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vessels, and although history affords some instances wherein 
this defence has not availed, we see that the resort is still the 
same. No nation omits covering the exposed points upon 
her seaboard with fortifications, nor hesitates in confiding 
in them.” 
The most prominent cases of such successful attacks, viz. 
Copenhagen, Algiers, San Juan de Ulloa, &e., are then de- 
scribed and discussed, to show that the deductions drawn 
from them are erroneous, or that they are not cases in 
point, or that the disastrous result has been owing to the 
neglected condition, imperfect armament or unskilfal and 
inadequate defence of the forts. 
The report, of which I have given some of the main 
points, may be said to have silenced opposition to our sys- 
tem of fortifications for the next ten years; but, in a form 
modified by the alleged changes in the condition of the 
country, increase of population, construction of railroads, 
&e., it again found expression in a resolution of Congress in 
1851; and the Secretary of War, to enable himself to re- 
Spond, called upon numerous distinguished army and navy 
officers for an expression of their opinions. The following 
questions were addressed to several of the principal En- 
gineer officers, among whom the Chief of Corps, General 
Totten : — 
“1st. How far the invention and extension of railroads 
have superseded or diminished the necessity of fortifications 
on the seaboard ? 
“2d. In what manner and to what extent the navigation 
of the ocean by steam, and particularly the application of 
steam to vessels of war, and recent improvements in artil- 
lery, and other military inventions and discoveries, affect 
is question ? 
“3d. How far vessels of war, steam batteries, ordinary 
7 
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