in the spring. it was found necessary to dispose of the horses and oxen, and make such other dispositions as peticable for the preservation of the works.

Fort Schuyler, Throg's Neck, East river, New York.-It was hoped, from the ample preparations made last year, and the funds available for their application, that the construction of this fort would have been prosecuted the present year with much vigor. But, though materials and facilites of every description have been in waiting, it has been impossible to procure a sufficient force to carry on the works with the progress that was red. No exertion has been spared to facilitate the operations, either by letting parts on contract, or by hired labor; and unavailing efforts have been made to ect the necessary force in Boston, Newport, Connecticut and the western part of New York. The foundations of the sea wall have been lad from its commencement at the southern redoubt, to its extremity at the northern. The superstructure of about one-third of this extent has been built to its full height, and that of the remainder to about one-third; the most difficult parts of the foundation of other parts of the work have also been

id.

A large crane, a number of trucks, scows, &c. have been added to the facilities prepared last year, and a railroad at the quarry at Horseneck is now constructing.

It is hoped that much work may still be done the remainder of the season. Fort Columbus and Castle Williams, Governor's island, New York.The repairs of these works have been prosecuted with as much rapidity as the force at the command of the officer in charge would permit: should he be able to increase it sufficiently, the former fort will be entirely completed his fall, except the laying some of the gun traverses, which must be postoned until funds for that purpose can be obtained.

The measures deemed necessary for repairing the latter work have been zended with difficulty and delay. The exterior wall of the battery has len confined, by tension braces, to the interior, to prevent its inclination owards from the weight of the arches of the casemates above. Arrangemits have been made for laying the platforms of the second tier of guns, at the repair of the roofs have been commenced. Nothing has yet been do to the south battery, except to remove the old walls farthest from the pade, that supported the platforms, and, with the materials thus procured, toild the foundations of the traverses. The wall next the parade has beeleft as an interior revetment of the rampart.

constant employment afforded to mechanics and laborers of every desotion in the city of New York, renders it very difficult to procure their. servs on the island, which has operated very unfavorably to these works the It season.

FoDelaware, Delaware river.-The walls of the old fort have been razed,nd the materials applied to strengthening the dykes around the island.The quarters of laborers, overseers, master workmen and superintendenre completed; as also workshops, store houses, lime sheds and stables; thanals and necessary roads have been constructed, and the drainage of the ole island rendered perfect. The wharfs have been repaired; several usand bricks cleaned for future use, and the cranes necessary the receɔn of stone completed. A supply of excellent building stone; a large quaty of piles and square timber for the grillage and foundations of the nework have been received. The hydraulic machinery, with a steam eng for propelling it, together with three pile engines, have been

for

constructed the position to be occupied by the new work has been examined, by boring, and the nature of the soil ascertained.

All the arrangements were perfected at the close of last year, for receiving materials in large quantities, and for commencing and rapidly progressing with the foundations of the fort in the spring; but it then became necessary to suspend the work, and confine operations to the receipt of such materials as had been contracted for, keeping the laborers employed, when not otherwise engaged, in tearing up the old foundations, and excavating one front of the new work.

Fort Calhoun, Hampton roads, Virginia. As contemplated in my last report, the balance of the stone required for the formation of the mole, has been received, and deposited over the foundations of the walls of the fort, so that there is now acting along their whole extent, a greater weight, by upwards of 20,000 tons, than is estimated will be brought upon them when the fort is completed and garrisoned.

Though an accession of weight continues to cause subsidence, it is in a continued decreasing ratio, and should there be no evidence of a contrary nature by next spring, it is proposed to resume the construction of the walls, for which purpose an estimate is submitted.

Fort Macon, Beaufort, North Carolina.-As announced in my last report, this fort has been completed and is now garrisoned.

Fort Caswell, Oak island, North Carolina.-This work was reported to you last year to be in readiness to receive a garrison. Since that time the Department has been informed that in the storms, so frequent on that coast, inroads have been made in the dykes by the sea, and a breach finally created, which even threatens more damage than has yet taken place. The walls of the fort have also had some motion since they were erected, caus ing injuries to the arches of the caponiers and crenated galleries, and giv indication of insufficient stability to resist the weight tending to their ove throw. The funds originally available were not sufficient to construt the breast height walls, the parapets. furnaces, &c. which are necessary r its completion. An estimate to remedy these defects, for the constructionf the parts mentioned, and for the security of the site, is accordingly subatted for consideration.

