Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-14


the last week, in making surveys and levels a.
long the Potomac, eastward Of Cumberland,
ON the contemplated route of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal. This brigade will proceed
down the Potomac, TO tide water.
Internal improvement. for a
great system of Internal Improvement seems
to be progressing in every quarter ofthe coun-
try. Not many years can roll over before
Quebec and New-Orleans may trade together
by inland navigation. The governor of Con-
necticut has communicated TO the Legislature
of that state, that an engineer from the U. S,
corps, had been directed to survey Canal
Route from Lake Memphrymagog through
Barnet in the state of Vermont, and the valley
along the Connecticut River, to the tide wa
tiers of Long Island Sound This route will
afford water communication with Canada,
and the survey will commence Immediately.
rand Trareiling.-Such is the improve
ment in the method of travelling, that dis
tances which some few years ago consumed a
week of mans life, are now travelled In lit
tie more than single day. The route from
Boston to New York has been regularly per-
formed this season in "a to 26 hours-that
from New-York to Philadelphia, in 10 hours,
aud from the latter place to Baltimore, IN a
bout the same time. From Baltimore to this
place the usual time is about 7-honrs, and
hence to Norfolk, about %. Thus the travel
ling hours, between Boston and Norfolk,
amount at this time TO IS. Twenty years
ago, seventeen days or 40S hours were re-
CURED for the same journey.
TN, N1tion's Guest.-Thc last accounts re-
ceived, left him at Natchez, where he arrived
on the 18th ultimo and was received with
great hospitality and splendor. Brililant pre-
puations are making in all the western towns.
He is expected in Pittsburg about the 3oth inst
National Toll Gates.-The lNrsLLIsENcEn
and DENocHATIc Pass are at issue on the
power of Congress to erect Toll Gates on the
Cumberland road. The "PREss" denies this
mower. and the ISrELLI6EScER contends that
If the right exists to make the road, 1t also
.x;sts 70 erect Toll Gates for the purpose OF
keeping it in repair.
In making the road we have no doubt that
Congress acted constitutionally and wisely, but
we think the late President demonstrated
with great clearness that withouf the consent 81
,5e .Stot,s no law of Congress could enforce
the payment of tolls; and we are inclined TO
believe that such an attempt will never again
be made Suppose the state of Virginia. Tor
.xample. should manifest her hostility TO sys-
tenn of tolls ON any National Road passing
through her territory and her citizens. own
ING the lands bordering on it, should think fit
20 open roads through their o,cn property and
passing round the turnpike gates; by what au-
thority. we would ask, could Congress under
take TO shut up those evading roads, or punish
the traveller who would avail himself OF the
use of them.
rrhe reasoning, saws the National Intelligent
Ger, "by which we arrive at our conclusion on
this subject of toll gates, does not touch the
great question of the power OF the General
Government to make roads. We assume the
mower to make the Cumberland Road, because
the power has been exercised, by repeated
Legislative acts, almost without opposition
If the government possesses the power to
n,akeit, a tortiori, it possesses the power TO
rspqir II, and to use the best means for doing
so"--And oll-gates, the lntelligencer thinks,
are the ''6eSt Means" we grant that Con-
gress have right to repair, but if the power
u make and repair roads, necessarily embra-
ces that of raising the ''means' OF repair, by
charging for the use of the road, why may
not the power of removing distractions to the
navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi, also
carry with it the right of Especially taxing those,
who navigate these rivers, for the purpose Of
Keeping their channels clear, after they have
once been made soe and by parity ofreason
ing, why may not the shipping that enter the
Chesapeake and Potomac be specially taxed
for the support of the Light houses and boat:
that have been established by the Genera
Government.
The power of the general government to
construct Roads and Canals is derived from
the constitution in the same manner as that
to build lighthouses, plant bouys, improve
harbours, remove distinctions from water
courses. &C.; and if tolls be gathered to keep
the one in repair, we can see no good reason
why the same ''means" should not be resorted
to for the repairs and maintenance of the
others.
But besides the Potro, the Intelligence,
contends for the justice and policy ofthe mea
sure. "we ask, say the editors, 'for whose
benefit is the road repairedf' And they an
swer ssfor the benefit, assuredly, ofthose Wit
make use of it." 'Gs it reasonable" the!
ask again, ''that the people of other parts
the country who never pass within hundre<