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3. Fort at the foot of Lake Huron.-A work here will control the outlet of Lake Huron, and interrupt the navigation between that and Lake St. Clair and the river Detroit. It will serve also to cover the settlements on that part of the frontier, and form a rallying point for the neigeboring militia for local defence.

Estimated expense..

4. Fort and barrack establishment at Detroit.-In the event of war, Detroit would undoubtedly be a point of considerable concentration of troops, not merely for the defence of that portion of the frontier, but for such offensive operations as might be deemed expedient in that quarter. It may be regarded as the centre of the upper section of the northern frontier, and has important relations, both geographical and military. Although true policy would, in such a case, dictate that our chief efforts should be directed against the vital points of the enemy's possessions as low down the line as practicable, still it might become expedient, with a view to distract his attention and divide his forces, to menace him above; and this is one of the points from which he might be assailed by minor expeditions, especially if he should relax his measures of defence in looking to his safety elsewhere.

Estimated expense of barracks for one regiment, including

site.....

Estimated expense of fort at Spring Wells, including

site.

$150,000

100,000

5. Field-work and barrack establishment at or near Buffalo.The wealth and commercial importance of Buffalo, and its close proximity to the Britsh line, will make it an object of attack in time of war, unless it be protected by the presence of a respectable force there. It may also become a point of concentration of troops for minor offensive movements, by way of diverson; and is thus, in every view, entitled to seasonable attention. An extensive barrack establishment, defended by field-works, would be sufficient for all necessary objects.

Estimated expense.

6. Fort Niagara to be rebuilt.-A fort at this position is important, on the assumption (admitting, it is believed, of but little doubt) that in time of war there would be some naval preparations on Lake Ontario. It commands the entrance into the Niagara river; and a work here will shut the enemy's vessels out from that harbor, while it will afford protection under which ours may take shelter in case of need.

Estimated expense of completing the work now in pro

gress....

$27,500

For repairs of buildings and new barracks there.... 37,500

7. Fort at Oswego.-The growing importance of Oswego, the relation it bears to the great line of internal communication to the west, and its exposed situation, directly on the shore of the lake, from whence it might be assailed by armed vessels without the co-operation of a land attack, call for works of defence to protect the harbor, and thus secure a safe retreat for our vessels in case of need, while we shut out those of the enemy. Besides, this

$50,000

250,000

150,000

65, 000

REPORT ON THE NORTHERN FRON

This frontier extends, as described by the terms of Lake Superior to Passamaquoddy bay, a distance of somes thousand miles, binding all the way on the British America. Whether we regard the strongly marked geographical fea presenting, as it does, for the most part, a chain of great : stretching along the border, the common property of both n facilities for an extensive commerce, almost rivalling that of · whether we look to the growing strength of our colonial not the immense power and resources of the mother country: cannot fail to impress us with the necessity of being prepar fence along that line, but also to act offensively, with dee event of our being involved in a conflict.

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From the peculiar character of this frontier, its defence mi take somewhat of the system applicable to the seacoast; for, nominated inland, in contradistinction to the latter, it is, neve. in many of its features, and must be treated accordingly for p

So important is the mastery on the lakes, in any military quarter, that it is scarcely to be doubted that, in the event of some naval preparations on both sides, and a struggle for those waters. Whichever power shall acquire that, even ten, the means of assailing his adversary with great effect along lakes, in the absence of fortifications, by occupying the harb towns, (some of which are fast advancing to the rank of citie the commercial operations of which those lakes constitute the These considerations render it highly expedient-indeed, ne the larger harbors on the lakes, as well as the more importa. straits and rivers by which they are connected.

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Without entering fully into the military details of the subj be deemed somewhat out of place here, regarding the object o which seems to look rather to the expense involved, the board enumerate the works of defence deemed necessary on the 1 beginning at Lake Superior; merely glancing at the effects which are likely to result from the establishment of those work:

1. Fort at Falls of St. Mary,-A fort here will control th between Lake Huron and Lake Superior, and, at least, prevent availing itself of it for purposes of communication and for the supplies, if it does not secure those important advantages to us, do, unless counteracted by a work on the British side of the line. almost certain to occur, it would be neutralized, but would still and protect our settlements along the St. Mary, and form a ral local defence in times of alarm.

Estimated expense of fort, barracks, &c. . . . .

2. Fort at Michilimackinac.-Although this position is son. what interior, it is regarded of high importance from its geograp cal relations. A fort here, in conjunction with floating batteri may be made to command, effectually, the approach to Lal Michigan, and shut out an enemy who might p ascendancy on Lake Huron; thus protecting the ence of Lake Michigan from attacks to which be exposed, even from a small force, and s

as a safe channel of communication with States in the rear, whose shores it washes Estimated expense ..

