would be her.
MEDICALLY sealed while the great militia.
ry plank road to Goderich, and the wa
ter communication between Montreal and
the upper part Of Lake Huron, would be
open and convenient avenues through
. which any amount OF force could be cer-
tainly and suddenly thrown upon the bor-
: ders of the lakes above. Milwaukee and
I Chicago, and Michigan city and St. 10.
! seph would all be exposed to instant as
D sault and destruction. True, sir, you
have recently passed bill appropriating
r lands for finishing the Michigan Centrat
t Railuay across the base of the peninsula
to St. Joseph. And, should that bill hap
PLY become law, you will have taken
the first, and of all others the most import
ant step, towards the military defence Of
that frontier which has ever yet been de-
vised for it is no longer matter of doubt
that the great guaranty of success in mod
ern warfare is the power Of certain and
rapid concentration of large military for
ces with their Accomplishments upon any
exposed or desirable point, whether for
, defensive or offensive purposes. And
resting, as its eastern termination does,
not only upon the strength Of Michigan,
but upon the greaI resources of Indiana,
| Ohio. and the country east, there is every
, reason to presume that force adequate to
; the object could be transported along it,
, upon the southern border of Lake Michi-
gan, IN sufficient time. But, without the
completion of that road, the whole line of
coast would remain opec to assault and
exposed to instant destruction.
Sir, | wish / had before me chart of
: that region Of country (: wish could de-