Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-10-20

which threatens such extensive injury to the IN
situations of our country.
Internal improvements are so diversified IN
their nature, and the possible agency OF tne re-
deral Government in their construction SO
variable in its character and degree. as to render
il not a little difficult to lay down any precise
rule that will embrace the whole subject. Inc
breadssk and best defined division, is that which
distinguishes between the direct construction OF
works of internal improvement BY the Generai
Government, and pecuniary assistance gwen oy
it to such as are undertaken BY others. In the
former, are included the right TO make and es.
tablish roads apd canals within the States, and
the assumption Of as much jurisdiction over the
territory they may occupy, as is necessary to
their preservation and use. The latter Is re-
stricted to simple grants Of money in aid OF such
works, when made under State authority.
The Federal Government does not, in my OPT
Mon, possess the power first specified; nor can it
derive it from the assent Of the State In which
such works are to be constructed. The money
power, as il is called, is not so free from DIM
Guilty. Various rules have, from time to time,
been suggested, by those who properly appreci.
ate the importance Of precision and certainty IN
the operations of the federal power; but they have
been so frequently infringed upon by the appar-
emily unavoidable action Of the Government,
that final and satisfactory settlement OF the
question has been prevented. The wide differ
ence between definition of the power in ques.
ton upon paper, and its practical application to
the operation Of Government, has been sensIbly
felt bv all who have been entrusted with the ma
nagement Of public affairs. The whole subject
was reviewed in the Presidents Maysville mes
sage. Sincerely believing that the best interests
of the whole country, the quiet, not to say the
Il ~ g
that moral force, which, perhaps, as much as any
other, holds it together, mperiously required that
the destructive course Of legislation upon that
subject. then prevalent, should. in some proper
and constitutional way. be arrested, l, through
out, gave to the measure Of which that document
was an exposition, my active, Jealous, aud anx-
iOus support.
The opinions declared By the President in the
Mavsville, and his succeeding annual message,
as understand them, are as follows: LIST. That
Congress does not possess the power to make and
establish road or canal wit lin State, with
right of jurisdiction to the extent have stated,
aud that il il is the wish of the people that the
constru ton of such works should be undertaken
by the Federal Government, previous amend
ment Of the Constitution, comforting that pow.
or, and defining aud restricting its exercise, with
reference to the sovereignty of the S'a'es, is in
Cd. An intimation Of his belief
that the right to make appropriations in aid OF
such internal improvements as are Of national
has been So generally acted upon. and
SO long aoGu,esced in by the Federal and State
and the constituents ut each, ~
to justify its exercise; but, that it is nevertheless
highly expedient that even such appropriations
should. with the exception of such as relate to
light houses, beacons. buoys, public piers, and
other improvements in the harbors and navigabr
rivers of the United States, for the security and
facility Of our foreign commerce, be deferred al
least until the national debt is paid. Sd. That
if it Is the wish of the people that the agency Of
the Federal Government should be restricted to
the appropriation of money, and extended in that
form, in aid Of such undertakings, when carried
on by State authority, then the occasion, the
manner aud the extent OF the appropriation should
be made the subject Of constitutional regula.
ton.
In these views I eoncurred; and likewise par.
ticipated in the difficulties which were encoun
tered and expressed by the President. in adop.
ting the principle which comedies to the Federal
Government the right to make appropriations in
aid Of works which might be regarded as of a
national character; difficulties which arose as well
from the danger Of considering mere usage the
foundation Of the right. as from the extreme un-
certainty and consequent insecurity of the best
rule that had ever been adopted, OF that could.
In the absence Of positive constitutional prov.
sion, be established. The reasons on which
these objections were founded, are So fully stat.
ed in the document referred to, and have been
80 extensively promulgated, that it is unnecessa-
nv for me to repeat them here. Subsequent re-
Election and experience have confirmed my ap.
prehensioDs Of the injurious consequences which
would probably flow from the usurpation of ap.
preparations for internal improvements, with no
better rule fur the government of Congress than
that Of VIII Q have spoken: and do not hest
tate to express it as nv opinion, that the general
and true interests of the country would be best
consulted by Withholding them, with the excep.
tons which have already referred to, until some
constitutional regulation upon the subject has
been made.
In this avowaI. l am certainly not Influenced
BY feelings Of Indifference, much less of hostlli.
ty, to internal improvements. As such. they
can have no enemies. have never omitted to
give them all the proper aid in my power; for
which. by the way, claim no particular merit,
as do not believe there is an honest and sane