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it was the aim of the British to gain possession of the Hudson River, in order that they might co-operate with the army from Canada, and separate the Eastern from the Southern colonies, so that the rebellion could be put down in detail.
Congress and General Washington also saw the importance of keeping the Hudson closed to the passage of the British fleet, and, in addition to the fortifications, placed huge chains across the river at Fort Montgomery and West Point. The most effective barrier was the Pollopels Island obstruction, called Chevaux-de-Frize, in Newburg Bay, at the northern entrance to the Highlands, four miles north of West Point, which consisted of large box-like log cribs, with iron-pointed, thirty-foot extending spars, filled with stone, and sunk across the river from Pollopels Island to Plum Point, presenting a row of hidden spears. This formidable barrier the British fleet only succeeded in passing by the treachery of a deserter, who piloted their ships through the hidden channel.
Bannerman Island Arsenal.
If General Washington, on his visit to this Island to view the work, could have by any Aladdin's magic lamp process discovered Bannerman's Arsenals which stand there now filled with modern weapons, what a grand surprise he would have had in store for the British when his soldiers no more need
Watch their old flintlocks,
To keep their powder dry,
but with automatic repeating rifles could shoot smokeless powder and steel covered bullets, thirty a minute, at a range further than the eye could sight-
No more the ponderous chain and boom
The British fleet to stay,
When aided on by favoring tide and wind, but iron shells hidden deep in the dark waters, filled with a giant force that could destroy a fleet. Guns with half a score of barrels belching forth a thousand shots a minute-no more the old
Long Tom would shoot
Its thirty-pounder ball a mile away,
But cannon with mouth and length
In which a dozen men might creep,
and shoot a ball as heavy as the largest horse, near a score of miles away, with powder charge that would buy a hundred barrels of Pillsbury's Best.
"Yes, Washington and his troops with
arms disabled.
Little dreamt In those stirring times
gone by,
Of Bannerman, who to-day, on receipt of
cable,
Could a hundred thousand men with
arms supply."
Landing on the Island is necessarily forbidden, owing to the storage of millions of explosive cartridges.
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Visitors are welcome to view his free museum salesroom exhibit at 501 Broadway, New York City, a large building stuffed full of weapons from every time and war since the Crusades, of which the
New York "Herald" says; "That no museums in the world exceeds in the number of exhibits. One of the sights of the Metropolis, to which many visitors ascribe FIRST place." A veritable Tower of London.
PEARY, COOK, and ROOSEVELT'S party Obtained part of their outfit from Bannerman, who claims that his goods
Float on every sea,
Find their way to every land,
Even to the ends of the earth.
He is a recognized authority on military weapons, and publishes an Interesting 340-page illustrated catalogue describing the goods he has for sale, purchased at Government auctions. Catalogue can be obtained by sending 15 cents.
HE DID NO HARM.
One day we were conversing with a-man who described his neighbor as one who did no harm. That was the best that could be said of him. He was quiet and kindly disposed. He lived for himself and had little dealings with others. He had a good, well-furnished home, and had ample means at his command. He neither said nor did anything to distract or roar social relations; he was neither spiteful nor resentful nor envious; was honest and industrious, and died without incurring any special ill-will.
Life is full of these negative characters. They do no particular harm in the community, but they do no special good. This is not enough. There must be a career of usefulness. Men must he benefited. Our lights must shine. Good works must be performed. A direct beneficent influence must be exerted. The home must be blessed with counsel, grace and kindness; the community aided in all lawful ways; the church have the benefit of our influence and help and the nation enjoy the power and advantage of worthy and benevolent citizenship. The gospel of Jesus Christ covers all relations and conditions, and must be illustrated and enforced to the fullest and most practical degree.
I wish to see America not like the old powers of the earth-grasping, exclusive and narrow-but a benefactor such as no country ever was, hospitable to all nations, legislating for all nationalities. Nations were made to help each other as much as families were, and all advancement is by ideas and not by brute force; or mechanic force.-Emerson.
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Day Line 1910