Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-20

He'e air. ". ieelingiy narrated some Of the
adventures OF his journey, appealing Tor confrina-
ton to gentlemen on his right hand and on his left.
He insisted on the Inconvenience, DELAY dsnper
and expense attending travelling on this part of |
the road, and argued to shew that in less than
twenty years Government would receive back the |
the whole amount it was now called upon TO sub |
scribe. Would the House refuse thu object Of
this bill, when they have already expended near.
~ as large amour. in She i.ere s,,ry.v and loi
cation D. fne tor The extension OF the Cun,ber-
land Road from Cumberland to this city,
Mt meenis made a lew remarks to shew that
the bill did not involve the constitutional question
OF Internal improvements, being merely an ar
rangcinent TO save time and expense in the trans
20; tation Of the mail: The House would not
surely refuse to act in case where the very necks
OF the members were in danger. The bill did not
ask the House TO make donation Of q single dol
lar Of money.
MIR. Bassett could not believe gentlemen seri-
Gus. IL the bill did not give dollar why was i,
urged II proposed 10 give $4,000 mile for this
road. Was Government to paw at this rate far all
the roads Of the country! Mr.. b. considered il
unjust in principle, and never could consent to IT,
MIR. Mercer protested against any attempt to
fyure, oy anticipation, bill which was soon to
come before the House for ending the Cumber-
beriand Road from Cumberland To this CITY, The
gentleman from Kentucky had greatly u,isstated
the expense OF lis survey, AMI location, which did
no' amount to much more than entieth part of
what he had supposed. That road and this were
not 10 be considered AS rival enterprises On this
subject he had piece Of history which might be
unknown TO some members Of the House. At the
time the Cumberland Road had first been propos-
ell, It was the opinion of Mr. Jefferson that il
ought TO commence at this City and strike the O.
hio liver below Marietta II would then have
reached point that river where the land trans
portaton would meet line Of uninterrupted ma
,igation. This had been the expectation of Vir-
GINA, and would have gone into effect but for the
opposing weight OF the Connecticut Reserve, and
the influence Of leading member then in Con-
gress from the State Of Pennsylvania. The in
iuence from these quarters occasioned the road TO
Road To Cumberland more than forty miles was
already complete. Mr.. NJ. was not opposed TO the
present bill. The road i: proposed to complete
formed only a part of the great road which it was
contemplated TO run from this City through Har-
risburg, TO the Western part of the State of New
York. He commended that, even if there were
no such thing as the Cumberland Road, Congress
as the local Legislature of the District, would
nave right to aid this road with view to draw
the trade and produce Of the neigh5oring country
INTO the District. This was done by The Legisia-
tire oil every State, and thou hi OF complain
ing OF IT. Maryland had extended vast sums 10
making roads, with view 10 benefit no. of the
immediate neighbourhoods through which they
pass, but OF the City OF Baltimore. So had New
York and Virginia tor the benefit Of their respec-
tive capitals.
lSeveral other gentlemen addressed the House
MIR. Storrs said Ee had voted for a subscription
similar 10 this i'll behalf OF the Delaware and Cesa-
peake Canal, and, also, OF the Dismal Swamp Ca
nal. lie had done so OIL one priHciple-Ihat
statement of the concerns Of the Company should
be laid before the Government, and fair prospect
be shown OF accomplishing the object int Tended
In the present case, he wanted TO know what wa.
the amount OF the capital stock, how much Of the
Stock subscribed had been paid in, and how much
stun remained nnsubscribed. When he had these
facts he should be better prepared to act
MT. w asbington now farther explained the char
ter OF the Company, and quoted several sections
of the bill.
MIR. Wickfe demanded that the question should
be taken by yeas and nays, and they were order
ed Ivy the House.
MIR. McDuffie said, that he was fully aware Of
the importance of this road las national object go.
ing to facilitate the transportation of the great
Western Mail. No one would, therefore, suspect
him OF wishing TO throw any difficulty in its way;
but he could not consent to act upon the subject
without fuller information. If compelled TO act
now, he must oppose the bill
Mr.. Washington thereupon moved to postpone
the further consideration OF the Till until Monday
next; which motion prevailed, and the bill was
postponed accordingly.