Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-13

he opposed the passage of the resolution as |
impolitic and unnecessary, ana hopeo "o''u
not be passed. ud fs,t all
the anxiety for the success of the great "oIh,
that was inseparabe from correct view oi ~.
importance, and could not therefore, Dut regIe'
that opposition should be made to the pasSase
of the resolution. Why not make the apPnoa
tion2 Because aid granted by Congress nas q
corrupting influence! Where or whom ooes :.
corrupt To anticipate evil may ee 10 oin as,,J
upon those who fear it, and therefore ne woulu
not take into his estimate the prooaoliues
of corruption being engendered, when ne oe-
termined TO make an application to Congress III
and of this work. lie feared no coTI ui , ~
HIMSELF and would not suppose otners nney W
he brought under its influence Snouiu t,e
neral government be induced 10 give a,
ne the Greatness and importance oil the ~ork
demanded at their hands, the desires OF TINS
Convention-the early completion OF the Canai
-would soon be gratified-sOOner than py any
other means He was in favor of the resolu-
tion. for that reason; he would leave the selec-
ton of the specific aid to Congress.
Mr.. Coke was gratfied to ind that the gen,
tleman from Baltimore city (Mr. Nelson) haa
no constitutional scrupes as to the power OF
Congress to appropriate money in aid OF the ca
nal. and thought proper view oil this question
wonld lead him to The conclusion that an appli-
cation to Congress was not only proper Out IKE
Iv TO be attended with success. He would not
for an instant entertain the notion Of snch an
application begetting corruption ANY one ois
posed to deal severely with the gentleman,
might ask if he had been brought under that IN
fuence. or does he know any one who has,-no;
such reason cannot have effect here-nor VIII
il be felt in Congress-but if The aid OF Congress
bring with it the evils feared, may we not expect
a like result from aid granted by the staes-and
vet the gentleman is found uniting in an appll-
cation to the state governments and opposing
one to the general government.-Wh are the
parties interested in this work? He would place
first the District of Columbia, as most interest
ed, and then Maryland, Virginia and Pennsyl
vania-well then, we have authorized memoir
ais to be drafted to the local legislatures OF Ma
ryland, Virginia, aad Pennsylvania, and why
not TO the local legislature ofthe District? Con-
gress is that local legislature, and being the sole
guardian of the interests, Gf he might use par
adoxical expresson) Of the circle of ten miles
SQUARE, will, he trusted not permit them to be
sacrificed by the withdrawal Of its protection to
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Al all events,
he, for one, would not permit Congress 10 Tor
get that as the local Legislature of the District OF
Columbia, it should watch over and lend It's aid
to advance her interests.
Mr.. Mercer, in speech of some length, por-
trayed the advantages which would result to the
",
Baltimore from the completion Of this work.
and urged on her citizens, in fervent language
TO come TO its aid He repealed in indignant
terms any imputation that might be cast upon
Congress, in supposing them to be influenced
by corrupt motives i'm passing bills In AID OF
internal improvement. He should vote Tor the
resolution because he was in favor OF Congress
giving aid, and should not stop to inquire whe
Their or not it would be granted. Mr. B. c. Ho-
ward of Baltimore city, believing that the ap-
plication to Congress would be unsuccessful ex-
pressed his opposition to the adoption OF the
resolution.
Mr.. S Jones. of Baltimore city, would make
but one remark, and that was to correct an i'm
preston which the gentleman from Va Mr.. Mer-
cer) seemed 10 entertain that the city of Balti-
more was, if not unfrendly to the completion OF
the canal, not cordial in its support. He felt
himself justified in saying, that II such an opin-
ion were entertained it was entirely erroneous
The citizens of Baltimore are fully alive to lis
importance, and would be found uniting IN any
measure deemed proper to be taken TO attain the
completion Of the canal.
Mr. S. Donaldson of Baltimore city, concurr.
ed entirely in the view taken of the desires OF
Baltimore on this subject
Mr. Miles, of Baltimore city, regretted that
such explanations were rendered necessary, but
could fully corroborate The statement OF his COL
leagues in regard to the sentiments OF Baltimore.
HeI citizens were warmly and d, sidedly in favor
Of the completion Of the canal, and he took plea
sure i'm so assuring the convention.
Mr. Heath, discamed any unfriendly feeling
towards the canal, and was astonished to find
that any remarks that mad fallen from him should
give rise to such an apprehension. He was OPP
posed to an application to Congress, believing
that it would not only be improper for Congress
to grant it, but that it would not do it. He was
in favor of the completion Of the canal, and
would unite in any proper measure 10 eH'ct II.
Mr. M'Culloh of Baltimore county, was in ia
vor of the resolution, and thought that the aid of
the State Legislatures would be accelerated by
decision of this question in Congress. So long
as the Question was undetermined there, the
State Legislatures would hesitate to grant aid in
the hope of the favorable action of the National
LEGISLATURE. That hope destroyed, they would
feel that the duty of completing the canal, had
devolved on them, and would devise some means
of performing it,
A few desultory remarks were made by seve-
raj other gentlemen, after which the question
was taken and decided as follows
Yeas 123-Nays IA.
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.