1

Sen. and H. of R.]

Documents accompanying the President's Message.

1st SESSION.

in North Carolina, and the works on Georg 's Isl-wharves for landing materials, the construction of cranes,
and, i the harbor of Boston, intended for its preserva-
tion as a site of a Fortification.

season.

of other auxiliary operations; the excavations of earth and other labor-saving machinery, and the conducting The appropriations for commencing these operations and stone for the foundations, and the laying of the were made after it had been reported by this Depart- same in stone masonry, were effected in nearly the whole ment, that Officers of Engineers could not be spared to extent of the Eastern, Northern, and Western fronts, The superintend them, without neglecting other important and the superstructure of the scarp wall of the Eastern With respect to the works and Northern fronts was also commenced, and, in some operations then going on. in Boston Harbor, there was no difficulty, their superin-parts, carried to the height of nearly five feet. tendence, under the general upervision of Colonel Tot- three fronts commenced are on the water side, and the ten, of the Corps of Engineers, having been committed remaining two fronts which have not been commenced to a person who had acquired the requisite qualification are on the land side of the fort. The greater part of while employed at Fortifications. But it was proper to the funds applicable to this work, which remain unex have Engineers for the Fortifications in North Carolina, pended, have been reserved to fulfil contracts which will The Fortification at New Utrecht, which has been and, the whole of the Corps being employed, it was not not be completed until next year. easy to determine whence they could be taken, without injury to the public interests. It was at length decided named Fort Hamilton, like Fort Adams was commenced The land requisite, in adto transfer an officer from the Gulf of Mexico, on ac- last year, under an appropriation for purchasing the count of the operations in that quarter being less active site and collecting materials. complete the site of this work, has not yet been procurduring the Summer, then commencing, and the Fall dition to that already owned by the United States, to The Legislature of New The officer so transferred, reached North Carolina ined, and the progress of the work has been, in conseJuly, and, having purchased the site at Oak Island, com- quence, somewhat retarded. menced the preli ninary examinations prescribed by the York having authorized the appointment of assessors to When, howeregulations for testing the accuracy of the surveys and value the land, no doubt existed that possession would levellings of the site; the adaptation of the plan to them, be obtained through them, and the plan of operations the accuracy of the estimate, the resources of the coun- for the year was adapted to that event. try, &c. &c. A report, to contain the result of those ex-ver, the survey of the land to be procured, was made, Legislature, for the purpose of enabling the assessors aminations, is in the course of preparation, but it is not agreeably to the boundaries laid down in the act of the expected to reach here until late in nex' month to see the land and judge of its value, it was perceived, for the first time, that the boundaries did not join those of the United States' land, there being two narrow triangular slips intervening, and that one of those sips embraced a part of the land intended to be occupied by The assessors valued the land included the constructions which were included in the plan of operations. within the boundaries designated by the act of the Lechase the intervening slips from the owner-but without gislature of New York, and an attempt was made to purThe sea wall for the preservation of George's Island effect. The Governor of New York has been requested has been but recently commenced, and will not proba- to apply to the Legislature of N. York, at its next session, bly be advanced, during the remainder of this season, in Jan'y ensuing, for an amendment of the act of its last beyond the laying of the foundations. It had been at- session, that will remove the difficulty above stated. tempted early in the Summer, by advertising for propo- The boundaries designated in the act of the Legislature sals to have the stone, the only naterial required, sup- of New York corresponded with those s'ated in the orierror of that statement arose from reliance being placed plied and laid by contract; but the rates of the propo-ginal application to the Governor of New York, and the sals received were much higher than had been antici pated, and it was considered very doubtful if lower upon the correctness of determining with instruinents, terms could be procured in Boston for a length of time, upon a map, the lines referring to the boundaries, inas an unusual demand for materials and workmanship ex- stead of resorting to the deed of the land owned by the isted, and was likely to be maintained there. It was United States, to the boundaries of which, those desig suggested that there would be a great saving by defer-nated were intended to be joined. Notwithstanding the ring the commencement of the work until next year; but, as the expense was deemed to be of secondary importance in comparison with even a partial fulfilment of the object to which it was to be applied, and moreover, as the circumstances under which the appr pration for defraying the expense of effecting that object was made, appeared to indicate that its early application was contemplated and desired, it was determin d to go on - with the work. The advertisements which had been issued having failed to produce proposals for furnishing the stone required, from the neighborhood of Boston, upon terms that could be accepted, the quarries at Cape Ann were examined, and the quality of the stone they could furnish being satisfactory, arrangements were made for procuring the requisite supply of stone from them, upon comparatively reasonable terms.

