The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-12-10

monnt and value OF us pfoductious, the con-
kectfon pf It's parts, and other circumstances,
or which their prosperity and hsppiness dc.
pend, ave Cannot fail TO entertain high sense
OF the advantage 10 be derived from the fAcil-
ily which may bo afforded IN the intercourss
betveeSsthsm, by means Of good roads and
canals. Mover did couairy Of such vast ex-
teut offer equal Inducements 10 improvements
Of this kind, nor evor were consequences OF
such magnitude involved in them. As tins
subject was acted on by Congress at the last
sc ssion, aud there may be disposition TO re-
vive il at the prescott, 1 haxs brought II into
view, for the p0rpose of communicating my
uen.imen,s On a very important Circumstance
connected with il, with that freedom and can
dor which a regard for the public interest,
aad a proper respect for Congress, require.
A difference Of opinion has existed, from the
hrs, formatioa OF our constitution TO the pre-
sen, lime, amo0g our most enlightened aud
virtuous citizens, respecting the tighl OF Con-
ercss to establish ,sushla system OF Improve
ment. Taking inse sis& Abe trust wssf which
am no~ honorsd, u would be improper, al
ter what has passed, that this dlscussiun
should be revived, win On unccrtaiaay Of any
opinion respecting the tight. .Disregardlng
early impressions, I have bestowed on the
subjecr all the deliberations which its g,eat
i'm portancey and Just sense at my duty, 'e-
qaired---and the tesatt Is, s,stied conviction
10 my mind, that Congress Do not possess tie
right. I. is not contained ia any OF the spec
fled powers granted to Congress; nor can
consider il incidsntal 70, or . necessary mean,
viewed 90 the most liberal scale, for yiog
iato eH,st any Of the powers which are speei-
tl. In nir t0n
salt, ! cannot rcsist the obligation which 1
feel to- suggest TO Congress the propticty Of
reco onm dog TO the stalos the adoption OF
kn amendment 10 the constitution, which
shaft givs TO Congress tho righ, in Question.
In cases of doubtful consrucuon, especially
Of such vita! interest, j, compots with the
nsturs and origin Of our ins'in,ions, ADD will
paatsibuts much to preserve them, to apply
10 onr. coostitusals for an explicit grant of
he powes. Ws may confidently rely, ,nlt
( it appears to their satisfaction, that the
power is oscessary, IL will always be grained.
IN this case am happy 10 observe, that OK
pcrience ms af,sded The most ample proot
pf its ,utilisy, and that tae b.oiyl spirit OF
tonciliation and hsrm,oy, which now mani
'ests h.sif throughout our Union, promises
10 such a decentralization the most prompt
And favorable tesait. think proper TO sug.
gca also, in case this measure is aaop:cd,
hat j, be recon nended TO the states to in
riude,.in the am ,naa, ca, sought, q right 10
Congress to institute, like wise, seminsries OF
eafning, for tho al-important purpose OF
iilfs,ing knowledge among our fsllow-risi-
ssns tbroughout tho Uai,ed States.
Our manufactures will require the consin
ned astcalion of Congress. rhe capital em-
ployed in them is consi erablc, and the k0owl-
odgs ~Jquircd in the machinery and fabric OF
pii the most useful manufactpres, is OF great
value. Their preservation, which depends
on due encourag cment, Is connected With the
high interests Of the nation.
Although the progress Of the public bull
dings has been as favorable as circumstances
have permitted, il is TO be reg cited that The
Capitol is not yet In state TO receive you.
There IS good cause 10 presume, that the two
wings, the ouly parts as yet commenced, wiil
be prepared for that purpose at the next SEES
sion. Tho time seems now 10 have arrived,
when this subject may be deemed worthy the
attention of Congress, on a scale adequate TO
nstlonai purposes. The complexion of the
middle building WILDE necessary to the con-
Ieniont accom- modation of Congress, OF the
A>Om Wt.tcess anu vdriOus ohiScS UctOtktVH W
Ii. Il is evident that the Other public bull
d,ngs are altogether insufficient for the ac-
con nodation Of the several executive depart
men,s, some OF whom arc much crowded..
and even subjected to the necessity Of obtain.
lag IL in privre buildings, at some distance
from the head Of the department, and with
inconv cnicnce to the management Of the pub
lie business. Most nations have taken an IN
te. e,, aud a pride in the improvement and
ornament Of thc,r metropolis, and none we're
moee conspicuous in that respect than the
ancient republics. The policy which dlctat-
cd the establish ment of . per maoent residence
fOr the nationsl government, and the spirit in
which IL was commenced and has been pros.
ecuted, snow tina, such improvement was
thousht worthy tho attention Of this nation.
rs central position, betweeo the northern and
southern extremes of our union, and its ap.
psoaeh TO ,hc west, at the head Of great nav
igable river, which interlocks with tbe wes-
Sseo waters, prove the wisdom Of the coun
Gals which established il, Nothing appears
20 be more reasonable and proper, than tina,
eoo enieot accom- modstion should be proyid-