2d Session. War Dept. PUBLIC DEFENCES ON LAKE ONTARIO. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, TRANSMITTING The information required by the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 12th ultimo, in relation to the public defences on Lake Ontario, the river St. Lawrence, &c. MAY 18, 1842. Read, and laid upon the table. WAR DEPARTMENT, May 14, 1842. SIR: In answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 12th ultimo, in relation to the public defences on Lake Ontario and the river St. Lawrence, and the country bordering on them, and particularly at Sackett's Harbor, I have the honor to transmit, herewith, reports from the Major General commanding the army, from the bureaus of the Engineers and of the Topographical Engineers, and a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, covering a report from the Navy Board. From these reports it will be seen that the only measures hitherto adopted by the Government, for the defence of that region, are the forts at the mouth of the Niagara river and at Oswego, and that a tract of country extending more than one hundred and fifty miles along the lake and river is entirely defenceless. The valuable property belonging to the Government at Sackett's Harbor, and its exposed condition, will also be seen. The military operations in that quarter during the last war attest the importance of preparations for similar events, if a similar calamity should overtake us; and, at all events, of affording some protection to a numerous population, liable to sudden inroads, by small forces having the means of escape before any effectual resistance could be interposed. It is the decided opinion of this Department, that the security of private and public property, and the protection which the inhabitants have a right to expect from a Government constituted mainly for the purpose of affording it, demand that something should be done for those purposes, in the quarter described in the resolution. A hesitation to ask appropriations for land defences, beyond what appeared immediately indispensable, has alone prevented the submission of estimates for the necessary works on the shores of Lake Ontario. Concurring entirely in the recommendation of the Major General commanding the army, that the erection of batteries for the defence of the entrance of Sackett's Harbor [was necessary,] an estimate was required from the Engineer bureau, of the cost of a fort at that place, which is herewith submitted, from which it appears that $30,000 would be an appropriate sum for the commencement of such a work. Having in view the line of coast to be defended, I cannot hesitate in the opinion, that the same means of defence should be applied which were recommended in the last annual report of this Department in reference to the Southern Atlantic coast, and that a steam ship would be the most effectual, and probably the most economical, by preventing the necessity of erecting numerous forts. The expense of such a vessel, the Department has been unable to ascertain. It is known that a ship, built for the carriage of passengers and goods, supposed to be in good condition, could be procured for a very reasonable sum. Whether she could be rendered available for military purposes can be determined only upon a thorough examination. Such a vessel would be useful in peace for the transportation of troops, military stores, and subsistence, and might in that way defray the expense of keeeping her afloat. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. JOHN WHITE, Speaker of the House of Representatives. J. C. SPENCER. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, April 16, 1842. SIR: On the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 12th instant, (referred to me,) touching the protection of "public property at Sackett's Harbor," "the security of public and private property upon Lake Ontario," and "the expediency, importance, and necessity of erecting & fortification at the military post at Sackett's Harbor," I report: The United States own no vessel, of any kind, on Lake Ontario, but have had, at Sackett's Harbor, one or two on the stocks, and partially planked, intended for war, since the autumn of 1814. These frames, having been under cover since put up, may still be worth being finished and launched. The British Government laid down, at Kingston, the opposite port, in September last, the keel of a war steamer of nine hundred tons, and had another on the stocks, at the mouth of the Niagara, of about the same tonnage. Both must now be nearly ready for launching, if not for service. With either, and nothing on our part to oppose, she might, in a week, capture all our private steamers and sail vessels on this lake, includ ing the frames on the stocks at Sackett's Harbor, and hold the command of the lake to the end of the war. Kingston, opposite to Sackett's Harbor, (some twenty miles across the lake,) is strongly fortified and garrisoned, the seat of the Colonial Government, and general depot of the materiel of war for all the upper part of the province. Sackett's Harbor, in the event of hostilities, would be of equal importance to us. It is the best natural port on either side of the lake; well land locked, and consequently easily defended, at the entrance, by land batteries; but at present it has no such battery, and no naval or floating defences. The mouth of the Niagara, also a natural port, is the next in importance on our side of this lake; but neither belligerent would be able to use this port until it had captured the land batteries of the other which command the entrance. Those existing and opposing works at the mouth of the Niagara render Sackett's Harbor of still greater importance to us. Besides the frames