Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-06-28
WESTERN CONVENTION AT MEMPHIS, (TEss.)
MILITARY DEFENCES FOR THE WEST. N

on the 10Th instant, Judge DOUGLASS presented the
following preamble and resolutions for the consider
alton of the meeting:
In view of the critical of foreign relations threat
ening disturb the peace Of the world and involve
with of the powerful nations the globe in defence
of territorial rights it becomes the imperative duty Of the
Government to place whole country in mpregnable
state Of military and naval defence Our chain Of Northern
Lakes presents coast Of several thousand miles, exposed
the attacks of rival and hostile Power by water and land
The British Government anticipation of with this coun-
try has formed the bold scheme Of sezing and holding exc
possession of those Lakes with her Navy by of the
Rideau canal connecting the Gulf OF ST Lawrence with Lake
Ontario and the Weland canal, connecting the latter with
Eric and the whole line of Upper Lakes. These magni.
cent preparations the of great rival and enemy for
offensive war; impose upon Government the stern and
avodabc necessity of adopting corresponding self
defence. Our canal from Chicago To the los and thence
through that river and the Mississippi to the Gulf being the
only channel through which communication with navy
between the Lakes and the Ocean, be opened with
sonabe expenditure of money time for purposes Of national
defence, ought to be constructed upon scale
with these objects
Resolved That the time has arrived when the project
long cherished by the people Of Illinois, and attracting the
attention of the people of the whole Union, of connecting the
waters of the Northern Lakes with those of the Mississippi and
the Gulf OF Mexico by of shp-canal, should be
speedily executed and completed.
Resoiued, That regard said work a great national
essential the defence of the country and such
ought he executed by the Government Of the United Sac
Resoied, That have observed with pleasure and graft
fcation, in the call for great Western Convention be held
at Memphis in the State of Tennessee, the 1h of July
next the great shpcanal between the Mississippi aud the
Lakes prominently forth of the subjects to be ia
voraby considered by the Convention and commended to the
people and Government of the United States.
Resoiped That the Of Illinois should be strongly re-
presented in the Memphis Convention and that this meeting
of citiy md
convenient to attend said Convention and express
behalf OF the prompt and favorable action Of the Government
of the United States this great measure.
ResoUed, That this meeting express their gratitude To Lieut.
MAUnr (aas Harry Bluff U. s. NJ for his excellent pa
pers upon 'Western Interests and Lake Deiences."
Judge DOUGLASS said he had hastily prepared these esou
tons, without consultation with any one, and invited amend
mens from any gentleman who considered them detective.
The last might require explanation. Lest. MauRr
the distinguished author of many excellent papers
the signature of Harry Bluff, IT, S. n His articles upon the
Gulf OF Mexico and its deences and the necessity of
depot on the mississippi generally read and had great
influence in inducing the favorable action of Congress upon
those subjects More recently he has turned his attention to
the Northern Lakes described their exposed condition. and
plan for their defence. The basis of that plan is pcana
from Chicago to the Illinois river opening charne for war
steamers between the Gulf of Mexico and the Lakes through
the Mississippi and Illinois rivers The first of this series of
articles he Mr. d. had transmitted to the Legislature of this
State last winter and be found recorded in the
volume Of Legislative reports.
The project original with him or Lieut. Msury II
had long been favore scheme with the people and Lers
urc OF Illinois, and had several occasions been hvoraby
noticed by the Government of the United States bat the time
lad now arrived when the people should the NATTER
md demand prompt and efficient action by their representa-
ives The occasion suspicious favorabe result
The condition of foreign relations imposed upon the Go
Sernment the necessity Of placing the country state of
ence This was OF series of measures of national
defence Ii proposed and advocated upon that ground
alone, without reference to other considerations and the com
nercal advantages that would flow from it. The British
Government have been acting upon the wise maxim sn
peace prepare for war She has opened channel com
muncation for her navics from the ocean Michigan
She has constructed the Rdcau from the ST. Lawrence
TO Lake Ontario, and the WellaDd canal from the Ontario to
Lake Ere expense of millions. These are emphatica
y war measures. They be regarded in other light
when consider their location and the circumstances attend
ing their construction What necessity was there for a canal
from the Gulf of ST. Lawrence to Lake Ontario when there
naygabe natural channel of larger dimensions
connecting them Was not the river ST Lawrence adequate
o all the purposes Of commerce and trade Was suf
icient TO float upon its bosom all the produce and mcrcha
sc OF the country What necessity there then, for
hpcana running parallel 10 this river and connecting the
anne bodies of water The obvious independent
the assigned by the Canadian Parliament and the
british Government for this immense expenditure of money
he 81 Lawrence river approxmaes the American line aud
'oud bring British SHIPS war, within reach OF American
uns Hence the policy, u measure, OF con-
ucng canal through the interior of the country through
which ships of could pass security, without moesaon
Dcaton of the Wcland canal The first plan terminated
he work in the Niagara But discovered that
While this would all the purposes Of trade and
ncrce peace, would expose their ships attacks from
he American shore in This consideration induced a
hangc Of location through the interior of Upper Canada
note from the American ne These canals enable the Bri
ish to spread their fleets the whole chain OF the Northern
lakes and put all the and cities on the American
shore, from Sackcs Harbor Chicago the mercy Of the
In view Of these facts who doubt tho purposes
d their constructonthat they designed
'urcs and offensive at that This country engaged in
with Great Britain, the whole line of Lakes in the pos
session Of the enemy what become of steamboats, aud
vessels produce and merchandise, and cities upon tie
Lakes This Is grave question, addressing ITSELF in The
pir of patriotism, to the Government and People in behalf
y, the lives and property of the citizens and the honor and
egy of the country No portion of this Republic should
hus exposed TO the rayagcs and subjected the tender
les OF any rival Power, and especially whose jealousy
'u growth has cngendcrcd relentless hostility our future
progress
There is remedy for these evils plain and simple ado
iuaie aud efficient, and is the duty Of the Government
,ppy promptly and without delay. The means which have
given them power will give the acknowledgement the OK
elusive control of the whole chain Of Lakes Let our Govern
nont ntcpoe canal against canal ships against Ships
yards against navy yards and tho work is done Open
ship canal from Lake Michigan the Illinois and Mssspp
rivers, and the whole American fleet pass from the Gull
If Mexico into the Lakes then establish navy yard Chi
for the construction and repair of ships and orty the
Straits of Macknaw ill they shall be mpegnalc Gibra
AR allowing enemy pass repass aud the joint
patton OF the Northern lakes, unlike that Of Oregon I've
without years notice With the Straits Of
acknaw cloe against the enemy hut open The free in
gress and cgrcss Of ships, Lake Michigan, with all
her ports bays, and net would constitute grand harbor for
our vessels, inaccessible 10 the foe by land. All lis
shores being within territory, dcnscly peopcd with
.ta...