Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-07-18

Of the west, who have been SO active and
as TO become the pioneers Of
the wilderness, and thereby obtain posses
sion Of sites for future cities and villages.
Whatever were the present veluo oil those
places, il had resulted mainly from the la
bors of those who had already settled up
on or near them.
Tho government. had done nothing to
give that value, and il could not Justly clam
tho benefit of it, He could recoloct when
hoy would not sell at the government price.
Six years ago the whole of Chicago could
have been purchased for small considcra.
ton. Eight years ago the lands along the
line of the Illinois canal were priced 80
low, that the state applied TO this house TO
exchange large portions OF them Tor lands
more valuable in the southern portion OF
the state. They had since risen in value
by the industry and enterprise of those
who had taken up their residence in that
part of the country. He was unwilling
that the government should make the re-
scryalions contemplated by the amend
ment, for tho purpose Of having value Civ.
en- 10 them by the labor and toll of any por
ton of his constituents. All former re-
seryatons had operated as tax upon the
industry Of those places whore they were
situated. In the case Of porrysburgh, al
udcd to by tho gentleman from Massachu-
sotts, no had no doubt it had retarded the
growth Of the place, besides prejudiclng
the interests Of every person residing there:
The gentleman from Massachusetts, had
alluded to o bill rejected by tho committee
on public lands, for tho improvement OF the
harbor at Southport, on Lake Mchigan.--
lie had called it ono of the greatest specu-
latons ever devised. Mr.. G. could not
thus view it. 1t only set apart something
like three hundred acres of land for the
purpose of constructing, not "co'anaer'
ciai wharf" but harbor for the protection
of commerce. Itcould not provo'a great
speculation to those concerned but would
he of essential service. to the security OF
the lake navigation. Lake Michigan was
now virtually without harbors. a vessel
leaving Chicago must run two hundred
miles before she could find port OF safety
in O storm. Ii any doubted the expedIen'
cy of making more harbors on that lake,
or had any constitutional scruplcs on the
subject, he hoped they would be removed
he know they would be, if they wore only
found upon its waters when storm was ra
ging there in its fury. IL this House couii;
be placed on board Of one Of our lake yes
sells on such an occasion, and the vote wa
then to be taken, there would be no mega
tives on a bill for the Improvement of on
harbors. The House has done great injus
lice TO the commerce Of the lakes by neg
Letting to make appropriations for the i'm
provcment of harbors. That commerce,
was not 10 be estimated by tho amount o
tonnage entered at any one port, but by tn
number Of voyages made during q season
Thus estimated, it would approximate verl
nearly to the coasting tonnage of the Al
lantic states. A large amount Of our Al
lantic tonnage was employed whore W
lately proposed to send our exploring eX
petition, or where we had navy costin
US nearly five millions 10 protect it. fifth
protection of the lake commerce was un
constitutional, this navy was also unconst
tutional. A navy was created to fight on
battles upon the sea in time of war, an
should be laid up in port in time of peace
if commerce is 10 have no further protee
ton than what is furnished by natur;
means. You send your navyto the coas
Of the Pacific to give relief TO vessels
distress, and no one is troubled with const
tuionul scruplcs but the moment we pre-
pose to give like relief by the improvemel
of harbor on the lakes, il is denouncc
as violation of fundamental principles
With these remarks he would conclude wit
tho hope that the amendment would not
adopted.
Mr.. Wood addressed the committee
some length,also in opposition TO the amcnt
mcnt.
Mr.. Williams Of North Carolina the
moved a call Of the House, which was r,
fused-aycs 40, noes not counted.
The question was then taken up on the
mendmont, and it was concurred may,
IS, noes 70.
Various other amendments werc olle
ed, and the bill passed to a third readin
and was thon read third time and passc
And the House adjourned at nine @
clock.
Vncfar.laxy