The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-02-27

the mode OF application, so as I.
promote, in the most effectua,
manner, these important objects
and to dffuse the benefits aris-
ing theretrom as generally as
possible among the several
States'
ANSWER. A portion of the public lands
may be selected, and its proceeds appropri-
ated to these objects, without causing any
sensible dimiuution of the revenue arising
from that source, and therefore without inter
fering with the national engagements aid
public exigencies. 1t is only necessary for
that purpose, that the tract or tracts of land
thus selected should be without the bounda
ries Ut the land districts already established
Ov law, so that the annual sales in those dis
rricts, and the payments into the treasure
which constitute the existing land revenue
may not in any degree be affected by the cou-
templated appropriation.
The quantity OF land set apart for that
purpose should be sufficient to produce, when
sold, sum equal to that which congress IN
tends to apply to these objects. And the
states, companies or trustees, under whose
direction the several works will be executed,
should be authorised to sell from time to
time at price limited by law such portions
or the lands as will be necessary to defray
the expences Of the works. The proceeds
OF the sales might be anticipated by author
izlng lpans, to an amount not exceeding the
value OF the lands appropriated, and made
reimourseable at distant periods: in which
case the faith OF the u. States might also be
pledged for the reimbursement of such parts
OF the principal of such loans as could not
be discharged out of the proceeds of the
sales OF the lands then remaining unsold.
reverting in that case to the u S.
The Sd query is sufficiently explained bv
the hon. Secretary's answer
ANSWER. A Canal uniting Lake Erie
with the tide waters of the Hudson, or of any
other Atlantic river, cannot fail to enhance
the value OF all the public lands adjacent to
the Great Lakes, or otherwise so situate
that their inhabitant may use that navigate
on for The transportation of produce or mer-
chardize. For the same reason, it Will be
giving access on cheaper terms to a better
market, facilitate to certain degree tie
means of paying for the lands thus situated
1t is not believed that the canal would
materially arrest the illicit trade from Cana
da. 81. ,t,2..,..t
THE fourth query is also explained by the
answer. 1t asked the honorable oecretary's
opinion OF general improvements by Canals.
&c.1
ANSWER. In report made on the 4th
OF April 1908, i'll obedience 70 a resolution of
the SeDate Of the I'd of March 1907. the Sc
cretary OF the Treasury submitted the gene
raj outlines OF plan to that effect. Tothis
DC begs leave respectfully to refer. Al,ho'
the details must IN many respects be incor-
rect and several important objects may, for
want 6t ints;mation, have been omitted, his
opinion Continues tie same with respect TO
the general principles Of the plan II is still
beheved that system Of Improvement. en-
Dracing all the important commuuicat lions
Pointed out by the great geographical features
OF the country; and also such her local OLD
Jects as it may be necessary to include, in
order to equalize, as far as practicable, the
Dement'S of tine plan; would have a mos
powerful effect towards promoting the pros
perty of the country, aud consolidating, the
INTERESTS ot the most remote quarters OF the
union. The notifications which existing
circumstances render necessary, in the man,
ner OK applying the resources of the United
states TO that important object. have alrea-
dy been suggested i'll the answer to the 2nd
query.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
IrcGsufy DeGarlmeHt,
jan. 6. 1912