American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-03-12
Conclusion Of lir. Gras's Speech.
LEGISLATURE OF DELAWARE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

GRAY rose and delivered Tie iOliOWllS IehalAS'
Mr. SpEAKER,--It has been the fate of improve
menls, at least the most Of any Importance, in all
ages and countries, to be opposed. Ignorance,
prejudice, and interest, have been the adversaries
they have had to contend with. Men when long
habtuated TO move in particular direction, seem
unwilling to swerve from 1t. II would appear as il
they view with apprehension and dismay, depart
ure from an old beaten track. They cannot at once
relinqush mode OF thinking, TO which they have
been always accustomed; nor part with habits in
which they have long INDUCED. 1t has happened
though, believe, when improvements have been
projected, that the execution Of them has been OBJ
structed schooner through ignorance and prejudice,
than from the interference OF persons who, suppo-
sing their interests to be endangered have them
Selves and excited all within the reach of their in
fuence, actively 10 oppose them. Such has been
the case with the long meditated improvement OF
the Blackbird marsh, cripple, and low grounds.
Upwards OF 90 years ago, the proprietors memoir
allzed the General Assembly to enact a law for the
purpose ofempoweing them, to reclaim, by banking
and draining, the same. The memorialists did not
succeed in their application al that time A new
attempt was instituted in 1910, which, with another
10 800, also failed In 1922, fourth essay was
made, and resulted in the passage Of the law, under
the authority OF which the owners have proceeded
70 construct bank, and had not the weather proved
cember last, would have completed the improve
ment, by stopping he creek, and making the sluces
And it is now, at this advanced stage of the i'm
provement, that the General Assembly is called
upon to undo all that has been done, by reyokne
the grant made in 1922
Who it will be important to inquire, have been
the principal opponents 10 this improvement when
ever the subject has been agitated- The question
may be answered. by stating that the traders at OF
- a r. Nd.
taken the lead in resisting every application thai
has at different times been made for obtaining leo.
islatiye authority 70 execute the projected underta-
king. And WHO, il may be asked, have these ira
ders been! Citizens Interested in the permanent
Improvement OF The county No: they have been
mostly MISREPRESENTATION residents--mere birds
Of passage who, when they have made fortunes of
The people, have removed to Philadelphia or else
where, not willing to reside LONGER in a sckly, un.
situation. Whefc they could not enjoy
The fortunes they mad acquired
The memorialists, on the present occasion, have
been distributed into two classes who have subscr
bed two distinct memorials the one containing the
names Of persons purporling to be marsh holders Il
the other OF persons who are not marsh holders
he first, it is UNDERSTOOD are scarcely one half of
them what they puipor to be; aud The marsh heidi
by the other hsli, is said 10 be small in quantity |
The last are represented TO be persons many ofI
whom deal with, or are indebted to- the traders att
The village OF Blackbird and majority OF them
not ileehoders. Now we know the influence al
creditor particularly man ID tlade) has over
a debtor and that when opportunities offer, it is
often exercised. The creditor, for instance, con |
emplaes some object which he intends to bring
1eIore The Legislature, and in order thereto drafts
4 petition which he presents for subscription, among
others, to persons indebted 10 him, and who dare
not refuse or should they be independent enough !
70 Withhold their signatures, il ieu 81 Tie petition
he sheriff and constable are frequently presented
10 their view. ! viii not undertake 10 assert
Though it has been mare than insinuated that such
has been he case with any Of the petitioners whose
prayer has given rise 10 the Bill! under discussion
viii remind the House that the question which
s now the subject oil considerations, is entirely diff
erert from The one which was before i, in 1922
Iheh i was shall certain rights and privileges be
& anted to Tie back6lrd marsh holders, for The i'm
oroYements o. their marsh : .N0tc, il is, shall the
Ngh1s ahd privileges thcn given, and which have
1eth USED lor that purpose, lie taken from them Z?
Nay more; Alter he rights and privileges granted
have been Exercised after the improvements To ex 1
cute which, they Etre gFGhttd has been nearly
:--aer $500 dollars have been exDend-I
I'd, the question is fufther-sha this money ne
aiken out OF their pockets Shall they, in plain
eims, be robbed TO that amount 7 There IS sir, a
iast difference between the money that will he time
sacrificed, and The imaginary reduction in value of
he store houses and wharves owned by one or two
persons, 70 be produced, as alleged, by the opera.
Ion OF This Improvement. Tie one is a naked truth
AN undenabIe fact, as the loss will be certain.
he others matter of uncertainty--a thing that
$ barely possible. 1t may, or il may not, happen.
And i should the proprelors of store houses and
Riarves are to derive benefits from the improve
neht' Which will probably, more than compensate
shOuld tIevp ba fan &c n
his way, the courts are open FIT They may bring
uits against the Company for damages, aud recover
ums propoFIioned to the injury which each shall
make it appear he has sustained. Where then are
ne injustice and oppression imputed to the law in
question, which the gentleman from Kent has sol