Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-17

the istCr creuce Of the genera. ru, crH;nc.,t 90
objects -, pGrcir national Character, III. surn
rs would be accessory to open and facilitate the
Sntcrco arsc between different states, or various
sections Of the Union. 1t must be admitted, how
ever that the United States present many OBJ
ects 81 this description, and which cannot bc at
taned without the aid of the national resources.
Ne enc will deny. that the commerce of any
country must be badly regulated, in which the
cost of transportation, amounts to more th2a the
value Of the commodity such, however, is the
fact in many parts of this country, and x is T.
q,l,ly true that the communication between
different sections of this Union coHsxnes as
much time i'll its performance, and IS exposed to
equal perils, as voyage to many parts ot Eu-
rope. No one can be lnscnsibie 10 the Rocessi-
ty of providing aud facilitating the intercourse
between the Western and Atlantic SECTIONS of
the country, and between the Northern and
Southern points of the latter; au intercourse at
present interrupted and DISTRACTED 10y natural
impedilnents, insurlnountable without our aid,
and amounting, in period OF war especially, to
an absolute introduction
[ will take leave ase, SIR, before | conclude,
to suggest one ether mode by which the aid of the
galcr.d government saay be given to Internal
Improvement, which, asst appears tome, is cntire-
ly unacceptable uiapy objection ON tue score of
power or right; and that is, by loan OF money
or interest, sr by IKE purchase of stock in COM
parties Incorporated under the authority Of Que
or rnore states- We have certainly the right of
managing ear own funds, in financial point of
view, in any manner may think best, and Fit
surely cannot be uDwise SO to manage them, as
MOS c.sectually to contribute to the happiness
and prosperity of the people. Noone can deny
our power to purchase and hold stock; we have
purchased Bank Stock, and at this moment hold
1t to a large amount. five can purchase Bank
StDcl< the npfhuo. IN p,,rCfiaS, ot
Canal or ROad Stock And if the value of such
stock should not at all times be equal to that of
the Bank, the deficiency would be more than
made up by the advantages, which, in other res
poets, would be produced by the investment.
1t might be contended with great propriety,
that this would be the most wise and prudent
application of the national resources to the In
ternal improvements ofthe country am, my.
self, of the opinion, 1t would be the most econo-
,nicial. If suck shoGld become the policy of
the government, it would soon be aided by indi-
.vldual enterprise, and the local governments.
may already point gentlemen to one OF the great
est national objects which can be presented TO
she notice of this government; mean the CheS-
-ni1e1te and peiGicare Canai, which passes, in
part, through nay own state, and to which, there
tore, may feel Partially. This canal
destined to unite the waters of the Delaware and
Chesapeake bays, is the principal link III that
great cham oil internal communication between
the extreme points of cur Atlantic frontier, SO
essential to all the commercial and military o.
perations OF the country. A company for the
accomplishment of this work has already been
incorporated, by the States OF Pennsylvania, Del
a,,care, and JHaryland. Purchase of stock by
the United States to a reasonable amount, weud
ensure the completion of the work, after which
the interest of the government might readily be
disposed of at little if any loss and the proceeds
other enterprise of greatnatonal interest. There
would be no state rights invaded by such an O.
peration, but, Ola the contrary, the great into
rests of this community would be essentially
promoted, and the national recources augmen-
ted beyond the power of cairu' -