Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-04-10
Correspondence cfths NJ Y Jour Of Com.
WASHINGTON. Wednesday, April LIST.

tive 10 the enactment of uniform Bankrupt
Law. This morning there were received |
several from Indiana and Illinois, and thus il |
isevident that even the Great West is be- |
coming impressed with the necessity OF adop- |
ting some regular and permanent system
Mr. Webster presented second one from the |
citizens Of Boston, which he prefaced with
some remarks, and, upon leave, introduced
his bill, the skeleton OF which you have al
ready published. This bill without doubt, |
embraces, every class to which it might be
desirable or prudent to extend its beneficial
influence. Il was referred to the Com
m;t,ce on the Judiciary, either to adopt
or make such extracts as their judgement
may bes, approve Mr.. Tallmadge will
have his in few days before the same
Committee, so that before tho expiration Of
the next week, we may certainly expect a
Report from that Committee in relative TO
this all important subject
The President returned his answer, this
morning, to the call of Mr.. Norvell. inquir-
ing what military or naval preparations were
making along our Northern and North
Eastern boundary. This letter does not JUS
tify the reports which have been circulated
about those extensive preparations Proba-
bly, that portion Of the letter from Gen Scott
which subjon, has greater squinting 10
the Ultima ratio regnm than any Notifications
and military preparations that are being
made. The General says: "perhaps ought
not to omi. the fact that Great Britain, be-
sides numerous corps Of well organized and
well drilled militia, has at this time within
her North American provinces. more than
10000 OF her best regular troops, the whole
of which force might be brought to the verge
of our territory in few days. The Sd Of
this regular force has arrived since the spring
of 1885,"
The Cumberland road was debated at
great length to-day, without being brought
to issue, though there appeared a decided
wish TO do so on the part OF many OF the SEN
utors Messrs Webster, Calhoun, and Pres.
ION spoke, each OF them at some length.
Mr.. Preston took the general ground adj
vanced by Southern politicians against inter-
nal improvements BY the Cereal. Govern
ment. He maintained that the road was par.
,ial in its character, being beneficial only to
the immediate neighborhood through which
j, had to pass-that in few years it would
be entirely superseded, and rail roads take
its place Such were the Improvements Of
the age that this road would never be used
for the transportation Of mals--the times
would not brook that slow process; when ira
yelling was now done through potent agency
of steam, almost with the speed OF magma
ton Steam power was waging war against
wagons and teams and McAdamized roads
and by and by this route would be dropped
and Government might be called upon to
mid in the construction Of others more in con-
sonance with the improved spirit ofthe age
Mr. Webster (whose powerful advocacy is
so well known of all works Of internal iinpro
vement combining national advantages,) adj
initted that it was doubtful whether the pres
ent embarrassed stale of the Treasury would
NOT excuse him from Withholding his vote
He had strenuously supported this measure
from his first entrance into Congress, anc
with regard to its constitutonaity, he haC
the same opinions as before. But an object
ion with him superadded 10 thai OF the pres
ent embarrassment was that the Genera
Government had not recommended nor esti
mated for it in any way, and Congress would
no sooner make the appropriations than l
would be reproached with prodigal expen
,diture of the public money over the esti
mates that such would be the fact he saw
us plainly as he saw the Pennsylvania ave
nue. in weather much clearer than shat which
then surrounded them. Mr.. Webster thet
entered into an elaborate argument TO prov,
the power inherent in the Constitution L
make this road. He looked on the govern
ment in the light of great landed proprieto
whose duty it was to do what it could to
wards enhancing the value Of the lands. BY
affording facilities for their cultivation.
Mr.. Calhoun opposed the whole system
of Internal improvement by the Genera
Government. as dangerous, unconstitutional
and liable 10 the greatest abuse. The sys
TEN OF our compact was based on equality
and yet let gentlemen turn their eyes TO tn
sums that had already been expended, ant
see how partially they had been dealt out
While millions were extended to one portion
another had some few thousand dollars, an
others not a one cent,-his own State anon!
the number Ia 1884, ten millions had bee
expended on this Road, and four millions o.
the Ohio Canal. with one million in the Di:
trict OF Columbia, making an aggregate {
fifteen millions OF dollars, and yet what ha
been received in Ieturn2 Would any ma
undertake to say that this would now brin
four millions of dollars2 Thus had III
means ofthe people been thrown away. an
yet gentlemen were urging the Gevernmer
Onward in the continuance of such system
Beforeten years, this Road would be abant
oned, lor only used for driving caule on an
Railroads take its place. Besides, ther