21st CONG. 2d SESS.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. to warrant the most favorable anticipations from the completion of the proposed plan. 3. Cleaveland Harbor, Ohio.-This harbor, at the mouth of Cuyahoga river, which is of great importance to the navigation of lake Erie, as being the outlet of the Ohio canal, has been greatly improved by the works erected for removing the obstructions at its entrance, and it will now admit the largest class of vessels which navigate the lake. To secure this advantage, a further extension of the western pier into deep water is required. 12. Big Sodus Bay, New York.-The first appropri ation for improving the entrance into this Bay having been applied to constructing a portion of the pier on the western side of the Bay, a corresponding pier on the eastern side has been commenced, and extended to a distance of 423 yards from the shore; and it is expected that an equal quantity of work will be done next year, the estimate being based on that supposition. 13. Oswego Harbor, New York The balance which remained of the appropriation made in 1829 for improv 4. Grand River, Ohio.-The piers at the mouth of this ing this Harbor, has been applied to the construction of river sustained some damages from having been left in an 164 yards of the eastern pier, to complete which, accordunfinished state, as mentioned in my last annual report, ing to the original plan, an additional length of 60 yards for want of funds to complete them during the year 1829, is required. To finish this pier, and pay a balance due the in consequence of which, the appropriation made this contractors, according to agreement, an estimate which year for their completion has not been sufficient to ef- was submitted last year, but on which no funds were apfect at object. These works, like the others of a simi-propriated, is again included in the general estimate. lar character on the lake shore, have been productive of great improvement in the navigation which was to be benefitted by them. 14. Lovejoy's Narrows, Kennebeck River, Maine.-A contract has been made for completing the removal of the obstructions to the navigation of the Kennebeck river at this point, and the operations have been attended with such success as to warrant the belief that the funds available will be sufficient to effect the object by the close of next year. 15. Kennebunk River, Maine.-The new pier at the entrance of this River has been completed, as was antieipated in my last annual report. 5. Ashtabula Creek, Ohio.-The operation of dredging a channel through the bar at the mouth of this creek has been continued with success during the past year. In order to render the entrance more accessible, it is proposed further to extend the piers which form the channel, and an estimate for that purpose has been submitted to you. 6. Conneaut Creek, Ohio.-To the piers at the mouth 16. Berwick Branch of Piscataqua River, Maine--The of this creek, which were commenced last year, there has operations for deepening the channel of this river have been added a length of 358 yards of pier work, the ef- been successfully carried on during the last year. fect of which, and of the dam across the former out-let, shortness of the season for working in the water, and the is already manifested by an increased depth of the chan-occurrence of frequent rains during the summer, have nel, which has now six feet water. preventedtheir completion,whichmay, however be expect. ed during the next year, the balance of funds available being thought sufficient for the purpose. The 7. Presqu'Isle Bay, Pennsylvania.-The Improvement of the channel of entrance into this harbor still continues, and there is now not less than nine feet water on 17. Merrimack River, Massachusetts.-The small ap the bar. The object of the estimate presented this year propriation made at the last session of Congress for the is to obtain the means of repairing damages sustained, du- | works at the month of the Merrimack, was sufficient onring a gale last winter, by a dike constructed by the Stately to enable the agents to give a greater degree of stabil of Pennsylvania. 8. Dunkirk Harbor, New York.-In completing the pier constructed as a breakwater to protect this Harbor, and securing it against the injury to be apprehended from leaving it, during the winter, in an unfinished state, the cost has exceeded, by about $700, the appropriation for this year; and that sum is, therefore, required to pay the arrearages due on account of the work. 9. Buffalo Harbor, New York.-During the past year the south pier and mole, forming the entrance to this harbor, have been completed to within 100 feet of their intended termination on the pier head proposed to be constructed as a foundation for a beacon. 10. Black Rock Harbor, New York. The pier and mole enclosing the western side of this harbor have been com. pleted; but the cost of the work done during the last year, has exceeded, by about $1,800, the amount of the appropriation. This expenditure was considered absolutely necessary, in order to avoid jeopardizing the safety of the whole work, by leaving an important part of it in an unfinished state. ity to the work previously constructed, which stands well. An appropriation for completing their construction was embraced in the bill of the last session, "for erecting light-houses, &c." which did not become a law, the same amount will, therefore, be required for the ensuing year. 18. Deer Island, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-The sea wall for the preservation of Deer Island is nearly completed, and is represented by the inspecting officer as a fine piece of masonry, with regard both to materials and workmanship. 