Fortifications in Charleston harbor, South Carolina.- Operation in this harbor have consisted in applying the balance of the appropriatic of 1834, to the prosecution of the plan for protecting the site of Fort pultrie. This plan, so far as tested, has answered the desired end, and arge accumulation of sand has taken place on the shore before exposed the abrading action of the sea.

For want of funds the operations were abruptly arrested last Mar, the works brought to as favorable a close as circumstances would pern, and the officer charged with their superintendence otherwise disposed of

The estimate for next year contemplates the renewal of the consuction of Fort Sumter, and the prosecution of the plan for protecting Silivan's island.

Fort Pulaski, Cock-spur island, Georgia.-On the 30th Sptember, 1834, the piling and construction of the grillage for the foundatia of this work was completed, and the masonry commenced. Since thatime, the available funds have been applied in laying 5,165 cubic yards of nasonry; to the completion of all the counter arches, and cross walls of th rampart, to a height of seven feet above the grillage; and to the completin general

ty of the counter arches of communication, and the piers, scarp and rear walls, and counterforts of the north, northeast and southeast fronts to a held of Lore than twelve feet above the grillage. The work is represented by the local engineer, to be in a favorable condition for a vigorous reccitadesment of operations so soon as farther means are provided.

Port Marion, St. Augustine, Florida.-Nothing has been done at this wolde fast year, for want of funds.

Et Pickens. Pensacola harbor, Florida.-This fort was completed in (ker last, and occupied by a garrison.

It has been since necessary to give increased dimensions to the scarp wils of the two faces of the northeast bastions, to ensure their permanen y against the immense pressure of the sand ramparts. It is satisfactory to state that all parts of the walls supporting these heavy embankments are

in excellent condition, as proved by the severe test to which they have been subjected from the unusual and heavy rains of the past summer. For the causes alluded to in my last report, a further appropriation is still essary for the final completion of this work, an estimate for which is acedingly submitted.

Fort on Foster's bank, Florida.-At the date of my last report the conaction of the platform foundations of this work was in progress, and oring to the exposed position of the site, required great labor and activity to lay the masonry in a secure and proper manner. The funds arising from the appropriation of 1834 were at this time exhausted, but, seeing the great injury, if not complete destruction, that would result to the works should they be suspended at that stage of their progress, it was determined y Capt. Chase, the local engineer, to continue them, on his own credit, in anticipation of the appropriation of 1835. When he became aware of the on-appropriation for fortifications, the works had been in progress nearly four months, after the available means had been exhausted. The safety of the foundations had been secured, and the whole structure raised to five Pet above high water level. But under previous appropriations, a large quantity of materials had been collected, and were then deposited on the arrow strip of land composing a part of Foster's island, which were nessarily much exposed to injury, and indeed to total loss, from the changes produced by storms on the recently formed island. It was therefore very sirable they should be used in the walls of the work as rapidly as possie. and Mr. Strong, the contractor, did not hesitate to proceed with the onstruction on his own responsibility, relying upon the appropriation of 336 to remunerate him for his services. The work is now raised two ist above the tops of the lower tier of embrazures, and all the piers of casees are raised ten feet above the parade. In consequence of these arangements, by which great loss has been saved to the United States, a large unt of arrearages has accrued against the fort, which is embraced in he estimate for 1836. This estimate contemplates the completion of the work by the end of next June.

Fort Morgan, Mobile point, Alabama. -Arrangements were made, in bedience to your instructions, to fit up thirteen casemates at this fort for officers' quarters, store and guard rooms; the first of these are nearly completed, and the balance of the funds, as far as they go, will be applied to the others.

Fort Livingston, Grand Terre, Louisiana.--Nothing has been done at this work for the reasons mentioned in my last report.

The expenditures hitherto made have been principally for the construction of temporary buildings. A person is placed on the island for the purpose of taking care of the materials and houses; and one labourer, under his direction, is engaged in cutting the ditches that are considered beneficial to future operations.

Contingencies of fortifications.-The funds available under this head have been applied to repairs of Fort McHenry; to Fort Macon; to construction of experimental battery at the Washington Arsenal; to fitting up magazines of forts on the Gulf of Mexico; constructing a fence at Fort Hamilton; to repairs of Fort Jackson; survey of Provincetown harbor, and contingencies of Engineer Department.

The frequent calls made upon the Department for repairs to fortifications. which are essential to their preservation, security and efficiency, render it necessary that a larger sum than usual be placed at its disposal for this purpose. This will explain to you the cause why the item under this head, in the estimate for 1836, is larger than customary.