In the month of September, the same officer proceeded to Bogue Point, for the purpose of purchasing the site and making the requisite preliminary examinations, but, having failed to effect the former, he returned to Oak Island. Another officer has since been assigned to the superintendence of the work at Bogue Point. He arrived there on the 1st instant, and will lose no time in purchasing the site and making the examinations and arrangements preliminary to commencing the construction.

The Fortification at Brenton's Point, which has been named Fort Adams, was commenced last year, under an appropriation for purchasing the site and collecting materials. This year, besides the completion of a very minute survey and levelling of the site, which had been commenced last year, the construction of extensive VOL. II-C

A substantial sea wall, derangement of the plan of operations produced by the difficulty above stated, very good progress in the work has been made during the year. to secure the site from abrasion, has been built; the rail-way, commenced last year, for conveying materials from the wharf to the top of the bank, has been finished, and saves one-third of the expense of transportation; and the foundations of the scarp, and counter-scarp, of nearly one-half of the work, exclusive of the gorge, and of a capon.ere in the di'ch, have been laid, and the walls have been built up several feet.

Of the appropriation of the last session of Congress for completing the unfinished parts of Fort Delaware, The report of a recent and repairing injures at that post, about one-half has inspection of the work done this year, represents it to been advantageously applied. have been executed in the best manner, and that the results intended to be produced by the repairs. have been in a degree, and will be ultimately, fully realized.

The work done at Fort Monroe, during this year, has been very considerable, and in due proportion to the

Documents accompanying the President's Message. [Sen. and H. of R.

The superstructure of Fort Calhoun was not commenced last year, and could not be commenced this year, for the want of an officer to superintend it. A large balance, which remained unexpended, of the appropriation of last year, and the greater part of the appropriation of this year, have, however, been advantageously applied in the formation of the mole; in collecting materials for the superstructure; in the erection of cranes; and the completion of the permanent wharf, to facilitate the landing of materials; and the establishment of rail ways, to aid in the transporting of them to the places where they were to be used; in the erection of buildings for workshops, and quarters; and in other auxiliary preparations, necessary to be provided, previously to commencing the superstructure.

The works at Mobile Point have progressed success fully during the year, but have been attended with ex traordinary expense, in consequence of the rise in the price of cotton having caused a correspondent rise in the price of labor. The expenditure has been in due proportion to the amount applicable, and would have been greater, but for the interruption produced by the failure in the supply of materials from the North, which had been relied on. The citadel has been completed, with the exception of a small portion of the carpentry, and a wharf has also been completed. All the foundations, except those of one front, have been laid, and the walls of the superstructure have been raised, in some parts, to the height of three feet.

others could be procured. These events, combined with the unhealthiness of the climate, which rendered unavoidable the suspension of the works from June until November, a period exceeding four months, have been the cause of so large a balance of the appropria tion remaining unexpended. The weather being dry during the present Fall, it may be expected that, in a very short time after the resumption of operations, the remainder of the foundations will have been laid, and by the month of February, the balance of the appropri ation will have been absorbed. Should that prove to be the case, the best part of the working season, that is four months, from February to May inclusive, will be lost, unless the appropriation which may be contem plated for next year, or a part of it, should be granted at the commencement of the session of Congress.

This remark applies to the works at Mobile Point and Chef Menteur, as well as the new work at Bayou Bien venu, for the commencement of which, an appropriation will be asked this year. Indeed, it would save expense, and greatly facilitate the operations of all of the Fortifi cations, if appropriations for them, entire or partial, could be obtained at the commencement of the session of Congress.

The Board of Engineers for Internal Improvements were employed, during the early part of last Winter, in preparing the report of their operations during the last year, which was submitted to Congress, and published, and in preparing instructions for the several brigades, to be employed this year, in making the requisite sur veys, to enable the Board to fulfill the objects of their examinations of last year, in relation to the proposed routes for Canals, to connect the Chesapeake and the Ohio, and the Ohio and Lake Erie.

