The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-29
Oar Coast Defencss-Thc Weak Points OF
New Work.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.


have but; brief reply make to the communication
of your correspondent B. the subject Of the
defences of New York.
acknowledge that he has fairly quoted against
myself; but would explain my meaning TO I've ihis;Tat
whilst those charged with the fertilization Of the
coast OF the United claim foil and perfect
defence any point Of the same -tll, even Al the
period 1851 the Notifications then existing placed
COAT from Maine louisiana in better condition of de-
than that OF any other the world But that
the comparative conditonor absolutely, could be
claimed then, than can be claimed that any
point on The Is fully and perfectly defended
If there is such point, those charged with the main
tensnce of the national defence exhibit and solve
all doubts in the matter.
That New York fully and perfectly defended has
been acknowledged by b in my conversations with
him he does deny that strong works required
only be placed sandy Hook At the site q old FORT
Tumpk ms on staten Island and AT wilkins Point Long
Island sound but that Coney Island and Gravcsend Pay
well the heights Of BROOKLYN, siould be supplied
with defensive works, at least IN time Of Now b.
IL entirely in agreement with me, and others who think
with the matter, far and tho discussion IL
duced 10 the simple question Ought the important posi
fions Of Coney Island and Gravesend Ryany than
those Sandy Hook, wilkins Point and at Fort Temp
kins-o have been left attack during forty years,
period which embraces the apsod time from the inaugu
Of what is termed the thrd sysem II defence
10 the present. And ought the construction OF defences al
Coney Island and Gravesend By still to depend upon the
contingency oi war;
OBJ am sure win agree with me tina, bis pear. ~
statesman remembering this maxim, will provide ara MT
error leaving nothing possible, TO chance by which
may be committed and perhaps remain lrrotrevablc.
Why not, then, in time Of peace AZ once maze per
feet the dcfynces OF New York the great com.
mercal centre Of America or at least demand that
II should be done, leaving to Congress the responsibility
the premises. few strong but not costly rcdoaots
stretching from Coney Island around Gravesend Bay TO
Fort Hamilton would enectually prevent the landing of
dashng expedition from Halifax, at tho first outbreak a.
and thus preserve the naval arsenal and the city OF
BROOKLYN from destruction, anu the metropolis itself from
great loss By 81 held works thrown MP between
these redouht and the heights Of Brooklyn, good Dc
fence could be made by 10000 militia against in.
vading army. even II lie numbers and ts tremendous mr.
mamens were equal 10 those which destroyed the Rus
feet Of the Black Sea and crumbed the city Of Sc
bastolOl and IL northern defences into the dust.
Who there that will say that such an invading army.
and even superior one may not some day late Or early
those authority that will dare to say that such
| tingency however remote, should not be provided
| against and that speedily
England and France moved their gigantic forces agans,
sehasupol with facility upon two lines Of steamer naygs
uon-the respective distances q when were SV9o aud
200 miles The line that Que or both OF these powers
could follow with invading forces against the United
states would no, exceed $500 miles.
The United states from the nature Of things developed
their history. viii never be thoroughly prepared Tor
Every fertilization constructed and every ship Of
war built adds the defence With the complete defence
Of the sea coast may hold back the most powerful
ornaments and II the should run into three years
M dura,on We could build and nj out feet. that would
drive the ornaments back 10 their ports, for We
should have the men, means and material a. command
But the defence of the coast - FAR from beng complete
and of progrss. exhibited for the Last forty
years, viii take quarter OF century TO make com
| piete.
| What v to preven, at this time. II war existed,
| the entrance Of a naval armament into New York
Bay leaving 200 600 for the conquest Of the city, and
20 strike blow the United states which would be felt
from Maine tp Texas This force the left flank ~
your btlns ots al the Narrows and landing at Graves
end Bay occupies Brooklyn. and New York surrenders.
Entrcncbcd the eght OF Brooklyn m easy commun
cation with the feet and assured Of their supplies no,
only from thence, but from the country itself where Is
the force II 10 900 men, rallied by steam" I" rail
way " or lightning " and ten times multiplied, that could
beat back into the the formidable invndcrse To
ptovide against great calamity feebly proposed
H. build fort Sandy Hook the trace Of which has not
vet. understand been made on the ground, and which
Wtau the 6rtpa s~f> msrm viii probably take three de
csdcs complete and which, when completed could not
rdcr passage with facility and safety OF steamers n
md TRANSPORTS drawing eighteen feet Of water through
tpe rast channel" right up 70 Gravesend Bay whilst
the great feet Il the enemy could ride IN safety At anchor
oy'..d.. during the summer months, and hold fall and
i hourly communication with the forces on shore.
Tho Subject requires than sneNspapcr discussion.
ID. mpnaroc deserves the serious consideration Of the
Chef Engineer and the Board OF Engineers who, being
oily competent a. IL elaboration would satisfy the
tfV by amaartlne to the public Their views upon H.
i have performed humble part In drawing public n
sDtou 70 the matter and after this writing shall cease
upon the subject fearing that whatever cause
your pondept T had before he might possibly II
continued ~ write have for saying that T
We q, least, would think whatever did write would fall
I iu0nutneutly tstiborn nsensble universe y
now make my bow 10 my friend h thank him FOR
he COMP pad me and pardon him the little SPICE
~ sarcasm he INDUCES 10 al my expense. can AFFORD
And beg also say that YOU have done justice 10 that
gentleman by Introducing him TO yosr readers ~
te most officers of the Corps OF Engineers
testify that, and truly add mat believe be has
| NJ, be superio~ IN any service. G.
1 NV YosK Horri, Oct. IS 1851.