The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-11-28
THE MEMPHIS CONVENTION


THE MEMPHIS CONVENTION
Adjourned on Saturday night, the 18th instant,
after four days session. We are indebted to
Correspondent of the Louisville Democrat. nc
Thursday last, for sketch of their final action
On Saturday morning the committees com
menced reporting on the various subjects ASSIGN
ed 'heH; bnt IL was soon seen that time would not
"ii"" lhe various reports 10 be read at length SO
the resolutions accompanying them ONLY were
read When this was done. discussions c,n,
menced on the first propositions presented. and
this also, 1t was seen, would occupv much
more time than the members had allntled for their
s'Jonrn at Memphis. Ii was accordingly propos
ed by Gov. Jones ofIeun., in brief and elo
qnent address, that select committee be appoint
ed. to whom all propositions before the Conyen
ton be referred, 10 report series of measures for
It's consideration. This plan was adopted and it
was agreed That the committee should consist of
one member from each Stale, to he chosen by It's
delegates, and the following were appointed
Gov. Jones Tenn, James Guthrie of XIV, Col.
Gadsden OF ). C., Gov. G.. C.. Clay of Ala,
Judge Clifton OF Miss, Mr.. Craighead of Ark,
EIlwood Fisher Of Ohio, Judge Scates of Illinois.
}. ii. Lucas on Mo, III. j. Read of Iowa, B. B.
Minor of Va, II. j. Bigham of Pa, and judge
Woodruff of La
The committed reported the following resolu-
tons which were unanimously adopted
/. ReSotred, That the reports of the various
committees, and such documents accompanyinq
them, as the supervising committee NAV select.
be printed with the proceedings of this Conven-
ton.
2. ResotDed, That the communication between
the Gulf of Mexico and the interior, afforded by
the navigation of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
and their principal tributaries, is indispensable to
the defence OF the country in time of war; and es-
senllal also to It's commerce.
s. ReSOiUed, That the improvement and pre-
servallon OF those great rivers objects as strict
iy national rs any other preparation for the de-
ience OF the country and that such Improvements
are deemed by this Convention IInpracticable, by
State or individual enterprise, and cali for an
Preparations of money by The General Govern.
ment.
A. ReSoLOed, That the deepening of the mouth
of the Mississippi so as to pass ships ofhe largest
class, cost what 1t may, is work worthy of the
nation, and would greatly promote the general
prosperity.
s. Resoived, That if the policy of re. n(orcng
our Navy with war steamers be adopted, the
Western waters are proper sources OF supply.
abOundng as they do in iron, the best material
for the construction of such vesseIs-also i'm con
per and lead, important materials for munitions
"" ~ '''t Sh'llC iOHJ dISO, provisions are
cheap. and the skill required for the construction
and navigation OF steamers ample, as is eyinced
IN the possession by these waters of the largest
steam commercial marine in the world
D. ReSotUed. That the project of connecting
the Mississippi river with the Lakes of the North.
by ship canal, and thus with the Atlantic
Ocean, Is measure worthy of the enlightened
consideration of Congress
l. ReSotUed, That the intercourse between the
fN,lE.. - 4 N....t L IL 4 Il
be preserved unimpalred. and that ample military
and naval defences, and additional Iiobt houses
and bcacons should BE- established along the coast
Of the Gulf of Mexico, at the most eligible points
for that purpose.
8. Resotced, That the Gulf and LAKE coasts
are greater than the Atlantic seaboard that the
interests 10 be defended in one quarter are quite as
important and altogether as national as those in
the other, aad that The expenditures Will fall far
short Of what has been freely voted for the coast
delences on the Atlantic
9. ResoLDcd, That it be recommended To Con.
gress to establish National Arnory and FUun-
dry at some point on The western waters, at as
early period as practicable
10. RcSOiUsd, That the Marine Hospitals ON
the western and south western waters. whose con.
struction has been commenced or authorized by
Congress, ought to be prosecuted to completion
with the least practicable delay.
II. Resoiccd, That the mail serving the west
and south, requires great Improvements in speed
and regularity, ana particularly on the western
waters that measures ought to be taken also for
the prompt extension Of the Magnetic Telegraph
into or through the Mississippi valley
IL. Resoired, That millions of acres Of the
public domain lying on the Mississippi river and
It's tributaries, now worthless, for the purDose of
cultivation, might be reclaimed by throwing M
50 as to prevent overflow. and that
the Convention recommend TO Congress 10 take
such measures as may be deemed expedient 10 !