I beg leave respectfully to represent at this place, that most of the works. now in progress will be completed in the course of a few years, and that a regard to economy and timely preparation, obliges me to call your attention to the subject of continuing the system of contemplated defence along the coast; I therefore respectfully suggest that a commencement of the works for the defence of Portland, Me.; Portsmouth, N. H.; Provincetown harbor, and New Bedford, Mass.; the debouche of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal; Delaware river; Baltimore, Md., and that intended to complete the defences of Pensacola harbor and navy yard, be taken into consideration ; an estimate for which is submitted.

The influence which these positions exert upon our internal defence and intercourse, is well known to you; and need no comment from me, at this time, for the preference given them over others.

HARBORS AND RIVERS.

Chicago harbor, Ill.-Notwithstanding the difficulties attendant upon procuring supplies of materials and workmen, in a country whose whole energies are necessarily exerted for the accommodation of a numerous and rapidly growing population, the works at this place have been successfully prosecuted, and to an extent commensurate with the available means. The piers forming the artificial harbor have been extended about five hundred feet, and enclose a channel of two hundred feet breadth, varying from three to seven feet deep, ready for the operations of a dredging machine, by which a free passage will be opened into the channel of the river. The north pier now extends into the lake 1,260 feet, and to twelve feet water. the south seven hundred feet, and to seven feet water. In their present incomplete state, great protection has already been afforded to the increasing commerce of the place, and as many as five schooners have at one time discharged their cargoes under their shelter.

Since the opening of navigation, to the 30th of September, upwards of two hundred vessels have arrived at this port, showing that its speedy completion, which is anticipated during the next year, should the estimate now asked for be granted, will confer great advantages, not only on Chicago and its immediate neighborhood, but on the whole country to the west and south, as far as the shores of the Mississippi.

Harbors on the south shore of Lake Erie.The condition and progress of these works are set forth in detail in the reports of the general superintendents, and, as their importance to the commerce of the whole western country's universally felt, they are herewith annexed, marked D and E, to which I beg leave to refer you.

Get river and Big Sodus bay, Lake Ontario, N. Y.-The extent to which the important improvements at these places have been procted dunner the last fiscal year, is stated by the immediate superintend in his report to this office, which is appended and marked F', to which Beg leave to re-fer, as giving a concise view of their present condition. It is now very apparent that, to secure the continuance of the advantages f these works, the temporary piers at the first position ought to be replaced by permanent constructions; to carry which project into effect, an estimate & subimtted.

Oarego, Lake Ontario, N. Y.-The operations for the improvement of is harbor have been confined to the collection and proper distribution of one for the construction of the mole and pier, and in paving the mole with large blocks of limestone. About 4,084 cords of stone have been ied to the first mentioned objects, and 1,115 tons of limestone to the seond. A sufficient quantity of stone has been deposited in the mole to render it secure the coming winter.

ap

Monument on Steel's ledge. On the 14th ultimo this monument was ompleted, except putting in the copper bolts required for the upper courses Í stone.

Piers at Kennebunk, Maine.-In making preparations for carrying into flect the wishes of Congress in reference to the erection of the eastern jer at this place, it was ascertained that the appropriation was not suffiient to complete it upon the plan proposed, and as the new work would be exposed, in its unfinished state, to the action of the sea during the autumLal and winter storms, the propriety of commencing its construction was Loubted. Nothing has been, therefore, done this season, but to procure materials, and prepare the stone for the upper courses of the work. A large uantity of fine blocks of stone are now ready, and every thing is prepared commencing operations next spring, except contracting for the masonry, hich the available funds did not justify.

Merrimack river, Mass.-The pier leading from Salisbury shore to Badger's rock has been completed, and extended nearly two hundred feet to the river, terminating upon a ledge of rock one foot under water at tide. When completed, it will afford shelter and protection from the to three ships at a time, affording them a harbor of fifteen feet water at tide. The effect experienced from this pier last winter, in its then situton, was very beneficial; and the influence it has exerted in widening d straightening the channel over the Hamp sands is very great.

Though it is impossible to state at this time what may be the conserence of the public works on the bar at the mouth of the river, it is satisfactory to know that vessels drawing seventeen feet water can now, withcat difficulty, pass it; and it may be supposed that in time a safe refuge for essels, during the stormy seasons, will be prepared on that part of the

orast.

Provincetown harbor, Mass.-The parts of the beach at this place that planted with grass, are represented as doing well, and as giving eviFace that the object in view, viz. the protection of the harbor, will be at