Historic Fort Norfolk Logo

John Jacob Rivardi letter May 6, 1794

Major Rivardi to the President of the United States

Norfolk, 6th May 1794
SIR:
I take the liberty, for the first time, to address your Excellency concerning the difficulties which I meet, in the performance of the task you did me the honor to entrust me with.  I found, in Baltimore, the situation so advantageous, the soil so proper for fortification, and the zeal of the inhabitants so favorable to my purpose, that, after having given the necessary plans, I left the place with strong hopes that the works should be executed for the sums allowed by Government for that purpose.
At my arrival here, I found an extensive coast, requiring points of defence; a soil, loose, without the least adhesive quality; the people, though disposed to assist with all their power, much less numerous than at Baltimore: and I compared, with great concern, the sums allowed for the latter place and Norfolk.
I tried the ground, and find it is unavoidable to support it with an interior revetment of bricks or fascines.  I should prefer the first as durable, particularly as the thickness of the ground before it will prevent any ball from penetrating deep enough to endanger the soldiers fighting behind; twelve hundred dollars would very likely be sufficient to obtain that end.
Were it on a business in which the of the country and my honor should not be interested, I should say that it is possible to regulate the works according to the given means; but, in the present case, I should highly blame myself if any thing was left undone, so as to afford an excuse for a bad defence hereafter, or an occasion to accuse me of ignorance or neglect.
Since my arrival, public money has been expended only for the purchasing of materials and tools, the labor being done almost entirely by the public.  Governor Lee's exertions and indefatigability have removed almost every obstacle which I undoubtedly should have experienced had he not been here as soon as myself.  I crave your Excellency's consideration on that subject, and can assure that nothing shall be done but what will be strictly necessary.
 J.J.U. RIVARDI

Fort Norfolk Documents

Before 1794, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865

Source of Information

AMERICAN STATE PAPERS
CLASS V
MILITARY AFFAIRS
VOLUME 1
DOCUMENTS
LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE,OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
FROM THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FIRST TO THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTEENTH CONGRESS INCLUSIVE:
COMMENCING MARCH 3 1789 AND ENDING MARCH 3 1819
SELECTED AND EDITED, UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS
BY WALTER LOWRIE, Secretary of the Senate,  AND MATTHEW ST CLAIR CLARKE Clerk of the House of Representatives,
VOLUME
WASHINGTON:
PUBLISHED BY GALES AND SEATON
1832