The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-03-11

those Sho have not had their attention
turned particularly 10 the subject. Tiers
are no means of learning the exac, Yalueof
the aggregate, bot i, is estimated By those
most familiar with that trade, 10 exceed
$4,000, 900 per aunum, and TO furnish EN-
ploymen, TO more than 100000 tons Ct
shipping. If such be the yulue and impor-
lance OF that trade under lis multiplied
present disadvantages, what nigh! ii net
be expected 10 be if relieved from lis en-.
barrassments Gy the improvements pfopGs.
I ed As a school and nursery ff seaulen,
I II emincnily deserves the fostering care and
\ friendly consideration Of Congress. II IS
4 from the commercial! that recruits are fur.
usbed 10 The Military Navy and at time
when there seems TO be general disposl
ton TO enlarge and strengthen tins atm OF
the rational defence, policy as well as hu.
mainly requires that they shall be shieldcb
as far as possible from TIE perjls Of ship
wreck, and encouraged to embark IN the
merchant service.
Dir. G. said he could 90, better Illustrate
the necessity for opening this inlet aud Ils
advantages to trade aud navigation than by
reading few paragraphs from the repott
Of a distinguished civil engineer, MAJOR
Gwynu,) 10 hich, and 10 The report by bis
! respected colleague in the other branch Of
Congress, llr. Raynor,) al he last ses.
sion, he vas manly Indebted Tor The Iacls
already narrated promising, merely, hat
" Roanoke Ndrsles digLi hopSe," mention.
ed In the report, is situated on the passage
between Abemaro aud pam!ico eoouds.---
Major Gwynn states that
"Ihe register Of Captain Pew, heeper
Of the Roanoke Marshes Lighl.h house, 1ou.
bers 40 vessels passing end repassing
during the year ending December 81, 1899,
making the shipping about J 00, 000 tons;
the amount assumed by the committee,
Which, although remaining the same, shows
Toe that reason a considerable increase,
when we consider the great tonnage with
drawn from this trade BY lie facilities az.
iorded by the Petersburg and Portsmouth
Railroads-,he former Of which wen, int
operation IN 1888, the latter IN 1886.
1.-The amount Of property ana lives lost
on tie coast Immediately adjoining the in.
let, for distance Of Is miles on each side
Of il, presents a frightfu list, and strong
appeal TO the protection aud humanity OF
The Government.
Between The year 1924 and tue present
! period, there have been tus near as could
ascertaln) liz vessels wrecked; which,
averaging 80 tons each, would make, TO.
gelher with the cargoes, loss not much
short Of $4,000; and with these vessels
@2l souls have found walory grave.
1.-The list, fearful as it is, would be great
" sweled if We had the means Of adding to
il the number Of vessels wrecked on the re.
rIainder Of the adjacent coast, and of Cape
Hatteras, IN consequence Of being COMPEL.
ed, by the closing Of Roanoke Inlet, to en-.
counter The hazard Of passing this danger.
ops promontory.
Throwing out Of view the advantages
I to the commerce Of the country, as harbor
Of refuge from storms in time of peace, the
opening Of this inlet is an object every way
worthy Of the nation, And, in time of war,
there is no point on the whole coast where
q barber you'd be more useful, and where
one is so much needed, not only fof the
refuge Of coasters from the enemy, bot, in
bad weather, for prigateers and The smaller
sized armed vessels acting Extensively"
Sir, tsaid Mr. G this subiac, has acqoir.
ed new importance and interest in North
Carolina trom survey, under the authority
Of the State, made during The last year, By
the engineer before referred to, of which
/ this report is the result; and since | gave
notice Of my intention 10 present this bill, l
have received from the Governor of the
State copy Of the report, and series Of
resolutions adopted by the Legislature at
! lis recent session, urging the work upon
( the attention Of Congress which shall ask
leave also nov 10 introduce. It will be
seen, by perusal of that report, that no
doubt is entertained by the engineer of its
practicdbility, and that the Legislature has
concurred in that opinion. But as this
Government is requested to undertake it,
have presumed that survey by IFS own Of.
6cers would be more satisfactory TO Con.
gress, and more likely to ensure their favor
able action on tho subject, and therefore
have brought forward at present only pro.
position of survey. If by that it shall be
again asceEtained--as doubt no, that il
will-lhat the work may be accomplished
at a reasonable expense, there can be no
hesitation, | apPrehend, in commencing it
al once.
Mr. G. said, before be sa, down he would
remark that this proposition had no connex.
ion with that system Of internal improve.
meut which, under too loose construction
of the Constitution, had been formerly On.
dertaken BY Congress, but was since happi.
ly abandoned. The contemplated work
was strictly within the power over com.
merce which bad been delegated to the
] General Government, and which made tia
corresponding duty Of that Government 20
give to it all proper facilities, and relieve
+ 1t from embarrassments such as he bad
shown to exist in that of the Albemarle,
and which had been estimated TO be equal