Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-04-20

NeHt, as 10 line othcE oplec's Whrh '"S ieooiN |
ions Of Virginia, and the Report OF her Board u
public Works affiliated, TO that winch, no'
rust, have satisfactorily disposed the laser
extension of the Cumberland road io the na'ig An..
waters OF the Potomac. II was well kn wn, " hen
his road was about 10 be commenced, tbai ME
Jefferson, in whose Administered Oh 1t orlSina ed
hought il should begin at the Seat Of Goverom
md passing nearly due West. strike the Oh' OF
he mouth of Muskingum To the then Secre a., |
Of he Treasury. who recommended more TOT
thern route, and TO a distinguished Seoator II
State which held a large reservation OF lands IN
the Northyy estern corner OF Ohio, the route fron
Cumberland, which this road ultimately took, may
be ascribed But This history, since the extension
of this road to the West, across the Ohio, lar
from limiting its Eastern termination TO its present
boundary, manifestly sustains the authority tor
continuing i, to the Seat OF the American Govern
ment. And, if a doubt on this subject remained,
il would be removed by The fact, which the re-
lues,ed survey has disclosed, that, by such con-
tinuation, twenty miles in hundred and thirty
i've may be saved of that distance which now Sc
psrates the Western border OF this Union from the
seat of it's common Government, the main spring
of IFS defensive power.
Both these surveys then have prior origin TO
that which my colleague has imputed to them; and
both designed for national, hot local purposes
Their immediate origin in the. request OF so many
members of this House, should have excluded the
nnwarr sntabe charge 10 which they have given
birth. Their result, however, cannot pass 10y.
That of the last, have Just disclosed i;sat oil the
other, though not yet complete, has manifested,
have been reioiced TO learn, that my carly beiei
was well founded tina. the Greenbrier river can
be conducted, in suficlen, volume. TO the East OF
The Allegheny, to mingle IFS waters, for the puI-
poses OF navigation, with those of the James river
thus adding far South, where Winter will not long
impede it's annual use, one other channel 10 those
already discovered, and too many cannot exist,
Tor commercial intercourse between the Atlantic
and Western States, calculated to advance their
common prosperity in peace; To secure their
common safety in war; and 10 perpe,nate, lore
yer, may We not confidently hope, their friendly
union.
When first sat out in my humble career OF
public life, | early devoted TO these objess, Mr..
Speaker, with much unsssis ed labor the little ia
lent which nature had given me. IL will not over
step the bounds of moGesy, trust, say, that, In
the path have since pursued have been FREE
quenuy overtaken; easily 0utstripped sometimes
crossed in my journey, by those who have occa-
siona!ly travelled with me- One consolation hav
that, ia looking back, perceive that this course
though much impeled, and, therefore, laborious
has never deviated from the even line first pro-
posed TO follow. To Others, without repinBg,
leave the enjoyment of higher honor; and may
their secret recollections prove alike soothing to
their peace.
The worthy member who has just addressed
you, among the many topics which he has inter
woven in debate in which he cert sinly could no,
expect to pass unanswered has honoTed me with
special regard, and has also resorted TO the much
haokneyed theme of the Alien and Sedition Laws;
not, presume, because they came within the
scope of his own experience. Bui they did. sir
within mine, and am glad iha, have witness
high il station, al the other end of this Capitol,
and one on the bench OF the Supreme Court OF the
native State OF my colleague and myself. who can
prove that, though not arrived at age to which
political consistency could require tn trace
back my political opinions, was decidedly and
Zealousiy opposed to both those measures, my
colleague would doubtiesss have been, had his age
permitted him to judge OF them; to the fret as
unnecessary and inexpedieut; to the last alike
uncons itutional Their connexion with the pre-
sent 'opic of discussion, can have, indeed, bu,
one object purpose which has evidently per-
vaded the entire argument of u colleague, as Ia
defeat, trust, it's Injurious tendency.
/ have already said, sir, that follow n man =
reputation, and mean contend under no man :
political banner. l am no apOogist for the Presi-
dent of the United States and have the honor OF
no other personal confidential intercourse with
him, than my colleague has. But power, so
important TO the common defence and general we!s
fare of the United States shall not, With my pri-
unjusily imputed 10 the Chief Magistrate Of my
country; and confidently trust, that, in this in
stance, have demonstrated that the aul bority
which he has exercised, in virtue of the former APP
preparations, to the subject of present debate,
has not neen hitherto abused.
L. it likely to be hereafter misa pplied? To rem
der this more probable, my colleague has swe,ed
its magnitude beyond all Imaginable bounds " hat
is has been its extent: In 1924, &c, 900 dollars
were appropriated; in 1928, $4,000 dollars: in
1926, so 600 dollars, comprehending an unex-
pended balance OF the preceding year. and it is
now proposed to appropriate thirty thousand dol
lar more.
With fancy truly poeticaI, my colleague tells
US that the power of applying 'hese sums has an
influence, not Limited by their nominal amount,
bur co-extensive with the unfounded expectations
to which their employment nay possibly give rise
His history of their past effect, have careful.
~ revewed; and, if the future may be judged by
the past, l have, l trust, allayed all cause of
apprehension, except that which exists in The
wonder working imagination of my colleague.
possess no supernatural spell TO bind his prolific
fancy, and reason impo,entIy shrinks from such an
effsrt The lev thousands which are about TO
appropriate, turned by my colleague into
thrice as many millions, with power of combi-
nation gigantic and terrific than that by
which Falstsf multiplied his men in Buckrsm.
Sir, am tanspor ed a. the thought OF so much
wealth Would could command its usel In
stead Of being startled at the exaggerated estimate
By the United States Engineers, of the probable
cost of that Canal, which many of us have
hitherto sssiduously sbored, but, IS yet, in vain
to commence, ] would Immediately execute it, -
The mountains should bow to my decree would
not only re-people Africa with her long lost des-
cendants, but America, in return, with the fairer