Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-01-15

4 MI. ftiaNtP * !iH So |"
that the expense Of the canal would ne
yer have to be betrayed oat Of the fuhhs
of the general government; that the
cxpence of the survey would be mere
trifle. and the value Of it to Ohio and
the whole western country incalcnla-
bic. He was particularly DESTROYS that
the bill shouId now pass, bfcanse the
advantages Of it wrulG otherwise be
soon lest to the state and tho Union,
inasmuch as the indian title being ex-
tinguished to the lands. they WonId De
in the market. and would pass into the
hands of individuals. &c.
MIR. Barbour viewed the question
strictly as one Of internal Improvement.
and involving all the considerations
connected with that question. IL ap-
peared to be the settled sense of the
country. though absurd and prepnste-
rbus in his opinion. that the pubic
funds may be appropriated to works OF
internal Improvement, hnt that as soon
as any work was completed it became
derelict and beyond the control OF the
national government. Tie gave his
tory of the attempts in Congress to a''-
thnrize and commence SYSTEM of in
ternal improvements and their failure
especially the last serious effort,
made in the most unexceptIonable as
pect. rejected by the veto of President
Madison. and which had not the neces-
sary majority in Congress to make the
bill law; and arguing that 1t that de-
cision were correct, this measure wa
improper. On the policy of that bill
the public sentiment seemed to be about
equally divided ; and he had at SUB
srquent session offered resolution TO
give the general government the des'r.
ed power, which also failed. He would
therefore not support measure noS
which cor6icted with the settled OPT
Mon that there existed no power in the
general government to make roads and
canals in the states. At any rate, he
hoped. If the system were commenced,
it would not be in an insulated, narrow,
partial manner, but on a great, equita-
bic and impartial system.
Mr.. johnson of KY. was decidedly
against the indefinite postponement OF
the bill. nf insisted that the sentiment
of Congress had been expressed by a
large majority in favor of making IN
ternal improvements; and without lear
ing any i'll consequences from such a
policy. he viewed it as ore Of vital i'm.
portance to the convenience. the haPpl-
ness. the harmony. and lasting union OF
the republic. lie controversial the %.
piniom that this canal would be local
work-it was great national object,
as were all works which brought the
different parts of the country together
and promoted their comfort ard union;
and he was ready to supp 'rt similar OBJ
jects in other quarters. lie maintain
ed the right of the West to expect some
expenditure of the public funds in that
quarter of the Union, and thereby aid
in some sort the monied institutions OF
that part of the country, &c.-in sup,
port of which opinions he spoke at
some length.
Mr.. Morrill, snbjoined remark or
two in support of the opinions he had
previously expressed: after which
The question was put on the indef.
mite postponement Of the bill, and deci-
Ged in the affirmative.
Yeas, &c
Nays. 10
So the bill was rejected.
RELIEF TO LAND PURCHASERS.
The Senate then, agreeably to the
order of the day, took up. in committee
of the whole. the bill for the relief Of
purchasers of public lands prior to the
!st day of July, 1920.
Mr.. Thomas of lllinois. chairman ef
the committee on the public lands. de-
livered his views at large in favor Of the
passage Of this bill.
Mr.. Edwards of Illinois. followed, &
in speech of considerable length, sup
ported the same side of the ques
ton.
The bill was then laid on the table
until tomorrow.
The bill making partial apPropria-
ton for the military service for the
year 1891. was read the third time and
passed. with small amendment re-
curing the concurrence Of the other
HOuse:) and
The Senate adjourned.
Fridau, Jannaru IL.