74 
merchant ships and steamers, and other temporary expedi- 
ents, can be relied upon as a substitute for permanent forti- 
fications for the defence of our seaports ? 
“ 4th. How far the increase of population on the northern 
frontier and of the mercantile marine on the northern lakes 
obviates or diminishes the necessity of continuing the sys 
tem of fortifications on these lakes?” 
General Totten’s response to these critical interrogations 
is, as usual with him when this great subject has to be dealt 
with, full and exhaustive. The following pithy paragraphs 
exhibit his views on the influence of railroads. 
“ Suppose a hostile fleet to lie in front of the city of New 
York, — which nothing would prevent, if the channels of ap- 
proach were not fortified, — in what way could the 100,000 
or 200,000 new men poured into the city and environs by 
railroads, although armed with muskets and field-pieces, aid 
the half-million of people already there? It seems to me 
very clear that these additional forces would, like the popu 
lation of the city, be utterly powerless in the way of resist- 
ance, with any means at their command; and, if resistance 
were attempted by the city, would but serve to swell the list 
of casualties, unless they should at once retreat beyond the 
range of fire. If the enemy’s expedition were intend 
according to the second supposed mode of attack, for inva 
sion, or occupation for some time, of a portion of the coun 
try, then, in many places, this resource of railroads would 
be of value, because then the duty of defence would fall 
upon the army and militia of the country; and these com 
munications would swell their numbers. i 
“But of all circumstances of danger to the coast, this 
chance of an attempt by an enemy to land and march a°Y 
distance into a populous district is least to be regarded, 
whether there be or be not such speedy mode of recei¥iMS 
