Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-12

profits were derived from the canal, the pro
lis of the stock would be shared by the Gov
ernmen, in proportion iolts subscription, while
the benefits of commercial and poli'tca
kind would ultimately reach every part OF the
Union
Mr.. NJ. all, er,el 10 the subject of rail roads
! which had been set up by some gentlemen as
a riv al To- the cause OF the present canal, ana
q reason for their opposition 10 II. lie pro-
irssed the most sincere desire for their success
allowed them 10 be superior TO canals, where
! ligh, and swift transportation was required
bu. insisted on the vast superiority oil canals,
in point OF cheapness for the conveyance OF
heavy commodities. Under The present form
of this bill the constitutional question could
not legiiimately come up, and he hoped no at'
| tempt would be made TO discuss it, He adj
verled TO The proprietary right Of the Govern
ment in $3.50 lots within his city; that being
The case. the Government and People ought 10
unite in forwarding measure which ?romls
ed very greatly TO augmen, the value Of all real
estate in the District.
Mr.. NJ. concluded BY a moderate disclaimer
| OF all merit in the part he had hitherto acted
with respect TO this great undertaking. The
project was far from being his; it was one Of
comparatively ancient date, and had been coun-
,enanced by the Father Of his Country; and he
closed by suggestion of the parental anxiety
that would be felt by his departed spirit, could
IL witness the transaction Of this day in the
Councils Of his country.
Mr. Hamilton, after adpertng 10 the re-
marks which had been made by Mr.. Mercer, as
10 the undoub'ed solvency and ability of all
who had subscribed 10 the stock Of the COM
pany, presumed he could have no objections
to having the bill slightly amended by The in>
ser,ion of the following proviso, which he ofr
fered 10 guard agains: the United States being
reduced TO the very awkward situation Of fnd>
ing itself left toe sole proprietor of work moi
half completed.
provided, That no part of the said sum
shall be paid by the United States, until the
other subscribers 10 the stock shall have paid
up NE amount OF theiI respective subscrp
lions"
Mr. Mercer objected 10 this amendment the
practical eff CT of NJ ich would be 10 destroy
the bill What i, proposed was, that the U
nited States should pay It's subsc rip,ion, not
par passu with the 9th srockhniders, but uf- |
ter all the rest had paid If then, j: should |
happen that some enc individual who had SUBJ
scribed 10 the stock should die, and 10 admin. |
istra'ion be had upon his estate, the whole |
subscription 1T the United States, would |
D. Tied up, The same would take place in
The Case OF widows and orphans, besides
which, some case, would, in all probability
occur on LireliCt stock, owned by foreigners
!yiAS abroad, whose heirs were unknown. In
eply To Mr.. Hamilton, as to the vast amount
which the Canal bad been estimated to cost,
Mr. Mercer stated, .hat the reduction which
lad been made IN The estimate Of The United
) ates' Engineers, had been made, not BY him,
Tor by the COMMITTEE On Roads and Canals,
'ut principally by two of the most distinguish
d Ens'as NEE 5 il he NH HpWsao a 9e c1ad be
more competent to The t,sk. They had both
,assrd over the whole of the proposed line Of
he Canal, and were well acqu linled with the
ground. Mr. Roberts had enjoyed great expe-
fence in the Canals Of New York, Ohio, and
'ennsy, ania, and Mr.. Geddes, who mad struck
he first staff INTO the rar!h, in laying out the
treat Western Canal ofthe State Of New York,
,ad been convtisant with al he details Of his
profession. and had grown grey in the practice
It il. Tuere was no mystery in the subject Of
hese es;imnes. The excavation of earth, en-
,ankmrnls, and the erection Of stone work,
we're matters of plain practical cacuIa' ion
he estimates made by he Mill AIRY Engineers
we're such as might be expected from 'hem.-
\ scientific chief, who had reaped glory By
GLOWING the cnnqucror of Europe, from one
nd OF the continent To the other; was not like
y to be so accurately acquainted with the pri-
es OF labor In this country, as a practical ma
I'VE, who had grown up IN it, and had long con-
nc ed operations OF similar kind, among
american farmers and mechanics. He advert-
d To several items in the rs lnates of the Eu> [
,iueers, which were manies,iy cxtravagant
)ne Of hem consisted of S2,7oo,ooo for S one ;
wallis, every perch OF which was estimated al
s.; while Mr.. VI. had ascerraned from an ex-
animation Of the expenses of fifteen dlffrren,
canals, that wall Of that description had nev,
r. cos more tran one dollar. This was snf-
icient to show that their estimate Of $4,000 ;
100, was no; At AL TO be relied upon. j
Mr.. Marin offered an amendment. 5
which he believed would be acceptable both to ,
he gentleman from Virginia MIR Mercer) and i
. MS COLLEAGUE MIR. Hamilton.) The amend,
nent is as fellows.
Nor shall any greater sum be paid on the
hares SO subscribed for, than shall oe proper
ionate to the assessments made on, and paid
y, individual and corporate stockholders {