The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-28
TwENTY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
In Senate.
WAsHIN0r(

wAsHIsaros, juno 90. lsae
INTERNAL iMrRovEMrSTs-MR. cALuouS's MEMPHIS con.
vESTIoS REPORT.
Mr.. CALHOUN from the Select Committee to which
had been referred in the early part of the
memorial Of the Memphis Convention. praying the
provement OF the Western waters and other great
for the benefit of the Western States collateral
the navigation of the inland seas of that region asked
leave under instructions from the Committee make
Mr. Calhoun, in submitting this report had a few re-
marks only to make. The Convention!held at Memphis
last summer called for the purpose Of taking into
consideration the measures requisite for the develop
nent OF the great Of the Mississippi valley, and
Committee had not deemed II advisable TO discuss all the
subjects included In the Memphis memorial. their
sideraton would have made the report voluminous
They had selected four five of the principal measures
Of tie Convenonand especially that relating to the
Improvement of the navigation Of the Mississippi
The Committee upon this point after the fullest research
and deliberations unanimous in their opinion of the
power Of Congress the subject The Committee
also unanimous in their opinion that this power
embraced in the power regulate commerce" and that
Il extends TO all the mpedments the navigation of the
Mississippi to their removal, &c. The majority of the
Committee Of opinion also that the of this
power confined to the channel of the river. The
Senator from Louisiana mir Barrew) was Of the opinion
that this Limitation OF authority too rigid MIR Cal
houn explained bill which he submitted accom-
Panimen to the report The bill is substantially fol
tits entitled bill for the appointment of corps Of en-.
gneers for the survey of the Mississippi river and for
The first section of he bill provides for a corps OF
engineers of them TO be civil engineers for the
channel OF the MISSISSIPPI be by
the Secretary of War The corps to the obsruc-
honso report upon their extent and Characteristic
pense and means required in their removathe annual
appropriations and the length of time that will DO
quired in clearing the channel completely and the
nual amount that will be required after the channel is
opened, TO keep 1t open.
The second section defines the plan OF appointment
the corps OF eurvey-tneir salaries, &c.
aucon ~ ~, ,Gr me ana re-
to inundation, both shores Of the Mississippi From
the hrst January lsas 10 the lst January 1851 these
nm at -Fror, ~
1883 at 5c ents from 1868 TO 1852 at so cents from
1853 to SG3 at 70 cents and after 1883 the residue TO be
ceded to the States in which such lands situated
Sec. provides for the repeal Of rain laws far
these lands may be effected, relating TO taxation Of the
same.
seo makes 1t the duty Of the Secretary of the Trea-
suy to cause an estimate to be made OF the value Of
lands, &C.
Mr.. CALHOUN moved the second reading of the bill,
and that be mado the special order for Monday two
weeks
MIR. BRErsr sorry that the Select Committee in
this had taken up subject foreign its character
to the business Of the Memphis Convenonto wit the
reduction and graduation of public lands There is,
from the Standing Committee, bill before the
nate providing tor reduction and graduation of all the
public lands He suggested therefore, that TIE present
bill be laid on the table, and printed for information
Mr. CALHOUN replied and expressed the hope that the
two cases might be made TO hamonze or that the pe.
eal law might be merged in the general law of gradua
ton and reduc on MIR Calhoun suggested in Difference
to the call of the Senators around him. the reading Of
report
Mir CALHous-It will take about an hour.
DIT ALLLS inquired II the report was connned cxcu-
svey 10 the Mississippi river He wished to know how
far the general power of Congress this subject oil
internal navigation discussed in the report. lie
would be glad to have the reading OF the report
Mr.. CALHOUN had no objection. 4 he Mississippi and
all Its tributaries fully discussed in the report
Mr. SEVER said he would like 10 have the report read
well any body but as it would take weck-that is
an hour,-and the members would leave their seats
usual he thought it would be better lay the report
the table and have il printed.
Mr.. ArcHIsos suggested that 1000 extra copies he
printed twas subject Of vast importance to the whole
west.
Mr.. JOHNSON. Of La, moved to print 10 900 extra.
Mr. Tra-rr moved the reference OF the extra printing
70 the committee the subject
This motion was debated by Messrs. Turney, Allen,
Speight and Cameron and rejected, Is to 10.
Ten thousand copies then ordered to be printed
for the ofthe Senate and the bill made the spe-
DIAL order for Monday two weeks hence