Pursuant to the instructions of the War Department, the Board, consisting of General Bernard, and Mr. Da vid Shriver, in the further prosecution of the objects contemplated by the Act of Congress, of the 30th April, 1824, to procure the necessary surveys, plans, and estimates, on the subject of roads and canals," set out on the—of March last, from this place, to commence the reconnoisance and examination of the country be tween the Seat of Government of the United States and New Orleans, with a view of selecting the most eligible site for locating the great National Road contemplated to be constructed between the two cities. The Board was directed, in considering this subject, to take into view three routes, viz:

the

At Chef Menteur the progress of the operations has been much obstructed by the unusual quantity of rain which fell during the year; yet, the means of the con tractors have been so ample and well organized, as to have enabled them to overcome every difficulty, and by the quantity of work executed, to have absorbed nearly the whole appropriation, on the 30th September last. The advances which had been made to the contractors on their commencing the work at the Rigolets, and which amounted to upwards of eighty thousand dollars, have been in the progress of gradual redemption, and were finally redeemed on the 30th September last. The arrangements for procuring materials, and other- 1. The Atlantic, or the route passing through the ca. wise facilitating the progress of the work, which were pitals of the Southern States, as Richmond, Raleigh, Comade at Fort Jackson last year, and which were expect-lumbia, Milledgeville, &c. ed to produce the most favorable results upon the ope- 2d. The intermediate route, comprehending all rations during this year, were rendered, in a great mea- routes West of the first, and East of the mountains. sure, unavailing, in consequence of the site of the work 3d. The Western route, or the route through the being almost constantly inundated. During the year valley of the mountains West of the Blue Ridge. ending on the 31st of May last, it had rained one hunIn determining which of these routes should be predred and twenty days, and the unprecedented quantity ferred, the Board was instructed to take into view every of one hundred and seven inches had fallen within that consideration which ought to have weight; such as the time; added to this, there were two overflows from the comparative distances of the several routes; the facili sea, and three violent storms, the effect of which, and ties and cheapness of construction; the political, com of the excessive rains, was to destroy, on several occa-mercial, and military advantages; and the transportation sions, parts of the levee or embankment, for excluding of the mail. the adjacent waters from the site of the work. Four The Board made an examination of the first and second powerful pumps, upon the plan of the Archimedes screw, were found to be insufficient to keep out the water from the excavations required to be made, in preparing for laying the foundations. Under these circumstances, it became impossible to lay the whole of the foundations, and it was with great difficulty that about a fifth of them was laid. Besides these several causes of embarrassment, there were on three occasions, mutinous combinations among the mechanics and laborers, or "turning out," as they term it, for an increase of wages, and their unreasonable demands having been resisted, a number left the works, and injurious delay ensued until

routes, but was unable to proceed to the examination of the third, or the route West of the mountains, owing to the indisposition of Mr. Shriver, and the necessity of General Bernard's attending to the subject of the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal; but, as great anxiety was manifested by the inhabitants West of the mountains, that the Western route should be examined this season, in order that a report might be made on the subject of the road to Congress this session, if possible, Captain Pous sin, of the Topographical Engineers, and Lieutenant Trimble, who were both employed on the examination of the other routes, as assistants to the Board, and who

Sen. and H. of R.]

Documents accompanying the President's Message. {"

1st SESSION.

French Creek to Conneaut Lake. Minute surveys of all
parts of this route which presented any difficulties, have
been completed, and general experimental lines have
been surveyed of the remainder, including the valleys
of the Chenango and Big Beaver, to the mouth of the
latter, and thence to Pittsburgh The surveys embra-
ced by the instructions to the other brigade, from the
mouth of the Ashtabula, on Lake Erie, through the
Champion Swamp, and along the valley of the Mahoning
to Big Beaver, have been completed.

The survey of a route for a canal between Buzzard
and Barnstable Bays, in Massachusetts, which was com-
menced last year, was completed this season.