19. Plymouth Beach, Massachusetts.-The security and growth of this beach, though aided by artificial means, are chiefly the result of natural causes, the beneficial ef fects of which continue to be perceived. 20. Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts.-An agent has been employed to apply the funds appropriated for the preservation of this harbor to the planting of beach grass, and such other measures as the available means may enable him to take, for effecting the object in view. Additional funds are requisite for this purpose, but no estimate is presented, as an appropriation was included in the bill which passed at the last session of Congress, "for erecting light houses, &c." With regard to the three harbors last named, viz: those of Dunkirk, Buffalo, and Black Rock, it is proper to remark that their protection is not completed by the con- 21. Hyannis Harbor, Massachusetts.-On the breakstruction of the works already commenced; but, as ap-water intended to protect this harbor, there have been propriations for the remaining works at these and other deposited since the 30th September, 1829, between points were contained in a bill which was passed at the 5,000 and 6,000 tons of stone,by which the work has been last session of Congress, but did not become a law, no no-extended about 250 feet, in a substantial manner. tice is taken of them in the estimate for next year. 11. Genesee River, New York.-To the piers designed to facilitate the entrance into this river,there has been added, during the last year, a length of about 270 yards; and they will have been extended, by the close of this quarter, as far as the means afforded will allow. The benefit of the works, though incomplete, is already felt by those engaged in navigating Lake Ontario. 22. Nantucket Harbor, Massachusetts.-The dredging machine used in cutting a channel through the bar at the entrance of this harbor has been kept in constant operation, whenever the state of the weather would admit of it; and it is expected that the channel will be carried quite through by the close of the working season. part of it already excavated preserves its depth, and seems to increase in width, from which circumstance it That Documents accompanying the President's Message. is thought, that, on completing the cut, the action of the current will be sufficient to keep it open. 23. Stonington Harbor, Connecticut.-The materials for constructing a breakwater to protect this harbor having been procured on very favorable terms, considerable progress has been made towards its completion, which will be effected next year, by means of the funds now available. 24. Mill River, Connecticut.-The break water and dike for improving the navigation of this river are completed. The excavation of the channel, commenced this year, but interrupted by the approach of cold weather, will be continued next summer. 25. Harbors of New Castle, Marcus Hook, Chester, and Port Penn, Delaware River.-Under an appropriation made at the last session of Congress, a dredging machine has been contracted for, and will be applied to deepen ing these harbors; but, owing to the lateness of the period at which the law was passed, the machinery was not finished before the 30th of Sept. last; a hired machine has, however, been in operation during the summer. 26. Ocracock Inlet, North Carolina.-The dredging machine to be used for deepening this inlet was completed and put into successful operation on the 7th August, proving capable of excavating 24 cubic yards per hour. In consequence, however, of the tempestuous weather between that date and the end of September, but little progress has yet been made in opening the channel. Sufficient funds remain to carry on the operations next year. 27. Cape Fear River, North Carolina.--Considerable progress had been made in the construction of jettees designed to improve the navigation of this river below the town of Wilmington, when the occurrence of a gale of unusual violence in August, caused the destruction of a greater part of the works. The materials have, however, again been collected, without much loss, and the injury will be repaired as soon as practicable. 28. The Inland Passage, between St. Mary's and Georgia, and St. John's, Florida, has been opened so as to admit, at high water, vessels drawing not more than 5 or 6 feet. 29. St. Mark's River, Florida.-The operations for improving the navigation of this river have been confined to the removal of trees overhanging the channel, and of the logs in the bed of the river-work which has been performed by common labourers. The chief obstructions, being oyster reefs near its mouth, can be removed only by the aid of machinery, which will be procured during the ensuing winter. [21st CoNG. 2d SESS. posed situation, and the dredging machine was transferred for a time to Pass au Heron. 34. Red River, Louisiana.-The operation of opening a channel round the Great Raft of Red river has been commenced, since my last annual report, on the section of the river at the upper part of the Raft, between the outlet of Red Bayou and Clear lake, a distance of about nineteen miles, twelve of which have been cleared out and rendered navigable for boats. 35. Mississippi River.