H. OF R.] Harbor Bill. [JUNE 18, 1834. from New Hampshire [Mr. HUBBARD] a few days after, mittee had acted on their own judgment, and the House and he was then informed by him that the committee, was to follow them. Private statements were to be reor a part of its members, having seen the Secretary of ceived and acted upon, although this morning the most War, had directed him to report an amendment to the authentic data, when exhibited and urged in support of bill, reducing the sums, however, from what they were a western improvement, must receive no credit at all. in the estimates, and in the bill as first drawn. Then the Department was every thing; then the gentleman He did not see, he said, that any one was to blame, as cried for official estimates and requisitions from the Deit appeared to be a mistake, which was corrected as soon partment. Now the Department is nothing, and a New as its existence was known. He had long known that York appropriation must be voted blindly. Mr. G. said the Secretary of War was in favor of the construction of he was for an equal course. He was a friend to internal these harbors; and no one better knew their importance improvements; but when he saw that one portion of the than he did; and he was happy to say that he did not country was to be favored, and another portion to be deunderstand a majority of the Committee of Ways and nied, he was for arresting such a course of things. NineMeans decided against the appropriations, because they ty-one thousand dollars had already been expended on doubted the power of the General Government to make this little harbor at Oswego; $34,000 had been given to them, nor because they considered these harbors were carry on the works, and now they came forward and asknot useful; but because they thought the works already ed for $30,000 more. God alone could tell what approconstructed would answer for the present, and would priations for repairs were yet to come. He should vote not materially be injured if further appropriations were against the whole. not made this year. If the gentleman from Alabama Mr. SUTHERLAND said that he had been one of the [Mr. McKINLEY] would go to the lakes, and see these first in favor of embarking in the gentleman's Red river harbors, and learn personally how necessary they were concern, and the House had given the gentleman's conin carrying on the commerce for that extensive region of stituents 50 or 60,000 dollars at a dash. Now, this bill country; and particularly if he could retreat to one of contained ten or twelve appropriations for the benefit of them from a storm, he was entirely certain that all ex- States which had helped the gentleman on that occasion; cept constitutional objections would be removed; and and it would be well enough for the gentleman to rememeven those, he thought, would be shaken--by the wind. ber that he, with others, was embarked in this bill. IIe Mr. GARLAND, of Louisiana, said that he had not must sink or swim with it. They were all in one boat, been disposed to resist this appropriation; but when he and they ought to act accordingly. The gentleman had saw a particular course pursued in the House towards one got $30,000, and he thought this was pretty well for the part of the Union, and a course directly opposite to present. Mr. S. had voted to make it $50,000, and another, he felt his determination much changed. He would have been willing to have raised it to $100,000, had voted for the objects in which other gentlemen were but the House had determined otherwise; and the gen interested, but the journals would tell how Louisiana tleman had better submit with good humor. He thought had been treated. He had voted for the appropriation the bill did, upon the whole, as much as could be expectfor the Cumberland road, and, provided the money was ed. Ohio was well, New York was well, and Pennsylvato be equally distributed, he was prepared to go for other nia was pretty well. It was best to quit debating, and objects of a similar character; but when he saw proposi- come to voting. tions coming from large influential States, either not op- Mr. MERCER said that it had been his fortune to posed at all, or opposed in very soft and modest terms, know a good deal about that part of our frontier for which by the same committee which cried out against and voted the present item of appropriation was proposed. Gendown propositions resting on the same principles, if pre-tlemen were mistaken who supposed this harbor to be sented by other parts of the country, and by States less altogether the work of art. As far back as the old powerful, he did not know what to say. He thought French war, the harbor of Oswego had been considered a gentlemen called with very bad grace upon the West. point of importance, and a post there had been taken by When any thing was wanted for New York, when New the French officers. So far from being altogether a work York wanted a large appropriation for a custom-house, of art, it was the best natural harbor on the southern shore or provision for crowds of officers, then they were told of Lake Ontario. He had formerly, as chairman of the that every thing should be done for the West; but no Committee on Roads and Canals, reported an appropriasooner was money asked for a western improvement, tion for the erection of piers and the improvement of this than forthwith the doors of the treasury were