Delaware gazette and American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1837, 1830-06-04
CONGWNss'XONAM.
MAYsyILLE ROAD BILL
Housr o. RrraEslarArNrs, NOV q. 1850

bill entitled An act authorizing a subscIiI
Ition Of stock in the Maysyille, Washington
Paris, and Lexington Turnpike Roud Com
: pany, with his objections thereto.
TO the IIousc Of Representatives.
GENTLEMEls; | have maturely considere
the bill proposing to authorize "a subscrip
tion ofstock in She Maysville, Washington
! Paris, and Lexington Turnpike Road Com
lpany,n and now return the same to III
House of Representatives, It which il orig
mated, with my objections to itb passage.
Sincerely friendly TO the Improvement o
our country by means ofroa1s and canals,
Iregrel that any difference ofopinon in tn
mode Of contributing to it should exist be
tween us and II, 10 stating this difference,
lgo beyond what the occasion may be deenei
to call for, hppe to find an apology in III,
great importance ofthe subject, an unfeignet
respect for the high source from which Thu
branch oft has enanated, and en- anxioui
wish to be correctly understood b. my con
stituents in the discharge Of all my duties
Diversity Of sentiment among public iunc-
iionsTies, aetuated by the same general mo.
ltives, on the chaybcier aad tendency Of par-
iieular measures, is an incident common to
jail Governments, and the more to be expec.
ted in one which, like ours, owee its exis-
tence to the freedom olopinion, and must be
upheld by the same influence. Controlled,
us we thus are, by higher tribunal, before
which our respective acts will be canvassed
with the indulgence due to the impsrtections
lof our nature, and with that intelligence and
unbiased judgment which are the true cor.
Irectiycs Of error, all that our responsibility
Il Nh.Fa ha lie ~,
measure Of our views, debating alike their
frank expression and homes. maintninance.
| In the message which was presented to
Congress at the opening gifts present SEES
sion, endeavoured 10 exhibit briefly my
views upon the important and highly inter-
eating subject, 10 which our attention is now
to be directed. was DESTROYS Of presenting
to the Representatives OF the several Slates
in Congress assembled, the inquiry, whether
some mode could not be devised which would
reconcile the diversity of opinion concerning
the powers Of this Government over the sub.
ject Of internal Improvement; and the manner
10 which these powers, it conferred by tho
Constitution, ought to be exercised. The act
which am called upon to consider, has,
therefore, been passed with knowledge OF
my views on this question, as these are ex-
pressed in the message referred to. 10 that
document the following suggestion will be
found;
"Ailer the extinction of the public debt,
il is not probable that any adjustment Of the
tariff, upon principles satisfactory TO the geo.
pie ofthe Union, will, until remote period,
ifeter, leave The Government without con-
siderable surplus in the treasury, beyond
~ aN kf,e Sc tNaa
As then the period approaches when the APP.
lplicatlon of the revenue to the payment Of
debt will cease, the disposition Of the surplus
iwill presenta subject for the SERIOUS dshbe-
ration Of Congre5si and !. may be fortunate
for the country that il 10 yet to be decided
Considered IN connection with the difficulties
which have heretofore attended approprib-
lions for purposes Of internal improvement,
and with those which this experience tells
lus will certainly arise, whenever power over
such subjects may be exercised by lie Gen
ieral Government il is hoped that il may lead
TO the adoption Of some plan which will re-.
iconcie the diversified interests ofthe States,
and strengthen the bonds which unite them.
Every member Of the Union, in peace and In
war, will be benefited by the Improvement
Of inland navigation and the construction oil
highways IN the several States. Let us
then endeavour to attain this benefit in )
mode which win be satisfactory to ALI That
hitherto " adopted has been deprecated as an
llnlraclion Of the Constitution by many oil
our fellow citizens; while by others it has
been viewed as inexpedent. All feel thai
II has been employed at the expense of har.
Imony in the legal tive councils;" and adyer
Ting 10 the Cons utional power Of Congress.
to make what Y ,usider o proper disposition
ofthe surplus senue, subjoin the follow.
ing remark To avoid these evils, il ap
lpears TO at the most safe, Just and fed
lerol dis N which could be made oftht
Surplus -nne, would be its apportionmenI
among the several States according to theii
rutio Of representation; and should this nea,
sure not be found warranted BY the Consti
tuition, that 1t would be expedientt to propos,
10 me States an amendment authorizing il.
The constitutional power Of the Fedora
government to construct or promote work
OF internal improvement, presents itself il
two points Of view; the fret, as bearing upol
the sovereignty Of the States within who's
limits their execution is contemplated, ifiu
I ,rlsdlctlon Of the territory which they ma
e OCCUPY, be nlaimed as necessary TO tboir pre-
lservaii0n and use the second, as assertin
he simple right to appropriate money frot
J. ne National treasury in aid Of such wor
when undertaken by State authority. surrer
derlng the claim ofjursdicliou. In the fri
Z view, the question of power is an open on,
= land can be decided without the embarrasI
,,,,lments attending the other, arising from N
y lpractlce ofthe Government.
). Although frequently and slrcnuousIy a
f. tempted, the power, to this extent, has n,
lie yer been exercised by tho Government in
a. single instance. II does not, in my opinio
possess it, and no bill, therefore, which a,
q t'nils 1t, can receive my Official sanction.
. But in the other view fthe power, II
!, question is differently situated. The grour
!, taken at an early period of the Governmer
i. was, "that whenever money has been raise
/ by the general authority, and islo be apple
n