Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-02-12
Congressional Summary.

still occupies the attention of Congress,
Many able views relative to the spirit of
the Constitution, have been elected By
this discussion. Virginia has been long
characterized for her firm and jealous
attachment to the Constitution--snp-
porting it in the exercise Of those rights,
which she deems to Belong to it, and
withstanding every flung like the illegal
usurpation of power. The efforts of
Mr.. 2. p. Barbour and Mr.. A. stevenson,
deserve appreciation. Leaving out of
the question the expediency of the pre-
sent measure, is there no serious risk,
no danger to be apprehended by having
the sacred barriers of the Constitution
there invaded and trampled uponf Is
it not giving an unboupded construction
to the Constitution by body of men
intrusted in extending their powers' In
fine, is not, to take single step beyond
the boundaries thus specially drawn
round the powers of Congress, to take
possession of boundless field of power,
no longer susceptible Of. deiinition' The
present legislative body may now and
for years to come, be actuated by the
purest of motives. But these golden
days of integrity and virtue are not to
last forever. Luxury will soon intro
duce corruption, and degenerate Con-
gress may seize precedents like the pre-
sent to violate the character of our con-
federacy, and overturn the government
of the country.
A bill has been reported in the House
of Representatives, for laying duties on
sales at auction, and discouras ing that
species of trade. This bill proposes to
levy on all sales at auction, Of goods,
wares, SC. whether of foreign or do
mestic growth, seven dollars and half
on each hundred dollars purchase mo-
ney; and two and a half per cent. in adj
dition, when the bales or packages in
which goods are imported, shall be bro
ken and sabdivided.
Ohio and Chesapeake CanaL-Our
readers are already apprized (says the
National tntelligencer) that the bill to
incorporate the Chesapeake and Ohio,
Canal has passad both branches of the
Legislature of Virginia. The bill is ge-
morally conference.-the to the plan agreed
upon a, the Canal Convention, in this
city, in November last. The following
were the finishing proceedings on that
act in the House OF Delegates of Virgil
MIA, where the bill met with great OPP
position
Mr. Corsroy, sid, that with the view of re-
eonciling the scruples OF gentlemen (although
he had no hope ofreconciling the gentlemen
from Albemare and Norfolk) he would offer
the following rider to the bill. Congress had
been applied to, merely because it was neces.
sary that they should cede to the company the
ground on which the canal was to be located.
MIR. n,RRfsoS, 2. made an unsuccessful
motion TO adjourn.
Mr.. CoLsroS's rider was then read fist and
second time and engrossed in the following
words:
Beu further enacted. That the assent ofthc
"Congress OF the United States required by The
''frst Section OF this act, and the authority con-
"terred by the l4th section, IS understood and
"takea to relate only TO their authority as the
"Legisaturc Of the District of Columbia
Mr.. LAVAL guarded The House against being
entraped INTO the passage ofthe BILL by rider.
which, on the face OF it, sustained the views
WHICH ne nad Decn enuSaNCFNg 10 cnIotte--
He would rather vote for the bill without the
rider than with it But there were many sec
tons in the bin objectionable TO him, besides
those enumerated ia the rider
The bin, with the rider. was then passel, by
ayes and noes-Ayes 100 Noes 80
There is bill now pending in the Le-
gislature ofyet more interest than the
act OF incorporation, the granting of
"hich could not reasonably be doubt
eo' IT'S bill! for authorizing state
Loan OF Three MiHioas Of Dollars. one
hah to be subscribed to the stock of the
James River Company, and the other
halt to the stock ofthe Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company. This would be a
magnanImous act, worthy Of the COM
peer of New-York in the Union. and
in unison with that Eberality which has
D at the present Session, placed the Uni
versity of Virginia beyond the reach of
embarrassment, so that in the course of
less than year that great institution
is expected to be in operation,
The bill which some days ago pas
sed the Hous of Delegates otthe State
OF Maryland, yet sleeps on the table of
the Senate Of the State. and il is even
said that great exeriions are made by Tie