closed. harbor. But, by a subsequent arrangement, the whole Then nothing was talked of but economy. Then the subject of harbors had been knocked off from the jurisHouse was reminded of the state of the revenue, and the diction of that committee and given to the Committee on chairman of the committee, himself a western man, came Commerce. Nobody had ever imagined that the sum at forward and strenuously opposed the appropriation of first appropriated for the improvement of this harbor money which was to be expended beyond the mountains, would be enough to complete it. In all these cases, the and a moment after, when harbors or custom-houses were course was to appropriate different portions of the entire wanted, then all was right and fair. He could not but sum requisite, from year to year, according as they could mark the peculiar course pursued by the two ends of the be the most judiciously applied. In the great fortificaCommittee of Ways and Means. The head and the tail tion at the Rip Raps, the money had long since been apof the committee united to oppose a western measure.propriated and applied; it had been expended in prepaBut when money was asked for New York, one end of ring a solid and stable foundation, and there would not a the committee would warmly advocate it, while the other wall be erected for four or five years to come. It requiend would scarcely oppose. This morning, the gentleman red time for all such works to settle. The great church from New Hampshire [Mr. HUBBARD] had insisted that of St. Paul's, in England, had been 30 years in building, we must have estimates from the Department, before we and this leisurely course had been pursued in order that could move one inch. Both Houses of Congress were the foundations of so ponderous a structure might have nothing, and could do nothing, until the Department time to have fully settled. In providing for the breakshould go before. But what said the gentleman now? water in Delaware bay, the House had appropriated not Here was an appropriation not contained in the original more than $270,000 in one year. Whenever works bill, and not supported by estimates; nay, contradicted were to be erected where there was a shifting channel, by the estimates; yet now the gentleman sang another such a course was the only wise one, and he hoped they note. Estimates were not to be adhered to. The com- should not hear again the reproach that works of the JUNE 18, 1834.] Harbor Bill. [H. OF R. character now in question had not been completed for the The clause had been moved, after the bill had come sums first appropriated. As to this harbor at Oswego, it into the House, by the chairman of the Committee of would be expedient and proper to make it, if it were for Roads and Canals. Mr. P.'s own opinion was that the no other object than to protect our navy on the lakes in act of 1824 did not require or warrant its insertion. He times of war. No navigation was more dangerous than considered the power of that act as expended so soon as that of this part of Lake Ontario. Vessels were land-lock- the first appropriation had been made under it. As soon ed, and had no room for manoeuvring in case of a storm. as that was done the law was functus officio. In confirmThe most violent winds, winds so violent as to carry off ation of this view, Mr. P. here quoted the act of 1824. the roofs of the houses in Oswego, often arose very sud. He had always concurred with the gentleman from Virdenly, and vessels could not beat about before them for ginia, that a repetition of this appropriation for surveys, want of room to do so. They must have secure harbors, after so many years, was wholly uncalled for, unless, inor be in imminent risk of destruction. They ought to deed, the Government was still disposed to sanction such have them wherever harbors were practicable, and every a grand scheme of internal improvement on a general natural advantage toward that end ought to be seized up-scale, as was contemplated by the law of 1824. But that on and improved to the uttermost. In case of war with the present administration was not disposed to do. Mr. Great Britain, the lakes would have a hostile coast oppos- P., however, would not go into the general question. ed through their whole length to our own, and good har- Every body must remember that the original introduction bors would be a means of rescuing much property from of the scheme had led to a very able and protracted decapture and destruction. bate, in which a highly distinguished gentleman from VirMr. EWING said that he rose not to make a speech, ginia [Mr. Randolph] had largely participated. but to convince the House that they ought not to lose Mr. MERCER said that it was always painful for him time in making speeches. He wanted to remind them to address the House, and it was especially so to be called that they had but a few days more to accomplish a great upon at so late an hour of the day to answer so general mass of business, which yet remained undone. He fully and indefinite an inquiry as had been proposed by his estimated the magnificent, enterprising, and glorious colleague. It was well known that the Government had course of the State of New York in regard to works of employed a corps of very able and scientific officers, internal improvement. He considered her interests as with a view to ascertain the actual condition of the counintimately allied with