Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-30
its people? Or, should the time Come (which
God forbid!) when this happy government,


beneath the power Of some successful Caesar,
shall it be permitted to he proud usurper,
looking abroad over the desolate land, to ask,
in triumph, the fallen friends Of lberty-where
are the benefits left bv your boosted Republic!
Where the footsteps Of its power, or the mo,
numents Of its glory? Where the remains Of
any of the boosted blessings which 1t has con-
ferred upon the people?
This it is in our power 10 prevent: II is our
duty 10 do so. We should not be deferred by
the expense; we have the means, and they Cam
not be better employed. The large amount re-
ouired for this work is not so much owing to
it's intrinsic difficulties as to the magnltitepce
and durable character Of the plan proposed tor
its accomplishment. This will appear by
comparison with other estimates, made by ex-
perienced Engineers, for the first section, as far
as the coal mines at Cumberland.
The first survey and estimate of this sec
ton was made by Ihos. Moore, Esq. Chief
Engineer of Virginia, who, according to
the plan then proposed, estimated the cost
from this City to Cumberland at Sl,ll4,SVO
The next estimate made in 1922, by
Messrs Moses T. Hunter William I. L.
Mason, William Major, Athan. fenwick,
and Eli Williams, Esqrs. commissioners APP
pointed for that purpose, BY the States ut
Virginia and Maryl land, aided By Messrs.
Moore and Briggs, as Engineers; they esti-
mated the cost OF this section at Sl,5I8,954
Gen Abner Iacock, late Senator in Con-
gress, aided BY David Shriver, Esq. who
had an intimate knowledge of the subject,
(whcse Investigations and writings On the
subject are hereto annexed formed an es-
innate, and offered, in connection with
other responsible men, to undertake its
construction, for s2,5Oo,OO0
Yet the cost Of this section, according TO the
plan proposed by the United States Engineers,
will exceed eight millions OF dollars. And
when it is considered that this work is not in
tended OR the present age merely, but is in
tended to last for ages to come, and give vent
to the commerce between the Atlantic and
Western States, when their population NAV
have increased to tenfold, the. plan will not per-
haps be regarded as extravagant, and ehe more
especially, when We also consider thai this ca
nal is intended to open communication from
the Chesapeake to New Orleans, almost equal
in extent to voyage across the Atlantic, and
that, in performing this voyage, it will require
nearly the same expense with vessel Of fifty
as with one OF ALI hundred to"", AMI ,''a
consideration in favor Of The plan proposed,
the committee would add another, which should
not be overlooked, that the quantity oil water
required TO fill lock To pass boat OF MY
tons, will not be materially increased 10 pass
one Of double the burthen.
General Remarks-Mr. Gallatin, in his report
on the subject of general system of internal
Improvement, made in obedience to resolution
of the Senate. in 1908, savs-"Ihe early aid OF
the Federal Government is recommended by still
more important considerations: the inconvenl-
ences, complaints, and dangers, which may re-
suit from a vast extent of territory, can no 9TH
erwise Sc radically removed or prevented, than
by opening speedy and easy communications
through all its parts. Good roads and canals
will shorten distances, facilitate commercial *
personal intercourse, and unite by still more
intimate community Of interest the most remote
quarters of the United States No other Stu
gle operation within the power o. Government
can more eflectually tend to strengthen and
perpetuate that union which secures external
independence, domestic peace, and internal lib
ertv"
The committee concurring in these views OF
that distinguished and enlightened statesman,
rejoice in the contemplation OF the period as not
far distant, when, from the operation of eau
ses which are both active and powerful, must
soon make it the interest and duty of this gov
eminent to adopt general system OF internal
Improvements, having for its object the con-
struction Of such roads and canals as may be
necessary and proper to carry into effect
three Of the powers expressly conferred upon
Congress BY the constitution, viz:
1.-THE power to regulate commerce among
the several States, to which belongs all COM
mercial roads and canals.
I'd. "rhe power to establish post Offices and
post roads, 10 which appertains all roads for
the transportation Of the mail; and
5. "The power to provide for the common
defence" sc. which carries with it the right to
construct such roads and canals, as may be
necessary and proper for the national de-
fence"
The active and efficient causes, which, in the
Judgment Of the committee, will soon lead to
the adoption of this system, are,
lst The speedy eXtinguishment of the nation
al debt, which, according to the report of the
Committee Of Ways and Means, made during
the present session, 1t appears that by the annl-
al application of the surplus revenue, the whole
of the redeemable portion of the national debt,
(e>cept the three per cents. and bank stock, )
NAV be discharged BY the LIST day Of July, 1899
leaving a surplus at the close Of that year in the
Treasury. Of SlO,652, 52S 90, which, added to
the estimated surplus of 1880, will give to tha,
year surplus beyond all the ordinary expendi
lures, of 25,652,5 2S 90, and an annual surplus
thereafter of fifteen millions OF dollars, applica
bic to objects of internal Improvements, III sucl
manner as Congress may direct and this re
suit, it appears, viii! be produced without max
inc any allowance for an increase OF revenu