Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-20

The reading Of the report was then
continued. On motion Of Mr.. Stone
street. the words "of union" in the 4th
line Of the Sd section of the Cd resolu-
ton. were stricken out. On motion OF
Mr.. Sprigg, the words "l2a cents
were stricken out of the 4th line Of the
Sd section Of the Sd resolution, and "a
sum not exceeding Is cents" inserted.
On motion by Mr.. Sprigg, the words
sat least" in the last line Of the Sd re-
solution were stricken out, and the
words ga still more" inserted.
Mr.. fancy submitted the following
amendment to be inserted at the end
of the 9th resolution:
And provided also before any in
vestment shall be made by the State,
the rights of the Potomac Company
in the Potomac river, and the streams
which empty therein, shall be extin-
guished by compromise or otherwise,
and provision also made by law that
the money so TO be invested shall be
expended for the purpose hereinlbefore
mentioned by public agents to be Sc
lec,ed and appointed, and to be account.
able in such manner as may be agreed
OH by the governments of the United
States, Maryland and Virginia
Mr.. Kennedy submitted the follow
ing as substitute for the whole re-
port:-
Mr., Kennedy's Substitute for the Report Of the
Committee.
1t is the opinion Of this Convention,
that the time has arrived when the 60
vernment of the United States should
adopt an extensive and general system
of Internal improvements; That in
such an enterprise the present admin
istration would be supported by large
majority Of the people Of this Union;
That the national resources are entire
ly adequate to the accomplishment of
the greatest and most useful schemes
for the promotion Of the internal COM
merce of the country; Tha, the peace
full condition of our foreign relations,
and the probability that, for some time
TO come, they may continue to be un-
disturbed, render the present period
peculiarly suspicious to the perfection
of this policy.
And it is also the opinion of this
convention that the government Of the
United States will shortly yield to, the
pressing considerations which impose
the duty upon them, and will, without
unnecessary delay, proceed to the or
ganization Of an effective, durable, and
liberal system for the advancement of
the welfare Of the country. This con-
vention believe that it is the prevailing
sentiment of the people Of Maryland
and Of majority of the states, that no
constitutional impeachment exists to
prevent the accomplishment of these
schemes by the general government
acting with the consent of the states
whose territory may be required; and
that if such impeachment were suppos-
ed to exist, the people of this nation,
for the attainment of so valuable pur-
poses, would agree TO confer the neces-
sary powers upon Congress.
That OF all the objects soliciting the
notice and the patronage of the gov
eminent, the first in importance, in
magnitude and expense, is the connec-
ton of the Chesapeake Bay with the
waters of the Ohio River by a naviga-
BILE canal along the valley of the Poto-
mac /: and that this undertaking will, of
necessity, be the most immediate con-
Germ of the government, either acting
for itself, or in conjunction with the
states interested, so soon as it shall be
determined by the proper authorities
to apply the national means to internal
improvement, and the practicability Of
such design shall be demonstrated to
the country: That powerful, intelli-
gent and commanding interest in the
West is now ready to unite with the CT
hLCho vi tuC HItuuic states anu VIII
every friend of internal improvement
throughout the union in urging these
measures upon the view Of Congress {:
That the national executive are prompt
not only to aid this cause with their
official authority but to lead the toay to
its glorious consummation; and that
in every section of the confederacy,
from its remotest borders to its centre,
a presentiment, inspired by a common
wish, turns towards the fulfilment of
these exalted hopes, giving pledge as
strong as the ardent prayers of the ma
ton can make it, :hat this good pur-
pose shall prosper.
This convention also believe, that
unless the scheme before mentioned of
uniting the Atlantic and western wa
tiers be adopted under circumstances
that shall insure its complete accom-
plishment, with abundant means for
its speedy perfection, and with secu-
rity that the canal to be constructed
shall be managed with reference to the
national convenience and for the peo-