Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-10

resort TO such unworthy subterfuges these. -
Though we had conceived, gentlemen, that
peculiar circumstances might make il desi
bic 10 you TO stand well with the Admiuis-
trston and its friends; yet we never could
have believed that you would have purchased
their favour at such sacrifice. we had, in
" sober earnestness'' more respect for your judg-
ment. With such antagonists it worse than
useless to enter into the subjects of the
Pension list whchwe formerly discussed, Il the mi
litary academy which Ne have never controverted.
As to the Bank usurpation, it IL not now open for
discussion. IL has been communicable is sus-
tanned by the Judiciary-and it stands monument
OF tie success, with which gradual encroach,nents
may establish monied institution among an acqui-
escent people.
We have az little " time, room, or inclination, :"
as you have, TO eXpatiSte upon the opinions ol
Mr.. Jefferson aud Nj. Madison. We cannot tax
The patience vi our readers by repetition of state
ments, which you are UNIV lling 10 meet and un-
able TO overthrow. Like the of your logic,
l. your inference that Mr.. Jefferson was in favor
OF the power TO improve roads aud canals, from
having recommended the &c improv ement of road,
canals, rivers. education, and other great fJ,,,da
tons ~ prosperity and union, under the powers
that Congress may already possess or such a.
n!ehdDIents OF the constituti as may be appro-
we'd OF 10y the states - For, dill he not also er-
preSsty recommend an application to the : aIes
tor new grants of power on these Subjects? His
views upon THIS subject are well know in every
variety OF form, IN which that great man could
promulsate his sentiment; by hi. public Mesa
ges, his uniform conversation and his unreserv ed
correspondence, that the only wonder Is how any
man should pIeiend TO misunderstood him
1t is win regret equal TO your own that we
have so frequently int reduced the llustrous name
of James Madison. We respect his retirement,
and we veaerate his services but you have
thought proper, TO revive The history of the resolu-
ton, which one Of your CORE pondents brought up
during the last winter, we must be excused for
this succinct notice OF it, This resolution was to
bring IN bill providing for the survey of a rou.e
Tor ihe transp ration OF the mail from Matte to
Georgia; the President - to csuse TO be laid before
Congress the result of srch examination and sur
vey, with an estimate of the expense of rendering
such fit, in all iis parts TO be the established
route OF the post; he expense of such animation
aud survey TO be def ayed OF the surplus reve-
nue. OF the Post Olhce.''- You ask US vi lh vour
Characteristic gravity whether {" Mr. Madison Is
OF opinion thai Congress has no pOlDer over the
subject of roads, Now, Gentlemen, the cues
uon Is not as to post rOads; but roads and canal
generally as objects OF internal improv ement- As
we have not the copy of the Proceedings OF the
Congress OF 80 before US, We cannot distinctly
understand all the attitudes which the questiol
assumed what fully Mr.. Madison's own
views, whether the constitutional power was dis
cus,ed at ALL s why the bill was elected in The Sea.
ate We pass over the question, whether the road
was to be ultimately repaired or erected by the
funds OF the States ur OF tie General Government:
but--AdnIi upon his point what YOU have quoted
from MIR. 9alIvIn's remark t. be conclusive as 10
Mr.. Ms existing views: - II was prOperIv the
business OF the General Gov eminent to aader-
take the improvement the TOuds for The dlfferea,
States are Incompetent 10 The business heir diff
faror u.
enough for them TO make good roads to the sea
ports. The cross roads should be left for the Co
vernment OF the whoe.''-We contend that even
this resolution is very laT short OF the 20 ers which
you claim; that as precedent it wogld only
warrant the establishment OF posi-road out of the
Fost-Ohce funds; and that 1t is infinitely short Of
the grand scheme OTIS roads and canals which l.
contemplated 10 be effected out OF the General
lTeasury.-But we contend, that even this reso
luton does not deserve the name of preceden,.
not being full seriatim decision on the point In
question:: the constitutional power not being full,
discussed and deliberately decided. As speaking
Mr. hladI-on's opinion, 1t does not deserve 10 be
compared with his veto in l9I7-one of The most
solemn acts Of his Whole life sort of ,estamentary
bequesi 10 his counrymen, penned after the fullest
discussion and the gravest deiiberatioa Attend
TO his language, and who can doub has oDinion2
From Mr. .NadisOn'S .HesSage nj March 3.
I.Hn nyyH
pledge certain funds for internal improuenac,.f:
g am constrained by ihe Masquerade Difficulty
feel IN recOncilIng the bill with the Constitution
OF the United States to return it, with that sliec-
tlon to The House Of Representatives, in which il
originated.
. The legislative powers vested in Congress are
specified and enumerated IN The Sih section OF the
hrst article OF the Constitution; and il does not an
pear that the power proposed to be exercised by
he i- 81
1t falls, by any just Interpretation, within the pow
er TO make laws necessary and proper for carving
INTO execution those or other powers vested bv the
Constitution in The Government OF The IT, States
am not unaware OF the great Importance of
roads and canals, and the improved navigation
OF water courses and hat a power in the ma
tIonal legislature 10 provide for them nigh,
be exercised with signal advantage to the general
prosperity. But, seeing that such power is not
expressly given 10y the constitution; and believing
that it cannot be deduced from any part of it, with
out inadmssible latitude OF construction, and
reliance on insufficient presidents; believing also
that the permanent success of the constitution de-
ponds on definite partition of power betwt EN- the
general and the state governments, and that no
adequate land marks would be left by the coustruc.
tive extension oil the powers OF Congress, as DO,
posed IN the bill, have no option but to with
mold my signature from II; cheiishng The hope that
ls OeHehCiaI OOJects may De attained, by resort
Tor the necessary powers, TO the same wisdom and
virtue in the nation, which established the const-
tuition in its actual form, and providently marked
out in the instrument itself, safe nd practics-
bic mode OF improving il, experience might sug.
gest."
Bu, enough it is time 10 conclude. We have
not gone into the general argument of this question
We have discussed it before, and It seems 10 a.
unnecessary. But, we look to the bond The FIRST
question i whether the power be expressed in the
cnnafifnlinn IL u hn tln l,,,n H.. - .l...I1 L.