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

military view, Us advantages are obvious |
and as medium of intercourse between
the East and West, its tendency will be |
greatly TO increase the friendly relations
in which these sections of country stand
towards each other He adverled to
the great increase of population in that
state, and the added value which would
be attached to the public lands by the
construction of this canal.
Mr.. Mercer announced his intention
to refrain from making motion to strike
out the enacting words, as friend had
stated his intention to move in the House
to recommi, the billwi,h instructions.
Mr.. Marvin, OF New Y ork, offered
small amendment, which was agreed to-
Mr.. Bartlett moved that the committee
rise, and report the bills; which was
agreed TO.
The Committee then rose, and report.
ed the bills. The bill to authorize tie
subscription of stock in the Louisville
and Portland Canal Company, was then
ordered TO be engrossed and read third
time tomorrow, ayes IS, noes As.
Mr.. Bartlett then moved to recommt
the bill Illinois canal to the Commit
lee on Roads and Canals.
Mr.. Miner moved to add the following
Instructions
That the bill be recommited to The
Committee an Roads and Canals, with
Instructions tor amend it so as to en-
brace the following principles, namely:
That the United States aid in making
the Canal, by the appropriation of funds
to such an extent as shall be just and IL
beral:
That the United States retain an in
serest in the Canal, proportioned to the
funds so appropriated:
That the lands along the line Of the
Canal be brought into market in such
manner as will most essentially beneh
the United States, and promote the advan-
tage oil Illinois, by inducing settlements
WITHIN her limits.
Mr. Marvin, Of N. Y. then said few
words in defence OF this bill, and princi-
pslly in reply TO Mr.. Mercer, as TO the
practice OF taking stock. He asked il
it was on this ground that We had given
support to great measures OF internal i'm
provement. The first measure OF this
character was the subscription 10 stock
in the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
Company; and that was defended on the
ground that the Government had under
taken system of internal improvement.
In 1922, we made grant to the Stale of
Illinois, for the purpose OF Canal. But
we are now required by the gentleman
from Virginia to preyeut Illinois from
making this Canal, and to compel her to
incorporate company, and give this
stock to the United States. Again; the
condition OF the grant of land was, that
the state OF Illinois should within ten
years make the Canal suitable for navi-
CATION, Another clause provides that
the navigation shall be free. Now the
State applies to Congress for cid, plead
ing her own inability 10 make the Canal,
and that inability is known to the House.
We have no right TO call on Illinois 10
Incorporate q Company. We have gone
too far for this. According to the prin-
ciples of prudence by which private in
diyldual would be actuated in the govern
ment OF his own property, disposing OF a
portion to render the residue more vaua-
BILE, we are bound to make this appro.
priation. Here we preser, g 10 ourselves
every alternate section on both sides oil
the canal, and give poor illinois the res,
and the bill further provides that no IL
tie shall be valid against tie United States
/ until the canal shall be completed. Il
| government should continue TO act upon
! this principle, i, will in a few years show
! that ii has done what has seldom occur.
lred--manased Tvs own property as well
! as a prudent man would have managed
his concerns. He nigh, go further,
but 1t was unnecessary. There are no
objections against this measure, that he
knew Of The only question is, how
shall the work be done?
| Mr.. Mercer made brief reply. The
only question between those who are
| friends to the bill, and those who, contra
ny to their wish, have been converted in
to lis enemies, is, as to the expediency oil
the III MEASURE to accomplish the object.
His great principle was, that works OF
this kind should, whenever practicable,
be executed by joint stock companies.
He insiaDced the fact OF Louis XIV. at
ter having completed his great canal of
Languedoc, giving it to the engineer,
because he believed, as private property,
it would be taken more care Of. He
was willing to appropriate the sum de-
sired. bnt he must first be satisfied the