Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-03-15

WAsnINsrox March 18th, 1888.
debate of great interest arose in the Senate on Sa-
turday last, which continued the whole day. You
will recollect that mentioned TO yeu when Mr. Clay
spoke on the Sub Treasury bill, on the 18th February
that he had been very severe and Pungent on the
conduct of Mr.. Calhoun, whom he charged with ter
giversaon and desertion from the party which hs
had joined after General jackson had choked him OIL
He then stated that he would cancel the debt he owed
him the first opportunity that occurred, and on
Saturday this opportunity was presented, and he oc-
cupied hours in the defence of his conduct as
| politician, against the charges Of Mr.. Clay.
The galleries were OVERLOOKING, and such was the
anxiety to hear him the part of the members of the
House. that il was impossible to keep quorum, and
the House was under the necessity ofadiourning.
| Calhoun had been senslbly stung by the sarcasms
of Clay, and their truth gave them additional severl-
ty; but his defence was not so able or complete as
was expected His usual ingenuity was at fault, and
he found it up hill work reconcile his repeated in
conslstencles. He talked about the purity Of his ia
tentions the correctness of his views the unmpeach
| abeness of his character, and minated that Clay
could not comprehend his arguments. This excited a
smile of derision in ali who know the intellectual cal
lbre OF both these eminent men. He had extracts
from his speech of 1884 read by the Secretary OF the
Senate to show that mis- opinions then were the same
as those he entertained ROW. and denied the accuracy
of the speeches which made him advocate the const-
tutlonalty of the United States Bank, &c. Clay re-
piled, and adduced his proofs in the support of the
charges he had made, and after two or three reion
ders and surrejorders, the debate closed in ap-
parent good humor, at near six o'clock.
This was gladiatorial combat of intellect which
had not been surpassed in that body for many years.
and the auditors seemed be much interested and
delighted as il they had been present at well per-
formed drama by artistes of the greatest emnence.
Calhouns voice, however failed HIM at last, and
became hoarse and indstinct while that of Clay was
as full and deep toned Webster had the floor
| today. His speech was philosophical, profound and
lucid. Though the subject was nearly exhausted, his
| views were new and expanded, and his arguments
| and facts conclusive and unanswerable. The crowd
was immense. Where SO many came from, | am
at loss to imagine.
The subject of ship. canal navigation round the
Niagara Falls has been lately urged upon Congress
by the legislature of Michigan On this subject,
very good report was made by Mr. Grant, of New
York. rom the committee roads and canals, on
the 18th January last from which, it is matter of
deep interest to the people of your State will give
yoa brief abstract. The attention of Congress was
first directed to this important subject in 1907, in pur
suance of resolution of the Senate Since that pc
ROD two other surveys have been made; one in 1926
by private individuals, and the other in 1885, under
the direction of Capt. Williams U. 8. Typographical
| Engineer The Committee demonstrate the const-
| tutieHay Of the project by reasonngs facts and
presidents. Its utility is thus shown The Weand
canal on the Canadian SIDE which extends around
| the Falls of Niagara was considered more as mill
| tary than commercial enterprise. BY this course,
vessels of war could pass from lake to the other
and thus avoid the expense trouble and risk of main
tang two fleets upon these waters. Entirely then,
as a strictly defensive measure-a military precaution
is the construction Of this canal warranted in order
to counteract the advantages in case of hostes,
England would derive from the use of the Welland,
canal, and would supersede entirely the necessity
of erecting forts and maintaining garrisons at vast
expense, at the important points along the line of
this frontier. Sound policy just regard for the
cury of our frontier and the preservation Of peace
all unite in urging upon the National legislature the
great propriey in military point of view, of con-
structing this supendous work.
The committee show that it will he no less impor-
tant in a commercial than in a military and naval
point of view This project they think is demand
velope new resources. The Erie canal does net af-
ford su cent facilities for the transportation of pro-
ducts to market The products OF this region will in
in proportion to the increased facilities for
| rying them to market. The immense tract oil
| country that would be thus made tributary to the
great aggregate of national and individual wealth
comprises an area of 10000 square miles. The
British Govern ment has not neglected this subject
By the Welland canal a communication is open be-
tween Toronto and the upper lakes. The Rideau l26
miles in length, and bnt at an expense efsix millions
of dollars, connects Lake Ontario with the Ottawa
river; the La Chen, Carron, Blandeau and Gren
vile canals complete the entire route to Montreal :
Minoux, canal is now in progress around the rapids
Of the ST. Lawrence, which will open direct ship
communication with England. The COMMITTEES oh 10 "
the comparative expense Of transportation from
the city OF New York 10 Detroit by the wav of o.
wego and the Welland canal and by way Of Buffalo.
The Oswego route substitutes the lake vessels for
canal boats and cuts off about 200 miles of the Erie
shipped from the city of New York and passed
through the perts of Oswego te Buffalo, four ifths
passing the latter place.
Freight Of % 900 tons via Buffalo, 100000
of25000 tons vim Oswego, $4,000
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