those of the West. He had gone try, by an examination of its surface and an investigation in Tavor of the Red river raft, and he should go in favor of its capabilities and physical resources. And while of Oswego harbor. He hoped to see no jealousy be- engaged in this useful design, they had not only demontween New York and Louisiana. With respect to the strated the practicability of many designs of improvepresent appropriation, he presumed the House were al- ment, but had also rendered certain the inutility of others, ready satisfied. He thought the Committee of Ways and and thus, by the expenditure of a comparatively small Means had done much in reporting for works of internal amount of money, had prevented the misapplication and improvement, and his chief anxiety now was that the waste of sums infinitely larger. Such a corps was valuaHouse should act, and not waste its time in useless de- ble to the country, not only for the purpose of surveying bate.. the proposed routes of canals and railroads, and ascerThe question was now put on the amendment, which taining the best mode of improving harbors, and the proposed to strike out $30,000 and insert $8,000, for navigation of rivers, but it would be worth while to emcompleting the improvements of Oswego harbor, and re-ploy and to pay them, if for no other object than to conjected: Ayes 41, noes 97. struct a good map of these United States. Such a design Governments, and was still in a course of prosecution at The next item was that for the continuance of surveys vast expense, although those countries were so much for the purposes of internal improvement. more thickly settled than ours, and their topography so Mr. ARCHER, of Virginia, declared himself wholly much better understood. We had already acquired an adverse to this item of appropriation. But as he was un-increased knowledge of our country from the prosecution willing to make an attempt which he knew must be in of these surveys, which was highly valuable both in a vain, he should not enter into any argument in the hope civil and a military point of view. On that ground, of arresting the course of such an appropriation through doubtless, many voted for the appropriation who were the House. But he desired to receive from the chair-not the advocates of such a system of internal improveman of the Committee of Ways and Means some expla-ments as the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. POLK] had nation of this eternal prolongation of the system of sur-alluded to. Mr. M., however, and those who thought veys to be made by the General Government. He had with him, had given the same vote for additional reasons been in Congress when this item had been first introduced. connected with an approval of that system. Mr. M. was He had witnessed its repetition ever since; and he was not disposed at present to enter into the general discussatisfied that, if the money had been well applied, it was sufficient to have furnished the country with surveys enough for works of internal improvement for at least one hundred years to come. And was there no ground to hope that they were ever to have an end to this system of expenditure? He remembered having pressed a similar inquiry two years ago, respecting appropriations for clearing out the Mississippi river, and a member had at that time replied that the appropriation was never to cease until the Mississippi should cease to flow. He had not, to be sure, had such an answer to the present inquiry, but he believed he might make the same assertion; for he had no hope that this appropriation was ever to cease till the termination of the world. The question was then taken on granting the appro-was considered of great public importance by European priation of $30,000, and carried by yeas and nays. sion, but if the gentlemen would name a day, or if they would agree to protract the session, he was ready to meet them. But at present he had not courage to do it, because he did not possess moral courage sufficient to continue a debate when nobody was listening. Mr. ADAMS, of Massachusetts, regretted that his friend from Virginia did not get the same definitive answer to his present inquiry which had been given to that made by him respecting the works on the Mississippi river. Mr. A. was prepared to give it to him now. And he now said to that gentleman, and to all others who heard him, that he hoped the expenditure of money for the physical improvement of this Union, and the discovery and development of its natural resources, from an Mr. POLK said, in reply, that this item had not been examination of every part of its surface, would cease only inserted in the bill by the Committee of Ways and Means. when the Mississippi ceased to flow. And this he humThe bill, as it left their hands, had no such appropriation. [bly presented as his prayer to Almighty God. He trusted VOL. X.