The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-21


feed million and half of people.
The millions that are shipped to and from Pitts
burg, Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, 81. Louis,
Nashville, vieksburg, Natchez, New Orleans, and
the hundreds Of other places on the twelve thousand
miles OF shores of these rivers, all 80 TO swell this
astonishing amount Of trade and commerce.
And all sections Of the Union interested dI-
recuy in this commerce. The manufactures and
merchandise Of tho East the sugar. rice, cotton,
and tobacco of the South, we'll as our products
Of the West float on these waters, and demand al
our hands some protection against the hidden dam
gers that make their navigation so perious,
That this trade is not insignihcanto or unworthy Of
regard, is evident from the rivalry exhibited by the
principal cities Of the Union to secure IT, The ex-
pending of millions by these cities in the construc
lion of railroads and other communications leading
To the great valley Of the West, is strong evidence
that the trade and custom Of the West objects 10
be secured at almost any price. They know that
this trade and custom contribute largely to animate
and enlyen their harbors, and give activity 10 the
business in their storehouses and in their streets
This cannot be otherwise, when il is considered that
the valley Of the Mississippi contains at this Tune
population numbering nearly one half that OF the
whole Union, with the richest and most fertile SOIL
and nexhaustible mineral resources for the employ
ment Of this population. ....
would respectfully srk in consideration Of all
these things, whether this already great and yearly
increasing commerce does not merit the attention OF
Congress az well as that which floats on the high
seas!
We build at the expense of the Union, on the
Atlantic seaboard, lighthouses to warn vessels of
hidden dangers, and TO direct them into the proper
channels that they may reach their destined harsor
in safety. What do you do TO guide the steamboats,
these waters from the snags that so fear
fully obstruct their free navigation, and are so peril
Gus to life and property Instead Of erecting and
keeping up lights, or placing buoys near these
snags, we ask for the construction OF few strong
boats for their entire removal. And will IL be serl-
ously insisted that we can build these lighthouses
on the Atlantic sesboard for the protection Of the
lives and property Of those engaged in travel or
commerce on the high IN the coasting trade,
and that we have no constitutional power to remove
from these great channels OF travel and commerce,
carved out by the same Almighty hand that made
the seas the distractions that render the lives and
properly Of those engaged in their navigation 80
dangerous. | should hope not. Such course
would SAVIOR more, in my judgment, Of sectional
feeling than proper construction Of the consttu-
ton.
A shipwreck is a horrible thing; and when they
occur ON the seacoast, through the neglect of the
general government in not haviag provided the ne.
cessary precautions for safety, every mouth is OPEN
ed to censure government for its neglect, and TO
call upon it to make provision against such calam-
tiles in future. On the western waters we lose
some twenty, thirty, or forty steamboats, annually
by snags, involving besides the destruction Of
large amount Of property the loss Of hundreds OF
valuable lives. Yet when we open our mouths TO
censure, and to call upon government to provide
against such caamities in future, we are told there
Is no warrant in the constitution 10 authorize Con-
gress to attend to your case; that limited in this
particular to those waters where the tide Gibbs and
flows IL thisb true all say is that il is very
unfair and partial constitution.
But IL is said, il we appropriate millions for the
protection Of commerce on the high seas, It is no
more than just For as we tar conmcrce--the most
Of our revenue being derived from duties on imports
we should protect il. This may be true to a GER
tain extent That commerce is partially taxed to
raise this revenue | admit but the great body Of
this tax is finally paid by the consumer; and the
now nearly ten millions of inhabitants of the great
valley Of the West pay their full proportion Of this
tax. To this they do not object If you do not raise
more than is necessary for the support Of govern
ment economically administered and provided, al.
so, that in making proper appropriations to protect
our commerce on the ocean and on our seaboard,
you have proper estimate Of the protection that the
commerce of the West and Southwest require, and
that you extend to it that protection This is what
we shall look for.
But it has been said that nobody can see any
good that has resulted from the millions already
appropriated for the improvement of these rivers that
the distractions seem to be numerous now
years ago. and many ask when will this yearly de-
mand on the treasury ceasei
II is true that such is the nature of the soil ada
cent to these rivers that these snags will continue to
exist to a greater or less extent until the timber
shall have been cleared from the banks of the rivers
But by proper management, under the aid Of the
general government, these snags can be kept from
accumuating, and, in fact, be kept entirely out of
the streams. The snag- boats have been of immense
service. And though it migh be supposed because
new snags make their appearance every year, eve
ry month, the appropriations that have been made
hav dnne M Uood VET, rhep uyar eAecf hpu
dangerous the navigation Of these rivers would now
be but for what has been done by the snag boats
we shall be satisfied that the beneficial results to
be not only in the rivers but particularly in the
improved condition and rapid settlement of the west
ern country. Facility and rapidy Of travel and
exemption from danger, have induced thousands to
settle in the West, who, but for the removal Of OBJ
structions, would probably not have gone there at
all.
There are grave considerations Of public policy
that should induce Congress to improve the naviga.
ton of these rivers that at all times there may be
few obsructiors possible to transportation and
travel upon them.
In case Of a war with foreign power, nearly the
whole Of the coasting trade now carried on between
the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico, and
New Orleans, would be compelled to seek passage
these great highways Of the West, to avoid the
risk of capture by the enemy. And the public arms,
stores and munitions of war; necessary to be trans
same channels, account Of their greater safety.
Besides, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and Memphis
would be safe places for the building of vesselsof
war; and the making of arrns that the interests of
government require that these rivers should always
be kept in good navigable ORDER by the removal Of
all distractions out Of them a Of public de-
fence.
Another consideration why the government,
should keep the snass and other distractions out of
these rivers relates to the public lands The gov
eminent owns millions Of acres Of public lands
vet unoccupied in the West. Whatever tends to
| facilitate The travel on these great common high
ways of the West, and render their navigation safe,
will encourage emigration; and though your lands
may not sell for more per acre than heretofore, ye,
there will be purchasers for actual settlement;
and the beneficial results will be in the rapid
settlement Of the country by Industrious cutvators
Of the soil Had it not been for the steamboat, and
the removing of distractions from these great chan
nels Of travel and commerce by the general govern
| ment, the western country would not at this time
present to the eye the glorious prospect that it
does.
The principal obstruction in the Ohio river are