Boston April 14 1863

 

Hon Tappan Wentworth

Dear Sir

          The militia bill has failed. How our authorities do invite disaster! No troops to defend our most important cities no fortifications upon our coast.

 

            Does God wish to destroy us that we are thus bereft of sense?

 

            I was at Fort Warren Saturday and was thunderstruck to find that the fort is no more capable of injury to an enemy than it was last May when I left it. A few guns lie upon the ground inside; perhaps a half dozen—but there are no carriages for them. Col Dimmick tells me that as fast as they are made for him they are sent away some where else.

 

            A few men are digging on the rampart to make a new bed for some large guns and if nothing happens to prevent they may be mounted in a year.

 

            And yet we know that a fleet is finished in England for the Rebel Navy which could pass into our inner harbor almost without the possibility of a scratch. Nay all that is / necessary for them to do to obtain access is to hoist our flag or no flag and steam up the channel. it is not likely that the commandant of either Fort would ever be informed of the fact by his sentinels.

 

            Independence has no real garrison Warren but a small one and I doubt if half of the men in either could tell how to put a shell into a gun. Light draft steamers at full tide can pass between Fort Winthrop and East Boston and there is not a gun to molest them until they are in the harbor

 

            In command of a fast privateer I would undertake to enter an enemies harbor no better defended & burn the shipping at the wharves and the buildings in the Navy Yard, and escape without injury.

 

            I tell you that this may happen tomorrow.

 

Very truly Yours

 Fran^s J. Parker.

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