-286 H. OF R.] Harbor Bill. [JUNE 18, 1834. that no other answer would ever be given to such an in that it was not he who had raised that question. He conquiry. He was sorry the item had not been introduced sidered that as a question settled. It had been a settled as a regular portion of the bill, by the committee who question for these ten years. It was not now in issue, reported it. Why should it not? Did gentlemen con- neither should it be in issue between him and his friend tend for engaging in works of internal improvement from Virginia. The principle was recognised in every without previous surveys? Surveys were the introductory appropriation which Congress had ever made for such means of ascertaining what the objects were to which im- objects. He would not enter into the discussion of it on provement could best be applied. If they ceased to au- the present bill, but he assuredly would, and that with thorize surveys they must cease the improvement of the the greatest pleasure, if the gentleman would agree to an country. Congress had long continued to make appro- extension of the session. He had no sort of objection priations of large amounts of money for works which that the question should be discussed, and rediscussed, were proper and highly useful in themselves, and which again and again, until not a voice should be heard in opwere within its competency as works of a national char-position. As to the present appropriation, it was both acter. A portion of the country had been examined with authorized and required by the act of 1824. a view to such objects. But was there a single locality, The question was then put on concurring with the ten miles square, in our whole domain, which was not above item for surveys, and decided in the negative: susceptible of some improvement? How was this to be Yeas 90, nays 103. So the House refused to concur. known but from surveys? Those who considered this as Mr. MERCER, believing that the House had been an improper appropriation ought to resist the annual bill taken by surprise in the vote just given, moved to adwhich was introduced into the House for works of inter-journ, but withdrew his motion at the request of Mr. nal improvement; in which works, he thanked God that BEATY, who moved to lay the bill on the table; which the nation still spent millions every year, in spite of all motion was decided in the negative by yeas and nays: theories. Was it not a sacred duty to apply the wealth Yeas 66, nays 122. and means of the country in rendering this country a more fit residence for our posterity? Every dollar thus expended was a debt laid upon posterity, and would be by them duly appreciated. Had not the God of heaven given us our country to be improved, and what was the tendency of the contrary system? It led us back to the savage state. It brought back our population to the state of the hunter. He it was that was the great adversary of internal improvements. He hoped that his friend from Virginia would cease to propose such inquiries in future, and that he would admit the candid answer which had now been given him as a good and sufficient reply. The question then recurred on the item of $29,000 for improving Deep creek. Mr. BEATY moved to amend the amendment by adding $50,000 for improving the navigation of the Cumberland river. Mr. B. said he would detain the House as little as possible, and only rose for the purpose of calling its attention to a few facts in explanation of his proposition. The Cumberland river was susceptible of being made navigable from its mouth up to the falls, a distance of something like five hundred miles; all of which distance it passes through a rich, fertile, and highly agricultural country, and upon its banks, a short distance below the falls, are some of the largest bodies of stone coal ever found in any country. Mr. ARCHER replied, that, out of deference to his friend from Massachusetts, he should take the answer which he had given; but he could not receive it as satisfactory, when he saw in it the determination to continue this same system of expenditure for at least ten years to One of those banks extends, with but little interrupcome. The gentleman had now openly avowed the pur- tion, about five miles in length, and from three to five pose of repeating this appropriation every year, so long feet thick. This bank, with sundry others in the same as the Mississippi should continue to flow. He had not neighborhood, are now opening, but owing to the unimthe least doubt of his sincerity, nor that such was the de- proved state of the navigation of the river, the citizens sign of others who acted with him. And he called the living upon its banks and in its vicinity above Nashville, attention of the House to it, in order that no man might are often deprived of a market for the products of the vote for the present item of appropriation who did not fertile soil upon which they live, that being their only mean to vote for it as a perpetual charge on the Govern- outlet. The length of the Cumberland river, from where ment. He wanted to have it distinctly understood, whe-it heads in the State of Kentucky to where it enters the ther this Government was for ever to go on accumulating State of Tennessee, taking its meanderings, is something materials for future works of internal improvement. upwards of three hundred miles. In addition to the Were he even the greatest friend to works of that kind; large quantities of agricultural products raised upon and did he even hold the enormous opinion that every Gov- in the neighborhood of the said river, there is now manuernment was at liberty to do whatever it pleased, provi- facturing, not far distant from said falls, a very large quan ded it believed a measure to be for the public good, still tity of salt, which, if the river were made navigable, he could never consent to this accumulation of surveys. would be sent down and sold cheap to the settlers