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reinforcements, and our system of fortifications has little to 
do with any such danger. In preparing against maritime 
assaults, the security of the points to be covered is consid- 
ered to be greatly augmented whenever the defence can be 
so arranged as to oblige an enemy to land at some distance ; 
for the reason that opportunity is thereby allowed, in the 
only possible way, for the spirit and enterprise of the peo- 
ple to come into play. 
“Instead of being designed to prevent a landing. upon 
any part of the coast, as many seem to suppose, and some 
allege in proof of extravagant views on the part of the sys- 
tem of defence, the system often leaves this landing as an 
Open alternative to the enemy, and aims so to cover the 
Teally important and dangerous points as to necessitate a 
distant landing and a march towards the object through the 
people. It is because the expedition would easily accom- 
_plish its object without landing, and without allowing the 
Population to partake in the defence, that the fortifications 
are resortéd to. For instance, without Fort Delaware, or 
some other fort low down on Delaware Bay, an enemy could” 
Place his fleet of steamers in front of Philadelphia by the 
time his appearance on the coast had been well announced 
throughout the city. And in spite of all New Jersey, Dela- 
Ware, and lower Pennsylvania, he could levy his Gonthier” 
tions, and burn the navy-yard and shipping, ‘and be away, in 
4 few hours. But being obliged, by the fort above men- 
tioned, to land full forty miles below the city, the resistance 
to his march may be safely left to the courage and patriot 
=a that will find ample time to array themselves in opposi- 
Concerning the application of steam to vessels of war he 
gays : — 
“The application of steam to vessels of war acts upon the 
