Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-28
HARBOR DEFENCEs ON THE
GREAT LAKES.

HARBOR DEFENCES ON THE
GREAT LAKES.
The Report of the House Committee, on
the defence of cur great lakes and rivers, is an
interesting and important document. We
advert to few of its points. The growth in
the population and business of the North
western States since the war of lSl2-l5 is
almost inconceivable. Their population now
exceeds that of the entire United States IN
1915, and good judges, from a careful study
of statistical returns, assert that the
lake commerce exceeds in value our foreign
commerce. The total lake commerce, by
lake, canal and railroad, of the various lake
ports in 1858, is set down at over eight hun
dred and thirty millions Of dollars. Colonel
Graham's report states that the losses on the
Western lakes in 1855, amounted to 81
500 600.
Yet the national expenditure for the pro-
lection OF that vast country and business,
has been almost nothing. More millions
have been expended on the Gulf Of Mexico
and the Florida coasts than the Northern
frontier has received thousands. The whole
lake frontier is to-day destitute Of arms, and
of all efficient means Of defence in case Of
war between the United States and Great
Britain.
1t is remarklble that by the treaty stipu-
lations of 1877 betw cen the United States
and Great Britain, neither government is
allowed to maintain on Lake Ontario OF Lake
Champaign more than one armed vessel of
not exceeding 100 tons burthen and armed
with one lS-pound cannon. The upper
lakes arc allowed Just twice as much and no
more. If either party wishes to annul this
arrangement it must give SIX moaths notice
TO the other Now 1t is specially note
worthy that by means Of the Canadian cam
ais the British government could transfer
large armed Eun-boats from the St. Lawrence
to the Upper Lakes at any time yet there
exists no means for our Government to make
any corresponding transfer in case Of emer.
eoncy.
The committee recommend, Isl, the establish
mcnt Of shore dclences at commanding p0-
sitious, viz, tie repair of old Fort Brady or
the construction OF a new fort in a better
position to command the entrance into Lake
Superior Qualifications az the Straits of
Maokinav, which would protect Lake Mich
/ gan Font GTatiot 70 command the entrance
to Lake Huron the completion OF Fort
Porter On tie bluff between Buffalo and
Black R,cS the construction Of tower
and shore batteries at the mouth of Buffalo
hartor, suuiry other defensive works on
Lake Erie and Ontario and on the river st.
Lawrence, and the completion Of Fort M9lt-
gamcry ON Lake Chamllain.
n The establishment If a national
foundry on the Upper Lakes and OF naval
dep1ts. Tie Lake., say the committee, are
entirely without aims, though Great Britain
has been collecting arms in abundance and
OF the best quality in Canada. The com
mittee indicate Chicago as the location for
the establishment of a hu1dry.
81. The enlargement of the Illinois and
Michigan Canal Tor military purposes This
canal, about ninety miles long, connects
lake Michigan with the Illinois river. The
expense Of such an enlargement would hard
ly exceed the amount Of er,rl expense which
has been incurred in the construction Of
sunboats on the Mississippi this season
/ They could have ben built 50 much more
chcaIly az The shiI-yarls on the upper lakes.
and If tina. canal had been large enough.
/ they could have been easily transferred in
IN safety to the Mississippi. The enlarge
inent Of that canal, the deepening the chan
mel across the ST. Clair fats, and the con-
struction OF canal around the Falls Of Ma
garl,-aI ot which are earnestly recon-
meuded-wJu'd give d complete connection
BY water for military purposes between the
Northern waters and the Mississippi, and Of
/ course with the scl-board Of our country
The committee als) draw attention to the
fc' that the long line Of frontier between
British North America and MIR es1ta is en-
tirely unprotected on our part, while Great
Britain has Two forts there, one, Fort VIII
liam on the north shore of LAKE Superior.
ami Fort Gary, On tie ' Red river Of the
North, - about fifty miles north Of the inter
national line. The committee conclude
their report as follows
The great interests which your committee ask
Congress to protect are peculiar in their position
In, AMI IN their relations to, the republic The
northwest is inland. 1t has, as its great char
uels Of Communication to the ocean, the great
rivers St Lawrence and Mississippi and the
canals and railways connecting the lakes and the
ocean. IL can never consent TO become isolated
from either Of these great outlets; 10 foreign
territory n Isl ,ug interfere between il and the
mouth Of the Mississippi. With one hand 1t
clasps the east, and with the other it grasps the
south, a11 = uIN hold fhis Ur,oa fogsfier. The
northwest Is as much in earnest IN determination
to preserve this Union rs traitors are TO destroy
it.
The noIthwe.t believes that our nationality is
worth al the blood ami all the treasure which il
may cost 10 preserve it, AMI she places her all Of
men and money a. the command Of the govern
ncut for that purpose.
The Committee will report bills to carry into
eject the foregoing recommendations.
The Secretary oil the Navy las addressed a
letter to Lieut.. Morris, complimenting him
and tho men of the Cumberland for their
heroism in the engagement with tie Mcrri-
mJc. lie says The Gallant service Of vour-