Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-01-28
The Mos, Available Location for a Estcnal
Foundry.

think will, since it would be a matter Of great
and vital Importance as means Of effective de-
fence and economy, il is Of eqna! importance
that it should be located in the rnos, ava;lahie
locality, in order To make il most effective and
serriccable. Many points have been dc6igna-
ted as the beet, and though ,ereru' Of them
would answer for such purpose, al cannot
be the bet. We cannot think, however. that
any choice will be made from the mere repre-
sentation of ourselves or others. nor 40 we
claim better right TO he heard. however past
services and productions may be regarded But
before any definite site is selected We demand
an investigation. Years ago VIC had the prefer
ence Is the site, and recent discoveries and new
developments have furnished US many additional
advantages and facilities which add materially
TO the claims OF Richmond. We propose dis.
cussing at length some oi the questions which
bear on the subject before us, in orlc. 10 Eatis.
fy ourselves, and others too for that matter, Of
the entire practicabiity Of Richmond for such
site We can prove. bevond III. shadow ola
doubt tina. this is not only one OF the bc.. sites
that can te selected, for the erection of W.
ticna! Ftundry, but that it is the very t.s.
point in the Union. But we will not only show
this in orr publications-wc will MT only offer
the best arguments on paper and in discuss
sion, lut We court Investigation. and will
guarantee 10 prove TO committee of
prartiml and aisinterest'd ntt", ha. .hs hare
! the NEST GrailaJ!e location "a e;ery print Of
risu. We wish to discuss this matter in order
! to lcare no doubt on the minds Of any unprc.
judc.d person who will take the pains to con-
slider, but we also ask a thorough investigation
Of tic entire subject in 4 practical manner aud
on the spot By practical mer. Therefore, We
say come and examine for yourselves Vir-
gina must not he Sighted because she has
been too generous fer her own good. We only
demand however. what our ntrinsr merits
descrvc'in this natter. as far as availability and
general economy is concerned
OK CENTRAL POSITION.
As all depends, as far a. availability is con
cerne'i. on tho l"eation OF a national foundry.
We will discuss the various questions and con-
siderations invclvcd---and the first presented is
Our j,osiiinr ir relation To al parts OF the
Union. Richmond is about $50 miles from the
magnificent harbor Of Norfolk. where the ma
vics Of the world might ride in safety, and, but
little further from ;he mouth OF the Chcsa-
peakc Bay. In : time Of danger, either from
storms or from IN enemy, this mighty Bay
presents many places of refuge, not otherwise
offered in any other harbor or hay in this coun.
try Protected 10y Monroe" and calhoun"
our shipping might ride on the James, on the
Potomac, OF far up the Bay, safe from any in
vading force and SO convenient to Richmond or
TIE foundry, that armament and all the muni
tions Of war could be supplied in q few hours
notice, both by water and by rail In fact,
supplies could be relied On with tho greatest
certainty. and sent to all parts Of the bay with
out danger oi interruption. y" other point
presents equal facilities in this respect. No
other site has equal advantages in relation 10
the bay, and VIC can urge this Is strong ar
cumcnt in our favor Where else can be
found 50 magnificent a sheet of water, OF where
could our vessels ride with SO much safety and
convenience: ard in times Of danger, when
Baltimore, Washington. Alexandria, Norfolk,
Petersburg and Richmond are threatened, our
ships Of war are here required. No other har
bor or bay demands so urgently the attentions
o! the Government even for Is own protcc-
,icn. to save, if required, our na,ional capitol
from second pillage.
The presence OF Z feet Of small gun boats
or the waters Of the bag would Le more ser.
viceable thar powerful navy scattered over
the world. \ comparatively SINAI! expense
would enable such small steamers 10 navigate
the coast from ilbenarle Sound, and even
farther South, 70 New York end The Great
Lakes, iilAeW srf- going 70 seG.
From the waters Of the Sound such small
gun boats could pass through the existing CO.
nal, with triaing expense to the harbor Of
Norfolk; from thence they could pass up to
the head of the bay and through the Chesa-
pcakc and Delaware canal, to the Delaware
river and to Philadelphia From Philadelphia
they would find an easy passage by canal to
New York, and from thence by tho Erie canal
10 the st. Lawrence and the Lakes. No block
sdc could prevent them from going to sea. from
the waters OF the Sound. from the Chesapeake,
from the Delaware. or from New York. They
could transport men and munitions Of war with
ease and economy at all times and through all
seasons. and in fact, would b. almost omni-
prcscnt,-a real "mosquito feet Is not this
matter worthy Of attention: Would it not be
the most effective means Of defence and offence!
Where else could such fec; find 50 extensive
a cruising ground. OF such adequate means OF
supply, as from q National Foundry and Mill
tary Depot, on the waters Of the bay: nd here
I Richmond has every advantage in every point
Of view
Our position being eentrG;, neither to the eS'
IRENE North or South. il must be most accessi-
be to all parties. 1t is most convenient to our
forts and fortifications, and more convenient TO
our military and naval offices even, than Har-
pers Ferry Yctvc not only possess every ad
vantage as before mentiorcd-ne othe! site
could he selected from which all the munitions
of war could radiate TO az parts Of tie unon'
with despatch and certainty, IS from this point.
, By water, as we before mentioned. our small
gun boats could ply from the Carolinas to the
I.akes-swiitly, silently and saie-gidins out
to sea whenever desirable. and capable OF slip
ping into any inlet the moment danger threat
; ems them. our -ailro'ais radiatc 10 all parts
oc the Union, and are ever open IN winter as
we'll as summer; over them. cannons, shells,
balls, &c, &c, would speed by RAPID. stages to
l -. :... a. L.. rhnr frnrn To y