Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-11-29
MEMPHIS CONVENTION.

were represented by delegates. The Con.
vention was organized by the election Of
the following officers
President--JonN c. CALHOUN.
Vice Presidenis--Dr. Jas. Overton. Of
Tenn; Col John Hanna of KY; Col. VIM.
Strong of Ark; Gen. Roger Barton Of
Miss; Capt. ii. NJ Shreve of Mo; Hon.
G. c. Clay Of Ala; Hon. Oliver ]. Morgan
Of La; Maj A. Black of S. c.; Gen. L.
White of ILL.,; DR.. Richard Sneed Of N. c.:
J. s. Hawkins of Ohio: Hon, VIM. Birch
Of Indiana; Hon. A. c. Dodge Of Iowa;
and G.. B. Minor; with a number of Sec
retaries and Marshals.
A committee was appointed TO apprise
Mr.. Calhoun of his election and conducr
him to the chair. His entrance was gree.
ted by a general pIaudit from the assembly
When the applause had subsidized Mr. Cal.
houn rose and returned thanks for the hon
or conferred on him, and entered at some
length into an exposition of the the OBJ
jects Of the Convention.
The following resolutions, offered by
Judge Clifton of Mississippi, and adopted
by the Convention, embrace pretty much
all The leading questions acted on:
l. That the Mississippi river is entitled to be
called an inland sea, and in regard TO appropra
tons for the safely and convenience OF naviga
lion. and for all purposes of general policy, to be
placed on the ssme footing as the Atlantic Coast;
and especially that the distractions 10 its nevisa
ton, throughout the whole course. ought speedily
TO be removed, by adequate appropriations out OF
the national treasury.
2. That the deepening OF the mouth Of III.
Mississippi, so as 10 pass ships OF The largest
class, cost what il may, is a work worthy Of
nation. and would greatly promote the general
prosperity.
3. That The intercourse between the Gulf OF
Mexico and the Atlantic Coast ough, TO he pre-
served unimpaed, and that ample Military and
Naval de(rnces should be established along the
coast Of the Gulf OF Mexico, at the most eligible
points for that purpose.
|. That the project Of connecting The Misss
sippi river with the lakes OF The Nor by Ship
Canal. and thus with the Atlantic Ocean through
the valley of the ST.. Lawrence, is mossnre
WORTHY of the enlightened consideration Of Con
the whole people OF the Mississippi valley.
5. That millions OF acres OF the public domain
lying on the Mississippi and its tributaries. now
worthless for the purposes of cultivation, might b.
reclaimed by throwing up emhsnkmenls so as To
prevent overflow, and that the Convention rec.
ommend TO Congress 10 grant one half Of the
OVERLOOKED lands, in consideration OF having the
whole reclaimed aud made vsluahle.
8. That the extension OF The South Carolina
and G"orgia railroad 10 Mills Point, in Kentucky.
10 Nashville and Memphis. in Tennessee, and
TO Vickshurg. Natchez aud Rodney. in MISSssp
pi. is an object Of the first importance TO the
people Of the Mississippi valley. and Of the
southern Atlantic borde' and that the considsra
ton OF Congress is respectfully invited 10 the pro
prieiy Of rendering such aid as can he conslu
tionally given in view Of The improved facilities
10 he thereby afforded for transporting the public
mails, and troops, and munitions OF war by
granting aIternsle sections Of The public lands.
or otherwise.
Z. That as onr means Of afordng aid and en-
couragenent 10 States and 10 companies engaged
in the construction OF rail roads, the duty on rail
road iron should he repealed.
s. That s,und policy requires that the govern
ment should construct one nT more military roads
from the western bank Of the Mississippi river TO
the highlands, so as 10 he able. at all times. 10
protect the western frontier and Texas from the
vast hordes Of indl ans congrrgated upon our ives
tern border, OF any hostile aggression whatever.
9. That it is e1pedient thai Congress establish
an Armory in The west al some suitable and CEN
trsl position.
TO- That the President also appoint a commit
Tee Of members OF this Convention, to advise our
common constituents OF the same subjects.
These resolutions were referred 10 the
several committees, and the committees re-
ported on the various subjects contained in
them.
Most Of the reports were very volumi-
nous, and all contained a body of facts.
which, if ever published, will present Sc
res of interesting statistics, and do some
thing towards filling up the vacuum which
now exists in the public mind, as TO the
present resources and necessities of the
west. When received. the several reports
were laid on the table without action on
hem or the various resolutions which &C
them; they were then referred
10 committee consisting of one delegate
rom each State, to prepare and report
general resolutions. based upon the several
reports and resolutions.
Gov. Jones of Tennessee, was chairman
IF the committee and made a report on
evening, TO which was added