Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-07-22


the mouth OF one of rivers open pathway fco
our own commerce. they told his conscience too
tender 10 allow il !
Mr.. COBB of Alabama here nterposed He said he
knew MS ierd from Georgia he had served with him in
committee be wanted to ask the gentleman question, and
ne lhougn was best TO do now, before his friend got
more Haied IA laugh He knew that IN ordinary times
he was very courteous gentleman Now Mr.. c. expected
soon TO gel the oc and be wanted know whether would
De permitied TO hm TO take latitude like this motion
Tor reconsideration He desired know this now that he
might make the proper preparation beforehand for launching
out into the Dead Sea Much laughter He would require
some time to fix up his barque ii was to go on so long
TO the Dead Sea- which he believed somewhere
in Asia.
Mr.. STEPHENS said he was for giving the gentleman
from Alabama full latitude he might launch his bsroue on
voyage to the Dead Sea, and might Cross if he could ,hs
shmus Of Tehuantepec and he going sustain Mr.
Polk In vetong this bill, he might wti the time
prepare for one other little voyage, and that up Salt River
[ Renewed laughter
Mr. COBB said that he just wanted time to explain that
he had voted against this appropriation bill simply bee il
contained this item for clearing out Savannah river.
MIR. STEPHENS would say to the gentleman that be had
for voting negative the general appropriation bill for the
support OF Government and particularly he hoped
justify from the fact that il contained appropriation for
removing from the mouth Of the Savannah river distractions
which had been placed in il by this Government.
When interrupted by the gentleman from Alabama he bad
been speaking be believed about the conscience Of the Ex
ecuve OF who had outraged the constitution every
conceivable FORM and then pleaded his constitutional scTupl
whenever any to be applied the improvement Of
any part of our own country.
The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. BArLr) had reminded
him that Congress had permitted the State Georgia levy
tonnage duties for the improvement of Savannah river No
doubt it had That act, however, Mr. g. believed became
obsolete by its own limitation twenty years ago. But Mr. c.
Georgian, opposed Georgia doing any such thing
Why should Georgia tax the Of of her cities 10
distractions which the General Government. had sunk
at the mouth Of her river
Mr.. BAYLY inquired whether Georgia had not asked per-
mission of Congress do this
Mr. STEPHENS replied that she had. That Georgia had
passed, in 1887 before the formation of her constitution,
act laying tonnage duties for this purpose, and after the
stuion was adopted and the Government went into
operation became necessary get the consent Of Congress-
which given, but which obsolete by its
limitation But Mr. 8. said he opposed the policy Of
that act
Here some inquiries passed between Mr. COBB Of Geor
ga and his colleague, changes party politics within
their State and when these changes had taken place. and
good naured hit or two given which the Reporter being
no Georgian, did not quite comprehend
Mr. g. said he had been opposed to this policy of levyng
tonnage duties by State authority. There right.
justice in it. that the Of the people Of Georgia should
subjected TO taxation for the removal of distractions which
the hand of Nature but the hand of this Government bad
placed in the principal river of the State. The presence Of
these Instructions by essenng the depth the bar,
had had injurious effect upon the commercial prosperity Of
the city of Savannah. Charleston her rival very near
having decided advantage her in point of capital And
what had given her this advantage These very distractions
in Savannah had doubtless contributed. The harbor a Sa
vannah better than that depth OF water
the bar greater Before Government sunk these
obstacles of hostile dee vessels Of the
largest size could ride safely the very wharves of the city,
Here explanations passed between Mr.. STEPHENS and
Mr.. HOLMES the soundngs their respective bars,
which created some merriment
There some truths so sef-eyideDt be admitted
axioms because reasoning would strengthen their
sbe mpesson and by which all rational minds forced
give their This Government having
bockaded the river time Of war; Government had only
right the distractions when they longer
needed, but under high moral obligation to do 10
Georgia should these distractions at her expense
she would have right demand reimbursement from this
Government Whosoever blocks up highway must
the obstacle have done his expensenohing clearer
Mr. BURT inquired whether any examination had been
made into the nature and state Of these distractions and any
report made on the subject
Mr.. STEPHENS replied that there had.
Mr.. BURT inquired at what time
Mr.. HUNT made explanation in reply, and stated thak
the last session estimate for the these OBJ
sructions had been made by the Executive through the
Secretary Of War.
Mr. STEPHENS also referred to the fact, and read The
estimate, for removing cbsrucons at the mouth Of the Sa-
vannah river, and for naval anchorage Fort Pulaski,
$780, 0OO he had the document here containing the
mendson by the President Of the United was not
expressly mentioned in his message in the estimates
by him the House. Under these disadvantages ars
ing wholly from the action Of Government not fair To
put additional burdens the commerce of Savannah.
Mr. ;. would indeed ask bis colleagues the other side
OF the House how Georgans they could reconcile with
their sense Of duty to vote against appropriation for
moving from river OF Georgia distractions which the Gov
ernment had placed there As the constitutional power
Mr. s. il seemed perfectly useless argue plain ques-
ton illustration could make the point palmer stronger
And now, ask (said Mr.. 81 Is this House degrsd
ed, debased, utterly degenerate withhold this right
this nothing but bare justice from the people Of Geogssn
not only them but the people Of upper Alabama and Tenne
see, and still more distant parts-barey because they fear
will notsu the conscience Of the Presdeutto allow il This
House has by large msoy declared that Congress has the
power to improve harbors, afford outlets commerce
but this much stronger barely asks that You may
abae your nuisance And be possible wiz
shrink from this high duty from nothing but subservency
Executive win Has the House of Representatives Of
American Congress sunk low become nothing but tho
registers Of Presidential edicts Sir Trust shall do
duty, let the President do Us he may
For one he inclined say with the gentleman from
Massachusetts,, that the President would this bin
The gentleman from Virginia (Mr BArLr) Of opinion
that he would Mr. S. could not believe it. II be did
to ii, Mr.. s. wanted him 10 ii. He did not wan.
Executive threats be uttered by representatives here unless
they authorized If the Executive indeed prepared
take such STEP and this the platform Of his party,
the wishes Of the people should be suffered prevail
the risk Of stopping the wheels Of Government FUN
time the American people should know it II the Presidents
vetoed the BILL he hoped the country would then know vhak
this power He trusted there would be guainx
that sle the House. He hoped the House would aray
sc defence Of this feature in the bill and let the country
know why that the President had dared stop tho
wheels OF Government Let the nation know whether It's
Government to be arrested and the public business brought
stand STILL rather than have the Governments take from
kn h1f. -