Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-07-16
VOLUME XLiV.-NUMBER %.
Ltttsr jfom Si!as Urigtt.

Genllemen,- Your circular, inviting me 10 al.
tend "a North Western Ha.bor and River Con-
venton," 10 be assembled a; Chicago on the first
| Monday OF July aext, was duly received, for
warded by Mr.. Willing, OF your committee
| My attention had been previously called To the
same subject By The invitation Of friend, al your
city, 10 attend The Convention, and generously
rendering me quarters in his family during it, sill
'ihS. was forced, from The Stale oil private bu-
sihesS, 10 inlcrm him that could moi make the
journey, III Inc time named; and the period which
has elapsed since declined his invitation has on
~ Tended ~ confirm The conclusion pronounced
10 him. Were II possible Tor me 10 attend the
proposed Convention, without an unreasonable
sacrifice, should most gladly 90 So as my loca.
lion gives me strong feeling in reference TO the
| prosperity anu safety " The commerce OF the
lakes. The subject OF the improvement, OF The
lake harboIs is one which nv service in Congress
has renIerc! somewhat familiar 10 me in leeis-
laliVe aspect, while MY personal travel upon he
two lower lakes has made The necessity Tor these
Improvements manifest 10 my senses.
am aware that questions oi constitutional
| power have been raised in reference 10 appropria-
tons OF money by Congress, Tor the improve
| ment OF the lake haiboIs, and | am well con-
WINGED thai honest men have sincerely entertain
| cd strong scrnpies upon this point bun all my
observation ana experience have induced me 10
/
admits The power 10 improve The Atlantic har.
bots, arises from n want OF acquaintance with
| The lakes and The commerce upon them, and an
inability 10 believe ihe facts in relation 10 that
commerce, when truly stated. II is not easy Tor
one, familiar with the lakes and The lake com.
mefce, 10 realize the degree oi Incredibly, as IL
the magnitude and importance al both, which IS
found in the minds OF honest and wel-intormed
mcn, residing IN remote portions oi The Union,
and having no personal acquaintance with either,
while do not Iecoect an instance OF 4 member
OF Congress who has travelled the lakes, and OBJ
served the commerce upon them, within The last
ten years, requiring any further evidence or ar
sument, 10 induce him Ia admit The constitutional
power and The propriety OF appropriations Tor The
lake harbors, rs much as loT those vi The Al
lantc coast.
have long been Of The opinion, therefore, that
10 impress The minds 81 The people Of all portions
Of the Union with realizing sense Of the facts
rs they are, in relation 10 these inland seas, and
their already vast ana rapidly increasing COM
lnerce, would b. all that is required 10 secure
such appropriations Is the state Of the national
treasury will from lime 10 Time permit, ior The
improvement Of The lake halbols ! mean The
Improvement OF such haIbors a. The body Of the
lake commerce requires Tor lis convenience and
safety, as coniIadisinsnishcd from The numerous
applications for these Improvements, which the
various competing local Interests upon the shores
OF The lakes may prompt; and | make Tins dis
tincllon because my own observation has shown
thai applications Tor haIber Improvements Al the
public expense are made and passed, within dis
tances u 4 Very few miles, ana al locations
where, from The natural position Of The lake and
coast, good harbor n either point would secure
10 the commerce OF The lake all The convenience
and safety Of duplicate Improvements. Much OF
uul II these conflicting applications and tbs
sefnness with which all are pressed as neccssa-
ry 10 lhc lake commerce, impaigs The confidence
al strangers Ia the local claims and Interests in
the importance OF all.
II is The duty of those VINO urge these improve
ments Tor the great objects for which alone they
should be made al the expense OF the nation, viz
the convenience and safely of the lake commerce,
10 he honest with Congress, and To urge appIopri
aliunS only al points where these consideration,
demand lhem The river Improvements ccnsi-
| tate much more difiicnlt sullsci, and the con
| nection Of them with The lake harbols has ollen,
10 my know ledge, fatally preJudiced the former.
| There are applications Tor The Improvement Of
| rivers, about which, as matter Of principle and
constitutional power, have no more doubt than
| about The harbors upon the lakes or the Atlantic
| coast and there are those which, in my jude-
| men come nenher within The principle nor The
/ constitutional power; but 10 draw ,ne between
The Two classes OF cases ! cannot | have Wit
messed numerous alIcmps 10 do this, but none OF
them have appeared 10 my mind 10 be very sound
OF very practical. The 'ac,s and circumstances
are SO very variant between the various appli-
cations. that doubI whether any general rule
| can be laid down, which will be found just and
practical; and think The course most likely 10
secure 4 satisfactory result with The least dan
ger Il violation oil principle, would be for Con-
gress 10 Act separately and independently upon
each application.
There has appeared 10 ne 20 be one broad dis
| tinclion between these cases, which has not al
ways been regarded, bur which lhinl. always
should be. II is between The applications 10 pro-
lecl and secure the safety ut commerce upon
rivers, where il exists and is regularly carried on
| in defiance OF The Instructions sought 10 be re-
moved, and in the face ol The dangers they place
in its way, and those applications which ask Tor
| improvement of rivers, that commerce may be
extended upon them, where il is not. The one
class appear 10 me TO ask Congress TO regulate
and protect commerce upon rivers where COM
merce 10 fact exists, and The otter, 10 create II
| upon rivers where il docs no! exist. This dis
lnclion, il carefully observed, might aid in deter
mining some applications II both classes, but is
not sufficient dividing line FOR practical lcsisa-
lion, if il is for The settlement ol the principle
| upon which all such applications should resi-.
use The term Commerce in his definition, as |
do in This letter, in its constitutional sense and
scope.
must ask your pardon, gentlemen, for trou-
bling you with SO long and hasty communication,
in reply 10 your note. II is not made for any pub
lie use, but TO express 10 you very impcTfec,ly
some Of my views upon the interesting subjects
you bring 10 my notice, which shall not have The
pleasure OF communicating in person, and 10 sa-
lisfy you that am not indifferent to your fcquesl.
Be pleased 10 accept my thanks for your polite
invitation, and 10 believe me.
Your very respectful and OBJ serv't,
| SILAS WRIGHT.
Mcssrs. N. b. JuDD and Others.