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place possesses many advantages for naval preparations for vessels of light draught of water, and would probably be made a subordinate depot in time of war.

Estimated expense of completing the works now in pro

gress....

$20,000

For barracks, quarters, storehouses, and magazine... 25,000

8. Fort at Sackett's Harbor.-In the event of naval armaments of any considerable extent being resorted to on Lake Ontario, Sackett's Harbor, from its bold water, and its excellency as a harbor, would at once become a depot of great importance; the safety of which should be insured against the enterprises of the enemy by the timely construction of appropriate works of defence. Situated directly opposite to the strong post of Kingston, on the Canadian side, and adjacent to the head of the St. Lawrence, it is one of the points at which a concentration of troops may become expedient for the defence of that portion of the frontier and the protection of the naval depot. The barrack accommodations already established there are deemed sufficient, and it remains to fortify the approach to the harbor.

Estimated expense of fort and barracks within....

9. Fort at the narrows of the St. Lawrence, below Ogdensburg. The chief object of a work here would be to cut off the enemy's communication by the river, between Montreal and Kingston, and thus prevent him from availing himself of that channel for the transportation of troops and supplies if we cannot entirely secure it to ourselves. By this obstruction on the St. Lawrence he would be thrown altogether upon his back line of communication by the Ottawa, which, although it has the merit of being more secure from interruption, is longer and more difficult, especially in seasons of drought. This would also be another point from which the enemy might be menaced, and from which auxiliary movements might be made in aid of the chief attack.

Estimated expense of fort and barracks..

10. Fort near the line on Lake Champlain —A work here may be made to command the pass of the lake, and is considered by far the most important of any proposed on the whole line of

frontier.

The position of Lake Champlain is somewhat peculiar. While Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Superior stretch their whole length directly along the border, (forming, in fact, the boundary,) Champlain extends deeply into our territory, at right angles with the line of the frontier; and, while its southern extremity reaches almost to the Hudson, it finds its outlet, to the north, in the St. Lawrence, nearly midway between Montreal and Quebec, the two great objects of attack.

This is undoubtedly the avenue by which the British possessions may be most effectually assailed; while, at the same time, it would afford to the enemy possessing a naval ascendancy equal facilities for bringing the war within our own borders if it be left unfortified. It therefore becomes important to fortify a point as near the line as practicable, so as to shut out the enemy's vessels, and thus effect the double object of protecting the interior shores

$45,000

75,000

100,000

of the lake from the predatory attacks to which they would otherwise be exposed, and of securing it to ourselves as the great channel by which our troops and supplies may be rapidly thrown forward to the points of attack or defence.

For a permanent work on Stony Point, (N. Y.,) including purchase of site..

For a permanent work on Windmill Point, (Vt.,) including purchase of site...

$300,000

300,000

11. Barrack establishment and depot at Plattsburg. In the event of war, Plattsburg will become the great depot for the operations on the Champlain frontier, the point of concentration of troops preparatory to any offensive movements, and the station of the reserve to sustain those movements, and the posts that may be established in advance. Even in time of peace a respectable force should be posted here, especially during the continuance of the boundary question and border disturbances. Barracks for a regiment, at least, with suitable storehouses, are recommended to be erected, on a plan admitting of extension, if required, and also of suitable defensive arrangements.

Estimated expense of completing the works in progress on the scale here suggested....

12. From Lake Champlain, eastward, the geographical features of the frontier materially change character, and require a corresponding modification of the means of defence. The line no longer intersects great lakes, admitting of naval preparations, nor binds on straits and rivers, the navigation of which may be controlled or interrupted by fortifications. It is altogether inland until it reaches the St. Croix, where the principles that have been applied to other portions of the frontier similarly situated will again become applicable. Running on a parallel of latitude to the Connecticut river, and thence along a chain of highlands, not yet clearly defined, to the Province of New Brunswick, the board are not aware that there are any points immediately on the frontier sufficiently commanding, of themselves, to call for the establishment and maintenance of fortifications or works of defence.

Should it ever become necessary to sustain by force our title to the territory now in dispute, it must be done, not by isolated forts along the frontier, commanding, probably, nothing beyond the range of their own guns, but by an active army, competent not only to occupy the country and hold it, but also to assume the offensive, if necessary, and carry the war beyond our borders.

But while it is not deemed expedient to construct a chain of forts along this portion of the frontier, the board consider it a proper measure of precaution, in the present state of our relations with the British provinces, that positions should be selected and preparatory arrangements made for the establishment of depots of supplies at the head of navigation on the Kennebunk and Penobscot. In the event of movements in that quarter, these would be proper points for the concentration of troops, and would serve as a base of operations, whether these should be offensive or defensive in their character.

Estimated expense of storehouses and other accommodations..

$600,000

150,000

150,000

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