Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-05-18

split OF that cession, because il enhanced tic
value oil al tsie rest al the lands c-dcd. Uu
less THIS land WAS gwen. Indiana would b,
unable 10 effect the object. This WAS the only
opportunity, at once, oi giving timely aid L.
the canal, and of enhancing the value of tn,
publ, lands.
Mr.. Stewart. Of Pa. denied that this canal
was local measure, and he stated its effects
an the Union at large. He advocated the
amendment and read am extract from the
writings OF Mr. Fulton on the benefits of
Canals. He replied, also, To the objections Of
Mr.. Alexander, &c.
MIR. Brown, of Pa. thought that, ir,he Canal
would so greatly enhance the value of the
public lands, it would he better for the United
Statrs {" make the canal than to give ali The
benefit of the work To Indiana. The calcula-
ton was, that the canal would cost only
$500 900. and they asked land To the value nf
100000. He for one would never consent In
give j,
Mr.. Call, Delegate from Florida, spoke in
reply, and urged the present low value of the
pubic lands in that quarter as an argument in
favor of the bill. All that was proposed to be
given would, AT present value, amount oulv Ia
$50 600. The addi,innal value would arise
from the enterprise and industry of the State
OF Indiana. He replied to the arguments of
MIR. Alexander, and dwelt at some extent on
the value of this line Of water communca ton
and the facility of making the Canal
MIR Sharpe, of N. Y. thought the only ques
ton was. whether this was the proper time to
engage in the undertaking. He wished farther
information on this point and expressed some
| approximations ofihe danger ofthe precedent.
MIR. Rankin replied, aud planned the facts
"f he case, and repeated and confirmed the
| arguments he had before urged.
Mr.. Jennings called for the reading Ofthe
memorial of the Legislature oflndiana onthis
ublrct. II was read accordingly
MIR. Jennings stated the Typography Of the
country throug h which il was proposed 10 cut
,h's Canal. He adverrrd To the opinion of Gen.
Washington in favor of this and other western
water communications. He went at conside-
| rahr length into discussion of the objection
from the terms Of the Virginia cession, and OF
The practicahility and general importance OF
| the measure.
Mr. Test followed in farther explanation OF
the bill and the amendment.
Mr., McCoy delivered at some length, his
objections 10 the amendment, ms granting to
one state what was intended only for general
objects. He urged the danger of the prece-
dent the difficulty with which Virginia could
get enough land to pay her revolutionary SOL
diers, &c.
| Mr.. Sharpe thought the grant in the amend
ment very large, and the time for completing
| the work too great. This measure would be
superseded, moreover, by the general plan for
internal improvements. He thought it was
enough at present, To provide for surveys, as
had been already done.
The question on the amendment moved by
Mr.. Call, for giving a mile on each side the
canal being then taken, was decided in the
negative.
The Committee then took up bill to au:
thotizr the territory of Florida to open cana
throns h the public lands, and. having gone
through it, reported the latter bill. which wa.
ordered to third reading, and asked and OBJ
FAMED leave To sit again on the former.
And then the House adiourned