70 Some Vieius Connected with the Question of Coast Defence. 



Canadian fisheries; the Sackville incident; the German outrages upon 

 Americans at Samoa; it would appear that the time for observation 

 and consideration of the methods of other nations had passed, and 

 that a just regard for our national dignity now requires that the 

 strength of our navy should be made equal to its responsibilities and 

 possible duties; and that our coasts should be defended by such forti- 

 fications and armaments as would be sufficient to repel any force that 

 could be brought against us. 



Before detailing the views which a consideration of this subject has 

 led me to entertain, it is proper to explain the manner in which the 

 remote northern wilderness became connected with the question of 

 coast defence. For this purpose I submit the following letter: 



Watervliet Arsenal, ) 

 West Troy, N. Y., August 9, 1888. j 

 Mr. Verplanck Colvin, Superintendent Adirondack Survey : 



Dear Sir — I have been detailed by the authorities at Washington 

 to search for a tract of ground suitable for ordnance purposes, that 

 can be secured by the United States. The ground is desired for the 

 establishment of an ordnance proving ground, for the test of all kinds 

 of heavy guns up to the largest that can be made. Hence, a clear, 

 open range of eight or ten miles is required, so that the gun can be 

 fired that distance and the range observed from the ground at firing 

 point or from towers of suitable height. The range should be 

 approximately level, the width from one to two miles, depending on 

 topographicai features — if in a valley narrower ground would do. 

 One end (the firing end) should be easily accessible by railroad, i. e., 

 if not directly on a railroad there should be no great difficulty in 

 building a branch to it. This end should permit of the erection of 

 buildings such as shops, magazines, quarters, gun platforms, etc. 

 The remainder may be wild or marshy, and small creeks or bodies 

 of water would not be objectionable; the only requirements being that 

 telegraph and telephone lines may be put up along its length and 

 targets erected at various points. The land, of course, should not be 

 valuable nor crossed by important highways. The tract should, if 

 practicable, be within 100 miles of Troy. 



If not trespassing too much on your time I desire to interest you in 

 this matter to the extent of furnishing me information on the follow- 

 ing points: 



First —Whether there are any tracts of land belonging to the State 

 of New York that would fulfill the required conditions and that could 

 be secured by the United States for the purposes indicated. 



Second — Whether there are any such tracts, parts of which belong 

 to the State, the remainder to private parties. 



Third —Whether there are such lands belonging to private parties 

 which could be secured. 



