Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-11-29
THE MEMPHIS CONVENTION.


tories were employed in preliminary measures
the appointment and organization Of commit
tees, &c.
On the morning of the third day these commit
tees generally made reports, with accompanying re-
solutions, embodying in small compass, the sub
stance of the respective reports. These docu-
ments were all read and in regular order laid on
the table.
After the reading of all, they were all together
referred to Committee consisting of one Delegate
from each State represented, with the intention Of
its reporting series of resolutions embodying the
general views of the several reports for the action
of the Convention.
At eight o'clock on the same evening, the COM
mttee thus appointed reported the subjoined Reso-
lutons, which were agreed to in mass ; and these
declaratory resolutions appear to have been the
sole fruits Of the assemblage of SO many distinguish
ed men, in which no less than fifteen States and
Territories of the Union were represented.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONVENTION
l. Resolved That the reports Of the various committees
presented the Convention be printed and such documents
accompanying them the committee appointed supervise
VI
necessary.
q Resolved That safe communication between the Gulf
Of Mexico and the INTERIOR afforded by the navigation the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers and their principal tributaries
indispensable to the defence Of the country in time Of war,
and essential also to its commerce.
Resolved That the improvement and preservation Of the
navigation of these great rivers objects strictly national
any other preparations for the defence of the country and
that such improvements deemed by this Convention inn
practicable by the States individual enterprise, and call
for the appropriation of money for the by the General Go
vernment.
RESOLVED, That the deepening Of the mouth Of the Mis-
ssspp pass ships Of the largest class what
may, work worthy of the nation, and would greatly pro-
mote the general prosperity.
S. Resolped, That if the policy of reinforcing Navy
with be adopted the Western proper
Of supply they abound in o the best material
for their construction and in lead and "copper" important
erals for munitions of provisions also being cheap and
the skill requisite for their construction and navigation being
ample in this region, which already possesses the largest
steam-commercial marine in the world.
Resolved That the project of connecting the Mississippi
with the Lakes of the North by shpcana and thus
with the Atlantic Ocean, worthy of the enlightened
consideration of Congress.
T. Resolved That the intercourse between the Gulf of
Mexico and the Atlantic ought be preserved un
paired and that ample military and naval defence and add
ona lighthouses and beacons should be established along the
coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and at the most eligible points
g. Resolved That the Gulf and Lake greater in
than the Atlantic seaboard that the interests to be de-
Tended in quarter quite important and altogether
national those in the other and that the expenditures
required the proper deences of the Gulf and Lakes will
fall far short Of what has been freely voted for the de-
fences Of the Atlantic.
g. Resolved That Congress should establish a National
Amoy and Foundry at point the Western waters
at as early period practicable.
TO- Resolved That the Marine Hospitals the Western
Southern waters the construction Of which has been
authorized by Congress- ought be proecu-
ted to completion with the least practicable delay.
IL. Resolved That the mail service Of the West and
South requires great improvement in speed and regularity
and particularly the Western that ought
be taken also for the prompt extension Of the mag
netc telegraph into through the Mississippi valley.
l2 Resolved That millions of of the public domain,
lying the Mississippi river and its tributaries,
worthless for purposes Of cultivation, might be reclaimed
by throwing up embankmens TO prevent overflow and
that this Convention recommend Congress take such
may be deemed expedient accomplish that OBJ
ect by grant of said lands appropriation Of money
l3 Resolved That railroads and communications from the
Valley of the Mississippi the south Atlantic ports in giving
greater facilities trade greater dispatch in travelling and
developing Of wealth, are, in all their saluary
influences the commercial social and political relations
strongly urged upon the consideration and patriotism Of the
people of the West and they the recommended
works within the power Of private enterprise construct and
as affordng profitable investment Of capital
IA. Resoed That in order that the earliest opportunity may
be afforded for private individuals and enterprise direct their
capital and energies to the completion of the important roads
projected the Convention recommends the Delegations pre-
sent to appoint committees charged with the duty prompt and
early applications their respective Legislatures for charters
construct such roads may pass through their States and
ask such aid and patronage from said States as they in
their discretion may deem proper and necessary to aid in the
construction Of the works
10. Resolved That many Of the roads projected may
pass through the public domain this Convention would
specuy urge upon the consideration Of Congress the equity
Of granting the OF way and alternate sections in aid Of the
works situated such grant, in the opinion of this Conven
tion being than fair compensation paid by the pro-
pretor for the enhanced value impaired TO the sections Of
land retained by Government.
6 Resplued That efficient steps should be taken by the
General Government and prevent the Of
the obstacles in the Mississippi river opposite the city Of St.
Louis so that the harbor there may al times be accessible
as objects Of public utility and Of national character, and
entirely beyond the ability Of Missouri to accomplish.
H. Resolved That dry dock and convenient arrange
ments the repairs and eng Of Government vessels should
be established at suitable point the Gulf Of Mexico
Is. Resolved That the President appoint committee Of
five members Of this Convention memorable Congress
,on;cg resoutions