Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-27


MIR. Brown stated that the distance, over
which the road was proposed 10 be made, was.
about 300 miles; and the distance to be surveyed
| for the two other roads would be 600 miles. 1t
was Ofgreat Importance to have 4 conmunica-
ton opened alongthe coast OF that territory. The
| inhabitants, living under the same government,
were widely separated from each other. The
proposed road viii pass through very sne and
fertile country, mostly belonging to the govern
ment of the United States. IL appeared to the
committee to be necessary that something should
| be done to increase the value of this property.
The frontiers of that territory require protection
| from the government and this measure will
| celebrate its settlement. As the sum appropria-
| ted was not very great, he hoped the bill would
pass.
Mr.. jackson said this road was great inn
Portance, from two considcrations-tbe first, as
it related to the defence, and the second, i'll
gard to the population of that part of the country.
| IL gentlemen would recur TO the map of that
part of the Territory, they would perceive that
| 1t would be absolutely impossible to succour st.
Augustine, except by water. The road could
be made at a small expense, and would
! furnish the means of immediate defence.
He thought the Unltci States ought to keep an
eye on that part ofthe country-itis now very
weak, and defenccless. Without this road,
people could not be induced SO speedily to emf
CRATE to that territory, and its settlement would
be retarded.
Mr.. Lowrie said there were two objects spe-
ciiied in this bill, which the gentleman had not
| touched upob-the surveys of two other routes,
| besides the one where the road was to be made.
lie wished information those points as three
| thousand dollars appropriated for the sur
veys, while only twenty thousand dollars was to
| be granted for making the other road.
Mr. Brown, in explanation, remarked, that
the contemplated routes, which were to be sur
Veyed, embraced an extent of 600 miles, while
the road to be made was only 800. Those
routes which were to be traced out, touch at diff
terent parts of the territory, the communication
with which is highly important.
| Mr.. Lowre inquired of the chairman of the
Committee on Roads and Canals, what data the
Committee had adopted, in estimating the ex-
penditures for these purposes.
Mr.. Brown said the Committee had before
them the statements furnished by the Delegate
who represented that territory in the other
| House. From these, and such information as
could be gained from the Map OF that country,
the estimates were made.
| Mr. Jackson did not doubt that the appropra-
ton provided in this bill, with the labor of the
military force stationedin that artofthe country
would be adequate to the proposed obects-he
said that, by this means, n Typographical view of
run would be obtained and the President would
hot apply more money TO the purpose than should
! be found necessary.
Mr.. Chandler thought that must be very
| extraordinary country indeed, if twenty thou
sand dollars would make three hundred miles of
| road in it, We have been told that the soldiers
could not work in that country. Mr. C. believed,
| that if twenty thousand dollars were appropra-
ted now, /; would be great while before Con-
Sress would be called upon, to vote more mo-
| ney for this object.
| iIr. Holmes, of Maine, could hardly believe
that so or 60 dollars mile, which was all the
| sum mentioned in the bill would amount to,
| would be sufficient to make this road. He felt
| IN favor ofmaking road from Pensacola to st.
Augustine but wished to know what the real
cost OF such a road would be. How much it
would cost in money, AMI how much labor the
soldiers could perform. lie wished to know if
| the committee hal estimated the cost. When
| appropriations are to be made, an estimate is
generally required. When a lighthouse or
pier is to be built, the Committee is called up
| on for estimate. He thought the govern
| mcnt were going too far in this business, in ma
king out these two roads, of three hundred miles
each. The distance, considering the snuosities
of the road, might be great deal more than
vas calculated. ifthe survey is made, we shall
be called upon, some time OF other, to make the
| roads also. Mr.. TX. thought it would be much
better to begin, by making the road from Pen
| sacola TO st. Augustine; they united under
| one government, the operations of which require
that there should be a communication between
| ;he two places He was, therefore, in favor Of
that part ofthe DILL.
| Mr.. Elliott said, that lie was not surprised
| that gentlemen who came from i part of the
| country where roads were made in a very differ
| man nulJ no
this bill too small for the contemplated purpose
| In that part fthe country where the roads must
be rendered perfectly hard, so as to secure them
from the operation of the frost, the expense
would, undoubtedly, be much greater But in
| the section where this road Is to be located all
that is to be done, is to fell the trees & excavatc
bitches by the side of the road. There is no
need OF any great quantity of materials. He be-
!ievcd ten thousand dollars would be sufficient to
| fell the timber, and lay out the road. The most
important difficulty is, the swarnps through
= which the road must pass; the timber is rolled
into them, it is cut down, and the mud is filled
in from the bitches. These are our roads They
arc not like those in the North; and hence, they
| do not cost much money. EIe believed that
twenty thousand dollars, with the services Of the
military, would be amply sufficient. With re-
gard to the surveys TO be made, for the other
roads, the population of the country would be
greatly facilitated, by opening these commune
cations. They pass through wilderness, in
which it is only necessary to fall the TIMBER and
those who pass upon the road will make it, We
have only to mark out the way. In the cent OF
war, it would be very important, as furnishing
opportunities for an armyto pass with celebrity.
Mr.. f. thought it absolutely necessary, for the
welfare ofthat part of the country, that this bill
should be adopted the country would then be