The brigade of Civil Engineers, which, in pursuance of your orders, was instructed to examine the communications between Lake Memphiremagog in Vermont, and Connecticut River, and also, between Lake Connecticut and the tide waters of the River Connecticut, and to make the surveys requisite for determining whether it would be practicable and expedient to unite, by Canals, the waters of those communications respectively, and for selecting the most eligible routes, and preparing projects and estimates for the same, has effected the several objects of those instructions, and has also examined the communication between the Rivers Connecti

were deemed fully competent to the duty, were, in obe dience to your instructions, ordered to make the examination. Captain Poussin and Lieutenant 'Trimble left this on the of October last, to commence their operations, and it is expected they will return in time to enable the Board to make its report before the rising of Congress. The Board was also required, while at New Orleans, to examine the communications between the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain, with the view of ascertaining the practicability of connecting them by a canal to be navigable by sloops, that would possess greater commercial and military advantages than those afforded by the communication through the Bayou St. John and Canal arondelet, which does not enter the Mississippi. The Board examined two routes: one through the city of New Orleans, and in the direction of the Canal Marigny, to debouche into Lake Pontchartrain, about two miles East of the mouth of Bayou St. John; the other, from the plantation of Mr. Treme, on the Mississippi, about two miles below New Orleans, to enter Lake Pontchartrain about five miles east of layou St. John. The report of the Board, which is to furnish the results of those examinations, will be prepared after the report upon the Chesapeake and Ohio section of the Chesapeake and Erie Canal, and the report respecting the route for a National Road between the Seat of Gov-cut and Merrimack. ernment and New Orleans, shall have been completed; and no exertion will be omitted to have them ready to be laid before Congress during the ensuing session. Some time will elapse, however, before the reports and drawings connected with the surveys of this year,relating to the canal route abovementioned, can be prepared; and, as they will present a great mass of materials, and much time will be required to digest and collate them, it will not be practicable, within the limited time that can be bestowed upon them, to prepare, in time to be laid before the ensuing Congress, a very full report upon the subject to which they relate. A general project and preparatory estimate, for the Chesapeake and Ohio section of the canal, containing information sufficient to authorize the commencement of operations, should they be sanctioned, will, if possible, be completed. These several subjects will be attended to in the order of their relative importance: The canal route between the Chesapeake and Lake Erie, first; the National Road, next: and, lastly, the route for a canal between the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain.

Two brigades of Topographical Engineers, and one brigade of Civil Engineers, were employed this season upon the Chesapeake and Ohio section of the canal to connect the Chesapeake and Lake Erie, and have completed all the surveys upon that section, requisite to enable the Board to select the most eligible route, determine a general line of direction for the canal, and make a preparatory project and estimate, upon which the operations may be commenced.

The surveys connected with the Deep Creek route across the summit level, required to be executed by one of the brigades of topographical Engineers, having been finished early in the season, the brigade, in pursu ance of the instructions of the Board, commenced the survey of another route across the summit level, from Wills Creek to Castleman's River; and, while that was going on, a part of the brigade, in the fulfilment of instructions direct from this Department, examined and ascertained the levels and distances of a route, to pass the summit level by the way of Cheat River.

Two brigades of Topographical Engineers were employed this season on the route between the Ohio and Lake Erie. One of the brigades was required to survey a route descending from Pittsburgh to the mouth of the Big Beaver, and, ascending the valleys of Big Beaver and the Chenango, to pass near Conneaut Lake, and, descending, to terminate at the mouth of Elk Creek, on Lake Erie; and also to survey a line, for a feeder, from

A limited Topographical brigade has been employed this season in making surveys at the Island of Nantucket, which may subserve the immediate purpose of ascertaining if a harbor for the protection of shipping can be formed there, by the establishment of a pier, and the ultimate purpose of affording the requisite preliminary information for projecting a system of defence, should it be determined at any time hereafter to be necessary. The survey was commenced late in the season, and no report has as yet been received of the progress made in its ex, ecution.

Another Topographical brigade was divided between Marblehead and Holmes' Hole, to carry into effect the objects of an appropriation of the last session of Congress, for making surveys at those places, to ascertain the practicability and utility of improving these harbors by the erection of piers. The surveys at both places have been completed.

The execution of the plan projected by the Board of Engineers, for deepening the channel leading into the harbor of Presqu' Isle, was commenced at a late period The results produced by the work in the last season, and has been continued during the present season. which has been done, afford abundant evidence of the feasibility of the plan, and of the ultimate fulfilment of its object, on the completion of the work. The work may be completed in the course of next Summer, should an appropriation be made, of the sum estimated to be necessary for that purpose.

