Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-08-20
Mr.. Websters Letter to the Chicago Conven-
ton - Concludedl

Gentlemen, now propose to quit this qnes-
ton. In the first discussions that have taken
place on it, in and out OF Congress. the argu-
ment is exhausted The question IL, whether
we are convinced. and whether we are to stand
up to our convictions. The question Is, whe,h-
or the great West, so important part OF the
country, bearing ITS share OF all the common
burdens, Is to be struck ont OF all participation
in the benefits which are bestowed upon other
portions OF the Union! think not. The ques'
t'on Is put ALREADY. expect 10 near an answer
10 II from the NORM, tle North."est, ana the
South. But, then, do not rely upon conven'
tons at Memphis or st. LOUIS 90 not rely on
resolutions rely on the disposition OF the
people to understand what 'ne'r constitutional
rights are ana then 10 take care tlat t1ose con-
stnutlohai hghts snail De larry pro'ected, ny
oeinS 'h,rus'eu 10 proper hahus' Dut' ociore
ehureiy leave thls part OF tle SUBJECT, must
say "oru upon an important report maze 10
'he cehate, al the last session, by cnm'nltlee
10 whom the resolutions, passed by the Memphis
Convention, were referred. DISTINGUISHED
senator from SHu'n Iaro'lna (Mr. Cahoun)
was CHAIRMAN "i the COMMITTEE ana framed
that eiaoorate report 30 lar as ne admits any
th'ng done by Congress to have been rIghtluliv
a'he' ana admits any degree OF authority IN
congress 10 40 "nat mas hoI YET peeh uone' l
b
not thlnk the distinctions taken by That emlhch'
man are sound ! regret that it is my mlsfor-
tune to diier with him. The report proposes, !
may state in brief, that where Il river divides
two States, or only two States are concerned
these two States must make the necessary i'm.
provements themselves. | do not agree with
that; | do not suppose that it is any matter OF
consequence whether the necessary improve
men,s are connected with two States. or four
il is n nuestion of nublic importance. Look. TO,
instance. at that portion of the North river which
runs between two shores. both of which belong
TO New York. There. | suppose. the power o
Congress over Governor Marcy's oyerslamgi
farm as il is called. is as perfect as il is to max
a similar Improvement, farther down, where tn,
river divides the States of New York and New
Jersey. The distinction Attended, as it strike
me. il distincti m without a differ nee. We'll
HAVING Tins alluded in the most respectful man
ner to Il report of the committee of the Senate
{ and not having time TO discuss its proposition
, TO any CO siderable length, will now, by wa
$ of conclusion. give YOU nv opinion on all thi
d question of the power of making harbors. !
Q nv opinion, Congress has tile power to max
e harbors on the Rivers and the Lakes, to the fu
!, extent to which it has ever been proposed to e,
G ercise such power.
81 useful for foreign commerce, or only for con
II merce among the States themselves, the prime
q pie is the same, and the constitutional pow
Il gwen IN the same clause ana IN the san
\, words TS c
q. inal Congress mas power TO clear out 0
strucuohs rom an rivers su.eo 10 'iie PuIPos
NJ VI oohetce, lore,9n anu aol,'es.'c, anu W IL
nj Prov !le.' haVrga'on ana u.nIy oy aPprop'l
A. ''VT rb ,,o'., tne .. a,t o.,.eo Se..e'
n. ina. w"elhe' iNer u'viue TWO STATES
i. s E'. taan two, OF "noni conu'leu 10 o'