The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-20

! MIR. DOU here TO offer an amendment
which was decided out of order.
Al this stage there an irregular debate between
Messrs. Thompson, of Mississippi, THoMAssoN, and
BARNARD, in relation TO the different subjects en-
braeed in the Presidents Message
/ MIR. BARNARD rose 10 move that every thing
in relation to the navigation of rivers be referred
to the Committee on Commerce; and in the course
Of his remarks he stated what had been the prey-
Gus course Of Congress upon this subject but his
object was to prevent any nvidous distinction
whatever in relation to the improvements of the riy
ers IN the different sections Of the country he hoped
in few days TO be enabled to present to the House
a report from the Typographical Bureau upon this
subject, which would place the whole matter its
proper light lie wanted the Committee Of Ways
and Means TO have those subjects which properly be-
long TO IT, and the Committee of Commerce those
which belong TO it.
! Mr.. THOMASSON objected TO receive Mr. Bar
nard's motion a modification.
| MIR. BARNARD moved to amend the amendment
Mr.. WISE said that the amendments embraced
subjects which were not in the Message He con-
sdered the gentleman hypercritica in his objections
to the Presidents Message He spoke earnestly in
yndicntion of the Presidents constitutional views
upon this subject He said the President in his Mes
sage has not mentioned all the rivers in the West,
but simply the Mississippi alone, which has always
been an exception the other rivers of the country
from lis general character to the of the
country. He said the Mississippi river was embraced
in the sovereign domain Of the Union, and he did not
wish to make any nvldious distinctions what
ever IN favor OF the North, the South or the West
but TO embra every interest of the country when
ever 1t was necessary and proper in general point
OF view. Sir, said he, that beautiful valley (the
Mississippi of this country which sends eighty mil
lions of exports abroad is entitled to the grave
sderatlon OF this nation and should be lost sight
of by those who have the true interests of the country
at heart
Mr.. KENNEDY said he was glad that the Pres
dent of the United States, and gentlemen this floor
had discovered that there is such place as the
West" All he had TO say was hands off gentlemen,
the West would take care Of itself Laughter. |
He said he always afraid to trust himself when
the West was spoken of. He a straight Jacket
himself, and thanked his friend from Virginia for his
advice upon strict Constructio of the Consti.
tuition. He said his friend, MIR. Barnard, from Ne V
York seemed to sheer at the West. What compari.
son does the Hudson make with the great Mlsss
sppi' 1t was small branch in comparison with the
majestic Mississippi My friend near me says ii is
a little brackish. The West was ofitself an empire
and was now able to take care Of itself, and
he warned the members Of the Mssississppi valley
not to be deceived by these ''rderS' referring to
these rivers. He sad for himself, he was not to be
enrapped into the support of the famous exploded
american System" He said the West was not to
be caught by such stuff, they do not believe in the
doctrines entertained by the advocates of that system
So far as he was concerned he did not care to what
committee it was referred. He indicated the Presi-
dent and his message handsomely and eloquenily.
Mr.. HOLMES, of South Carolina, rose, and, in one
of the most eloquent strains complimented Mr. Ken
nedy for the sentiments he had uttered He said to
the West wake up! and control that mother which
had usurped her right. He said the great West bv
its industry would raise than would support the
whole face OF the earth. He earnest impressed up
on the West the necessity to rejec. this incubus upon
their industry restrictive systen-but to assert
and maintain an equal interest in every thing that af-
ects the rights OF the whole country. He continued
at great length, IN illus ratlng the necessity Of the
Government in looking to the defence Of the coun-
try He said he was willing TO go with the West to
put end to this neiarious system, and bring the
Government to revenue standard.
| A voice IN sleepy hollow, which inaudlbe.
! Mr.. WILKINS said the President right in
turning his back upon the Hudson. He said there
not words in the Engllsh language to express the diff
ference between the importance OF these two streams
to the Government IN National point of view. He
pointed out IN glowing colors the amounts which had
been expended upon the seaboard in the way Of
break-~ alters and Notifications, while the great valley
of the Mississippi had been neglected He here rela
ed anecdote OF Gen. Jackson, which created some
merment, bu, was inaudible. He then proceeded
Ia clear and succinct manner TO point out the natu-
raj advantages of the Mississippi river. He here
related anecdote between two Engsbmen who
were travelling on the Mississippi One asked the
other what he thought Of IL The other replied that
it was very fine river for new country.l lie said
this a handsome compliment, considering il
came from Englishman. He hoped the subjects
]
that consideration to which they were entitled.
MIR BEARDSLEY said he did not see the neces-
sity Of referring 10 the Hudson the Mississippi in
debating this subject. He in favor Of referring the
different subjects TO the Committees TO which they
appropriately belonged, and that was the object he
believed of his friend from Virginia (Mr. Wise).-
He said the sube should embrace the whole couE
try, and any particular division OF the coun.
try because such course would be partial IN ITS
character and lnvdious.
! Mr. WISE here rose &c explain. lie, said his mo-
ton was TO refer nothing to the Committee except
what in the Message.
! Nr. THOMASSON here rose and explained what
| he wished 10 accomplish.
! Mr.. WISE here made a rejoinder in support of his
previous position.
MIR. BEARDSLEY continued in illustration Of his
/ views Of the whole subject at great length, which
were enforced in a clear aud concise manner.
! Mr.. BEISER said this subject had consumed a
great deal Of time, and a great deal had been said
about the Hudson and the Mississippi, but he wanted
| to know where the money is to come from to carry
out this magnificent schemei 1t was TO create the
necessity for additional taxation. lie said they came
here 10 limit taxation, not 10 enlarge, and he warned
gentlemen Of the consequences involved
! Mr.. HARDIN, of ILL.,, inquired what was the
question before the House
! The CHAIR decided the amendment Of the gentle
man from Kentucky
/ Messrs DOUGLASS and McCLERNAND .Iere
rose and made the nquiry to which the Chair
piled that he had previously decided that the amend
ment of Mr.. Thomasson, of KY, in order.
They yielded to the decision of the Chair.
! Mr. HARDIN, Of ILL.,, rose and moved t. amend
by Offering a substitute, which no accepted.
! Mr. HARDIN spoke al length in support Of biz
proposition and in favor If the interests OF the West.
! Mr. BOWLlN, Of Missouri, said as a representa-
tive from the gieal Wost-for she was truly great
j and he in the name of the West thanked gentlemen
for the Kind feelings they have evncei in its favor -
He gave a glowing description OF the rapid growth
ofthe city Of ST. Louis. lie said that he objected TO
the geographical selection Of the Committee Of Com
merce--the West had nothing to expect from that
Committee lie said be agreed with the explanation
Of the gentleman from Virginia, but his object was
10 bury that system in the tomb Of the "Capules."
I Mr. WISE explained the reasons by which he was
governed, and pointed out beautifully the various
phases which the different subjects assumed by the
different political parties in referring these various
subjects to their lavorite committees to accomplish