Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-07-29

Nuu iHt Dfiuu winch mas elapsed since | declined
his invitation, has only tended To confirm ,he con.
cnSon pronounced 10 him Were IL Issshle for mo
10 attend the proposed Convention. without an I'M
reasonable sacrifice. | should most gladly do 80. ns
my o'allun gives the strong feeling IN reference the
prosperity aud safety Of the commerce Of the hkes-
The subject OF the Improvement of the lake habors IL
one which my service ia Congress has rendered some
what familiar To inc in legislative inspect, while my
personal travel upon The lower lakes has made the
necessity for these irovcmcns manifest To MY senses
am aware that questions Of constitutional power have
been raised IN r,iefeee 10 appropriations OF money by
Congress, for the improvement OF the lake halbors and
am well convinced that honest men have sincerely en-
lorianod strong scrupes upon this point but all my
observation and experience have induced me Ia believe
that these scurlos, where the individual admits the now
CT 10 improve the Atlantic haihors, arises from want of
acquaintance with the lakes and the commerce. ul them
and an inahy to believe the facts IN relation 10 that
commerce, when truly stated II IL not easy f,, one
familiar with tho lakes and the lake commerce. 10 real
ze ihe degree oi mcfedn ", as TO the magnitude and
Importance al both, which is found IN the minds ui ho,
raj and we'll informed m,n. residing in remo,c nor ina
OF THE lnon, and having personal Qnninance 'ith
elther whle do not rcculloct instance Of IN mber
OF Congress who has travelled the lakes aud nsescd the
commerce. upun them. within The last len year, rquir
ing any further evidence or argument. iijnco Inn
To admit the constitutional power aud the proeiy Of ap
preparations for Tho lake harbos. we'll ior those ol
the Atlantic coast
have hong been Of the opinion thereere, that 10 i'm
press the minds OF The people oi all o,ios OF the Union
with realizing sense ut the tacl as they are, ~ re-
laon 10 these inland sens. and their already vast aud
p,dy increasing commerce. wuuIhe all thai IL requ,d
to secure such appropriations as'he state OF The naonl
treasury Will trom time 10 tim II INIT T The improve
ment ui the lake hafbuta. | mean the improvement Of
such harbOrs the body Of ne lake commerce requires
Tor It's convenience and oly. as con'radslnlrn shed
from the NUMEROUS applications Tor these improvement
which the varons competing local Interests upon ihe
shores Of The lakes prampi,l make his distinction BE-
cause my own obs,i wilton Inns shown that applications
harlot pov nj the public expense are made aud
passed, within diuaneos o very few miles, and at 10
cations wher ron the natural position OF The lake and
coast, god Aarbor at oher point would secure to the
clmmerce/m the lake all the convenience and safety
oldupcye Improvements. Much of the iliculty Of ,b
tanning appropriations grows out o these conflicting app
catoy and The slonness. with which all pr sscd
necessary 10 The lake commerce, mpnlTs the coniieic,
OF dangors TO The local claims and interests IN tho i'm.
pfmuco OF ALL
II Is lhe duty q" those who urge mprov cmcnis for the
great Objects io which alone ihey should be made a, lhe
expense 81 the nation, viz the convenience an snt,,
o The lake commerce, Ia he honest with Congress and
10 urge appropriations only at points where these consd
eraons demand them. The rvcr npro,rn,. n is cons
ulu much more difficult SUBJECT; aud the connection
| oi thom with the lake har~rs has often. 10 nay knew l.
edge, inlaIly pcJud'ca'td the orn,f There are nrp
cations Tor the improvement OF rivers about which M
ma'lcf 81 principle constitutional powell have no mon.
houo 'hhn about The harbors upon the lakes the Al
lanic coast and there are those which in my Judgment
come neither within the prlncipc the constitutions
power but 10 draw line between the two classes Of "a
ses, | cnnnot. | have witnessed numerous attmil
To do this but none Of them have appeared Ia my mind
TO be very sound very practical The facts and eli
cnmsances are so very variant, between the various AZ
plicaons. that doubt whether any general rule can
Iad down, which VIII be fund just nd practical and
think the course mnsi likely secure satisfactory \,
sun, WIN the least danger oi violation Of principle
would he 'or congress TO act separately and indie pendent,
upon each application.
There as appeared TO IL be one broad dalincti
between these which has mol uways cen regnrde,
but which think always should be. II is between III,
application To protect and the s1ley uf comnere,
upon rivers, where II exists aud Is regularly carried
III defiance OF the distractions sought be removed,
ana III me lace OF the dangers they place IN It's way and
lose Applications which ask Tor improvement OF rivers
that commerce may be extended upon them. where il
not The one class appear To ask onpress 10 regu
a'e ana project commerce upon rivers where commerce
IN inc exists, and The olcr, To create il npn rveT.
whee II does not exist. This distinction, II carefully
Observed, might and IN determining slmn appl catlol,
d both classes. bu Is hot tlicfnt dividing lnu ti
practical legislation, if 1t for The settlement Of the
principle upon which all such applications should rest.
use the ,rm "cuuncroo' ia HIS definition as do in
TINS letter, IN lis constitutional sense and scope.
mus ash ynr pardon, gentlemen, cr troubling you
Win 50 long and has,y communication in reply 10 your
note 1t Is not made lr any public use, but express
you very lmperiecy d my views upon tue inter
esng su Iecls you bring 10 my notice. winch shall not
have the pleasure communicating in person. and to sat
isfy you that am moi ind iereni to your request
lie pleased 10 accept my thanks for your polite invita-
| ton, and 10 believe me,
Your very respectful and obj scw'i.
SlLAS WRIGHT.
! Messrs. ~ B. JuDp and others.
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