living But he for one utterly denied that the General Govern-on its banks and within its vicinity. ment had any right to engage in works of that kind, un- The agricultural products of seventeen counties lying less the people had given them authority to spend their above Nashville, in the State of Kentucky, and many money in that way. He was as anxious to see every por- counties in the State of Tennessee, are entirely dependent tion of this country improved as his friend from Massa- upon the Cumberland river, as the only outlet by which chusetts ever was, or could possibly be. But the real their citizens can send their produce to market. In the question was, whether Congress had a right to take mo- present unimproved state of the navigation of said river, ney from the pockets of one portion of its constituents, it cannot be safely descended with loaded boats; in ordiand apply it, without their consent, to works of improve-nary or common freshets they have to be of the lightest ment in another quarter of the Union? There lay the real point of difference between himself and his respected friend. He now took issue with him on that question, and he hoped the House would do the same. Mr. ADAMS replied that his friend from Virginia had renewed his inquiry in the form of a constitutional question, as to the right of Congress to engage in internal improvements. Mr. A. said it would be remembered kind; the consequence to the agriculturists is, that their property frequently lies on hand over the year, and becomes damaged and often lost to the owners, and they are at all times thrown into the rear of the market, and have, in consequence, to take reduced prices. Many of the citizens of Tennessee are largely engaged in the manufacture of iron, below and in the neighborhood of Nashville; they are anxious to contract for large quantities of stone coal, to enable them to prosecute the work of manufacturing successfully. He did hope that it could not be "successfully urged against this application, (asking for an appropriation to improve the navigation of the Cumberland river,) that it is not of a national character. By examining the map, it will be found that the Cumberland river heads in the mountains of Kentucky, enters and passes through the State of Tennessee, empties into the Ohio river, and mingles itself with that great mass of water that passes through the Gulf of Mexico. [H. of R. Mr. HORACE EVERETT, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, reported the following resolution, which was read, considered, and agreed to: Resolved, That Tuesday next be set apart for the consideration of public bills reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs. Mr. E. remarked that, as these bills were of deep importance to the Southern sections of the country, he hoped that one day, which might suffice, would be spared for the purpose of taking them up. Several steamboats of the second class have this year passed up the said river to within forty miles of the falls, but were unable to take in full loads, in consequence of the unimproved state of the navigation of said river. The Cumberland river is as susceptible of being made navigable for steamboats as the Tennessee river, and it is of as much importance to the citizens of Kentucky and Tennes- Mr. POLK said he felt as desirous as the honorable see that it should be improved, as it is to the citizens of member from Vermont that these Indian bills should be Alabama and Tennessee that the Tennessee river should acted upon, but evident embarrassment would arise, if be improved; the one is as much a national subject the House would give precedence to other business over as the other. We look upon the public domain as the that which was actually indispensable. He therefore common property of all the States, and the money suggested a postponement of the resolution for a few arising from the sales thereof belongs to the Treasury of days, that they might better see their way. the United States, till otherwise disposed of by law. We Mr. H. EVERETT replied that he had no objection to see, by a bill upon our desks, (No. 344,) it is proposed to name Saturday, if that day should be more convenient to appropriate 400,000 acres of the public lands in the State the House than the other. Mr. POLK moved that the consideration of the resolution should be postponed until Saturday. Mr. DICKINSON, of Tennessee, contended that it was important, as this was the first time any bills had been reported from the Committee on Indian Affairs, which were likely to prove satisfactory to the people in the Southern sections, that a day should be assigned for their consideration, so that the action of Congress, this session, might be secured to them. The bill for the organization of the Indian territory, he said, would not yield in importance even to the appropriation bills; for he believed there would be a saving effected by it to the Government (when passed) of nearly $100,000 per annum; and it was equally necessary to the Indians themselves, to enable them to know the terms upon which they could form themselves into a confederacy. of Alabama, for the purpose of improving the navigation Mr. WHITTLESEY hoped that Saturday would be of the Coosa and Tennessee rivers, and connecting them left for the business to which it was especially assigned, by a canal, and also for the improvement of the naviga- viz: private