The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-04

thereby prevent further delay IA erecting this Tor
thcation.
ty of Sellers Point. for the protection of Baltimore,
is also shown in the report Of the chief engineer.
IL is presumed that The importance of providing for
the security Of this populous and wealthy city will
command the attention Of Congress. Several other
new works on the southern coast--one at the en-
trance Of the Cumberland sound, Georgia; another
on Dauphin's island, Alabama, and third at Proc
tors landing, on Lake Borgne, Lousiana--are
deemed essential the defence Of that section Of the
Union and therefore entitled 10 the favorable ac-
ton of Congress.
The projected Notifications on the Florida reefs,
so necessary for the protection OF the gulf COM
merce, have been already authorized by Congress.
The endorsements in procuring title to the
premises required for these defences have caused
some delay; but they are in the way of being over
come, and then the means at the disposal OF the de-
partment will be promptly applied 10 this object
The advantages Of the several works herein mem
toned but cursorily adverled to in this commu-
nicaton. For full development of them, and Of
the operations Of the last year. refer to the elabor
ate and able report from the engineer department.
Having, in the course of the last summer, visited
tbs Military Academy at West Point, and attended
the examination of the cadets, feel il TO be due to
that institution speak of its present excellent
dltion. Progressive improvement IL already percep-
tble To those who have examined this institution at
different and somewhat distant periods. Branches
OF instruction formerly pursued are now more
thoroughly taught, and others of strictly military
character have been introduced. The sciences have
conferred as many and signal advantages in their
applications to the art of war to the arts connect
ed with the peaceful pursuits of life; and, among the
community of nations, exposed to be brought into
conflict with each other in the course of events,
those which do not avail themselves Of their adj
vantages, will be almost sure To pay a heavy pen
atty for their neglect in the profse waste of life and
In lIa xt..xx
the sciences taught and applied the art of war
is highly important national establishment. The
academy at West Point is, in this respect, an nsti-
tuition Of great usefulness; and should receive the
fostering care of the government. | concur in the
views presented by the chief engineer for board
of visitors selected from civil fe under some or all
of the notifications he has suggested
The report from the chief Of the corps of topo-
graphical engineers hereto appended, has been pre-.
pared with and industry. II embraces objects of
great public concern, and furnishes most desirable
information, in regard not only 10 the works upon
which expenditures have been made during the last
season. but 10 those which are likely to be prose-
cuied during the ensuing year. The details Of the
operations and the results Of the past year, furnish
satisfactory proof Of the advantages Of confding the
executing, as well as the planning, of works of this
character to men Of scientific requirements profess
sional skill, and practical experience. Such duties
are properly assigned to those who by education,
constant study, and long, aborous practice have
qured the requisite qualifications to superintend and
properly execute Them The objects brought into
view in the report Of the typographical bureau are
not Of an exclusively military character; but many
of them, however, have an intimate relation to the
defence of the country, and all are regarded as pub
lie works directly connected with, and essential to,
our external or internal commerce. Most of these
works were authorized and undertaken years
ago; but little was done upon them during the past
year, in consequence of the failure of the approrra-
tons for that purpose.
The lakes We're almost entirely destitute Of natur-
al harbors. Navigation upon them exposed TO
imminent peris, and not unfrequently attended with
frightful loss Of life and property. With the settle
ment and growth of the western country, the com
merce upon these inland has rapidly increased,
and its estimated annual amount now exceeds in
value the entire exports of the products and manu-
features of the United States to all foreign countries
An interes, this magnitude daily augmenting, in
which so many States, and SO large portion Of our
citizens participated, naturally commanded the
attention Of Congress, and properly received lis
fostering care. Safe harbors were much needed;
and system Of improvements, with a view TO
provide them, was commenced in 1924. The total
amount expended upon these harbors is 266l ,964.
The objects to which these appropriations have been
applied, and the amounts of them from 1924 to the
present time, specified in the annexed report, to-
gether with an estimate Of the further sums required
for the ensuing fiscal year. The works, so far as
that the anticipated advantages will, in the end, be
realized to the fullest extent II may be proper to
remark that these improvements are not without
benefit, in military point Of view. Should it ever
become necessary TO have a naval force upon these
lakes, the numerous and commodious harbors thus
provided by the aid of the government will contrib
ute to its safety and successful operations. Besides
there are now employed in the commerce Of these
lakes a great number of large-sized and stoutly-
built steamers, which would not have been placed
there by individual enterprise but for the safety and
accommodation afforded by these harbors. In case
Of public emergency these steamers can be expe-
ditiousy converted into effective vessels Of war; and
rendered subservient to military operations Norare
the economy and facility oftransporting troops, mu-
nitions Of war; and supplies, to be overlooked in
tmating the public advantages of the lake improve
mens. is also said that our best seamen are those
who have been trained in the navigation Of our
lakes.
The number Of ake.harbor improvements author
lied by law is twenty-six. Good harbors have been
made where none existed before; and the expenses
of construction have not, in the whole, exceeded the
estimates prospectyely presented. These results
give assurance that the plans were udiciously
ceived, and the work economically and skilflly ex-
ecuted.
The public usefulness Of these improvements will
be better appreciated, when it is considered that by
means of them most dangerous navigation has
been rendered comparatively safe. A large shipping
ueeu upon Ouf IuhtS,
ties and shelter afforded to a commerce now est-
mated at one hundred Of millions Of dollars annually,
and increasing with surprising rapidity, in which
six States directly, and all sections of the coun-
try incidentally interested.
Nor is il scarcely less important, in commercial
military point of view, that the helping hand of
improvement should be extended to the natural ave-
MUGS for conveying the abundant productions Of the
West TO the Gufof Mexico and the Atlantic coast
the Ohio and the Mississippi on the one side, and
tho Hudson river on the other. The progress Of
the work on the two former rivers, having for its
main object the removal Of distractions, has been,
in measure, suspended during the past season.
means not having been provided the last session
Of Congress for that purpose
Looking TO the vast interests subserved by this
improvement, and to its unquestionable public char
acer, scarcely doubt is entertained that it will be
resumed. Estimates for its further prosecution are
therefore submitted in the accompanying report Of
the chief Of the geographical engineers. In the
same report will also be found an elaborate and in
teresting exposition Of the present condition Of the
Hudson river; Of it's importance in regard to COM
merce and to military movements, as one Of the