-The steamboat and other machine boats employed on this river have operated, during the past year, between the mouth of the Missouri and Bayou Sarahi, a distance of more than 1,000 miles, in removing snags and fallen timber; and a large force has been, at favorable times, engaged in cutting snags from the sand bars that are dry at low water, and, at some points, in cutting the timber from the shores of the river, to prevent the formation of new snags. By means of the steamboat alone, more than 2,000 snags have been removed from the channel between the points above designated. 36. Ohio Riv.r.-The work at the Grand Chain has been actively carried on during the low stage of the water; and the Superintendent reports that all the dangerous rocks in the Chain have been removed by blasting, and buoys prepared to designate the channel thus formed. The operations on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers were carefully inspected, last summer, by an officer of the Corps of Engineers, whose report is highly favorable as to the skill and industry of the Superintendent. 37. Cumberland Road in Ohio, West of Zanesville.For this branch of the national road, the annual report of its condition on the 30th of September last is not yet received, which precludes the possibility of stating what its condition was at that time; but, from an inspection report made in August last, it is stated that the arrangements adopted by the Superintendent for its progress were judicious, and conducted with zeal, and that the instructions of the Department in relation to it were strictly observed. 38. Cumberland Road in Indiana.-Under the con tracts of last year, this road has been opened and grubbed the whole distance through the State, and the operation of grading it is now in progress. Stone being scarce, bricks and wood will be chiefly used in the construction of the bridges and culverts, which will not be commenced until next year. 39. Cumberland Road in Illinois. Contracts have been 30. Appalachicola River, Florida.-The sum of $2,000 made for opening and grubbing this road between the appropriated for improving this navigation, has been eastern boundary of the State and Vandalia, a distance of found insufficient to procure such machinery as would 66 miles, of which the 59 miles east of Vandalia are to be produce any considerable benefit. A part of it has, how-finished by the close of this year; the remainder by the ever, been applied to the removal of snags from some of the most difficult passes of the river; and an estimate of funds required for further operations has been presented to you. 31. Harbor of Mobile, Alabama.—A dredging machine for deepening the channel through Choctaw Pass, in this harbor, was in operation from the 1st of April to the 10th of September, when it was withdrawn for repair; but the excavations not having the depth required by contract, no payments were made to the contractor prior to the 30th September. 1st of April, 1831. The contracts are made on very low terms, involving an expenditure of about 11,000. 40. Road from Detroit to Chicago, Michigan.—The contracts which were made last year for constructing the unfinished parts of this road, between Detroit and the 64th mile, have been in most cases complied with, as anticipated in my last report, a few quarter-mile sections only remaining to be completed. Under the appropria tion for 1830, contracts have been made for continuing the road to the 86th mile, before the 15th July, 1831. 41. Roud from Detroit to Fort Gratiot, Michigan.The construction of 17 miles of this road, as reported last year, was contracted for in 1829, has been completed, with the exception of some repairs, which the contractors are bound to make; and to cover the expense of which, 10 per cent. of the value of work done is reserved. Farther contracts have been also made for continuing the road to the end of the 32d mile from Detroit, being as great an extension as the funds will authorize. 32. Pass au Heron, Alabama.-The machinery employed in the operations at this pass having been much injured in a gale last autumn, it was not until late in the summer that the work could be resumed. The engineer anticipates the opening of the pass by the 1st December. 33. Pascagoula River, Mississippi.-About 5,000 cubic yards of earth have been removed from the bar at the mouth of this river. The operations were suspended on the 15th of August, the prevalence of casterly winds 42. Road from Detroil to Saganaw, Michigan.-The rendered it impracticable to continue them in such an ex-progress made in the construction of this road is nearly 21st CONG. 2d SESS.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. the same as that on the fort Gratiot road; 17 miles having been completed, and contracts made for continuing the work to the end of the 1st quarter of the 33d mile. 43. Road from Detroit to Maumee, Michigan-Is com. pleted. A balance of $14 75 remains due to the Superintendent, as stated in the general estimate for 1831. 3. Surveys ordered by Special Acts or Resolutions of Congress. The surveys for which appropriations were made at the 2d session of the 20th Congress, and which are enumerated in my last annual report, were completed and reported to Congress during the last winter. A survey of the Wabash river, with a view to improving its navigation, and an examination of certain proposed sites for bridges over the Ohio river, have been made; but the officer charged with these surveys having been necessarily assigned to other duty, his reports on these subjects are not yet completed. In pursuance of a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives on the 6th April last, a survey of the obstructions to the navigation of the Delaware and Raritan rivers, about the proposed points of junction with a canal across New Jersey, has been made, and the maps and report are in preparation. The aot appropriating funds for the location of a canal across the peninsula of Florida was passed too late in the season to permit of any thing being done towards effecting the object before this autumn, when arrangements were made for commencing the survey. 