Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-26
VOL. III.
CONCLUSION.
Mr.. CALHOUN made the following
REPORT:
(To accompany bill S. No. 2l6.,

Go accompany bill ). No. 2lb')
The Special Committee, 10 tohom toaS re-
referred the memorial of the Memphis
Connection, hare had The same under
consideration, and submit for the con
sideration Of the Senate the following
report:
Nor will il be more liable to abuse by
being Improperly extended to the i'm
provement OF its smaller tributaries, which,
as has been shown, are not embraced IN
it, than it will be by extending 1t to like
streams falling into the Atlantic or the
lakes. The principle which prevents the
power from embracing the one equally
prevents it from embracing the other, and
is equally as clear and well defined in the
one, as the other. If the objection be
good in the one case, it is in the other;
and if the liability TO abuse be good rea-
son for abandoning the improvement OF
the navigation of the Mississippi, it is at
least as good for abandoning that OF the
coast and the lakes
But there is the not least probability that
Congress will ever abandon the exercise
of the power. 1t has moi only the right,
as has been shown, but it is its duty to ex-
ercise it; a duty, under the constitution,
to the States Immediately interested, and
watch are, by one of its provisions, pro-
hibied from adopting the only means by
which they could themselves regulate
their commerce with each other. Indeed,
the States directly interested in its exer-
else are too numerous and strong TO per-
nit the power to be abandoned, or lie dor
mant; and all attempts 10 prevent It's due
exercise on the part OF those who may
dread its abuse; or who may be adverse
to its exercise from other causes, would
have no other effect but 10 compel the
more moderate and scrupulous of those d.
rectly interested in its due exercise to unite
with the less moderate and scrupoous IN
their own and other portions OF the Union,
and thereby place the power under the eX-
elusive control of those who would exer-
else it without regard to abuses, or to the
restrictions imposed by the constitution.
On the contrary, by admitting the power,
supporting IFS due exercise, and direct.
ing their efforts to combining 1t within its
proper constitutional limits, the united el-
forts of the moderate of every portion of
the Union might succeed In preventing
abuses, and carrying at the same time in
10 full effect the intention OF the trainers
of the constitution in deIegatlng the power.
But, if such efforts should fail TO prevent
exlravagant and unwarranted appropria-
lions and expenditures, there remains
certain corrective to both-perhaps the
only certain One-against the abuses IN
cldent to appropriations and expenditures
Of a general fund on local objects, which,
by united efforts, they might succeed IN
applying. 1t is that of raising the sum to
be expended, from the interest to be bene-
flied by the expenditure; that is, IN this
case, by moderate duty on light and
tonnage, on vessels engaged in navlgatlng
the coast, the lakes, and the Mississippi
and other rivers embraced by the power;
and by applying the sum SO raised from
each TO the improvement OF It's navigation
The same mode of raising and applying
the requisite sum, in reference 10 smaller
streams, might be adopted by the States
interested, at least as far as tonnage du'
ties are concerned, with the consent OF
Congress. 1t is the equitable and iaIl
mode which was practlsed by the states
before the adoption of the constitution, anc
which is practised by the government o
the country from which we derive our ORR
gin and language, as has been stated J
was also the mode practised in It's early
stages by the federal government; WIN
however, this radical defect, that the sums
raised, instead of being kept as sepa
rate fund to be applied 10 its spechc ant
appropriate objects, we're blended with th'
general funds of the treasury. The duty
imposed would, Of course, constitute
n general charge on the commerce on whlcl
a uwould fall but when the vast amour
Of that of the coast, the Mississippi, an
N the lakes is taken into the estimate, and tn
n strict economy 10 which the mode OF rals
n log and applying the fund would lead Il
The expenditures, there can be no doub
m The charge would be far more than CON
Pensaled by the reduction Of the rates
Insurance.
Such are the conclusions to which you
Committee have been brought, in relerenc
IN lolhe portion of the memorial which re
Ialcs to the Improvement of the navlgaIo
of'he Mississippi and its great Tributaries
hremains, before concluding, TO consldt
what preparatory measures should =
adopted in order 10 insure systema'l
ludicious, and efficient expenditure OF u
money which may be appropriated to carr
The power into effect, should Congre
Concur in their VIEWS in relation 10 4.
They are Of the opinion 1t is lnd'pel
sable, for that purpose, TO constitute
board of able aud experienced engineer
II whose duty il should be 10 make, und
he direction of the Secretary Of war,