Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-16

Mr.. FIcKLIN followed. He said that he was in ia
vor, first, of the bill making an appropriation of
money. If the friends of the road had not strength
enough to pass that bill, then he was in favor Of the
land appropriation, though he concurred in the opin-
ion that had been expressed, that the government was
bound IN good faith to complete the road. If, how
ever, that faith was TO be violated If the word Of
promise was "to be kept to the ear, but broken to the
hope" he was in favor of the land appropriation as
the best that could be got.
MIR. STANTON gave notice of the following amend
ment which he should offer, when in order:
BE ttJurther enacted, That for the completion Of
the military road commenced in the State of Arkan-
sas. opposite Memphis, in Tennessee, there is hereby
granted to the State of Arkansas, $50, 600 acres of
public lands, or so much thereof as may be necessary
to be selected by the Governor of said State, and dis
posed of by the Legislature thereof.
"And be 1t further enacted, That the said road shall
be surrendered to the State Of Arkansas, and the en-
tire control thereof shall be vested in said State to the
same extent, and upon the same conditions, as here
inbefore provided III reference to the Cumberland
road, and the States through which it passes"
Mr.. s. briefly explained and enforced the propricty
of this amendment.
Mr.. PAYNE required to and indicated the position
he had taken, e few days since, with reference 10 the
nature and extent of the powers of the general gov
eminent; yielding in this c~onnexion for purposes of
explanation to Messrs. Tibbatts, Stanton, and Barclay
Martin.
He opposed, uncompromisingly, this appropriation
for the Cumberland road, denying utterly its cons,i-
nationality, and Directing to it on every ground
yielding for explanation to Messrs. Schenck, and Ro-
bert Smith.
Mr.. YANcEY, with reference to the claim set I'M in
favor OF this appropriation, on the ground of contract
on the part OF the government, denied that, at least,
at the present time, there was any obligation of the
kind resting upon the government, the two per cent.
fund having long since been exhausted, and probably
hive times that amount of appropriations have already
been made. According to a calculation he had made.
there had already been expended upon the Cumber-
land road about five million dollars; according 10 the
estimate of another gentleman, seven million dollars.
Mr.. ROBERT SMITH interpoSed, and stated that the
true amount was about six-and-a-half million dollars.
Mr.. YANCEY. About six-and-a-half million dol
lars; and by this bill there was further asked, by the
amendment offered, 1886, 1872 acres of land
He opposed the bill, both on the ground of consti-
nationality and of expediency, and cited statistics
showing the amount of appropriations of lands and
otherwise, made by government to the new States in
~refutation to the charge of illiberality towards said
States-yielding to Messrs. G.. S. Houston, McClel-
land, Wentworth, and Schenck.
Mr.. TIBBATTs replied to the constitutional argu-
gument of Mr.. Payne, and claimed the authorities of
Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson,
and Van Buren,, in support of the constitutionality of
this bill.
Mr.. PAYNE interposed, and CMr. t. yielding the
fOOr) said, by the permission of the gentleman from
kentucky / am permitted 10 read an extract from the
writings of Mr.. Jefferson, which constitutes the
shield which protected him in the supposed novelty of
the doctrine advanced by him some days ago. This
is the extract:
81 consider the foundation of the constitution, as
laid on this ground all powers not delegated to the
United States, nor prohibited by it to the States are
reserved to the States or to the people. To take O
single step beyond the boundaries thus specially dram
around the pooers of Congress, as TO take possession
Of a boundless field Of POUer, no longer susceptible Of
any definition"
The power to dig a canal, build a road, or improve
a river, is not among the enumerated powers. If
then, Congress attempts to do either, we take posses.
sion of a boundiess field Of power no longer suscepti,
BILE of any definition.
Mr.. TIBBATTs resumed, and urged the obligation
of contract to make these appropriations. He replied
also to the argument of Mr.. Yancey with reference
to the amount of appropriations heretofore made &c
the new States, yielding for explanations to Messrs
ILeake and Yancey.
Without further proceedings, the committee rose
} and reported progress.
Mr.. BOYD offered a resolution providing that the
debate on the bill should cease in half an hour after il
should again have been taken up in committee.
D Mr.. VNToN moved that the resolution be laid on
, the table on which motion no quorum voted.
After a motion for a call of the House, and taking
| two sets of yeas and nays, on motion to adjourn,
The House, at a late hour, adjourned.
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