The works for the security of Plymouth Beach, which were commenced last year, late in the season, under the superintendence of an officer of the Corps of Engineers, have been continued this year, with an appropriation made at the last session of Congress, under the general supervision of Colonel Totten, of the Corps of Engineers, and the immediate superintendence of a gentleman, a respectable inhabitant of Plymouth, who had paid par ticular attention to the work during its progress last year. The appropriation of this year has been very advantageously applied, and, although extremely limited, has produced highly important results. The appropriation asked for next year, if granted, will complete The experiment for the removal of a sand bar in the the work, and afford permanent security to the beach. Ohio, near the town of Henderson, which could not be carried on last year, though arrangements had been made for the purpose, because of the river's not having subsided to the usual level, at its lowest stage, has been conducted, this year, under favorable circumstances, and is

19th CONGRESS,

1st SESSION.

Documents accompanying the President's Message.

expected to produce the desired effect by the officer superintending it.

The officer who has superintended the executing of the contract for the removal of snags, sawyers, planters, and other impediments of that nature, to the navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi, has reported that the contractor had faithfully executed his contract on that part of the Ohio extending from Pittsburg to Louisville.

Very satisfactory progress has been made in the continuation of the Cumberland Road, from Canton to Zanesville, which was commenced this season. Some interruption occurred in the early part of the season in making a thorough examination of a different route from that which had been recommended by the Commission ́ers, and adopted, in compliance with representations in its favor, which were signed by the owners of the land through which it was desired that it should pass. The examination resulted in the confirmat on of the selection which had been made by the commissioners. That point having been settled, contracts, for which proposals had been previously required by advertisements, were entered into for executing twenty-eight miles and eightyeight poles of the distance, from Canton towards Zanesville, which it was estimated would be as great a distance as the existing appropriation would allow of being un dertaken at present. Nearly the whole extent of road embraced by the contracts has been cleared, cut, graded, and shaped, so as to be ready for receiving the first course, of metal, as it is called, meaning the stone broken to a small size, agreeably to the McAdam plan. It is not intended to lay on the first course, to consist of a thickness of three inches, until May next. The second course, also of three inches, will be laid after the first course shall have become consolidated and compacted by the pressure of a heavy roller, and, it is believed, will be found, after having been compacted by the same process, to afford the requisite solidity to the road. If it should prove to be otherwise, a third course of three inches will be laid.

[Sen, and H. of R.

The number of Cadets at this time attached to the Military Academy, amounts to 258, and the number which has been graduated, and attached to the Army and Marine Corps this year, amounts to 37.

In addition to what is now taught at the Military Academy, I beg leave to suggest the advantage of intraducing a sys em of equitation, ard also the exercises and manœuvres of Cavalry and Light Artillery. Although Cavalry does not constitute a part of the present Military Establishment, in the event of war it must be resorted to, as a powerful means of attack and defence: and it is evident that the possession of a competent number of well trained officers in this arm, would be of incalculable advantage to the service, in forming a good Corps of Cavalry whenever it may be required. Besides these advantages, the instruction is deemed essential to the Staff and Artillery officers, and the exercises cannot but prove highly beneficial to the health of the Students of the Military Academy It could be introduced at an expense not considerable, when compared with the advantages that may be expected to be derived from it, as will be seen by the enclosed estimate, marked N, for the purchase, keeping, and equipment, of fifty horses, the number deemed fully adequate to the contemplated purposes of instruction.

The operations conducted under the general direction of the Engineer Department, have progressively increased for several years. Those of the last year greatly exceeded those of the year before, and have been exceeded by those of this year in a still greater ratio. The Corps of Engineers and the Topographical Engineers are relied on chiefly for conducting these operations, and their numbers are so limited that is was thought expedient, the year before last, to apply to Congress for an augmentation of them. If it was expedient then to augment the strength of these corps it is now obviously much more so, and must become more and more so for several years henceforward. The operations of this The continuation of the Cumberland Road, west of greater than they had been at any former period, have year, notwithstanding that they have been so much Zanesville, has been laid out as far as Columbus, a dis-been limited, in comparison with what they may be extance of fifty-three miles. The Commissioner under pected to become in the course of a few years. The whose direction the work has been performed, represents Fortifications for which plans have been already prothe location to be more favorable than had been antici-jected, and which, in the accompanying table, are arpated and especially with regard to the first twenty miles west of Zanesville, which pass through a very hilly region. The laying out of the road as above stated, was not commenced until the season had considerably advanced, the Commissioner having been occupied, in the early part of the season, in examining the route between Zanesville and Canton, which had been presented to the consideration of Government for competition with that which had been selected by the Commissioners.

