Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-04-03


nen upon the subject OF Internal improvements and
not unirequenty made the subject of the vehement
denunciatons. Either from the uncxceptonable cha
racter of his political career, other cause it has
usually so happencd that in the points which he has
been most bitterly assailed he has in the sequel been
found to be least vulnerable deceive myself greatly
IT such shall not ultimately b. the in the present
stance. In note TO speech delivered by Mr. Van Blu
rem in the Senate of the United States the powers
OF the Wee President, and in which he gives his views
at large upon Constitutional principles aud condemns
IN the strongest terms, the laudinaran opinions of the
en existing Administration upon the subject of Inter
nal improvements he thus speaks of the vote in dues
ton, and OF his official upon the subject gene
raj
Van urcn /. By certain, this he
s he came into The Senate tho knowledge OF the perpetual drain
c ROAD was destined TO prove upon the Public
"" some mean. were taken prevent u aud sincere
Wes, ,S and promote the prosperity Of tho
Tor provision authorizing the collection OF toll this
ANA, o. o road ia respect to IFS reference the
RS. IL was authorized during the Administration Jefferson,
and had tho consent OF the States through which
matter of rccrencc satisfactory to bis
mind All he can say is ha, the question again
otherwise would be greater had Mr. Monroe credit,
Of seven years service which the iasous critic
ised to m"a"n and % h ~''n ,s PsI9I Which Mr. " D. pro
ami NIL more tO yan Bun's Speech
No one will doubt that if the Journals of the Senate
Tor the seven years to which he REFERS for the residue
oil the period which he served in that body could shew
single other vote inconsistent with the opinion which
upon full examinations he had thus adopted and avowcd
1t would long since have been forthcoming The charge
Oh ia,itudnarian opinions this point then
single vote given at the timc and under the circum-
stances stated aud repeated during his Legislative
service What the state ofths question was the pc
Rod OF Cen Jacksons accession the presidency and
how much has since been DONE explode error and
rect abuse is too well understood to require calculation
FROM the moment when the Maysville Road Bill first
came under the consideration of the Executive until the
present day. Mr. Van Buren, has been devoted and
tive supporter of the reforms which President Jackson
pffccted, o has
effect upon this great subject Whilst member of his
Cabinet as one ohis coadjutors and constitutional advi-
sers and since that connection dissolved by all the
means which his situation has allowed him to employ
,hs support has been openly and firmly given In the
letter from MI, Van Buren, TO the North Carolina com
mtee already referred to- his views upon this subject
are fully stated by himself:
internal improvements diversified in their ma
ture, ana the possible agency of the Federal Goyern
IN their constructions variable its character and de-
gree as to render it little difficult to Law down any
precise RUE That Will embrace the whole subject The
broadest and best defined division, is that which dis
nguishes between the direct of works of
internal improvements by the General Government
ana Pccunary assistance given by it to such are
dertaken by others In the former included the
right to make and establish roads and canals within the
states, and the assumption of much jurisdiction over
'e terory tey may occupy, as is necessary TO their
preservation aud use; the latter is restricted simple
grants OF money! in aid of such works. when made under
State authority.
" The Federal Government does not in nv oninion
posses the first specified; derive il from
inc assent OF the State in which such works be
Il
free from difficulty. Various rules have from time to
time been suggested by those who properly appreciate
e Importance OF precision and certainty in the opera
IONS OF the Federal power but they have been so fire.
quenily nirnged upon by the apparently unavoidable
acton OF the Government, that final and satisfactory
settlement OF the question has been prevented The
wide difference between definition ofte powerin ques
on upon paper and its practical application to the ope
atons OF Government has been sensbly felt by all who
have been ntrustcd with the management of public a
lars The whole subject reviewed in the Presidents
haysv,e message. Sincerely believing that the best
e!rsls OF inc whole country the quiet not to say the
suoily OF The Union, and the preservation of that mo-
raj force which, perhaps much any other holds it to-
gether imperousy required that the destructive course
OF Legislation upon that subject then prevalent should
In some proper and constitutional way be averted l.
throughout gave to the measure of which that document
was an cXposton my active, jealous, and sup
" The opinions declared by the President in the MAYS
viiie and his succeeding annual message, | under
sthd the are as follows LIST That Congress does
posses the power to make and establish road or canal
within State, with right of jurisdiction to the extent
nave stated; and that if it is the wish of the People
hat the construction of such works should be undcra-
ken by the Federal Government previous amendment
OF the Constitution, comforting that power, and defining
and restricting its exercise, with reference to the sove,
regnty of the States is Indispensable 3D. An intimaton
OF his belief that the right to make appropriations in aid
OF such internal improvements of a national cha
Iactc mas been generally acted upon and so long
acquicsced IN by the federal and State Governmental
and the constituents of each Justify its exercise; but
at rs nevertheless, highly expcdent that such
appropriations should with the exception of such re-
late to lighthouses, beacons, buoys public piers and
other improvements in the harbors and navigabe rivers
oil the u States, for the security and facility of our TO-
reign commerce he deferred at least until the national
debt IS paid 3D. That if il 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
ana Inc extent OF the appropriation should be made the
SUBJECTS OF constitutional regulation.
" In these views concurred, and Likewise partici-
pate in the difficulties which were encountered and ex
pressed by the President in adopting the principle which
comedies to the Federal Government right 10 make
appropriations in aid of works which might be REGARDED
as OF national character; difficulties which arose as well
from the danger of considering usage the founda
ton OF the right, as from the uncertainty of the
best rule that had ever been adopted that could in
the absence OF positive constitutional provision be es
tabIishcd The reason which these objections were
founded are so fully stated in the document referred To-
ana have been so extensively promulgated that is I'M
necessary Tor me TO repeat them here Subsequent re-
hecon nde4perlence have confirmed apprchc nsons
OF the injurious consequences which would How from the
resumption OF appropriations for internal improvements
with no better rule for the government of Congress- than
that OF which have spokeD and do hesitate to ex
press IL as my opinion, that the general and interests
OF the country would be best consulted by Withholding
them with the exceptions which have already referred
to- until some constitutional regulation upon the subject
has been made.
feelings oindiiference much less ofhostty TO Internal
improvements. AS such, they have no enemies -
nave never omitted to them all the proper aid i'm
my power: for which, by the way, claim no particular
merit as do not believe there honest and sane man
IN the country, who does not wish to them prosper
but their constructions and the in which, and the
means by which they 10 be effected are quite diff
ferent questions Rather than again expose our eeisla
ton toa the corruptng influences Of those scrambes
and combinations IN Congress, which have been hereto.