Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-01
ON INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, &c.



HousE REPRESENTATIVES,, Jusr 20, ls4s.
The House being in Committee of the Whole on the
Of the Union, (Mr Roor in the chair and having uader
sderaton the bill making appropriations for the civil and d.
pomac expenses Of the Government &C. for the ending
June 80 lS49-
Mr.. SUNDERLAND said Mr.. Chairman, If | consulted
my feelings should irespass all upon the time
the committee by taking part in the debate upon the bill
der consideration but have constituency deeply interested
the question of the improvement of and arbos and
cannot TO let this opportunity pass without using
what little influence may possess 10 prompt and eff
action upon this subject do propose general
animation OF the subject leave that Others shall not
however, when appropriations 10 be made for purposes
internal Improvement inquire to the section ia which they
required While know there improvements needed
upon Western waters no sectional eelngw prompt
refuse the amount necessary tor such purposes approve
OF the whole system and would have gentlemen inter-
because may chiefly dwell upon the wants Of my own
section, that disposed to pass cody by those Of other
parts of the Union The design Of the Executive TO be
total neglect of the interests Of the country in this matter
neglect Of interests Of paramount importance. Sir deem
this subject to be OF vast national interest and Importance
Il affects less closely the welfare Of every part Of the
Union and OF every citizen and MO fact is capable OF
demonstration than that enlightened and liberal Of
policy pursued relation to would find large
increase Of the wealth. the resources and the permanent pros
pery ofevery part Of the country The boun Ruler of
the universe has bestowed upon Us the most noble gifts with
the most liberal hand He has given inland seas
which the naves OF the world might Ude mighty rivers,
the adequate channels through which be conveyed the
productions of our eemng SOIL He has given all the
teas OF national greatness and prosperity but upon he
has wisely devclved their improvement and application An
impartial mindone which throws aside party and sectional
prejudice and is narrowed by confined views of the destiny
of the counyone which perceive the beneficial effect Of
the prosperity Of pait of the country upon the WHOLE will
readily admit that the improvement The great arteries of
MERGE should be chief care of the Governments and this
sentiment is fast becoming prevalent in the country and has
But what has been the of the President upon this
subject What ask, but outrage upon public sentiment
and upon what has always been favoe policy of the
Try His nice scruples in regard TO constitutional power for
bid bis appreciation of act absolutely necessary the
Of the country and loudly called for by the public
voice. WHILE at the time, he could find ample authority
IN the constitution for the expenditure OF millions foreign
war; reckessy and unconsutonay begun. and waged for
the acquisition of territory His line of policy to be,
millions Tor war, not cent for commerce Millions
promote the eion of blood and the ensavng of the human
but nothing for the advancement Of the pursuits Of peace
Nothing for the benefit of the agrcuIu the manufacturer,
or the merchant He yields the whole influence Of his
ton to promote and its nnumerabe evils, but hides be-
hind constitutional scrupes his unwingness do any thing
for the real advantage OF the people whose interests have been
conded TO his guardianship Yes, sir the man who has
lar transcribed his powers to without the
consent OF the uiona warmakng power the who
fears violation Of the constitution from the improvement Of
rivers and harbors Ou upon such hypocrisy The people
viii set their broad seal Of condemnation upon it. The doc
tne of river and harbo Improvements has taken hold of the
public heart and the who stands in it, way however for
tilted by position, will find himself crushed beneath the pom
derous weight Of an indignant public sentiment.
Mr.. Chairman. The that the present Executive has
fl adopt has received the sanction of the Amer
people; it cannot be justified out of Congress ratified
IN Congress. The issue is presented whether the
tona habos and rivers of the country shall be improved by
Congress with the Of The President The ques
ton OF great importance every section of the country
The President has arrayed himself against the people the
popular voice has been loud and in demands for these
improvements and when the immediate representatives of
the people have decided by large maores to make them, the
Presidential will has neposed and both representatives and
people have been turned away with the cold request make
these improse themselves they them made The
Baltimore Convention, which recently assembled in that
umenta city, fit in the penitude of It's wisdom put
another in nominations and il remains 10 be whe
Their be- Lewis Glass; win be sustained by the people and the
country large His non-commal upon this great
question is sufficient indication of what his policy may be
hereafter should the country be unfortunate him
seated in The Executive chair His serviy gain the
ence Of those who known be violently opposed all
iaerna improvements may have led him make pledge
bin for river and harbor Improvements he has
any to prohibit slavery being exeaded into the
Territories Of the United States.
His opponent, General Taylor, before the people
irammeed upon any questions Of national policy, bot will
spc the wishes Of The people made through their representa-
uves The action Of Congress- when deliberately put FORTH
upon oil great national questions will be final He will not
set himself up against the clear desires of the people in
dcated by their immediate representatives, and what Is
explicitly demanded by ourhs Of the people Of the United
States than appropriations for improvements OF this character
In the examination Of the subject Immediately before
propose to conne myself principally the Of the Hud
son river IN my section As is well known the naviga
ton Of this river seriously obsuced below and above the
city Of Albany at four points, Of which is above the city
and three below. The first sandba below il in sight of the
city, and Is well known the Orersaugh Marcy Farm
Casecn bar is eight miles below and Coeymans bar hir
teen miles down the river Al The time OF low 1t is
unusual 10 fnd thirty forty vessels aground upon these
sandbars In many instances they lay there from six
eighteen hours before they effect passage up the
My business for the last twenty-five years has often called
along the rver and thus give good opportunity for oh
serving and estimating the great derment from
dsngers and delays incident this difficult passage X evil
dent from this that the Hudson river is requiring inn
ovement and us Importance commercial inlet and outlet
furnish other for lis improvement The FIRST which
will present Is that the Hudson has upon its shores large
arsenal from which, in time Of war, vessels laden with mum
lions war are constantly passing, and compelled olay for
hours upon the sandba which have named while the armies
IN the cd waiting receive supplies. believe II admit
ted by every that navgabe having upon its banks
arsenal should be the Of the General Government II
nege-s commercial interests must neglect lie own
iecs But in the vessels containing Shells
and other munitions have been detained hours upon the
o5sucous 10 the bed Of the Hudson river The apparent
duty VI the Government attend 10 ts interests
least IN removing these andbsrs No constitutional scrupe
can be advanced by the Executive justify 81 bill
appopang money for the improvement Of The Hudson
The great commercial importance Of this river is another
why should be improved. II has been stated upon
this floor that the AMOUNT Of the inland commerce Of this
country is two thousand millions Of dollars. Large this
amount is believe il is understcd by at least quarter
If he