American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-02-11

sapeake Bay, that city is wholly without de-
! fences against an attack by land--such, for in
stance, as was undertaken by the English dur
| ing the last war-and is, at the same time, moi
adequately protected from an attack by the ri
ver;' and, after insisting on the erection of this
casemated battery as the first step for the crea-
ton of a better system of defence for the har-
Dor of Baltimore, and as indispensable TO its Sc
curity, he says: 'This work being completed
the channel of the river will be powerfully
commanded; and an enterprise advancing a
gainst the city from North Point, or along the
opposite shore, will be liable to be cut off from
all retreat by troops thrown across the river, or
sent down the river and landed near the work.
and again recommends an appropriation OF
| $50, 1000 for the commencement Of the fort In
lS45 the work is again strongly recommended
in the annual report of the Secretary Of War,
and in that Of the head of the Engineer De-
partment; and the same appropriation is again
torcbly urged upon Congress by the reiteration
Of the arguments employed in former reports.
Ia the last annual report Of the Secretary of
War tho subject is again brought to the atten-
ton of the National Legislature as essential to
the defence of Baltimore, and rs removing all
, apprehension ola second battle Of North Point.
And the Engineer Department, in its report for
cy, invoking the aid of the War Department in
procuring the authority and means for com
mcncing the work ,oithout delay; and again re-
commends the appropriation of $50, 900 for the
fiscal year ending the 30th June, lS46. Could
any subject be more strongly pressed upon the
consideration and action Of Congress, or by
higher authority? How, then, can we account
for the fact that, while other cities are recev-
ing such liberal appropriations for the erection
of defensive structures, Baltimore should have
been so long neglected?
On the It'll of last January General Clinch,
from the Military committee, reported a bill,
NO. 509,) one Of the items of which appropri-
ates $4,000 for the commencement of this
battery; the bill being accompanied by a report,
(No. 49, from which | select the following eX-
tract:
"When we bring to mind the ease with which
the greater powers Of Europe despatch large ar
mes TO distant seas we are bound to regard sud-
den inroads as by no means improbable. An ex-
petition of 10 900 men, suddenly arriving in the
Chesapeake, might be landed one day on North
Point, and reach the city, at the latest, on the
next Their steamers and smaller war vessels
would ascend the Patapsco, until within reach
of Fort McIIenry, and thus cover the exposed
flank of the movement. The proposed occu-
patton Of Sellers Point Flats would defeat any
such enterprise, by making that which is now
easy and simple very hazardous undertaking.
The enemY's vessels could then no longer ac-
company the troops, but must remain out OF
reach of the rev batteries, not less than two
and half miles below. The navigation of the
river will then remain in our own hands; and
any portion of troops from the city, and those
that come to its succor, can be thrown, by the
aid of steam and other vessels, upon the rear
Of any column moving up from North Point.
"The defence of the water passage to the city,
now regarded as altogether too feeble, would
also, of course, be greatly strengthened by the
proposed battery. The War Department asks
$50 900 for the commencement of this work.
which the bill herewith proposes to appro-
priate.''
1t would not be possible for me, by any ar
guments | could adduce, to add to the force of
these unanswerable appeals to the patriotism Of
Congress. Supported by the authority Of the
Military Department, and by the necessities
arising from her, exposed position, Baltimore
asks Congress to improve the facilities which
nature presents for her protection, and for the
security of the seat of the General Govern
ment. Her brave sons are willing again to OBJ
pose their breasts to the bayonct Of the Invader,
whenever he shall dare to place his foot upon
her soil; but they desire all prudent protection
against the swords of an enemy which might
bring wdowhood to their wives, and orphanage
to their children. As their agent, and in their
behalf, | most respectfully call the attention of
members of the National Assembly to this most
important but long-nogected subject.
S. COLLINS.
Washington, February s, 1915.
MoRMoNIsM-SHocKING Disclosures, FL
der Rigdon's Magazine for January, published
at Pittsburg, gives some disclosures Of corrup-
ton and RIGHTEOUSNESS among the Mormons, in
New York, New Jersey, SC. 1t appears that
the degrading Polygamy founded by Joe Smith,
and established at Nauvoo short time before
his death, has been encouraged and sustained
by people of intelligence, Rgdon gives the
following account of recent visit to the Nor
mon churches, and of his own efforts to arrest
the corruption that was rapidly spreading a
mong the deluded followers, He says:
Among the churches we visited, there was
great deal Of excitement; many Of the principal
members had either withdrawn from the church
or had been cut off, and of this number were
the presiding elders of the church Of Philadel-
phia, New York, Boston, New Egypt, N. j.,
and Woodstown, N. J.. On inquirng into the
cause of the difficulties, in every instance, it
was the spiritual wife system which had caused
the separation, and exclusion. The course
pursued by the advocates of this system, who
were tho travelling elders, was, that as soon as
man became dissatisfied with the teachings of
those believers in polygamy, and was bold
enough to express his dissatisfaction, call the
doctrine incestuous, and adulterous, he or she
was Immediately arragned before the church,
and charged with dsobedience to the authori-
ties and with 81 aodarnr tha heads IF ba