The Commissioners appointed to lay out a road from Detroit to Chicago, have reported the same to have been executed, and promise, at an early day, to send their report and drawings relating to it.

ranged in the first class, which refers to those which should be commenced without delay, are 18 in number, and of themselves, if they were under construction, would require more than twice the number of officers now in the Corps of Engineers, to attend to them properly. The Fortifications for Charleston and Pensacola, for which plans have not yet been projected, would also belong to the first class. Should it be determined, upnation in relation to Internal Improvements, that the Goon a further development of the present views of the vernment should undertake the construction of Roads and Canals, the improvement of Rivers and Harbors, &c. these objects would give further employment to the Corps of Engineers, of extent nearly equal to that of the Fortifications. The duties of the Topographical Engithose of the Corps of Engineers. Many of the surveys upon which plans of Fortifications have been projected, have not been, and were not intended to be, sufficiently minute to be relied on for the location of the works, and others will be required to be made for that purpose. All of the surveys connected with canal routes, which have been made, have been intended merely to afford the information requisite to determine upon the practicability The Military Academy has maintained during this and the general line of direction of such routes, and year the high standing to which it had previously ob- other surveys, far more minute, will be required for the tained. The repor of the last examination of the Board location of the canals. Many routes for roads and canals, of Visiters, which is herewith submitted, marked M, re- but little if at all inferior in national importance to those presents its condition in a very favorable light, and sug- already surveyed, remain to be surveyed. These opergests improvements and additions, some of which re-ations, with others now contemplated, which are of less quire Legislative provision for their accomplishment. importantance, but are still entitled to the consideration

No reports have been received from the Commissioners appointed to lay out roads from Little Rock to Cantonment Gibson, and from St. Louis to the confines of Mex-neers would be increased nearly in the same ratio with ico; and nothing therefore is distinctly known of the progress which may have been made in the prosecution of those operations, although it is understood the former has been completed and the latter nearly so.

A brigade of Topographical Engineers was employed this year on the coast of South Carolina, in the continuation of surveys requisite to aid the projection of a sys. tem of Fortifications for the defence thereof.

Sen, and H. of R.] Documents accompanying the President's Message.

Report from the Quartermaster General's Office. thorized by an act of ongress approved the 28th day of

February, 1824, will, it is believed, be completed by the last of January. When it was commenced, in September, 1824, your predecessor intended to have it opened entirely by the labor of the troops; but discovering that a sufficient number of men could not be spared from other duties, to finish it in a reasonable time, be directed that a part should be done by contract. In June last, when the troops were withdrawn from the road, they had completed it from Pensacola to the Ochlockney, a distance of one hundred and sixty-five miles, at an expense of only $9,583 32. The section of the road from the Ochlockney to the River St. John's, a distance of one hundred and eighty-five miles, was put under contract in December last. The Contractor stipulated, for $13,500, to complete it before the 30th of December, 1825. By the last accounts, such progress had been made, that I have reason to believe the Contractor will 250,607 54 be able to deliver it to the Department, completed agreeably to the contract, early next month. There will then remain to be opened, only the distance from Picolata, on the river St. John's, to St. Augustine, about seventeen miles, which, it is believed, may be done with the balance of the appropriation.

Of the roads authorized by the same act to be surveyed, that from Suwaney to Cape Sable, the Southwestern extremity of the Peninsula of Florida, has been surveyed to Charlotte Harbor, one hundred and twentyseven miles south of Tampa Bay, by Captain Clark, of t›is Department, with a detachment of troops. The party was compelled to return without completing the sur279,655 34 vey, in consequence of the country south of Charlotte River being entirely impassable. Captain Clark ascended that river upwards of sixty miles, and found the country every where inundated. Between Charlotte Har