Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-24
noAns ANp cANALs.

noAps Assp CANALS. /
Mr.. faa BaIen submitted the following tesola-
lions Tor consideration {:
Resolped, That Congress does not possess the
power TO make Roads and Canals, within the re-
>peciive Sta,es.
Resolved, That Select Committee be appoint
ell with instructions to prepare end report Joint
fesoiuiion Tor an amendment to the Constitution,
prescribing and defining the power Congress shall
nave over the subject of Internal Improv emcnts
and snbjecng the such restrictions az shall
euecualy protect the sovereignty of the respective
States, and secure to them just distribution of
the benefits resulting from all appropriations made
Tor that purpose. q
MIR. Van Buren, said il would be rccollectet tina,
ne had on former day given notice of his inten-
iion 10 ask leave TO submit Joint resolution for an
amendment of the Constitution, in relation to the
power oil Congress over the subject OF Internal
Improvement. AT the reques, of gentlemen who
took an interest IN the matter, and thought the min
cpa' ohec, could, in that way, be better effected hr
had consented 10 change the mode OF proceeding,
by substituting resolutions expressive of the sense
Of The Senate on the constitution il j., and
proposing the appointment OF select committee 10
report upon the subject. under such instructions
the Senate may. think proper to give. Such reso-
buttons he proposed now to submit. ii was, of
course, not his intenton to press their immediate
consideration. He would, however, call them up
al as early day ~ would be consistent with the
state OF the public business and the ordinary FRO
cecdings of The Senate. He hoped he would be
eNcused Tor expressing wish that the i'm
portance oil the subject might induce gentlemen TO
turn their attention 10 il soon they convenient
y could 10 the end, iha, when it was entered upon
1t might be carried TO speedy decision, and no,
exposed to those Improbable delays and postpone
nents which had heretofore attended measures OF
similar Character, and ultimately prevented an
expressions of the opinion Of The Senate upon their
| merits. MIR. Van Buren, said lac was much deceiy-
ca II there was any subject which, at this moment
excited such deep interest with their Constituents
as the righiul and probable agency of the General
Eovernnent in The great work OF Internal Improve
! nents. Whilst, in the States measures of this de-
sclpton had been harmonious in their progress and
as lar as the means OF The States extended success
idi In Their results, here their condition had been of
very different character. From the fret agitation
OF The subject, TO The present moment the question
oil the power OF Congress to make roads and ca
nails within the respective States, he'd been a source
OF continued, and frequently angry and unpleasant
controversy. The time he said had never vet
been, when the different branches of the leeisla-
tive departments were OF the same opinion. Even
those VINO united Ia seDtiment as to the existence
OF the power, differed in slmos; every other thing
relating 10 Tits paricslar source in the Cons-
tiilon--iis extent and attributes were subjects ON
which they, Tor the most part, entertained verv
different views. There was he said no,hinr in
Tie experience OF the past, or ia TIE prospects of
the future, on which reasonable hope could be
ioHnt'rd, that this Important matter could ever be
satisfactorily settled by any means short of an an
peal TO the States There were many reasons he
said, which prec!udel belief that the claim of
power would ever be abandoned by the Federal
| Government; and the principles upon which oppo-
stion to ii was founded, and the zeal and fidelity
| with which they had hitherto been sustained rem
deTed II equslly improbable that that opposition
would be surrendered. If this was corrert'yiew
OF the subject; aud he thought it was; he submit ed
whether 1t was not the Indispensable duty Of Con-
gress to endeavour, by the exercise O. all constitu-
honai means, to have the question settled in the
| only way which can be final, 10y constitutional
amendment, prescribing and defining VIVA, Coneres-
may do, and what il shall not do with tie testrir-
non under which what Is conceded to il shall he
done. lie asked, whether every interes, connect
ed with the subject including The credit If no, safe
~, OF our invaluable political institutions did no,
reqaFe tins course! must be egiden, to ALL Thai
reiterated imputaIions oil iniracions Of he Cons,it
t:ch by Congress, Tend 10 relax the confidence al
the people in ,heir Gov eminent; and any measure.
ruVefrenr OF Ine'country by The COZ str,,c,,o
VI rodus ahd canals, must, if things ere suffered IA
renal - Ihey now ssud, be exposed To cons,, -,
aLd Imminent peril from the Il ctuarion. nj tho ,,i
IONS OF successive Congresses on lie onestion nj
'"''''U' 'onAl power Mr.. Van Barren :. i'd that
'JeI' hdo oeen viewed IN this isht by several
o! ne aO.est ana bes the country has nYa,I,.
Cd As early as 1908, Nh Jefferson. in his /. =,
message TO Congress, suggested the propriet, NJ a.
"Ppr''ion 10 lie States for pow er OIL this subject
'iAS 9"'He course was recommended by Mr. Madison
anu me Recommendation had been repeated by Mr.
| ,Hohroe' a" yet, he said no decided effort he'd
"e tl m7oe 20 effect The object He h,iered him
| ''' "iu tiie nope that this would now be done I.
was T"e' ne SAID, that tie present Executive ha.
| recommended he Sil,in
Cav the reason whj he had not was aDparenl from
MS messages b. his frank ayUwals. II ap,eare,,
t"d' ne entertained opinions as 10 The nov, or. ~
20 'SesS w hich removed all difficulties non the
suoJect IN his mind Blu, although at might NOS
s'oy diminish The heces ity for arting upo, The
certainly did not remove ~ for the Sen
ate were not, he said, lett to Conjecture A. IN tho
tact that there WAS 4 disrordance of mimic, ,,,.
inns po'nt between the Executive and at least a
! PoI"on (hoW large, time ould SNOWY OF the 7 e
El''ilFe Department of he Government. Time
viewing tic mater, iir. Von Buren, said he hal
zen II to be his dat bring il befn,e ,Le Sena,e a,
''S early period; and when he proper tim. for dis
GNss'oh arrived, ne should avail himself of the in
ouISence oil the Senate 10 submit the reasons ,yhicb
ihoHced him TO think The he proposed a pro
! per one. ~
MI Benton gave notice. that on Thursday nex,
ne should ask leave 10 introduce bill TO graju.
ale the price OF the public Lands
M hoDbns GOT Rhode I-lard) submitted the
following resoiutiOl for Consideration
: "eS0freG, Flat 81 mach of the Presidents mrs
sage as relates II National Uuiversi,v h. eff,
10 a select committee, 10 consist of - r,er,hsr.
una SAD committee be instructed 10 report upon
the xpediency of such an institution; and II des
eh Dy them expedient, report the PRINCIPLES ~,
"hrh 1t ought 10 be established, and Dian of ar.
gaHfza''on that will embody those principles.
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