The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-03
GENRRAL TFEaIIGENCE.


sula, once an Island two and halt miles In
length and averaging three fourths Of mile
in width, around which still sweep the tide
waters of Casco bay, approaching within
few rods from opposite sides. =,
A ditch of o few rods length will change
this peninsula into an island, and secure q
flow Of the tide completely around the city.
The land rises more or less abruptly on oil
sides of the water, reaching IN elevation Of
l76 feet ut the western end, and l6l feet ut
tho eastern end Of the peninsula, 50 that
redoubt at each end OF the city overlooking
this moat or ditch, and commanding the aP.
proaches by land OF across Back bay, Will
prevent all approach to the city. No land
rises 20 high as that Of the peninsula OF
Portland, within ten miles. One-'enth oil
the expense Of fortlfying Sebastopol or Cher
bourg would make Portland ono Of the
strongest fortreescs Of the world.
Az harbor Of refuge that Of Portland is
unriyalled, and tho approach OF storm is
ioreshadowed by movement Of vessels In
that direction. -.
Between five and six hundred sail have
been known to enter Portland harbor for
shelter in single night, and six hundred
sail can DO often counted, on q clear morn
ing, standing out to sca alter IN eastefiy
storm.
The first intimation of trouble with any
leading foreign power would be the entrance
of hostile deet into Portland barbor.
The embarkation Of the Prince OF Wales,
on the Goth October, 1860, illustrated the
facility with which FIVE men-of-war, some OF
them ships Of the largest size, may enter or
depart from this secure anchorage. Inc
whole British navy can lie as easily In Port.
land harbor Us in dock at Woolwich. -,
An enemy in possession of Portland would
find 1t to be the terminus Of tho longest line
of railroad in tho world. The Grand Trunk
railway of Canada embraces line oil l,l3l
miles, of which 1905 miles arc in actual
operation.
land to Lake Huron, distance OF 704 miles,
with branch to Detroit Of 50 miles, branch
TO Quebec of DC miles, and to the River du
Loup of llS miles; making, with oil ltd
branches, l,096 miles.
This line has the capacity to move 10000
troops between Portland and Quebec OF
Toronto and Detroit in single day.
At Portland commences tho line OF the
European and North American nilway, to
extend through the cities Of Bangor and
Saint John to Halifax, distance Of SIC
miles, of which 300 miles are in actual oper'
alton, with 63 ~ miles more Of branch lines
viz: In,Niaine, 1873 miles. in branches, 20 l.2
miles in New brunswick, 10l miles in
Nova Scotia, 81; in branches, 30.
Arrangements Is Is understood, can now
be made by which this railway may DO opened
to Halifax at an early day. Without Il the
complete defence of our coast would be i'm.
possible, for the British fleet, holding com.
mand of the ocean, would prevent any attack
on the lower provinces by water. Holding
Halifax, the line to Quebec, by tho St. John
valley, would be kept open, and nm over
whelming forco could be thrown into New
brunswick, Canada, or Maine ut any mo-
ment.
Navy yards, dock yards, repair shops, and
naval schools, should DO located inside OF
dofensible harbos. by the proposed fortif-
cation of Portland, making Bangs island a
fortress, the most ample space is afforded for
all possible naval purposes, on the main land
or on the other islands Of the harbor, without
interfering with the Legitimate business oil
the city.
Many other places in Maine, among which
may be mentioned the navy yard ut Kittery,
the mouth of the Saco river, Mount Desert
harbor. and Machias, will deserve tho atten-
ton of the agents Of the government who
may DO appointed to superintend and conduct
the prosecution Of the defenccs Of this State.
Before making the expenditures proposed,
to put sour ports and harbors in condition
of complete Defence" shall wait the in.
structions your cxcellency may be pleased to
give and for tho purpose Of that conference
with the federal government which the letter
of the Secretary Of State suggests, have mp
pointed Hannibal Hamlin. l.euel Williams,
John A. Poor, distinguished citizens of this
State, whose intimate knowledge Of tho mat
tiers in question will entitle their opinions to
great weight with the Executive, commission.
ers to confer, on the part Of the State, with
the authorities at Washington. In respect to
the system of defence to DO adopted and the
manner of its execution. 3. NJ
have ths honor to DO, with tho highest
respect. your excellency's obediont servant.
E, ISRAEL wASHBURN, JR.
To tho President.
.. I.