Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-20


that entire degree Of certainty which ought to
accompany all documentary information n
What is your source of revenue !! 1t is con-
sumption And what are the sources OF con-
sumption Population and wealth. Then,
in the course often years, starting on any CIV
en- tariff of duties, the increase OF population
will occasion an increase Of the revenue OF
40 per cent,nn, at ratio OF four per cen.
tum per annum. These truths are SUI
fciently obvious. II is said, indeed, that
the policy that has been adopted for the en-
enlargement of industry will diminish the
revenue. But, when, that subject was under
consideration last session, endeavored to
shew, and now repeat, that this cannot be
the case. Different years will vary. In some,
the revenue may fall short, but the redun-
dance of Others win supply the deficiency.
The measure of our export trade will always
he the measure of our imports, and the mea-
sure of our imports will be the measure OF our
revenue. Ihope, therefore, that the policy
which was at the last session fixed upon,
will ever be adhered to by this nation, as long
as the course pursued by foreign nations shall
render it necessary. On the whole, think
that gentlemen may calm their fears about
the extent of the public debt. That debt is
melting away before us faster, perhaps, than,
for some of our financial interests, it might
be wished. We have the prospect that it will
be extinguished in ten years, and when We
have paid this, We shall have fulfilled the
whole of our duty in that respect.
But, FIVE are invited to the present mea-
sure by the abundance Of our means, We are
not less so by avarety Of other considerations.
One ofthese is the cheapness Of labor, greater,
| perhaps, at this time than ever before. Some
gentlemen, indeed, spoke in the language Of
| alarm about the vast expense of the Cumber-
land Road But, it must be remembered that
| there were pecularc causes to produce that ef-
feet. The general aspect of the times, when
it was constructed the nature of the materi-
ais which were required for it {; the difficulty,
in some cases, of obtaining them; and the un-
necessary number and extravaganza price of
the bridges on that road, several of which cost
forty thousand dollars each, and which are so
numerous, that upon one single creek, III
course of ten miles, there are eleven bridges,
some of which cost $4,000 apiece. These
indeed, are beautiful specimens of architec-
ture, surpassed by nothing that ever saw, un'
less it be the bridge of Jena at Paris-but they
have been also, very costly. Under the cir
cumstances, this was certainly a useless ex-
pense. Ipledge myself, however, said Mr.. c.
that if Congress shall grant the $50, 900 esti.
mated as the total expense of the road from
Wheeling to GAINESVILLE, nothing more shall
be asked for bridges, or any other expenses on
that road.
An additional consideration in favor Of this
measure, Mr. G. said, was to be found IN the
pecunary distresses of the Vest, which would
in part be alleviated by the expenditure Of the
public money IN that quarter, and which was
certainly entitled to the parental consideration
OF this body.
Its being, then, national object-an OBJ
ject which has been cOmmenccd-an object
due by compact to the Western States-all
these considerations united to call for the pas
sage of the present bill.
As to commencing system Of internal inn
provement, said he, if gentlemen can shew us
any road beginning at the heart ofthe confede-
racy, of equal national importance, for one,
will heartily support it but believe there is
not another object in which all these consider
atoms unite. Why pause for what we do not
want For plans, estimates and surveys
which we have already got Why pause in
prosecuting this object, more than in another
1.-The Delaware and Chesapeake CANAL a
bill that was delighted to see pass the COM
mittee to its third reading and which can
not doubt will continue its progress through
i the House with still increasing majority. II
has been said by some gentlemen in converse
ton. though not of confidential kind, that
the Vest ought not to have this bill, until 9TH
er portions of the Union receive simultaneous
benefit. But can assure gentlemen, there is
no danger of undue appropriation in favor OF
the Vest. In late report from the Depart.
i ment of Har, document consistent with the
high character of that Department, and which
bore the impress OF the mind OF its author, "a
Did vet correct, we are informed what objects
are indicated BY the Secretary of Var, as more
Immediately calling for the attention OF the
General Government. They are only four
The Canal to unite the Potomac with the o.
bio. the Canal round the Falls at Louisville,
the Canal round the Muscle Shoals, and the
Cumberland road. 1t possible that for some
at least, of these objects, the national resourc
es will never be appealed to. The state which
in part represent, said Mr.. C. lately passed 9
bill through one branch Of the Legislature, tc
cut the Canal round the Falls at Louisville, en-
tirely from the state resources, and it is highly
probable that that bill will pass the other house
and become law. The number of objects
then, claiming immediate attention will be re-
duced to three. Of these, the Cumberland
road is certainly not a Western object any
more than the canal uniting the Ohio and 70
tomac. That canal is not located in the west
nor, OH the other hand, is it exclusively an
eastern improvement. Like the national
road. II is neither an caten nor western OBJ
iect. but one which belongs to the whole
nation, and is calculated, in its effect, to ce'
ment the east and west in bonds of an affec
tomato kind. Let me advert to one other to
pic to which refer, not for the purpose OF ex
citing, but of allaying Jealousy. 1t isto the
small comparative amount ofthe public expen
ditures beyond the mountains. lido not say az
equivalent is to be given to the west for the
vast sums expended on this side upon the ma
w, Notifications, &c. No such thing. know
the disproportion results from local circum
stances, not in the control of government
Yet am wrong to say, that it forms an equita
bic consideration which addresses itself strong
ly to the feeling, to the justice, and to the &c
nerosity of Congress all which cannot but in
i G. Il .tch.