Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-24

of Public Works to subscribe to the Richmond Frcde
rlcksburg and Potomac Rail Road Company passed
IN the Senate yesterday, by vote of ~ to 10.
INTERVAL IMPROVEMENTS
We have been favored by Mr. Skinner. of Baltimore
with copy OF the following excellent Letter, addressed
by him to Nh. Gusn, of Morgan county, Va. He was
the only OF several Delegates appointed Morgan
county, from the city of Baltimore who took the ground
expressed in this communication Mr.. John Nelson
voted against the application TO Congress, but ndpncd
Tier Ro'cer Of dPpropriaties We cordially with
Mr. Skinner in the objections he has presented this
important question Grant the power which is claimed
for Congrcsssanction their usurped power of conri
buting money to Internal Improvemcnts-permi them
thus to trample on the Constituonet them do what
majority may think useful for the general well
fare-aHd how long viii it be, before we shall see our
free Institutions overturned We think the
signed by Mr. Skinner irresistible lie puts question
In nutshell We go against the usurpaton of the
power in every shape-whether or canal-whether
directly, or whether be covered by the establishment
of port of entry a river.
We recommend Mr. SINNERS article % the attention
OF the reader We will not trust ourselves to speak of
his abilities as we think of them. He is well Known
the former Editor of the American Farmer the pre-
sent Editor of the Sporting Register.
We annex the following article, from Niles Weekly
Register, as one of the signs of the times
"A Correspondent of the n. Y. Commercial. speak
ing of the proceedings in Congress, says
iva SUansea e,e.onon IN ,he House. ma css sPea
ey Of establishing port of entry Brownvic OF
,s On p9a,ias a BsSwn:ylls nigh, BE-
s o. 'S @''1g Of .,' aiosy y s'ra @ distant from
bysander between six AVID eight hundred feet replied MIR Stew
s above seI G SS & pert Il. OF Entry eight hundred
The purpose of Mr. Stc,cdrt (vvho is by the bre) one
OF the most steady and strong friends of internal
provemcnt that ever had seat in Congress- is easily
dcrstood-it is the improvement of the Nonongahea river
to its junction with the Ohio, in which Balii-
more IS much Interested provided also, Cumberland.
on the Potomac is likewise, made n port of entry
that the Chesapeake and Ohio canal may be extended TO
that important point which is now the LEADING object
with u.s. though not the only that deeply concerns us
This, however, is plain, that promote works of
Improvement not only to the great West but reach
a. M Pam IN.h
af happy location and it is sedaiy to make the most
We too, sincerely wish the Monongaheato be iinprov-
that the Federal Government will Keep Stands o-and
that the States will keep their hands
To ROBERT GUSTIN, ESQ
SIN Under high sense of the honor conferred in
having been appointed a Delegate to the " Ono AKp
CHESArEAKE CANvL 'CoNvENTIoN," OH the part of the
portion Of the good people of Morgan county
ing NJ which you presided took my in Con-
vcnton, heartily disposed to aid in promoting the pro-
gress of work which had had my cordial wishes
for It's success voted accordingly for all the
proposed by its friends, except the which recon-
mendcd memorial TO Congress for further aid and
here arises the OCCASION not to necessity for this
explanations which might otherwise appear superRuous
Against that Resolution gave my vote because do
not believe in the constitutional power of the General
Government to construct works of Internal Improve
men neither find it in the Bond would insert il
there if could There are no works ohat sort which
can be deemed Indispensable the welfare of the people
sncied in good d s y he ,, s of State
thorcs and the union of private capital seeking
and eligible investment; and if all that may be deem
ed desirable be thus achieved within the time
that inpatience cupidy would prescribe better will
1t be to postpone altogether fo.ego such expensive
projects OF national aggrandizemen than have them
accomplished by recognizing in the Federal Government
power susceptible of infinite extension and infinite
abuse-one that, in augmenting national expenditures
without im VIII give rise to popular pretexts for nvi
dious and arbitrary taxation of private industry; and
finally by multiplying the and objects opatronage
must with overwhelming power, goverRmentsThose
very creation was The reuctantwori of Hecessfy whose
birth was regarded by of wisest patriots with
fear and susPlcion and whose growth, if watched
and restrained with eternal vigilance will oyershadow
existence.
The history OF the human race is but a narrative of
struggles often bloody and too often vain against the
establishment of monOpolies, and the consolidation and
abuse OF power and 1T is my humble but solemn con-
Viction OF this tendency, under own system which
Will ever prompt 10 deny Congress all authority
not clearly granted In such cases 10 doubt should be
to deny; for, be it remembered that each accession of
authority, whether by force constructions but aug
ments the means of fresh extortions.
am but too well aware thatthe old Democratic doc
trine of strict construction many parts of the conn
try becoming obsolete, in degree to subject those who
persist in maintaining IT. to deTison and oboquy; prov
ing how prone are mankind 10 adopt opinions that square
with their personal convenience with local and tenn
Porary interests whilst this very consideration enhances
the obligation of every Republican stand out in re-
sistancc of that eternal tendency of the best balanced
and most explicitly limited governments to resolve
themselves into governments of force.
O0sa PT'ncPtS-rcsist first enerodctmentsi was once
The maxim OF the proud and patriotic "Old Dominion"
but rs there no toicar that there too fast
spreading that insidous poison of e1pcdenc which ena
bes us to discover in the Constitution the property of
elasticity and thus TO make it every magnificent
theory, and every scheme of expenditure that may
appear convenient and prohtabe' Is there no danger
that she too will fall into that odious practice of pro-
scrpton for opinion sake which "by placing personal
safety peace honor and dignity in competition with free
and independent thought ties down i'm hateful bond
age to the sordd destinations of sefnteres or leaves rs
unprotected victims to the sangunary grasp tyranny"
When these doctrines and these practices shau
have been adopted by the people and rooted in the land
let us buthavc President solctous only for his popular
lty, and without rmness to resist the enuctmcnts of
mere majority Of Congress- often made as assuredly they
WIZ be, under that fundamental propensity which leads
all animated nature when feels power 10 FORGET right
or plant Legislature, eager to register tie edicts
and to seize the profcred patronage of ambitious or
corrupt Exceutiye-and where will remain any shadow
OF guarantee for your boosted 1itten constitutional safe
guards Let all of us look to ias we will have to an
swer TO poserty for the sacred devoved on us by
the Patriots of the Revolution. For my humble self with
efery respect for The m0trcs Of those ho entertain oBpO
ste opinions did not feel at liberty 10 go TO Confess
opeon for boon that involved the exercise ola power
winch believe to be not granted TO the Federa Govern
mcn and therefore reserved the People and the States
Very respectfully, your obedient servt
J. $. SKINNER
LNSTRUcTIONS
We Law the fIo,vi Communication c.o., AZ L..