The New York herald., 1845-01-10


him valuable information into the ranks of civil
life, which might be applied TO the intruction OF
the militia, aud would always be available upon
any emergency requiring the employment OF
military experience.
Officers OF staff corps are uuavoidably exposed,
from the nature of their duties, to serious expen-
ses, and cannot practice that economy In their
Ivlng, or derive any OF the advantages incident
to fixed posts and stations. On these accounts, il
10 believed, the laws have given TO such officers
slight increase ofpay. When officers Of the line
are assigned to staff duties, they are exposed to
the same causes of increased expenses, but do not
receive the increased pay. II is therefore sug-
gested, as an act of justice, that provision should
be made by law, granting to officers Of the line
the same paw, emouments and allowances now
given to officers OF the same grade of all staff
corps In which these officers of the line may be
detailed for service.
The construction of the fortifcations or perma-
nent defences OF the country is essential branch
OF the military profession. In all countries il is
the peculiar function of The engineers of the army.
These works, costing great sums and requiring
many years for their Completion, ought therefore,
to be maturely devised with a view to the fnture
as we'll as the present state of the country. Some
OF the larger works on the North Atlantic sea-
coast have been completed; at this moment the
system Of defence is SO advanced that there 10 no
important post North of Cape Hatteras unprovid-
ed with the means of vigorous resistance against
any insult from merely naval force. Troops are
not likely to be tempted to debark any OF the
densely settled parts Of our coast il they were,
do, not doubt that their first efforts would be d.
rected 10 regain their ships But in national
matter OF this kind, where such immense interests
are at stake, we should not desist short Of the
achievement tf full security nor should we be
directed into any course which is without the
sanction of experience, The policy ofthis syetem
OF defence by permanent Notifications 10 every day
more impressively brought to The public mind by
our rapid advancement IN population and all the
means otfnational weaith--by the increase Of our
large towns and cities, which everywhere, upon
our frontier, and the gulf and coast, display the
vigor OF the country, and at the same time lis
exposure to foreign aggression. /, therefore, in
vlte attention to some prominent positions IN this
system of national defence more essentially de-
manding the means of commencing the works.
Whilst Fort McHenry-a work of inferior force-is
avaable to resist particular kind Of hostile attack up
Baltimore it forms the only defence by ori6cation
Baltimore WILL is believed be found in the erection Of
permanent works Solers Point Flats about miles
completed ani the Of that CITY viii no longer
Point.
The resumption of the work upon Fort Delaware, at
the Pea Pach is anxsnsly desired by all those interested
in the commerce and the country ofthe Delaware in the
dsence o, a Wilmington and Ssw Castle Of
and Philadelphia Railroad.
The sum Of twenty thousand dollars. reappropriated
at the last ession Of Congress- can be rendered avail
abe would be sufficient for this important object for the
ensuing year But upon turning 70 the phrsseology Of
ed e the Island be sc
ded to be in the United States" A. the question now
stands thepresumption upon the positive opinion
by default in the Circuit Court Tor the District
Delaware and possession accordingly delivered to the
tie title is vested in the United States But still there has
not yet been trial upon the merits and OF
hnai judicial decision pronounced upon the title 60 as to
DO bar TO renewal Of the controversy BY second
ejecment
1t therefore rests with Congress to say whether the
Government shall continue satisfied with the presumption
NJ md uiil fho
the expenditure ofthe appropriation.
renew the proposition for the General Government
to purchase from the State Of New tha terms
literally profersd by her. the important position apon
Staten Iaand Immediately OF posite TO Fort Hamton.
nd essential TO the command Ct the main channel o.
placed under the authority Of the United states r
The military works ndispensaoly required there are
Essentially national This has already recognized
y IN? 2. me money Of tns osnsrh Govern.
his concur in the suggestions made by the
Chief Corps OF Engineer for the sale Or exchange
Of Fort GanseveoIt, rendered useless national
work by the growth and encroachments Of the city
New York
The subsidence Of the vast and expansive nsserials
collected at the Rip Raps for the consruction Of Fort
Calhoun, having ceased nearly the present may
BIS deemed favorable time for Copgr - TO sgs
the defsnce of Hampton Roads, to covsrthe entrance
into the Chesapeake
South Of Cspe Hsterss, sufficient has not been done
Some point the southern shore Of the State Of Gsorg
" ortntd, would seem to sord position
for refuge for vessels and cruisers the
let OF the Florida gulf and would prevent ss the
purpose BY an enemy and We would thereby gain
also-what Is matter Of deep concern-securty from
that dangerous influence which might beexercised
theiblsck population ~ hostile oocupsiien.
Cong ress by their sct Of the l7h June last declared
their lntenton and appropriated funds the
reef Notwithstanding your pronpt instructions thu
department. the latenes Of the passage Of the law
season OF the year and the necessity Of preliminary
ii not Of very mnute and detailed survey
would of course occasion delay in ectual com
csnent Of the work, under the appropriation Of fifty
thousand dollars All the positions in the entire ran. c
the Reef including the Dry Tortugas group, having
been thrown open BY the law to the examination of this
department it imposes duty OF much onicisl re.pons
tenkive scheme of fortincaton.
For the purpose Of aiming the necessary preliminary
proceed to the Reef the Tortugas and to enter up
on the proper examinations, ~ far a. his time would
permit ofthe more prominent positions within the limits
prescribed by the act Of Congress- report submitting
the result of his labor pssona surveys has been
ceived within The last few days. Tho Information thus
should be constructed either Il the hs Dor Of Key West
or the Torugas rock. Unless more detailed survey,
future views Of public utility should produce charge
opnien no time shall be lost in devsng the plans and
arranging the preparatory for the commence
ment Of work at the former issnd Those plans should
Of defence indicated y the lsnxusss Of the spproprs
ton, and SO designed a ultimately to include the Dry
Tortugas
Either Of these points, its fortiHcaion shall be COM
eted will be Of vast advantage In contest with naval
power if naval forces could keep command OF
the gulf But whilst this latter probsmatical, IL
would only have been ulting Malta, ere. ting
Gibraltar to add to the superiority Of enemy, Who
master oftnc gu would sesily arvs the msst devoted
garrison placed on small and barren island into .
cspuation. naval force the gulf should only
be furnished fom the seapsrs the Atlantic (Which
Tor long time, admitted to be the case) such fsci
otwthstanding the prowess and devotion
Of that national Of Defence would inevitably have
been the destiny ofa garrison en- the Dry Torugas.
report from this department. to the Executive The 9th
December ls40kwas the FIRST official announcement that
government had Uncovered its possession Of
elements Of naval power. Ih existence had attracted
your attention, and he's since been recognized by Con
gress in the estsb ishment Of naval depot Memphis
with the wise forecast to bring harmonious action wi
the permanent Notifications ior the defence Of the gull
coast maritime ofthe great West and south
west II cannot any longer be doubted that we can,
will, by the union Of the gneers work with this
succor from the Mississippi become the strongest naval
power on the gulf Ct Mexico, which Is, emphacally "o