4. Surveys under the act of 30th April, 1824. Under this head the following surveys have been in progress during the summer of this year: 1. Surveys, with a view to connect the waters of lake Champlain with those of the Connecticut river, by the valleys of Onion and Wills rivers, Vermont. 2. Survey, with a view to unite the Connecticut and Pemigewassett, by the valley of the Oliverian, New Hampshire. 3. Survey of a canal route from Taunton to Weymouth, Massachusetts. 4. Survey of the Connecticut river, with a view to the improvement of its navigation by canals or otherwise. 5. Survey of a route for a rail road from Catskill to Canajohare, New York. 6. Surveys, with a view to connect the waters of lakes Erie and Michigan with those of the Ohio, Indiana. 7. Survey of a route for a canal from lake Michigan to the Illinois river, Illinois. 8. Survey of the falls of the Ohio at Louisville. The field work of all these surveys is completed, except those of the Taunton and Weymouth canal, and of the lake Michigan and Illinois canal: the completion of the latter was prevented by the illness of the engineers employed on it. At the request of the Pennsylvania Canal Commissioners, a topographical engineer has been associated with engineers appointed by them to make certain examinations concerning the best mode of crossing the Alleghany summit of the Pennsylvania canal. The Baltimore and Susquehannal Rail Road Company have been likewise aided in their surveys by some of the officers of this Department. 5. The Board of Internal Improvement. After completing the duties on which it was engaged at the date of my last report, has been occupied chiefly in preparing a plan and estimate for improving the navi gation of the Tennessee river, at the Muscle and Colbert shoals. 6. Military Academy. you to the very full report made by the Board of Visiters, at the last general examination. 7. Office of the Chief Engineer. On the several resolutions of Congress, and other subjects, from time to time referred to this office, I have had the honor to make special reports. The map of the United States, required by the House of Representatives, for the use of the Committee on Commerce, is in progress, and nearly completed. The resolution of the House of Representatives, requiring a survey at or near the outlet of lake Champlain, with a view to preparing a project of defence for that part of the frontier, has not been complied with, in con. sequence of the unsettled state of the question of boun dary between the U. States and Canada, at that point. A lithographic press for the War Department, for the purchase of which an appropriation was made at the last session of Congress, having been attached to this office, has been used in printing maps, circulars, &c. The completion of several of the fortifications now under construction being near at hand, it is respectfully recommended that arrangements be made for continuing the system of defence by commencing others. mate of the funds that will be required for these and other new objects will be submitted to you. An esti The fiscal concerns of the Engineer Department are fully exhibited in the annexed statements, A and B. Statement C shows the fortifications remaining to be constructed, in order to complete the projected system of defence of the sea-board. C. GRATIOT, Brig. Gen. & Chief Engineer. To the Hon. JOHN H. EATON, Sec'ry of War. Respectfully submitted, FORTIFICATIONS. Table exhibiting the works projected by the Board of Engineers, which have not been commenced, and the estimate of their cost. First Class-to be commenced as soon as possible. Fort St. Philip, Louisiana Fort at Wilkin's point, New York Dykes across west passage, Narragansett roads For the defence of Boston harbor: Fort on George's Island of ditto $ 77,810 79 673,205 44 420,826 14 65,162 44 456,845 51 471,181 53 759,946 57 82,411 74 205,000 00 458,000 00 539,000 00 79,000 00 32,000 00 29,000 00 140,000 00 2,429 00 220,053 43 $ 4,531,873 10 $264,517 52 Dyke across Broad Sound passage Cutting off the summit of Gallop island Works for the defence of Conanicut island, Narragansett bay, Rhode Island Second Class-to be commenced at a later period. Fort at Grand Terre, in Louisiana Tower at Pass au Heron, Bay of Mobile Fort at Hawkins' Point, Patapsco river Fort at St. Mary's, Potomac river 16,677 41 244,337 14 205,602 33 For the condition of this institution, and the measurse required for its further improvement, I beg leave to refer | Fort opposite the Pea Patch, Delaware river 347,257 71 96,000 00 Fort Seawell, Marblehead Fort for Jack's Point, do Fort on Bald Head, North Carolina Fort on Federal Point, do 120,000 00 12,000 00 $5,340,500 22 Third Class-to be commenced at a remote period. Leaving to be accounted for The accounts of five officers for the 3d quarter are yet to be received, which, it is believed, will reduce the balance about $7,000; and it has been ascertained from the statements already received for the month of October, that more than $48,000 of the balance was applied during that month to the public service. I entertain not a doubt that the whole amount will be accounted for at the close $240,568 00 of the present quarter. The large amount of public pro258,465 14perty under the administration