Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-12
RIVER AND HARBOR BILL.
HOUSE OF RrrarsrsrArrvrs, ,Aueusr ., ls4s

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AUGUST 8, ls4S.
On motion of Mr.. HUNT the House resolved itself into
Committee Of the Whole the state Of the Union (Mr.
CABELI in the chair and resumed the consideration of the
bill making appropriations for the preservation and repairs Of
the public works upon certain habo and rivers and for the
survey of certain harbors
Mr. OUTLAW was entitled to the foor and yielded for
few moments to-
of the Amistad case, conmato Of the general positions
taken by Mr. ROCKWELL of Connecticut last evening and
conversation occurred relative the question. in which
Messrs EVANS, ROCKWELL, of Connecticut, G. ].
| INGERSOLL, and PALFREY participated.
Mr.. HOLMES, ofSouth Carolina, and Mr.. PALFREY,
(speaking by the courtesy Of Mr. OUTLAW subsequently
briefly expressed their views the former in advocacy Of and
the latter in opposition TO- the proposed appropriation for the
Amsad negroes.
Mr.. ROOT (speakng in like manner) recalled the
ton OF the committee TO the bill under consideration, and
briefly presented the importance of the proposed appropriations
for Vermon and Huron rivers and Sandusky habo stating
that these and larger appropriations at these points had been
recommended by the chief Of the proper bureau the War
Department. and that the officer had recommended, in
instance. at least DOUBLE and sometimes treble the
amount Of appropriations proposed by the various items Of
this bill.
Mr. OUTLAW gave notice Of an appropriation which he
should move st the proper stage of the BILL for the opening
communication between Abemarle Sound and the Atlantic
ocean, and presented its importance and claim
appropriation only for the benefit Of the entire section Of
country adjacent, but great national work, important
the commerce OF the whole country. He represented that
by change which had been going since Walter Raleigh
first landed on the Of North Carolina and which had
been produced by natural causes the channel the mouth
OF the Abemare had been diverted from lis direct
ocean, and II now took southery direction into Pamlico
Sound and discharged itself into the Ocracock channel
that vessels bound that sound the north obliged
TO 60 south sixty miles 0cacock and then sixty miles
back, making HUNDRED and twenty miles, get back
within sight Of the point which they first le and this by
voyage around Cape Hsueas, which well known to be
the most dangerous point along the Atlantic coast The
commerce Of the adjacent country which sought outlet by
that sound amounted TO something like S. 000 900 annually,
and paid in consequence Of this obsuced and dangerous
vigation tor ghteage alone than 100000 annually,
and Tor increased insurance and additional freight something
like S375 600 annually The Legislature Of North Carolina
had instructed her Senators and requested her Representatives
to vote for ar appropriation to open this channels the work
had been surveyed by distinguished engineers both under the
authority oil the War Department and Of the State Of North
Carolina and was pronounced perfectly practicable He
urged various other considerations recommending this
national work, especially its value safe harbo for
navy time Of war; and warmly urged the justice Of the sp
preparation He yielded in the Of his remarks to
Mr.. BROWN, of Pennsylvania, who responded TO all
which had been said respecting the great general Importance
Of the work. and said IL there any work whole
coast from Maine to New Orleans which Of high
tona character and deserved appropriations the object
ed this such work.
Mr.. PALFREY, during the few remaining moments aot
ted TO debate further opposed the appropriation asked for the
payment for the Amstad negroes and denounced as ons
those to whom proposed 10 be made
Mr.. HUNT ,heavaied himself Of the privilege afforded
by the rules address the committee for an hour IN expapa
ton Of the bill under consideration but he first yielded the
floor for a moment that
Mr.. vENABLE might say that in Difference to the re-
quest Of the Legislature Of North Carolina he should vote
in committee for the amendment Of his friend and colleague
(Mr OurLaw) for the appropriation the Improvement Of
Mays Head the coast Of that State He feared however
that the BILL dgesed and matured in committee would be
such TO make il his duty to vote against it.
Mr. HUNT then proceeded to explain the character Of the
bill which he said entitled the serious attention Of the
House and Of Congress Al this late hour Of the session he
should not enter into argument to establish the constu
tona power of this Government make appropriations for
harbors and rivers for appeared him be unnecessary
The power had been exercised BY this Government from the
first Congress under the Consultation in 1882 to erect light
houses and to do other things for the protection Of commerce
Every Congress hiss passed bills make and to protect public
works as broadly this under consideration the
House has declared by solemn vote Of more than two to
one that this Government has this power and therefore Il
would be ng with the House TO argue in favor OF that which
seevident There large portion Of the people OF
this Union interested in the prosecution OF these works and
their necessity apparent the duty Of the Govern
ment TO make such appropriations.
He proceeded to show that the Executive with his
sent Congress at the @ session Of the 29h Con-
grcs sent In estimates and reports from the Typographical
Department. accompanied by communication from the Sec
resy Of War; which not only recommended different works
Of Improvement bot furnished In argument to show the i'm
portsnce and necessity Of making them The President did