Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-07-22

river navigation all combined into system Of waters St.
Louis the centre and the entrepOt Of its trade present.
credible amount Of commerce, destined forever
Il considered inland town. Counting by time and
ney only commercial ofvdistances ST.
Louis to the sea than New Orleans before
boat abridged the distance between that city and
the mouth Of the Mississippi ST Louis port well
inland city, and is port Of delivery BY law aud has
collected $4,000 Of duties foreign imports during the cur
rent year and with liberal custom law would become
great entTeOt Of foreign well Of domestic
With the attributes aud Characteristic OF port, she
entitled 10 the benefits o fully and clearly New
York New Orleans.
About twenty years ago, moved in the Senate and OBJ
tanned Appropriation for OF the rapids Of Upper
Mississippi il probably the appropriation
tanned for the improvement of the up er part of the
About twenty-five years ago. moved and succeeded in the
motion, to include the Missouri in bill for The i'm
provement Of the western rivers; the that ri
had been included Thus the important items Of the
Chicago canal the rapids Of Upper Mississippi the Mis-
sour river was am ng the hrst 10 propose 10 include them
within the circle Of internal improvement by the Federal
Government had always been fried to that system but
its abuse and here lies the difficulty and danger
stumbling Objects of general
and national importance alone claim the aid Of the Fed
eral Government aud in favor Of Objects believe all
the departments Of the to be united Confined
t. them, and the constitution reach them aud the
ury sustain them Extended 10 local sectional objects and
neither the constitution the could uphold them
National objects Of improvement few in number definite
in character, and manageable by the treasury Near twenty
the treasury threatened with demand for
hundred dollars objects internal improve
nen then applied for and many Of them Of national i'm
portance The enolmy Of the baked the system and
so It must be again. the proper discrimination is not kept
between local and national subjects IL is for Congress
to make that determinations the President he must
reject approve the bill whole. Here, then the
point which the fiend of the system in Congress,
exert all their and vigilance No arbitrary rule be
given for the admission exclusion of proper obecs but
really national objects admit of dispute and confined
them, apprehend but little danger of losing bill, either
from Executive vetoeS, or for want Of votes Congress
Very respectfully gentlemen your friend and feow-cit
zen, THOMAS II. BENTON.
Letter from Mr.. Van Buren,.
LINDENwALD May 2lst, lS47
My DEAR SR:-I thank you kindly for the obligug
in which you have been pleased Communicate the
invitation of the committee TO attend the Northwestern
Harbor and River Convention and beg you be assured
that you d. but justice in assuming that by
Indifferent TO It's objects.
Having visited most parts Of your interesting country
witnessed with admiration and high hopes peculiar caps
cities, for Improvement. 1 wish all
constitutional efforts which have that direction.
Resettng that will not be in to comply with
your request beg to make my Acknowledgements to the
committee for this pIOOf Of their respect.
am very respectfully and tIuly yours.
F. w. TRACEY, Esq. NJ. VAN BUREN,.
Letter from Gen. CdsS.
DETROIT, May 10Th, lS47.
DEAR SIR FL obliged you your kind attention
in transmitting invitation attend the Convention
Internal improvement which will meet in Chicago in July.
Circumstances, however will put out of my power to be
present at that time.
am, dear sir, respectfully yours,
w. L. WHITING, Esq LEWIS CASS.
Letter from Mr. Clay.
ASHLAND, May Oath, lS47.
DEAR SIR 81 received your friendly letter, accompanied
by the circular Of the committee requesting attendance
at the Northwestern HabOr and River Convention proposed
to be held in Chicago, the first Monday in July next
Cordially cOncuns in what is announced to be the object
of that convention should be happy to assist in the
pshment of it, if it my power; but regret that
conveniently attend the convention Wishing that
its deliberations may be conducted in spirit Of harmony,
and that they may lead to good practical results,
| | am, with great respect, your obi serv't
E w. TRACEY Esq. Ii. CLAY.