bills. tion of the Holston river. It is proposed by said bill that the improvement on the Tennessee river shall commence at the first obstruction above the State line. It is well understood that there is no port of entry above the State line on the Holston river, and it is further well understood that the Tennessee river, from the State line up, is but little more than half as large as the Cumberland river up to the highest point proposed to make it navigable. We ask the House, if they cannot give us money to improve the navigation of the Cumberland river, to do us the same justice that is doing to the Tennessee, Holston, and Coosa rivers, by giving us a portion of the public lands to improve the navigation of the Cumberland river, under the same rules and regulations that the lands are given to improve the aforesaid rivers. He would beg leave to suggest that the mouth of Laurel river is the highest point to which the Cumberland river ought at present to be made navigable, and that it would take from a hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to complete the work; but all asked for the present year was fifty thousand dollars. He begged leave further to suggest the propriety (should this application meet with the approbation of the House,) of dividing the sum appropriated so as to commence the improvement both at the upper and lower ends of the navigation. He could refer to many appropriations made by law for objects of a much less national character than the Cumberland river, but declined it, supposing the committee well acquainted with these laws. Mr. B. said he hoped this application in favor of western improvement would not be resisted. He was sorry to have detained the House so long, but justice to his constituents, to the interests of the West, as well as to the whole community, impelled him to urge the adoption of this item. Mr.PEYTON also supported the proposition at length. Mr. MILLER, of Pennsylvania, explained his reasons for moving the previous question. He had no interest in the bill. He had inquired, and was told that there was but one amendment not acted on by the House. He had no wish to cut off the amendment which gentlemen wished to propose. Mr. LANE moved an amendment. He did so on the ground that whatever they did that night they would undo the next morning. Mr. ASHLEY agreed in opinion that the bills were of much interest, but he considered that two of them were somewhat defective, and should not be acted upon this session. The one alluded to by the member from Tennessee he had no objection to take up, and would sug gest that the resolution should specify it only, leaving the others to stand over until next session. Mr. H. EVERETT said, as the House were as competent then as at any other time to determine whether they would assign a day for the consideration of these important bills, he thought that they ought to do so. The motion to postpone the consideration of the resolution was rejected: Yeas 60, nays 65. Mr. POLK moved to amend the resolution by inserting "Wednesday;" which was finally agreed to, and the resolution, as amended, was adopted. SALARIES OF TERRITORIAL JUDGES. Mr. McKAY asserted that there was no necessity for Mr. HAWES agreed with the member from North Carolina, that the salaries of these judges in Michigan After some further remarks from Mr. EwING and Mr. WILDE, The bill was read a third time and passed. STATE DEPOSITE BANKS. Mr. POLK rose and notified the House that he would on to-morrow ask them to proceed to the consideration of the bill reported from the Committee of Ways and Means, regulating the terms upon which the deposites were to be held by the local banks. HARBOR BILL. The consideration of the bill making appropriations for the improvement of certain harbors, and the removal of obstructions in certain rivers, was resumed. Mr. BEATY withdrew the motion for the latter amendment; after which, [JUNE 19, 1834. were rated too high, being higher than was paid in his address himself to those who represented the interior secown State; and thought that if in that savage country, tions of the country, and ask them to consider the situawhere there were none but a few British traders living, tion in which they found themselves now unexpectedly a judge could not exist upon a less salary, the Terri-placed, and the course which the interests of their contory was not worthy to be entitled to send a Delegate to stituents imperiously called upon them to pursue. The State he in part represented had uniformly supported Congress. the policy of internal improvement, in relation to national objects, wherever presented-not restricted to any tidewater line. They acknowledge no principle that marked any other distinction than the nationality of the object. The right to make internal improvements was derived from the power granted to Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States. He would not now go into an argument on the constitutional question. It was sufficient for his purpose to say that, if the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations authorized the improvement of harbors, the power to regulate commerce among the several States was equally broad, and authorized the improvement of the navigation of rivers, the construction of roads and canals. He was not aware on what ground a distinction The question pending before the House, being to con- could be