Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-04-09
From The Detroit Daily Advertiser
Naval Defence Of the Lakes.

Messrs. Editors-I desire to call attention 10
the defenceIess condition to our Northern frontier,
particularly that part oft comprised IN the boun-
Diary of Michigan. 1t appears to me that strange
apathy prevails this subject, aud it is the more
surprising. since we must De aware of the exer-
lions making BY our Deighbors across the line -
who, not content with placing their own soil in
posture of defence. are preparing against the
time Of need all the means necessary for Invading
ours.
We know that there is at this time in the Cana.
das, a regular force exceeding that Of the whole
standing army of the United States, and that the
facilities forreinforcing their NUMBER belong in an
almost unbounded degree TO the energetic Gov.
eminent of Grea, Britain: the population and re-
sources of Canada daily and rapidly rnc:ea sing,
are by no means trlaing and the Indians with un-
aerable loyalty maintain the ancient predelec-
ton for the English. From these sources an in
vading army can speedily be organized, and by
means Of the fine roads which, radiating from the
town of London, extend 10 every direction thro'
Canada West, can with mathematical certainty be
concentrated on any given point of this frontier.
Sul more important a subject is presented to
our consideration in the chain of ship Canals
which they are constructing around the shoals and
rapids of the St. Lawrence. The last link of the
chain is about being completed. and in short time
the instructions of the River being thus overcome
the level of Lake Erie gained by the Weaud
Canal /; the whole light force Of the English Ma
rine-steamers and sail craft Twill have a ready
access TO our waters.
| What would be our position in case of hos-
ties between the two countries We have no re-
sources from which to draw, no force to oppose to
these ocean visitors. The whole coast of Lake
| Erie blockaded. its towns liable to bombardment
andsack, we could look for no assistance in that
direction; bot perched up in the North West,
would be left in the bosom of the great Lakes, Is.
olated. and exposed TO meet the opening blast of
the war for think there can be doubt. that
this peninsula would form the first object of attack
on the part Of Great Britain. Its broad. fertile
acres, It's exposed situation, and its very shape
which indicates where it is to be Topped off from
the confederation, hold it up in light but too
tempting to the acqusitive policy ofthat country.
Let US suppose declaration of warto have ia.
ken place, and that there is army of invasion
at Windsor ready to pour across the line; the Brit
ish hold the entrance of the River in their own
hands-they are masters of the water, and long
line of steamers, and gun briggs are anchored over
against our faled city, ready to cover and acili-
tate the passage of the invaders. What have we
TO set up against the formidable array? The e.
Emergency is pressing. and We are not allowed to
await The tardy approach of succor which may
be dragging its weary length over the bad roads
from the South. The result would be that an
overwhelming force would plant its foot on our
soil, and Michigan, though she probably would
in the end be wres,ed from the hands of the spoil
er, would for long years have eu,aed on her the
mseries of a conquered country, or the more la.
mentable fate of being the arena IN which the bat
ties of bloody war are fought.
We should not close our eyes on these facts.-
neither should we be backward in seeking from
the government that defence aud protection which
/ our exposed situation demands but in common
with the people of all the States bordering Oh the
Lakes, we should make ourselves felt and heard
on this subject. We want Notifications, we want
an available naval force. The immense Marine
of Great Britain will long give her the control Of
the Ocean. Our safety requires that, that of the
Lakes SHOULD belong to US.
An able and we'll known writer, in late mum.
Der of the National lntelgencer, urges the impor.
lance Of communication between the Mississippi
and Lake Michigan, by means of ship Canal
through Illinois, which he says would afford to
the Lake country ga system Of national defences
the cheapest and the best, the most powerful il