The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-01-23

ment oil the navlgatien of the Wabash river,
supplying as 1t will a steam navigation, and
in the winter months when the canal is clos
ed. Being for a great distance the boundary
line oftwoStates, and having a navigation
of350miles, it will present equal claims TO ia
vor with the Allegheny, the Cumberland, the
Tennessee, the Red, the Arkansas, and the
Illinois, which are but extensions of the three
great rivers of the west. But this improve
ment of the Wabash must be an annual or
periodical one, by wing dams, dredging, and
the removal of obstructions--for which the
treasury ofthe nation is ample, and to which
it is as much bound as TO annual appropria-
tons for Light Houses, Buoys, Custom Hous-
es, or other commercial or naval structures
1t is impossible TO overlook the claims of a
commerce SO large as that to which the Wa
bash riveF S auxiliary
The tolls received last year by the States
of Ohio and Indiana OH the part of the canal
already executed amounted TO about $685.
600; and this Notwithstanding the low rate of
the tolls, and the iateness of the season when
navigation commenced.
The disastrous floods of the present sea-
sui III LiIO 0CSig iubC uIOuC DiCFCitCd q vast
augmentation of these tolls, as we'll as the
further opening of the canal to 50 miles of
extended navigation.
The people of the Atlantic States do not
know what is doing in the west. They are
not aware Of the mighty works which are in
course OF execution, and of the immense
mass of productive resources which are there
being brought into action. Already is the
east receiving its food from the rich and lux
uriant plains of the west. Indiana asks on
" for a grant of lands now u~nproduetiVe,
but which she will render productive by the
employment of the appropriation which she
seeks in the completion of a great and ma
tionaI work.
The question would bear examination
The Committee on the Public Lands in the
House Of Representatives had, he was in
formed, reported a bill similar to this now in
progress through the Senate, and he had no
doubt but that it would pass the House dur
ing the present session. He hoped no de-
lay would take place in the Senate, for the
delay asked for by the Senator from North
Carolina might endanger the timely passage
of the bill. The Legislature of Indiana
would adjourn at an early day, and a years
delay might be caused in the operations
which the bill intended TO promote; and this
years delay would be ofserious consequence
to the State.
MI. w. then drew a very encouraging
sketch o the financial condition of the State
and her ultimate ability TO meet all her en-.
gagements.
In magnitude, he said, Indiana is the sixth
State in the Union, and she ought to be and
will be one of the first to resume all her re-
sponsibilities and discharge all her obliga-
tons. She will come up next to Pennsyl-
vania in this just work. There never was a
breath of reputation about Indiana, not a
shadow Of it, not a voice for il in all her pub,
lie councils. Although he was opposed in
his political feelings, and in his views of po-
~litical economy, TO the present Governor oil
the State, yet he unhesitatingly denied that
that functionary had ever in the slightest de-
gree advocated reputation, as he has been
sometimes charged with having done.
On reviewing the whole question, he could
not see the least cause for delay. There
was, in fact, no opposition TO the measure,
but merely a ounter petition or memorlal in
favor of the improvement of the Wabash riv-
er. He hoped, therefore, that the Senator
.from North Carolina would withdraw his mo-
ton for deferriEg the consideration of the
bill.
Mr.. Haywood said he had no intention
whatever TO say a word against the bill be-
fore the Senate, nor had he done so. His
object was merely TO postpone for a few days
and his reason was, ihatif the memorial from
V~incennes stated facts, those facts should
be examined into. A delay of further con-
sideration until next Monday would give
Senators an opportunity for this examination.
If the measure proposed was a great and I'M
porlant one, and he was willing to admit this
there was only the more reason for necessa-
ry caution, because it was SO. If the bill
now before the Senate was the same as pas
sed this body last session, but to which a
committee of the House Of Representatives
had reported adversely, this was another mo-
tive for delay and inquiry. IT the Senate,
however, refused to grant further delay IN
order that information might be had, let it dc
so. He knew but little about the grounds
of opposition entertained at Vincennes; all
he desired was time to examine, and decide
only upon examination.
Mr.. Buchanan suggested -postponement o
consideration until Thursday.
Mr.. White acceeded TO this suggestion.
MIR. Woo dbfidge said the question of q
slack-water navigation of the Wabash, or the
completion of the canal, was before the
Committee on the Public Lands at the las
session, and it appeared to be the opinion o
scientific men that the construction of q
slaekw alter navigation was impracticable a
any expense which the United States woult
be likely to undertake. Millions of dollar:
would not effect il. Mr.. w. believed tina
amidst all the CHANGES of narties and of poll