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

WIN uIuuCH VI INC subject, Out pTocccu w
more particular consideration of the bill before US.
This bill contemplates two classes Of improve
ments-harbors and rivers. As the necessity and
propriety Of making appropriations for our harbors
on the lakes particularly have been 30 aoiy VlnaiT
Gated by gentlemen who have preceded me IN this
debate, shall say nothing about them, but eonhne
my remarks more particularly TO the Improvement
of the rivers Of the West and the Southwest.
These mighty rivers Of the great Mississippi val
| lev. have been declared by our government 10 be
common highways, and orsvsr free to all the citizens
of this republic, without any tax, impost, or duty
They are as free as the high to our own citi-
| zens. They belong as much TO the citizens OF
Charleston and Maine, as TO the citizens Of Ohio or
louisiana No State or individual has right TO
obslruct or hinder the free navigation thereof TO
impose any tax, duty, or impost for the navigation
thereof. They are public property, to be used and
improved as such.
Il is said by the gentleman from South Carolina
[Mr. RHErrl that the Ohio river is owned by the
States of Virginia and Kentucky; that Virginia, in
her deed Of cession TO the general government,
granted the territory northwest Of the Ohio river,
and therefore retained the river herself and that
this view has been sustained by the Supreme Court
Of the United States. Grant, for the sake Of the
gumen that the construction ofths deed Of cesslon
put upon Il by the CT eaihsdra decision OF the Su-
preme Court as reported in 5th Wheaton, be cor
Feei, what does 4 avail In lhs consideration 81 the
subject before us' II would amount TO no more
than this; that Virginia and Kentucky have jurisdc-
ZION for limited objects to low-water mark on the
Ohio and Indiana shores. IL does not affect the nav
gaiion Of this noble river, the power Of the gov
ernment to improve il.
OF what use would il be to me to own a piece
of land, when had no right or authority to put
spade or plough into It for the purposes Of cultva-
ton or 10 build house upon II 10 shelter me from
the-westher' Virginia, nor Kentucky, that derived
all her tirle from Virginia. with all their claims Of
.r.hi riU hfflllv mi a nahhe nj
this river for the purpose Of obsructng its nayga-
ton; can either levy any tax, duly, or impost
from those who II for the purposes Of COM
merce, and public highway. Against the great
purposes for which this river is used and designed,
neither Virginia nor Kentucky can raise any valid
objection arising out Of original ownership, The
ordinance Of 1857, for the government OF the north
western territory, adopted by the Congress Of the
confederation, declared this river among others, TO
be a common highleay and Joreptr free This ordi-
nance was adopted subsequent, of course, TO the
cession Of the territory by Virginia. The delegates
from Virginia, in the Congress Of the confedera-
ton voted for this ordinance, declaring this river
among others, to be common highway, and for
ever free.t Virginia nor Kentucky has ever set up
any claim this river that conflicts with this decla
ration Of the ordinance; and Congress, for quarter
of century, has been making appropriations for its
Improvement, without any protest from Virginia or
Kentucky, and often with the sanction Of many Of
the delegates from both those States. What claim,
then, can be set up for these States the troll
Of this river, that should merit serious considera-
tioni None, whatever. ....
But the gentleman says, that admitting all the
force Of the argument deducible from this ord-
nance, still the Mississippi river was not embraced
by that ordinance, having been purchased by the
United States Of France subsequent to the adoption
Of the constitution. Granting all this for the sake Of
the argument and how is the gentleman relieved
He makes the argument in favor Of the power of
the general government over this river still stronger,
if any thing, by his position. Being purchased by
the government and not coded to any of the States,
it still remains the property Of the United States,
and Congress has full power over it, for its improve
ment and regulation, the same ss has over other
property. -... .....s .....r.
These great channels Of commerce and communi-
cation from one part Of the Union to another, be-
long to the people of the whole Union, and the
money for their improvement should come out Of
the common fund. And if the general government
has not the power TO make these improvements
think have shown that power is lodged or exists
no where else, for the accomplishment Of such an
object.
| now go to a more particular examination Of the
matter. Congress appropriates millions annually
for the support of navy. This navy is engaged
in protecting our commerce on every sea. To this
we Of the West do not object. 1t is necessary to
great extent. But is there commerce that de-
mands the consideration Of the general government
Out tnal which HOdlS Oh tne nISn ScdS I1dNe Scu-
tlemen ever turned their attention to the value and
amount of commerce that floats annually on the
waters of the Mississippi Valley
According to the late annual report of the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, il appears that the impora-
tons into the United States for the year year ending
June 80, lS45, amounted to Sll7, 1854, 564
And the exports amounted to 99,s99, 776
Amounting together to $2l6, $40
This is not all carried in American vessels, and
does not therefore require the protection of our
armed vessels. .......
The value of the commerce that floats annually
the western and southwestern waters, is estmat-
ed by competent Judges, who make their estimate
from data furnished at the several ports on these
rivers at not less than $3.50, 900, more than
our imports and exports. This may appear as
tonishing to those who have not watched the rapid
increase of the trade and commerce Of the Missis-
sppi valley; yet incredible as it may seem, it never
theess falls short, rather than exceeds, the reality
The unexampled increase of the West and South
in population is sufficient Of itself to satisfy the
rejecting mind that the value of the trade springng
from such number Of people, with their indus
trous and enterprising habits and fertile soil, must
be immense. This rapid increase Of trade can be
Judged of in other ways. .. ,...'.. .'.
Ia 1914, the steamboat Vesuvius was launched at
Pttsburg, destined to run between New Orleans
and Louisville, and was the second steamboat that
ever ran between those ports. Cd.
In 1917, we may date the general introduction OF
steamboats, on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In
1891 the number on these rivers amounted to thir-
y-three. They now number upwards Of six hun
bred on the waters Of the West and Southwest;
the tonnage of which exceeds 100, 600, and whose
! value does not fall short of Sl2,000000.
The surplus products Of the western States in
1917 amounted to very little; now, Ohio, Of itself,
NDr. R. J. Breckenridge, in his memoranda of
tour in Europe few years ago, says:
geneman.like and weLinlormed Englishman who
in the sage.coach with me, and who had found
an American after dstng the greatness the beau
ties the majesty in short OF this nobles OF rivers the
Thsmes) concluded thus Sir 1t may almost incred
lille but II Is nevertheless that this prodigous
Is from its mouth to Its source much II at all
OF hundred and fifty miles long" looked stead
asy his face to see he esed the gravity Of deep
conviction upon IT, Indeed, John Bull jests
Alter composing myself moment slowly responded:
Perhaps sir you have heard OF the river ohoT e" think
hayeS "Pe haps of the Missourir II think so; though
not suren Certainty OF the Mssissppi "oh yes yes"
well sir man will descend the Ohio in steamboat OF
the largest class thousand miles" of what, sir1 how
many sirls "A thousand miles And there he will
another OF the class which has come in
twelve hundred miles down the Missouri,
Trad do he