On the left is the Long Island shore, with Fort Hamilton on its high hank, and Fort Lafayette, formerly Fort Diamond, in the stream below. The latter fort is upon Hendrick's Eeef, two hundred yards from the Long Island shore. It was commenced in 1812, but had not been thoroughly completed when the Civil War commenced, although 350,000 dollars had been spent upon it. It was then capable of having mounted seventy-fi-ve heavy guns. It soon became famous as a

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political state prison in which many citizens, charged with disloyal, seditious, and treasonable acts toward the Government, were confined. Among them was Mr. Faulkner, of Yirginia, who was the United States minister to the French Court during Mr. Buchanan's administration ; the mayor and chief of police of Baltimore ; members of the Maryland legislature, and the mayor of Washington city. The latter was released after a short confinement, on taking the oath of allegiance.

On the eastern border of the Narrows stands Fort Hamilton, a strong

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fortification completed in 1832, when a war with France seemed to be impending. It was enlarged and strengthened during the Civil War. At the beginning of the rebellion it mounted sixty heavy guns (a portion of them en harbette), forty-eight of which bore upon the ship channel. The fort is elevated, and commands the Lower Bay from the Narrows towards Sandy Hook. This work, with the fortifications on the opposite shore of Staten Island, and the water battery of Fort Lafayette in the channel, render the position, at the entrance to Xew York Bay, almost impregnable.