Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-06-18

of closing e, when that time for closing it shall come
winch must 5000 come, with the happy
OF mer'orous services, gratefully reconpensed.
Another subject, new becoming exceedingly intercs
ting was in various forms presented Congress at the
last session; aud in regard 10 which. believe there
is, substantially, general union Of opinion among the
members from this commonwealth. ! what is
commonly called Internal improvements. The great
and growing Importance of this subject may, hope,
justify few remarks relative to it, on tue present
Casion.
Ii evident 10 all persons Of much observation at
the close OF the late war, that tie condition and tic
prospects of the u. States bad become essentially chan
gcd regard IL sundy sreat interests of the couotry
Almost from the commencement o. the government.
down to the commencement OF that the Uuited
States had occupied position o. singular and cX;aor
binary advantage. They had been al peace, while
The powers of Europe had been war. The harvest
OF neutrality had been to them rich, and ample; and
,tey had reapcd Il, with skill and diligence. Their as
riourc ana counerce had both felt seusiby the ben
cit arising from the existing state of the world. Bread
raised for thsU whose hands othcr.y en-
poycd than in the cultivation of the field and the
wco noviSatGd, for aCCouu; of such being begc-
rent. could not safely navigate them Tor themselves
/ These opportunities for useful cmp!oymen,s all
seizcd ana enjoy cd by the enterprise Of the country;
and high degree prosperity the natural result
But with genera! peace state of things arose.
ihe European states al once turned their alien.
ton 20 the pursuits proper for their situation and
! sought extend heir own AGRICULTURAL manu-
uiauturnS and commercial In;crcsts.-It was evident
that tIenceor ward, instead of enjoying the advantages
peculiar neutrality times OF war renerai com
petition would spring up, and nothing was 10 he expec
ted without struggle. Other ma uns would now
raise their bread aud far possible, transport
their commodities; and tho export trade, and the
carrying trade Of this country therefore certain
10 receive and powerful competition Il no, Sudden
and violent checks II seemed reasonable thereto:
IN this state of things, TO turn thoughts a to
explore the hitherto UNEMPLOYED of
country, to find out, if we could, dversicaons Of
Industry, new SUBJECTS fer the application of later
home.
II was fto consider how far home productions could
properig, be made TO Furnish activity nome supply,
aud since the country stretched many par
of latitude and longitude, abounnr of course 10 the
urai productions proper to each, Of the high
est Importance to inquire what means existed OF estab
ishng free and cheap between those parts
thereby bringing the material abUunding in one IN
der the action OF the productive labor which found
IN another Roads and canals, therefore, 10
be Ut the hrst consequence. hnd then the interest
inS question arose, how far IL consiuionav law
u, and how far eXpedinn for the general government
To give aid aud ucccr TO the business OF making roads
ana canals, IN conjunction with individual enter
PRISE or State undertakings. / among those
who have held the opinion that If any object Of
that kind be OF general national Importance il is
within the scope of the powers Of the government
though admit II 10 be power which should he cXer-
cised with very great and discretion. Congress
has 0:vcr 10 regulate commerce. both inter nal and ex
ternai aud whatever might have been thought 10 be the
literal interpretation OF these terms, know the con-
Suctoo 20 nave been, from the very first assembling
" SpH cSs, ny very men who framed The
sutnuon that the regulation Of commerce comp chen
dcc such measures necessary for ils SUPPORT
lis improvement, lis advancement, snd Jusi6ct such
expenditures as Piers, Beacons, Houses and the
clearing out OF !arbors required Instances of this
Sort IN application OF the general revenues have been
frequent, from tie commencement of the government
ms me same power, precisely exists i'll relation TO
eroai as TO eX Eternal trade, ii not easy WHY
like expenditures might moi he justified, when made
on internal Objects The regions of tho :. est are
penetrated by rivers, 10 which those OF Euro AFRO bu
rails and brooks But the irrigation of these noble
streams, washing they do the ina rgin of one trd
OF Tie States OF The Union, INSTRUCTED by ohsa.
Gle, capable of being removed aud We, not likely TO
be removed, but by the power of the General Govern
nlent. Was this a jnstl:a5e object CT expenditure
from :iie National Treasury? Without hesitation
have thought 4 vast chain OF Lakes # !, no
not more proper 10 call them succession of inland
seas, stretches into the deep.iDeror of this northern
part Of the continent IS kindly placed there by Pro-
W!ence Ia break the continuity of the land and aHrd
The easier and reader water conycvaucs
Bat these lakes required also habors ard lights and
break"a'ers And were these lawful objects OF nation
al eg7siatioU: To pe, certainly they have appeared
10 be sucn as clearly as If !hey The Atlantic
border
In most OF The States OF tie Wcs', ne United
states are yet proPTe'ors vas: bodies Of land Through
some OF these states, and sometimes through these same
pHoc anaS, tue local authorities have prepared to car
~ expensive canals, for the gene,aI benefit of the
country Some Of these undertakings have been AT
tended With great expense, have subjected The states
-" ,"'e'P.S,hS spirit naS Begun aod Carried them
on, 20 large debts and heavy taxation The lands Of
the =. States being exempted from all taxation Of
course bear part OF This burden Locking 10 the II
states therefore, as great landed proprietor essen
tally benefited by these improvements have felt no
hi;uity m voting for tie appropriation OF parts of these
lands, and unreasonable contribution BY the y States
10 the general objects.
Most OF tie srIjoc's 20 which have referred are
much less local. in their influence apd importance than
fAey night seem. The Brcatw aier in the Delaware
useful 10 Philadelphia, useful also to all the shin own
ers IN the Unite" States, and indeed all interested in
commerce, especially t'at great Branch the coaslw,sn
commerce. II the moulhs Of the Southern rivers be
deepHaci and improved, tue Eeghborng cities are be-
nehitej nut so also are The ships which visit eu and
II The Mississippi and OHIO be rendered moro safe for
navigation the great markets OF consumption along
their shores arc tue readily and ceap!y approach
81 oy we products OF The Factories AID Fisheries CT
New England
Il is my opinion, 15r President that me presen. Co
conaOt be maintained hnt BIZ ,ri