Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-09-18


terest on her share OF the common stock, by
the accomplishment OF a public work, cal.
culated to replace this interest, at some fii.
ture period and to augment, in the int.
rim, her wealth and population.
This system is not more susceptible of
application 10 The circumstances OF single
state than to those OF the United States.-
Il would suffice in order to extend the SCALE.
TO extend, also, the means OF lis applica.
ton.
Iwould reluctantly appropriate, any part
of the public revenue, TO roads or canals,
without that security, for their judicious,
faithful, and economical completion, which
would be afforded, by assocIatng, in their
original structure and subsequent preser-
walton and repair, the cautious sagacity.
persevering industry, and unceasing Vi
glance, Of private interest-a!though am
not prepared TO say, that there are no works
of this description, 10 which | would not
subscribe from the public treasury, Larger
proportion than two filhs of The stock ne
cessary for their eXecution--or that there
may not be some, connected with The CON-.
mon defence, which would be cheapIy pro.
vided for at the sole cost Of the union
One of my two colleagues, (Mr. Smyth
and Mr.. Barbour,) to whose arguments
have so often referred, sought to discourage
the smaller states from yielding their sup
port to the resolutions before US, by s,le-
costing, that, under any equitable distri-
button of the fund, which it is proposed 10
set apart for internal improvement, but a
very inconsiderable allotment would tall
TO their share--while, the other, sgni6.
cantly asked, 1" if Massachusetts would
give five millions OF dollars to New-York
or Virginia %
Sir, the question whether congress have
the constitutional power, so to apply tho
public money, ought not to be decided by
such considerations. Its decision, may, in
deed, but its truth cannot be affected, in
the remotest degree, by the manner in
which the power, that we seek TO sustain,
may be hereafter exercised. II the smaller
states will receive but little, they require
less than those OF larger dimensions
il should satisfy their justice, that, what
they receive, will be in the exact proper
ton of what they contribute to the common
fund.
The first suggestion Of my colleague,
reduces the fund to the least sum proposed
the last swells il TO millions. acknow.
ledge, that most earnestly wish to see it
augmented 10 IN extent, much beyond the
appropriation contemplated by the resoIu-
ton on our table. And when proper &C.
casion shall offer, | will submit resolution
which | hold in my hand, to enlarge il by
adding the proceeds of sale OF all the lands,
coded to the government of the United
States, by the commonwealth Of Virginia.
There Mr.. Mercer read a resolution 10 that
effect.1 The propriety Of thus enlarging
the proposed fund has been suggested 10
n =, not only by the general policy Of such
an augmentation, but by the express terms
of the Virginia act of cession, 10 which the
United States were party. There is, in
this compact, reservation of 4" all the ce-
ded territory, as common fund for The use
and benefit Of the several states, including
Virginia. according 10 their respective pro-
portions in the general charge and expen-
ditures, set forth in the articles Of confede-
ration;" which would be found on compa-
rison, TO correspond very nearly with that
ratio of distribution, provided by the act
of the last congress creating fund for in
ternal improvement, to which, the late
President refused his assent.
that" this fund shall be faith
fully and bona jfde disposed Of for the pur-
pose set forth, and Tor no other purpose
whatever" The maxims ofgood faith and
a positive provision of the federal const-
luton, enjoin upon Congress the full
filment OF this stipulation-and no mode Of
giving effect to it, would better accord with
lis letter and spirit, than distribution Of
The fund among the several states, for the
purposes proposed by the resolutions.
The sentiment, know, Mr. Chairman,
exists, and ] regret that il does, that ia
und be provided for internal improvement,
/ will be misapplied to crafty local end
sectional interests. An efectuaI security
against such an abuse Of power, would he
,reated by distribution Of its annual re.
;enue, in conformity with the provision OF
he Virginia compact-and If The fund
hould be augmented to the extent,
Which have just proposed, such div
ion Of il would not destroy itseficacy. 1t
anuot be believed, that there exists sin
lie state, in the Union, in which, such
und would not be required, or could moi be
udiciously applied. No part Of America
as yet reached degree Of improvement,
which leaves its internal intercourse, with
mt demand for an additional road or ca
Ial.
Although all The states, or even a majo-
ity of them, might not combine in devo-
ing their respective shares Of such fund
o one common object, yet some Of them
occasionally would, so as 10 obviate, in
'art, the chief inconvenience resulting from
Is distribution.
Is il too much to suppose, that there ex.
SIS throughout the United States patriot.
SIN which would exult at the accomplish
nent Of connection Of the lakes with
he Hudson, by means Of the useful and no
lie work, which New-York has lust CON-