67 
“3d. That we are not in danger of large expeditions, and 
consequentl : 
“4th. That the system of the Board of Engineers com- 
prises works which are unnecessarily large for the purposes 
which they have to fulfil.” 
Owing to these strictures, the House of Representatives, by 
resolutions of April 9, 1840, called upon the War Department 
for a report of a full and connected system of national defence. 
The duty was committed by the Secretary of War to a 
board of officers of the army and navy, among whom was 
Colonel Totten, and by whom the report was drawn up. It 
was entirely approved by the Secretary of War, Mr. Poin- 
sett, and is universally admitted to be one of the most able 
and comprehensive expositions of the whole subject of sea- 
coast defence extant, and a complete refutation of the objec- 
tions made to our existing system. The discussion of the 
first and principal proposition — that of defence by the Navy 
— is so interesting and instructive, that, though long, I ven- 
ture to quote it : — 
“The opinion that the navy is the true defence of the 
country is so acceptable and popular, and is sustained by 
such high authority, that it demands a careful examination. 
“Before going into this examination, we will premise that 
by the term ‘navy’ is here meant, we suppose, line-of-battle 
ships, frigates, smaller sailing vessels and armed steamships, 
omitting vessels constructed for local uses merely, such as 
floating batteries. 
“ For the purpose of first considering this proposition in its 
simplest terms, we will begin by supposing the nation to pos- 
sess but a single seaport, and that this is to be defended by a 
fleet alone. 
“ By remaining constantly within this port, our fleet would 
be certain of meeting the enemy, should he assail it. But if 