of war ships, owned by the United States, at the latter port, we also have there an extensive range of barracks, a large hospital, large storehouses-all in masonry-and a considerable amount of the materiel of war. These objects could not fail to invite destruction, from Kingston, at the commencement of hostilities; and their destruction would, in all probability, involve that of the considerable village at which they are placed. At three and eight miles above, there are, also, very extensive manufacturing establishments, which might be reached by water, and destroyed before the neighboring militia could be rallied. The barracks were not planned for defence, but merely for the lodgement of troops, at a point which would necessarily become one of the highest importance, in any plan of operations, in time of war, in that quarter, whether by land or water, offensive or defensive. For the foregoing reasons, I cannot but recommend the early commencement of land batteries, say of thirty or forty guns, for the defence of the entrance of Sackett's Harbor. I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT. Hon. J. C. SPENCER, Secretary of War. ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 14, 1842. SIR: The resolution of the House of Representatives of the 12th instant, calling for information as to what measures have been taken by the Government for the security and protection of the inhabitants upon Lake Ontario and the river St. Lawrence, and also as to what further action may be required on the part of the Government at the present time, for the protection of the said inhabitants, and for the security of private and public property on the said lake and river, having been referred to this office, I have the honor to state, in reply thereto, that The only measures of defence and protection which have been conducted under the charge of this department, for the security of the inhabitants on that lake and river, consist in the repair of Fort Niagara, at the mouth of the Niagara river, and in the reconstruction and repair of old Fort Ontario, at Oswego, New York. Both these forts are situated on Lake Ontario; both of them were reported, in October last, as ready to receive their armament. Operations are still in progress upon both, to render them more efficient; and, at the present session of Congress, estimates for additional appropriations for these works have been submitted, as follows: For Fort Niagara For Fort Ontario $5,000 6,000 It is desirable that these sums should be appropriated at as early a day as practicable, in order that they may be applied during the present season of active operations. No measures have been conducted, under the charge of this department, for the further defence and security of Sackett's Harbor. The barrack accommodations already established there are believed to be sufficient for the accommodation of such troops as may be necessary for the defence of the place. These buildings are under the charge of the Quartermaster's department; and from that bureau such information will no doubt be communicated, in relation to them, as will more fully meet the call of the resolution. Should naval preparations be made, or should naval armaments to any considerable extent be resorted to on Lake Ontario, then further measures would become necessary for the protection and security of Sackett's Harbor. These it is proposed to afford by the timely construction of works of fortification on the approach to the harbor, No estimates have as yet been submitted to Congress for the construction of these works, nor is it now contemplated to call on Congress, during its present session, for an appropriation for this purpose. As an additional measure for the defence and security of the inhabitants on Lake Ontario and the river St. Lawrence, it is proposed to construct a fort and barrack establishment at the narrows of the St. Lawrence, below Ogdensburg. It is not contemplated, however, to call on Congress, during its present session, for an appropriation for this purpose. Sackett's Harbor is one of the finest harbors on Lake Ontario, and its geographical position gives it important military relations. In the event of a war, it would undoubtedly become a naval depot of considerable consequence, and one which it would be of the utmost importance to protect by appropriate works of defence. The entrance to this harbor may, it is believed, be properly guarded by the erection of a single fort, which will command the channel. It has been estimated that a suitable work at this point will cost about $75,000; it will mount about 26 guns, and will require for a war garrison about 130 men. It is believed that $30,000 would be an appropriate sum for the commencement of this work. All of which is respectfully submitted by your obedient servant. GEORGE L. WELCKER, Hon. JOHN C. SPENCER, Secretary of War. BUREAU OF TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS, Washington, April 15, 1842. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge your direction to report upon a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 12th instant, in reference to the measures which have been taken for the security and protection of the inhabitants upon Lake Ontario and the river St. Lawrence; for the preservation of the public property at Sackett's Harbor; what further action is required for the safety and security of private and public property on that lake; and especially in reference to the erecting of fortifications at Sackett's Harbor, for the protection of the public and private property at that place and its vicinity. As much of this resolution as calls for a statement of present arrangements will no doubt be fully answered, in reference to existing fortifica |