of the Department, wheth244,337 44 er in the hands of its officers or those of companies, is re673,205 00 gularly and promptly accounted for. Fort on Thomas' Point 173,000 00 Fort on Point Patience 164,000 00 Fort on the narrows of Penobscot river, Me. 101,000 00 The rafts to obstruct the channel between Fortress Monroe and Fort Calhoun Fort, Craney Island Flats Fort at Newport News Fort on Naseway Shoal For the defence of Patuxent river. I have been able to make a reduction in the estimates for the Department proper of about 14,000 dollars: with judicious administration, the sum asked for will be suffi cient for the service of the year. Of the works under the direction of the Department, the barracks at fort Crawford, authorized by appropria tions made at the two last sessions of Congress, are in such a state of forwardness as to leave no doubt of comfortable accommodations being prepared for four companies during the present year; and it is believed the appropriation will be sufficient, or nearly so, to complete the works contemplated. The officer charged with the improvements at Jeffer son barracks, authorized at the last session of Congress, reported on the 1st instant that they would be entirely finished by the 15th instant. The appropriation will be sufficient. Connecticut, by appropriations made at the two last sesThe barracks and quarters authorized at New London, sions of Congress, have been completed. A small tract of land adjoining the post is necessary for the accommoGENERAL,dation of the garrison, for the purchase of which I have QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington City, Nov. 23, 1830.Š SIR: In compliance with your order, I have the honor to report the operations of this Department during the 1st, 2d, and 3d quarters of the present year, to which I have added the 4th quarter of 1829-thus presenting the results of an entire year. The balance in the hands of the several officers, on the 30th of September, 1829, amounted to $46,367 68 To which is to be added the amount remitted in the 4th quarter of 1829 $113,688 84 133,791 22 submitted an estimate. The barracks authorized at fort Severn have been completed as far as the appropriation would admit: about three hundred doliars are required to finish them, and an appropriation is necessary for officers' quarters, for which anestimate has been submitted. Under an appropriation made at the last session of Congress for barracks and quarters at fort Gratiot, oper ations were commenced early in the season, and, at the date of the last report, the work had so far advanced as to leave but little doubt of its completion during the ensuing winter. The title to the land occupied by the military at fort Howard, Green bay, being unsettled, it was considered advisable to defer, for the present, the erecting of the barracks and quarters authorized at that place by an ap $713,582 47 propriation made at the last session of Congress. 7,742 71 $767,692 86 At the date of my last annual report, about one-third of the military road in the State of Maine had been put under contract. Owing to the difficulties encountered by the contractors, only a small portion of the work was executed in the last year. It has, however, been completed in the present season; and the remainder of the road through to Houlton has been put under contract, and is in progress of execution. Operations were delayed in the early part of the year by the extravagant nature 21st CoNG. 2d SESS.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. of the proposals which were received in the first instance. perches. This, added to twenty-three thousand five The prices offered were so unreasonable as to induce the hundred and seventy perches, deposited last year, makes determination to reject the bids, and extend the time for the whole quantity deposited to the present time one completing the road to another season; by which course, hundred and thirty-five thousand and seventy-nine perchcontracts have been formed on more favorable terms.-Cs. The length of the deposite of stone on the breakThe road is now in such a state of forwardness as to be water is upwards of one thousand feet, or more than one passable for carriages a greater part of its course, and will fourth of its intended length; and that of the deposite form an excellent winter communication between Ban- on the ice breaker is upwards of eight hundred feet, or gor and Houlton. The great number of streams which more than one half of its proposed length. The lower require bridges will increase the expense somewhat be-point of the ice-breaker and the upper point of the yond the estimate of last year, and will render a small ad-breakwater are brought up quite to the level of high ditional appropriation necessary. water, and comprise cach an area of seventy by one hundred feet at the plane of low water. Operations were commenced early in the year on the road leading from St. Augustine to New Smyrna, in Florida, and were continued until the sickly season set in, when they were necessarily suspended. The section lying between Tomoka and Spruce creck, a distance of twenty miles, and comprehending several bridges and many causeways, has been completed. The work was resumed on the 1st instant, and the officer charged with its superintendence reports that the remainder of the road through to New Smyrna will be finished by the middle of the next month. The effect of the deposite already made, as a barrier to the force of the ocean, has been experienced by vessels in several instances during heavy gales of wind which prevailed in