Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-08-02
REPORT
81 THE SRcRsTARr or THR TsnxSURs
ON THE SUBJECT OF
PUBLIC ROADS & CANALS,
MADE IN, PURSUANCE OF
RESOLUTION OF SENATE Of MARCY 2.
Continued. J

The annual appropriation of two millions of
dollars drawn trum the general revenues ofthe
ualon, which has been suggested, could operate
to its full extent only in times of peace and un
der prosperous circumstances. The applicant
oil of the proceeds of the sales of the public
lands, might perhaps be made permanent un
cal 1t had amounted to a certain sum, and until
the most important Improvements had been eff
fected. The fund created by those improve
ments, the expense of which had been estima-
ted at twenty millions of dollars, would after
wards become itself perpetual resource for
further improvements. Although some Of
those first communications should not become
immediately productive, and although the same
liberal policy, which dictated the measure,
would consider them less As objects TO govern
ncnt, than ofincreased wealth and general con-
venience to the nation, yet they would all 500
ner or later acquire, productive property,
their par value. Whenever that had taken
place in reiAton To any vi hem. tine stock might
b. sCtd 10 individuals OF companies. and The
proceeds applied toa new improv2 n,cnt. And
bY pcrseyering in that plan 3 succession ofim-
pravcmehts would be effected until every pDr.
ton Of the Uaitcd States should enjoy All the
advantages Of inland navigation and improved
roads, of which il was susceptible. TO effect
that great object, disbursement Of twenty
millions of dollars, applied with more or less
rapiditv according to the circumstances OF the
United States, would be amply sufficient.
The mannerin which the public monies may
b. applied TO SUCH objects, remains 70 be consi-
Gered
II is evident that the United States cannot
under the constitution open any road or canal,
with0utthc consent Ofthe state through which
such Rad III canal must pass. In order, there
fore, ID remove every nn3cdment tn 4 national
plan Of internal Improvement, an amendment
to the constitution suggested by the exc
cutiye when TIC subject was recommended to
~. l.. 8 Z 81 ~
blamed, The assent of the states being neces-
sary COR each Improvement, the notifications
under which that assent NAV be gives, will ne
Cessariiy control the manner Of applying the mo-
ncy II may be, however, obserycl J, that in
relation TO tn specific improvements which
have been augges;ed, there is hardly any winch
is not either already authorised by the states
respectively, so immediately beneficial to
them, as to render it highly probable that no
material difficulty will be experienced in that
respect.
The monies may be applied in two different
manners the United States may, with the as
sent OF the states, undertake some of the work ;
at their sole expense, or they may subscribe a
certain number of shares ofthe stock Of com
panies Incorporated for the purpose Loans
might also, in some instances, be made 10 such
companies The first mode would perhaps, by
effcctually controlling local interests, give the
most proper general direction 70 the work. It's
details would probably be executed ON a more
Economical plan by private companies Both
modes may perhaps Be blended together so as
~ obtain the advantages pertaining 10 each
But the modihc atoms of which the plan is sus-
eepube, must way according 10 the nature of
tne work, and vt the characters, and seem to
belong to that class Of details, which are not the
immediate subject Of consideration.
AZ present the only work undertaken by the
United Staies, at their sole expense, and TO
which the assent OF the states has been obtain
ed, is the road from Cumberland to Browns
vile. An appropriation may for that purpose
be made al any time. In relation to ali other
works, the United States have nothing az thi /.
time in their power but 10 assist those alreaeI,
authorised either by loans or by becoming
stockholders ard the last mode appears ,he
most eligible. The only companies inoorpora-
ted for eiiectng some OF The Improvements Can-
sidered in this report as OF national and frat
rate Importance, which have applied for such
assistance, are the Chesapeake and Delaware
canal, the 6usquehannah canal, and ,he Disn9i
Swamp companies and authority might be gi-
ven 70 subscribe a certain number Of shares To
each, on condition thas the plan Of the work to
be executed, should be approved by the gene
raj government. A subscription 20 the Ohio
canal, ~ the Pittsburgh rad aud perhaps 10
some other objects no, filly asccnaned, Is al
50 practicable at this time
As an important basis ofthe general system
an immediate authority might also be given to
take the surveys and levels IF the routes OF
abe most important roads and canals which are
contemplated work always aseful and by
which the practiCability and espcsse ofthe un
dertakng would be ascercdncd with much
moro correctness than ~ 'his c3urt. mode
rate appropriation would be sufficient for thoBe
several objes's.