The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-11

A resolution that all debate on the Harbor
bill shall be terminated on Tuesday next, was
carried by yeas log, nays &C.
After many amendments and much debate,
and objection, 35 900 copies Of the Patent Of
fee report of Mr.. Burke, the author OF Bun
diecund," in the Union newspaper on the ta-
riff, were ordered to be printed; and appended
thereto, was a resolution TO print 1000 addi-
tional copies Of last years report, by Mr.. Ellis
worth.
The harbor bill was then taken up in COM
miuee of the whole.
Mr.. Farran said in relation to general or To-
cal interests, he considered the improvement
of rivers as interesting to one portion OF the
Union as another. They were means OF defence
in time Of war, and our commerce and toreign
| supplies would be received through them from
the Gulf of Mexico.
MIR. Gordon of New York, made an exceed
ingly able and interesting speech on the bill.
He is always listened to with great interest; but
on this occasion instead of con6ning himselfto
his usual course of irresistible and unanswer-
able argument, he availed himself OF the priv
ilege Of being in committee on the state Of the
Union, and was most agreeably discusssive
He thought that internal Improvements should
be confined to the neighborhood of tide waters
and the great lakes and arms Of the sea. In
relation 70 the expenses and deiences of the
country, he touched upon Oregon, and planted
himself firmly on 54oo40. He expressed no
opinion as to the course the administration
would take; but it they took less than 54o4O, he
would arragn them before the bar of publicius-
tce. He denounced the idea that we should
barter away our eternal rights in territorial So
yereignty for favorable boon from England's
magnanimily, in the opening of her ports TO
our productions when, after she had obtained
a title from US, which would be the only title
she ever held, she might close her ports and
cheat and laugh at us. The close of his speech
was heard by the reporter but partially, owing
to the members crowding SO much around the
speaker.
One objection to the Harbor bill is the clause
authorizing this Government to purchase the
remaining four thousand six hundred and for
ty-seven shares in the Louisville and Portland
Canal Company round the falls of the Ohio.
Government now virtually owns the rest ofthe
stock, viz: $3.50 shares, and originally owned
2, go 3-the remainder now owned by Govern
ment, 2 ,450, having been purchased for il with
the nett proceeds of tolls collected from the
commerce of the Western States; and this was
done pursuant to the provisions of the charter
originally granted. According TO the charter,
in about eight years the stock will beaentirey
| absorbed in this manner, and the canal round
the falls will become free one; but in The
mean time, ST. ,200,0 900 will have 10 be raised
from the tolls TO purchase this stock and the
clause inserted in the Harbor bill by the com
miltee on commerce, if il shall be retained in
the bill, will make the canal free one within
one year, at cost of only $4,000. A saw
ing of 5000 600 al once, and an almost imme-
diate release TO the navigating and farming in
terests from their otherwise oppressive and
onerous taxes 1t is difficult 10 lathom the
grounds ofoppositon TO proposition SO gene
raj in lis benefits, and SO advantageous to the
public and the Government, which compose,
in fact, one and the same interest.
After MIR. Gordon concluded, the committee
rose, and reported and motion was carried
that until the termination of the debate on the
Harber bill the House meet at | / O'Clock
On motion 10 adjourn the yeas were count
ed at 81, nays SO. No quorum; and after many
propositions and much confusion, call Of
the House was ordered, but a motion inter
venea TO adjourn, which was carried at 10 mi
nutes past 4 p. m.
The FORTUNE Of the late Mr.. Isaac C.
Pray, of Boston, will principally fall to his
son, now in London, who was formerly
editor of the Boston Pearl. He was the
man who established the first Sunday paper
in New York, and the first penny daily pa