Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-17

Lake eommerce requires Coz IL eonycnsnes and sAy
eonirasnguishel from the applications 90 shess
Improvements. which the VARIOUS cOmPe'ng local Interests
upon the shores may pr0mp anl make his distinction be
my observation has shown that aPIeson Tor har-
hor improvements al the pub eHpene, ATE made and
al, within dslnce u very ia miles, and al ecaious
WHERE from the natural position u The lake and coast good
habor either point would 10 The commsFce u ms
lakes all the aud raiey a daphess improve
ments. Much OF the difficulty u obtaining appropriations
out d hcse continuing apIcasons and The s,ennsss
with which oil pressed necessary 10 the aks commerce
impars the confidence Of strangers the local claims and
ierests in the Importance q all
the duty d those Who urge those Improvement, Coz the
great objects or which alone they should he made NJ the
pense oi the nation the and safety n the
lake commerce. he honest with Conses and urge aP
preparations al points where these considerations demanded
them. The river Improvements constitute much mon Diff
cult subject aud the them with the lake hahors
has often, my knowledge fatally preadccd the isTnsT
There applications o improvements u nser about which,
matter OF principle and constitutional power, have
doubt than about the harbos upon the lakes the Al
lantc coast aud these those which, IN judgment,
neither within the principle the constitutional power. bat
draw line between the two classes OF cannot
have witnessed attempts 10 do this but u
them have appeared he very practical The facts and cir
cumstanees variant between the various applications
that doubt whether any general ru he laid down which
will be found just and Practical and think the
likely to secure satisfactory result with the least danger u
violation Of principle, would be for Congress separately
and independently upon each application
these cases. which has always been regarded bat
which think always should be- II Is between the appca-
tons protect and the safety Of commerce upon
where exists and regularly carried in defiance Of the
distractions sought be removed and In the face Of the dan
they place in its way and those applications which a.k
for Improvement OF rivers that may he extended up
them where is not. The class appear 10 70 ask
Congress regulate and protect upon rivers where
in fact exists and the others to create upon
rivers where does exist. This distinction. il carefully
observed, might aid in determining application u both
classes but il is sufficient dividing line for practical e
gislaton, il for the settlement of the principle upon which
all such applications should the term "commercc
in this definition, as do in this letter, in constitutional
sense and scope.
must ask your pardon, gentlemen, for troubling you with
long and hasty communication in reply your note IL
made for any public but to express you very i'm
perfectly of my views upon the interesting subjects you
bring my notice, which shall not have the pleasure Of
in person, and to satisfy you that am not in
different to your request.
Be pleased accept my thanks for your polite invitation
and to believe your very respectful and obeent servant
SILAS WRIGHT
Messrs j. n. Jupp and others committee, &c,