made. On this broad principle, and on this only, cur with the amendment agreed to in Committee of the had the people of the inland States advocated the doctrine Whole, appropriating 29,000 dollars for improving that of internal improvements; recognising no other limits branch of Elizabeth river called Deep creek; to which than that the improvement should be of a national characwas moved an amendment, of 50,000 dollars, for the im-ter. But what, he asked, is the present state of things' provement of Cumberland riverwhat is the modern doctrine? It is, that the constitution extends no further into the country than tide-water-in no case above the location of a custom-house. This is Mr. MERCER said that he was desirous of taking the the practical doctrine: and how is it carried out in this sense of the House on the following amendment, which House? You have, said Mr. E., two committees-the he proposed as a kind of test to the House, viz: "For Committee on Commerce, and the Committe on Roads defraying the expenses of surveys for 1834, including and Canals. Every thing that relates to harbors is refertherewith payments for arrearages incurred for surveys red to the first committee; to the second is referred in 1833, 29,000 dollars." whatever relates to the interior of the country--to rivers, Mr. M. said he made this proposition in consequence to roads, and canals. The bills reported by the first are of the rejection, yesterday, of the appropriation of 30,000 permitted to pass as constitutional; while those referred dollars for the same purpose, making an appeal to the by the second (and they are yet permitted to report bills) good sense and candor of the House to support it upon are either not acted on, or, if passed, are sure to be met those principles of legislation which ought always to be by the veto. Thus internal (in the proper sense of the regarded by them. word internal) improvements are to be abandoned. Mr. FELDER called the attention of the House to Every thing is to be done to facilitate foreign commercewhat he deemed would be a sufficient answer to the nothing to facilitate commerce among the States. Twencharge of effecting any object by "a side blow," (as Mr. ty, fifty, or a hundred thousand dollars may be expended MERCER had termed the refusal of the proposed appro- on a petty harbor on the seaboard, or on the lakes; while priation.) It was a section at the end of a bill reported the navigation of rivers, on which a hundred times the by the honorable member from Virginia himself, and commerce was carried on, was to be left without any imwhich proposed to grant 20,000 dollars more for surveys.provement. Compare the commerce that must pass on the So (said he) it would appear that the honorable member Cumberland river with many of the harbors in this bill: and his friends were not content with proposing a direct which had the better claim to a national character? which appropriation of 30,000 dollars for that purpose, but they was most worthy of the attention of the Government? must tack in 20,000 dollars more by a clause in the bill Nor is this all: the vote of yesterday, striking from the which he read. Mr. F. was, however, rejoiced that the bill (as reported by the Committee of the Whole) the public attention was at length awakened, as he should be appropriation for surveys, has cut off all hope for the fuif the whole system should be put down, by a side blow, ture, until there shall be a change of policy. The counor any blow, and that the improvements of the country try had looked to this appropriation as the germe of inshould be left, where he contended they ought only to be, ternal improvement, to be carried into effect not only by in the hands of the States and the people, and not in those the aid of the Government, but also by individual enterof the General Government. The recent riots and dis-prise. In the latter view alone it was very important. turbances on the Baltimore railroad and on the canal, Few individuals would be at the expense of making the he said, was a part of the fruits of the system that had necessary surveys to ascertain the practicability of imbeen adopted, and which ought to be deplored. provement, when, if unsuccessful, it must be at their own Mr. H. EVERETT said he regretted that the gentle-expense. He would refer to many of the works of New man from Virginia [Mr. MERCER] had made this motion. York, which were undertaken in consequence of GovernIt was presenting the same question that was decided yes- ment surveys. He considered this refusal of the approterday, without evidence of a change of opinion, in any priation for surveys as an express annunciation to the inone of the majority. He could not suppose that any terior States that, in future, they were to have no lot or one who voted yesterday against 30,000 dollars would portion in the improvements of the country; that, as to to-day vote for 29,000. If there was any change of opin-them, the system is to be totally abandoned. And he ion, he should have expected it would have appeared in now appealed to them to say, whether they would cona motion to reconsider that vote. No such motion having sent thus to be proscribed. Much as he had ever been been made, he considedered the present motion as hope-in favor of internal improvement, he would not consent less. Considering it, then, as hopeless, he would now to it under such injurious limitations. |