Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-07-23
Mr.. Bolts LETTER.

liCHa0SD, Juue i~'ni io1"
My Dear Sir-Your e,ter OF the I'm May,
accompanying an invitation iromth COMMITTEE
of Correspondence, ITO attend Northwestern
Harbor and River Convention, to be held in Chi
caSo on The lrs Monday in July mex" was duly
received, and lis not being answered at an ear
lier day, arose from the earnest hope had in
dulged Notwithstanding The distance from home)
that should have been able 10 accept The invita-
lion and 10 have been with you on that interest.
ing occasion in person, as | shall be 10 feeling
and in principle. | am sorry, however, 10 say,
that Just now il seems 10 be altogether imprac,i-
cable.
Nevertheless, at future day, and upon diff
fercnl theatre, hope 10 have il in my power 10
render you more efficient aid, than ! could in
your proposed Convention, 10 the subjects 0! these
National Improvements. have no morbid SEN
sbiliIies. labor under no constitutional diff
cuilies, and l indulge no metaphysical absrac-
tons for, IN my judgment we should have be-
slowed very unmerited euloey upon The wisdom
OF the lljustfous dead, The trainers and builders
OF that godlike instrument, TO which our Govern.
ment owes It's existence, if they had neglected TO
confer upon The Representatives OF all The Interests,
OF all the people in the land, the power 10 protect
The property Of those same people, by remoy-
ing Instructions 10 navigation, constructing and
improving harbors and erecting lighthouses as
we'll upon The river and lake navigation as upon
The high seas-as well upon the Mississippi as
upon lie lakes-and as we'll upon The shores 81
lake Michigan as upon The Atlantic coas. pro-
viced the commerce among The several States"
IN the language Of The Constitution should rem
der il necessary and expedienl-tha they did not
neglect, but fully provided for The exercise Of this
indispensable power, is clear 10 my mind and
how much more il would have become an
lighlened and civilized government, and how
much more our individual and national property
would have been advanced By The expenditure OF
the untold millions in the accomplishment OF
such works. than for the indiscliminate and
wholesale slaughter of detencecss and unof-
lending race Of semi-baI barians whose chief
cause al last las will be iound) consisted in own
ing territory that 'mnsL be acquired" under The
guise Of Indemnity" is question that time will
determine; and thai The people of all classes and
OF all parties will have IN opportunity Of unter-
standing and approaching, before we gel through
with, aud recover irom The effects ui this horrible
and mos, unnecessary and inqui,ous war.
Yet il is pretended that he who can make war,
after TWO bloody battles have been fought, com
muncaIe It's existence 10 Congress, and thereby
himself escape the responsibility; who can,
through his subordinaies, annex territory and
dismember empires, and establish civil govern
ments; lake in citizens, BY the wholesale, require
them 10 take an oath Of allegiance 10 The United
States, try them by drum head Court Martial,
and hang Them up in six hours as rebels OF trail
tors, make laws for and collect customs in Me1i-
co, where by the Constitution il is declared. that
"C0Agress shall hare poircT, 10 make rules eonecrn-
ing captures on land and 1rater" when all this can
be done with impuny by the one man power,
the people are 10 be cheated out OF their tights
and dearcs,s interests under The shallow prelence
that that same one man cannot find Constitutions
al warrant Tor aifixing his signature either 10
bill passed BY The Representatives Of The people
for The payment OF what they recognised as Just |
debt due from the Government, or Tor another,
making appropriations OF their own means, tor
the general Improvement and interests oil The
country; and Tor the protection and preservation
Of American life and property; if our Constilu-
ton were fairly susceptible Of such reading,
what odium would il bring upon its authors, and
who would be satisfied 10 live Under ii another
day.
Without undertaking 10 decide what does, or
what does Eoi constitute an "lti'Gna Sea, as The |
term is hot IL be found IN The Constitution, nor |
vel in The celebrated resolutions ol rs and '99-- |
which are OF moie importance with some oil our |
distinguished >talcsmen-l have no hesitation in |
expressing il as The conviction OF my mind HAT
tie navigation OF lie Northern and Western
Lakes and Rivers is entitled 10 The toSe; ing care
of Government, and that The interests, OF that re.
gon ui county impcralivcly demand il; and !
sincerely hope the day is not ds,an. when il will
be obtained.
should despse myself il | were capable Of
occupying position in public lie with views 50
narrow and contracted, as not 10 see and be will
ing to administer TO the wants Of every section oi
our ever 10 he cherished Union, with as free and |
liberal hand as | would 10 that where nv own !
more immediate interests were coBcerned-No!
sections Of lhe country, have no influence over
mr. mind giving constructions TO sections OF he
Constitution
As this letter is designed as an answer 10 tie
Committee as well as yourself yuu viii be pleas
ed 10 hand il over 10 them, and oh.ige
Very traly youS, JEO. NJ R0TTS.
S. Isle SMITH, Esq, and through Kim 70 The |
committee.