Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-05-27


bill, by adding at the close of the Sd Sec
ton, the following provision:
IS Provided, however, That no such
title shall be valid against the United
States, until one-ihird part of the said
canal shall have been completed; nor
shall the same be valid, unless the said
one-ihird part Of the said canal shall be
completed within six years from and al
ter the first day OF November next"
In reply to question from Mr.. NAL
larry, of Vermont, Mr.. Cook went into a
very brief explanation OF the naluIe OF
this canal, aud the operations of the
amendment.
Mr.. Powell, Of Va. expressing wish
to have some further information in rela-
ton to this canal:
Mr.. Cook gave succinct and short
history oil The measures, which have been
adopted with a view to ascertain, the
praclicability and cost of this canal. \.
Mr.. Mercer, oil Virginia, opposed the
bill, because i, was subscription on the
par, of the United States, without Great
ing any proprietorship in the Stock. He
! was of opinion that the Canal ought to
be constructed, as il constituted part oil
The great system OF improvement, but
he could not consent TO open the Treasu-
ry Tor its mplishmen,, without any
consideration in stock. Ge stated his
intention to move 10 strike out the enact.
ing words with view to test the sense oil
! the House.
MIR. Miner, after few remarks, stated
that he had prepared a resolution to re.
commit the bill with Instructions
Mr.. Stewart, OF Pennsylvania, said
that he would have no objection so TO
amend the bill as to vest the produce Of
the lands in stock Ter the United States,
Tor the purpose of aiding in this Canal.
But he would much prefer TO make it
free Canal, with only sufficient toll i'm
posed on ii to keep it in repair, on the
same principle as the Cumberland Road
the Black Swamp Road, and many of
our Military Roads. He stated at length
the great advantages that would result
from the construction Of this canal; and
that the addition oil only The fraction oil
dollar to the value Of every acre OF pub
lie land along its route, would more than
pay for the whole cost of its construction
He hoped the bill would pass through
committee.
MIR. Test hoped that the bill and
amendments would pass through COM
mittee. The gentleman from Virginia
objected to putting his hand into the
Treasury without some return. The
lands in this state are not worth the pa.
per, in their present state, nor will they
become SO tor fifty years to come, with
out some such measure as this. The
construction Of this canal will enhance
the value of not only all the proximate
lands, but, those extending for 3 thousand
miles to The Ohio, Missouri and Missis-
sippi rivers, the shores oil Laks Huron,
ST. Clair, Erie, and Superior BY pass
| ing this bill, then, we create fund which
! will return into the Treasury with grea,
interes. When we appropriate the land
Ito whom F! or for what? Il is not appre-
priated until the Canal is finished. 1t
will, therefore, only &C, as stimalus to
the State, and it will be an efficient one,
which will lead TO the completion OF the
| Canal.
MIR. Cook then withdrew bis amend
ment, and substituted one providing that
no title shall be valid Tor this land
against the United States, until the said
canal shall be completed.
Mr.. Mallary briefly replied to the gen.
tleman from Virginia, and ins,anced no.
merous appropriations for the construc-
ton OF roads, and in some cases where
land on each side was given, as is asked
in this case. He did not see that there
was any thing in this measure which
brought it into conflict with the general
opinions and views of that gentleman on
this subject. We own this Wilderness
it is a great thoroughfare from East to
West, and we are asked for our aid to
render this communication more direct
and easy. The lands will rise in value
towns will be built; and will it be said
that the United States can derive no be.
nefi,! He thought, considering the ques-
ton in every view, we ough, to close
with the propositions.
The amendment was then agreed to.
Mr.. Ingham, Of Pennsylvania, stated
some objections which he had to this bill.
These objections were not to the object
oil the bill, SO much as to the manner in
which that object is to be obtained. We
constitute an agency, on, of the pale of
responsibility 10 US. The title is vested
there, and the entire control, so that, let