Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-12

been made by the honorable Senator from Alabama are
more Just than they were believed be some wears ago.
But be has overlooked The fact that still better habo lies
short distance further west and in position still better for
the protection of the Gulf of Mexico and
repairing and provisioning vessels coming from the West
Indies refer the harbor inside of Ship Island The
trance is deeper, the anchorage quite good and aordng
greater facility of obtaining supplies which boughtdown
the Mississippi and Pearl rivers and for obtaining ship tim
Der from the lands eservedby the United States therefore
move to amend the resolution by inserting the words
Ship Island" ".
| Mr. KING. had expectation of entering into any
discussion in presenting this resolution. have only say
that from al the information have been able 10 collect the
honorable Senator entirely mistaken when he supposes ship
ping lying behind Ship Island will be equally the
Bay of Mobile No harbor can afford safety better
anchorage not to be found point either of the Allan
TIC Pacific AS to the depth Of water, has been
decided by actual surveys According 10 Them the advan
ages for protection Of vessels entering that habo de-
cdedy in its favor That is matter which will not discuss
nGw only ask the honorable Senator whether he will de-
eat t measure important in itself to the protection Of the
cy OF Moorii- if should be engaged in war with
any osgn laon, simply because he thinks fertilization
required 10 another place If harbor is required there let
there be if Notification is required there for protection,
lei thre be but would ask what is TO be protected
Fer what purpose is this forticaton required Is il
pine timber so, have pine forests only
sve, fear, in Alabama covering great extent of country
valuable only for its growth Of pine Is to get oak timber
If So oak forests certainly superior any that be
found along the banks of the Mississippi river But in every
point of view think the Bay of Mobile the best and
simply ask my friend from Mississippi, if he thinks that Ship
Island ought to be fortified, bring forward resolution
the subject, and to let it stand upon its merits.
| Mr. DAVIS. The Senator has quite misunderstood me.
do not suppose that Notifications looking navy yard
necessary for the protection of Mobile harbor II will be
collected that poor little sand fort, thrown up there during
the last made defence against the British shipping, and
that Major Lawrence, with less than majors command, held
that fort until he blew up ship of the line. believe that
my friend will find that mud forts of such character, built
the edge of the they be- the proper
prevent ships from entering habo and not the
ma fuHr nf Nayu III
ieve ships crippled do not believe that massive for
tfcaons at Ship Island necessary as means of
protection than at Mobile, but for the Gulf shipping sShp
Island stands out from the main shoe and never Wa the
honorable Senator mistaken than when he supposedhes
is commerce there to be protected. Why, sir, Tie
whole commerce from Maine to Texas passes right by
Ship Island and all that enters the city of New Orleans
departs by the Mississippi compelled inside of the
VERY island of which speak The Senator from Alabama is
certainly very much mistaken in all the positions he has
sumed he assumes that there equal dphof wa
ter ship Island, and he has shown the fact that the harbor
OF Mobile deeper than the Spanish surveys made sixty
seventy years ago but the upon which he
relies for that information made by the survey brigade
are the upon which rely for information to
the depth of water at Ship Island
4 Then sgain he thinks the island is isolated and without
shelter 1t has islands every side OF it, and is sheltered by
high point that out from the gales that blow most fierce
y from the Gulf In presenting the matter in this light, do
not present with any view OF making it bar to the motion
of the Senator from Alabama It is old subject with me-
and for which in attempted TO obtain appropra
ton years ago, when in the House OF Repesen-
taves. %'. ... ....
have no objection, if the Senator wishes it, put the
conjunction aud instead of The distinctive conjunction
o if that will meet with the views Of the Senator from
Alabama; but do object to making it question subordi-
all other interests and, most Of ALL 10 those which
inferior it. THERE'S not harbor the A'antccoast
that does send vessels almost within stones throw OF the
anchorage of Ship Island The great commerce from the
Mississippi which goes out in the shipping from New Or
leans, and that extending through the lake. and the
itself, generally, of Alabama Immediately
nv anda by
war must depend on the protection there given it. II
Z Mr.. FOOTE. l move the amendment suggested by my
colleague and for the stated by him. The views an
BY him have my hearty appreciation. have
personal knowledge of the facts and the resolution would be
much efficient for the purpose for which framed by
amending with the conjunction land, as to include
Sp island and thus give the committee fair opportunity OF
examining the whole matter The States of Mississippi and
Alabama united in single territory their nte
very much the still, and wish them TO have
an equal chance in this matter. ...:-...
\ Mr.. KING. am at loss to understand the Senator from
Mississippi Ihave the ghtest objection 20 aninquy INTO
the proprety of erecting Notifications at Ship Island or any
other point propose To inquire into the popHey OF erect
ing Notifications particular point am willing to IN
qure the proprety of erecting Notifications on snip sland
but protest against any action excluding examination OF
Dauphin Island This is question which my friend from
South Carolina (M CALHoUS understands better than any
Senator here. While he had the charge OF the War
Department it was selected by Bernard, of best
engineers suitable point and the works were actually
commenced but owing to some difficulties about The Title 70
the land, they discontinued nave
SINCE And the why they have not been resumed
that supposed that the water was not sulcient TO admit
large ships of 1t is asceriained that sufficient
depth does exist and is simply asked that the original de-
sign shall be carried out by appropriation for oricaons
They may be of any descpton may be water battery,
that will give such protection anchorage ground as will
prevent hostile ships from entering the channel Immediately
under that island have not the slightest objection to e1
tend the examination to Ship Island aso and the Senator
will offer amendment say "and also to inquire IN
the expedency of erecting Notifications Ship Island 1t
i will receive my vote.
i Mr.. FOOTE. l would suggest addition to my
amendment the words either of them, after the words
and also Ship ssnd and for this the committee
may determine that expedent to make but one expend
and boh and wish give equal chance to both
i Mr. DAVIS. would merely state to my colleague that
this matter which would up before the Committee
would be decided after the committee had reported in favor OF
either one or both.
i Mr.. FOOTE. thought both subjects could by my
amendment be better brought before the committee; still
am willing to yield to my colleague.
| Mr. DAVIS have no objection to the amendment at all.
The amendment having been agreed to the resolution was
adopted as follows: f.. ~. .
Resolved That the Committee Military Affairs be in
struced inquire into the expedency OF making appro-
in bay Mobile, and also Ship Island either of them
The Senate then proceeded the consideration of Execn
tive business and after some time spent therein, adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
| The Journal OF yesterday having been read
Mr. KAUFMAN inquired Of the Speaker II there was not
message from the Presden, of the United States the ia
bic and the inquiry having been repdto in the affirmative