Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-09


ed TO any thing like the sum necessary Tor the
completion of the work. The hon. member then
entered into statement OF the pfoDaDle value
of the canal, and said it would prove one OF the
most important works in existence, and would
become, perhaps, the mostyaluable property on
the face Of the Globe.
It would form junction between two of the
most valuable rivers in the country, the Shenan-
doah and the Potomac, the waters of the latter
alone would embrace navigation OF upwards
of 700 miles. There was no canal IN the new or
old word that could compare with it. Mr.. M
said that it would exceed the famous canal OF
the Duke of Bridgewater in England, the value
of whose shares had advanced from one hum
dred pounds to two thousand tive hundred, ana
made his heir one of the richest men on earth.
Mr. NJ proceeded at length to give lucid re-
view of the effects of this grand work, and call
ed upon the House not to arrest the progress OF
a work the benefits of which would be felt III
every section Of the country
Mr.. HARDIN rejoined, and defended his mo-
tves in opposing the bill. He had not done so
to court popularity, but to oppose what ne con-
sidered an unnecessary expenditure of the pub
lie money. With reference to the canal, what
were the facts? 1t had progressed about seven
ty or eighty miles, and was doubtful II 1t yield
ed a quarter per cent, or any thing at ALL II
never could become so productive as us adVo-
Gates wished others to infer, since there were no
markets for consumption. Mr.. n. deneo THAT
the CITY of Washington had any claims upon
which to ground this appropriation. That House
had no more right to pay the debts OF the cry OF
WASHINGTON than those of Philadelphia, Balt-
more or any other city III the country. mere
was no clause in the Constitution which warrant
ed their doing so. This canal was after all a
mere speculation, and less chances of prohta-
bile return than either the canals of New Y DIRK
or Delaware The cause OF the success or the
former was owing TO its connecting the lakes,
but it was absurd to imagine that a canal to the
foot of the Allegheny mountains would ever re-
alize any profit.
Mr. McKIM moved that the committee rise, but
the suggestion of Mr. McKENNAN withdrew the
motion
MIR. MANN, of New York, again address
ed the committee in opposition to the bill, and
said that he could not perceive that there was
any thing to warrant Congress in assuming this
debt
Mr.. M. made statement relative TO the ca
mails of New York, which in spite OF all their
advantages, have not yielded any profit tor the
last two years. Their fiscal returns had been
LARGE. but they embraced an extent of country
more than two thousand miles IN length, and
had other advantages which this canal never
could possess; yet they had yielded no profit.
MIR. CHINN maintained that the Congress OF
the United States held the same interest over
the people of this District that the State Legs
latures did over the people of the States. Inc
very fact of the former being unrepresented,
and vet not exempt from taxaton showed TINS
Besides the cession of the District was made
for the benefit Of the people of the States, to the
| exclusion of those of the District. There was
no new State which did not receive grants or
land for public purposes; and there was no rea-
son why relief should be withheld in the present
instance
Mr.. WARDWELL did not believe that the
Washington canal stock would pay three per
cent. in fifty wears. He thought Congress
might make as good bargain by taking the
whole stock, sinking it, and relieve the city al
together. The precedent brought by the gen
tleman from Va. (Mr MERcER) from New Y ork
worked the other way, forthe advance maze by
the legislature to the Hudson and Delaware ca
nal had been generally condemned in that
State as lavish waste of money. That canal,
with all its advantages, had not yielded one per
cent last year. nor would the interest on the
money ever be paid.
Mr.. STEWART Of Pa. said, the question
amounted to this, would Congress consent TO
tax its own property, the same as every other
nropertv in the country was taxed? Mr.. S. read
an estimate to show the available propriety OF
Congress in the district to be nearly million and
half of dollars, and with the Navy ard and
public buildings, upwards OF SIX Millions
The people Of the district paid on an average,
four and half per cent, on their property,
III
would not amount to one per cent. On what
principle of justice then, could this bill be resist
ed? Mr.. S. defended the importance OF the ca
nal, connecting, as it did, nine or ten western
States, and hoped work of such great ma
tional Importance would not be arrested by the
withholding of so small grant as sou, OOO Tor
three years. The hon. member referred 10
statement of the returns of the Pennsylvania
canals connected with the coal region as an
evidence that this canal would be brought TO
Weld profitable return.
Mr.. YINTON moved that the Committee rise.
Carred-ayes 62, noes 50.
The committee then rose, and the Speaker
having resumed the Chair.
Mr. BRIGGS reported the bills and amend
ments to the House
The House then adjourned, at quarter past
five o'clock
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