has been further modified since, provision was made for the
construction of fortifications at proper points through the whole
extent of our coast and such an augmentation of our naval force as
should be well adapted to both purposes. The laws making this provision
were passed in 1815 and 1816, and it has been since the constant effort
of the Executive to carry them into effect.

The advantage of these fortifications and of an augmented naval force
in the extent contemplated, in a point of economy, has been fully
illustrated by a report of the Board of Engineers and Naval
Commissioners lately communicated to Congress, by which it appears that
in an invasion by 20,000 men, with a correspondent naval force, in a
campaign of six months only, the whole expense of the construction of
the works would be defrayed by the difference in the sum necessary to
maintain the force which would be adequate to our defense with the aid
of those works and that which would be incurred without them. The
reason of this difference is obvious. If fortifications are judiciously
placed on our great inlets, as distant from our cities as circumstances
will permit, they will form the only points of attack, and the enemy
will be detained there by a small regular force a sufficient time to
enable our militia to collect and repair to that on which the attack is
made. A force adequate to the enemy, collected at that single point,
with suitable preparation for such others as might be menaced, is all
that would be requisite. But if there were no fortifications, then the
enemy might go where he pleased, and, changing his position and sailing
from place to place, our force must be called out and spread in vast
numbers along the whole coast and on both sides of every bay and river
as high up in each as it might be navigable for ships of war. By these
fortifications, supported by our Navy, to which they would afford like
support, we should present to other powers an armed front from St.