the latter part of the season; for, although there is but small part of each dyke above the plane of low water, the remainder being but a few feet below that plane, has contributed to make a harbor. By limiting the deposites of the ensuing season to the present foundations, the works can be brought up to their destined height, and made to afford shelter to a number The military road from Pensacola to Tallahassee, and of vessels, particularly those engaged in the execution of thence to St. Augustine, has been repaired as far as the the work. The numerous wrecks that took place in Auappropriations made for that object would authorize.gust last, have proved how much such a shelter is reThe eastern section, however, lying between Alachua court-house and Picolati, on the St. John's river, a dis- The whole of the appropriation applicable to the work tance of about sixty miles, has not received any repairs. during the present season will be required to meet the The inhabitants in that vicinity represented that the road public engagements to the close of the year; and, in adleading from Alachua court-house to Jacksonville would dition to the sum of sixty-two thousand dollars, approafford greater convenience to the settlements, and it was priated for the first quarter of the next year, a further ap deemed advisable to apply the appropriation exclusively propriation of two hundred and eight thousand dollars to that portion of the military road lying between Ala-will be required for the service of that year; and it is rechua and Tallahassee. Instructions have been given, under the provisions of the act of the 31st May last, to repair the road from Ala chua court-house to Jacksonville. The bridge authorized to be erected over the St. Sebastian river, near St. Augustine, where the military road crosses that stream, has been finished during the present year. quired. spectfully recommended that an appropriation be asked for the year 1832. Having been called on at the last session of Congress for an estimate of the expense of mounting a portion of the infantry for the defence of the western frontier, I take this occasion, as a western citizen, to remark, that the nature of the country south of the Missouri river, and the character, habits, and resources of the Indians who inhabit or range on it, are such as to render it impossible to secure that frontier by infantry alone, how numerous or well appointed soever they may be, unless horses be provided to mount them. As well might we leave the defence of our maritime frontier, and the pro The road from Alachua to Marianna, in Florida, for which an appropriation was made at the last session of Congress, has been chiefly put under contract, and is progressing satisfactorily, Operations have been suspended on a portion of it, with a view to a better location of the route, by which the distance will be shortened. The operations for the improvement of Sackett's Har-tection of our foreign commerce, to the artillery stationed bor, suspended during the last winter, were resumed on on the sea board. The means of pursuing rapidly, and the 13th of April, and the officer charged with the work punishing promptly, those who aggress, whether on the reports that every thing required to be done will be ac- ocean or on the land, are indispensable to complete secomplished during the present season, and that no fur-curity; and if ships of war are necessary in the one case ther improvements will be necessary for many years to a mounted force is equally so in the other. Were we without a Navy, depredations might be committed upon our commerce with entire impunity, not only on the high seas, but within our harbors, and in view of our forts. So, without a mounted force south, of the Missouri, the Indian, confident of the capacity of his horse to bear him beyond the reach of pursuit, despises our power, chooses his point of attack, and often commits the outrages to which he is prompted, either by a spirit of revenge or a love of plunder, in the immediate vicinity of our troops; and the impunity of the first act invariably leads to new aggressions. To compel him to respect us, we must make him feel our power, or at all events convince him that the guilty can have no security in flight. come. Operations were resumed at the Delaware breakwater about the first of April, and have been attended with a success beyond our most sanguine expectations. The contractors were bound, by the terms of their contract, to deliver seventy thousand perches of stone, positively, and twenty-six thousand perches, conditional ly; but, in consequence of the loss of all their fixures at their quarries on the Hudson by the ice, they were not only subjected to a heavy loss, but were delayed in their operations. We had the power to declare their contract void, but permitted them to go on and deliver as much as they had it in their power to furnish during the season. As the public interests, however, required that the work should be vigorously prosecuted, we availed ourselves of the delay of the contractors to purchase from others. The contractors delivered about forty thousand perches, and we purchased from others upwards of seventy thousand; making the whole quantity deposited equal to one hundred and eleven thousand five hundred and nine I would therefore respectfully recommend that provi sion be made to mount at least one company at each of the posts south of the Missouri: and I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, TH. S. JESUP, Quartermaster General. The Hon. JOHN II. EATON, Secretary of War, Washington City. |