The New York herald., 1862-01-24
THE DEFENCEs OF NEW YORK.
Important Report OF the Engineering
Chief, General Arthur.

General Arhurs report is one OF the most inter esg
and valuable documents presented the Legislature this
year General Arthur has been duty in this depart
only since December last, and has had but INSULT
cicnt time gather the important facts be set; before
the Legislature He Of the forts and rortihcations
under the control of the United States government, Of
their capsbty OF armament and their present condition.
with the guns mounted, referring TO previous
ports made TO the Governor with regard 10 the
and prcectes hand at the forts He states theo
is urgent noed at this moment TO render existing
ortcat.ons Efficient and for ample supply Of heavy
guns TO complete their armament, and for ammunition
AM prectcs for their use This subject IS fully treated
IN the concluding rccommendstiors OF the report
General Arthur states that it il admitted by all mill
tary officers who have cxann' the subject that many
other formidable and permanent defences N be IceGcd
before the has Dor OF New York b. cOHsd red
PROPER state Of defence refers the various cges-
tom OF ngnecrs to the ohara ter and location Of such
vofks and their prob bic cost The report ccommends
that the legislature should urge upon the United states
government the immediate commencement u these fOrt
catons aud tho necessary appropriations therefor by
Congress, and stggcsts that unless these works are
promptly undertaken by the general government the
state should enter up their construction upon the pas
sage Of act by Congress guaranteeing the reimburse
mcnt uf the amounts expendei "rhc great and thy
state Of New York should not wait until pro-
vded by the general government for the decnce Of
narbor and borders, bot rather should she, when the
government j. birtteued and staggering under the i'm
exl endure- causcd by The pr gent wicked rebel
ion cheerfuly tender from her imperial rcsoarccs
lie funds which will 10 needed, trusting its eventual
aymert Tie works, II undertaken should Of course
CLdcr the direction and supervision Of the United
staics Engineer Department.
The report ele to the fact that tic work at Fort
RiChmond aud other works Staten Island were
siructed at the expense Of the state the neglect q
ngcss 10 respond g. the prayer u the petition asking
their erection by the genera government They were
subsequently purchased by the United States The works
necesssry for the proper defence Of the harbor would
occupy many years in their completion and view Of
tie necessity of the Increase OF the deiences the oord
ton and eirienoy Of the existing forte and batteries
,ng them TO be fuly armed aud manned is con
sfered General Arthur states that it generally
considered that the means ~ maritime attack have
assumed such magnitude that every species Of battery,
armed with the best artillery which possess,
he relied for certainty % prevent the passage
large vessels Of recent construction with steam tide
and wind in their favor and he audes In proof 10 tue
successful and repeated passages Of the batteries Port
Royal b. the vessels IN the expedition under Com
mauder Dupont He states that in OF any sudden
necessity the defence Of the harbor be
had barriers aud obsruct IONS either floating fixed
arrest the OF heavy ships and compel them to
aght the land batteries He sludes 20 the fac, tba.
IN 0f the probable necessity for using such
obstructions tho Governor convened a Board of
seven Of the most prominent engineers OF the State who
70 connection with him, General Arthur might consider
aud determine upon description aud nod Of
obsru uctions This Board has been constantly session
since December - avang themselves OF the experience
OF shponlaers, navigators and pilots and report will
be made by them carly day touching those subjects
snd living tu detais, plans aud estimates u cost II
epnndenty believed that lines Of floating obsructioDs
can be constructed and placed across the Earrows that
WIZ ei'ectuely prevent the passage Of large ships and
chase OF large quantity Of heavy pber al the lime when
The aspect OF our foreign relations auIsared NOS unpro
missing sb shows the absolute necessity Of that pu, chase
SUI the use to which was des gned on al emerge, cy
tskiug place. The Governors promptnnss and dceisio
10 this matter proof Of his forethonpbt and ~ hi.
anxey 10 oect ine sate from invasion, and while the
purchase gives uk the satisfaction of knowing haJ there
sufficient supply of this timber on hand 10 se
for The purposes designed, IA case OF necessity ID pn1t
be attended By any ss 10 the state, even h ul N hc
drtornired thar n ~ not needed . ID WouId go, a.
market more than the price paid FOR it,
fitrf considering The possbity ~ these ossfusins