Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1875 — The President’s Message on Coast Defenses. [ARTICLE]

The President’s Message on Coast Defenses.

Washington, Jan. 20. The President sent the following message to Congress to-day: To°thtrßcna.Te and House of Reprc-enmt lves: — In my annual message of Dec. 1, 1873, while inviting general-attention to all recommendations made by the Secretary of War, your special attention was invited to the importance of preparation for war in the arming of our sea-coast defenses. Proper armament is of vastly more importance than fortifications. The latter can be supplied very speedily for temporary purposes when needed. The former cannot. These views gain increased strength and pertinence as the years roll by. I have now again the honor to call special attention to the condition of the,armament of our fortifications and the absolute necessity for immediate provision by Congress for the procurement of heavy cannon. The large expenditures required to supply the number of guns for our forts is the strongest argument that can be adduced for a liberal annual appropriation for their gradual accumulation. In time of "war such preparations cannot be made; cannon cannot be purchased iu open market nor manufactured at short notice. They must be the product of years of experienced labor. I herewith inclose copies of the reports of the Chief of Ordnance and of the Board of Ordnance Officers on the trial of the eightinch rifle, converted from the ten-inch smoothbore. which shows very conclusively an economical means of utilizing the useless smooth-bores and making them into eightinch rifles, capable of piercing seven inches of iron. The 1,294 ten-inch Rodman guns should, in my opinion, be so utilized, and the appropriation requested by the Chief of Ordnance ot $250,000 to commence these conversions is earnestly recommended. W hile convinced of the economy and necessity of these conversions, the determination of the best and most economical method of providing guns of still larger caliber should no longer be delayed. The experience of other nations, based on the new conditions of defense, brought prominently by the introduction of iron-clads into every navy afloat, demands heavier meta!and rifle" guns of not less than twelve inches in caliber. These enormous masses, hurling a shot of 700 pounds, can alone meet many of the requirements of the national defenses. They must be provided, and experiments on a large scale can alone give the data necessary for the determination of the question. A suitable proving ground, With all the facilities and conveniences referred to by the Chief of Ordnance, with a liberal annual appropriation, is an undoubted necessity, The guns ready for trial cannot be tested without funds; and the estimate of $250,000 for the purpose is deemed reasonable, and is strongly recommended. The constant appeals for legislation on “ armament of fortifications” ought no longer to be disregarded, if Congress desires in peace to prepare important material the want of which in future wars must inevitably lead to disaster. This subject is submitted with the hope that the consideration it deserves may be given it at the present session. (Signed) U. S. Grant. Executive Mansion, Jan. 20, 1875.