To James Madison from William Harris Crawford, 26 September 1816
From William Harris Crawford
War Department 26th. Sept. 1816.
Dear Sir,
The Corps of Engineers, as I had foreseen, have been excessively mortified, at the delay which has taken place in commencing the fortifications recommended by the commander of that corps, & for which appropriations were made during the last session.
The inclosed papers, are intended to shew that there is no reason to expect that our northern boundary will be enlarged by the Commissioners under the late treaty, at least in the vicinity of Lake Champlain.1
From the number of observations taken, & from the character of the observer, I should be inclined to doubt whether there is any reason to expect the extension of our limits at that point. When this is admitted, there still exists another reason for the delay, which is the possibility that the plan of the fortification may be defective. Colo Totton [sic] is esteemed one of the best officers of the Corps, both scientifically, & practically.
Laying the foundation on the water side, might not so seriously affect the plan, as to render Changes impracticable, after it is commenced.
The low state of the water in the lake presents an inducement to lay the foundation on that side at this time, as from the small quantity of rain which has fallen in the course of the year, the lake is probably lower than it will be for several years to come.
Under all these circumstances, it is submitted whether, the permission requested may not be granted without injury to the Service. I have the honor to be your most obt. & very humbe Servt
Wm H Crawford
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. The enclosed papers have not been identified, but they very probably included two reports, sent by Lt. Col. Joseph G. Totten to Brig. Gen. Joseph G. Swift, dated 20 June and 26 Aug. 1816, respectively, on the problems of erecting fortifications at Rouses Point on Lake Champlain. In his first letter, Totten alluded to “the impropriety of beginning at Rouses till it is ascertained that we do not take Isle aux Noix into our territory.” He also mentioned in this report, and in that of 26 Aug., that the water levels in Lake Champlain were too low to establish “a good artificial horizon” for measurements and that except in the fall, the water level was never low enough “to lay the foundation securely,” with the exception of “the Castle on Island Point.” Totten urged that the work be commenced to save expense, but on 6 Sept. 1816 he informed the Secretary of War that Swift had instructed him not to start work at Rouses Point. Totten’s copies of this material may be found in the Letterbook of Lt. Col. Joseph G. Totten, Record Group 77, at the National Archives.