[2] 43 
that policy prevail, or should the United States be driven to defensive 
measures, then, by the operations of the enemy, it will he of the first 
importance to have the water over the bar at Erie at least ten feet. 
The American squadron, durijig the late .var, were obliged to cross 
this bar without their armaments. Had the enemy, then blockading, 
known the real depth on the bar, this squadron must have yielded 
without resistance. 
Besides, even supposing that no naval operations were contem- 
plated by this government, or provoked by the enemy, it would still 
be a matter of no small moment to maintain a sufficient naval force to 
protect the commerce of the lakes from the privateering of the enemy, 
which would otherwise cut off all communications betweer* the 
lakes and the maritime frontier, by the way of the great western ca- 
nal; and, if we confine our view to this description of naval force 
alone, the improvement of the harbor of Erie is obviously a matter of 
primary importance. 
All which is respectfully submitted. 
BERNARD, 
Brigadier General. 
JOS. G. TOTTEN, 
Maj. Engr's. Bt. Lt. Col. 
Engineer Department, 
Topographical Office. 
The foregoing report and the following estimate is a true copy of 
the original in the Engineer Department. 
ALEX. MACOMB, 
jMaj. Gen. Chief Eng. 
Estimate — No. 1. 
Of the quantities of materials and expense necessary for the construe^- 
Hon of the projected Likes, Embankments , and Piers, in the Har' 
hor of Erie. 
Dike. 
A Dike, constructed of piles, of 12 inches diameter, and 25 feet in 
length, (the touching sides being hewed.) Length of Dike, from 
Hospital Point to ]3Iock House Point. 950 yards. JVo, of piles 
2850—2850 piles, at Si each, 82,850 00 
Total of the expenses fur construction of 
dike, !g2,850 00 
Carried forward. 
