The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-03
as o form 90 obstacle 10 lhs proposed re-

to make appropriations for leading objects in that
class OF public works comprising what usually
thorily / suppose 10 be derived chiefly from the
power OF regulating commerce with foreign ma
lions and among the Siaies, and the power OF lay
ing and collecting inposls. Where commerce is TO be
carried on and imposts collected there must be ports and
harbors, well wharves and custom houses II ships,
laden with valuable eargoes, approach the shore or sail
points for the protection of life and property Other ia
cies and securities for commerce and navigation are
hardly less important and those clauses 81 The constu
from the origin OF the government, liberal and beneficial
construction. Not only have lighthouses, buoys, and
beacons been established, and floating lights maintained,
bat harbors have been cleared and improved piers con-
sucted and bfeakwaes for the safety OF shipping,
and seawas TO protect harbors from being filled and
rendered useless by The action OF the ocean, have been
erected at very great expense And this construction OF
the constitution appears the more reasonable from the
consideration that il these works. OF such evident import
they be accomplished at all By the adoption of
the constitutions the several States voluntarily parted
with the power OF collecting duties oimposts IN their own
ports and is TO be expected that they should raise
money by internal taxation direct indirect for the ben
eft OF that commerce, the revenues derived from which
not either in " whole or IN part, 81 into Their e., own
the power OF Congress TO make appropriations for OBJ
jects OF this kind the and the power make a
preparations for similar objects lakes and rivers
wherever they large enough bear their
an extensive traffic. The magnificent Mississippi and it's
tributaries, and the vast lakes OF the North and Northwest
justly and clearly the and the Gulf OF Mex
leo. Il is mistake to regard expenditures udlciously
made for these objects expenditures for local purposes
The position, site OF the work necessarily local but
its utility is general spcanal around the falls OF ST.
Mary, OF less than mile in length, though local in its
suction, would yet be national in its purpose and It's
benefits, il would remove the only obstruction to
gaion of than thousand miles, affecting several
States, well as our commercial relations with Canada.
So too the breakwater al the mouth OF the Delaware is
erected for the exclusive benefit Of the States border
the bay and river oil thai name but Tor that OF the
whole coasiwise navigation OF the United States, and to
considerable extent also, Of foreign commerce. II
ship be lost On the bar at the entrance Of southern port
for want OF sufficient depth OF water is very likely to
be northern chip; and il steamboat be sunk in any
part OF the Mississippi account Of Its channel not hav
ing been properly cleared Of distractions. may be boat
belonging to either oil eight or ten States may add,
somewhat remarkable. that among all the thirty ONE
States. there is none that s not to greater or less ex
tent. bounded the ocean, the Gulf OF Mexico
OF the great lakes, or some navigabe river
In fulfilling constitutional duties, fellow citizens
on this subject as IN carrying into effect all other pow
conferred by the constitution, should consider
selves as delberating and acting for one and the same
country, and bear constantly in mind that regard and
duly due not particular part only, but to the
whole. ah tA
Therefore recommend that appropriations be made for
completing such works have been already begun and
for commencing such others may seem to the wisdom
OF Congress TO be Of public and general importance.
The difficulties and delays inciaent 10 the settlement of
denial OF justice There is reason TO apprehend that
many unfortunate creditors Of the government have there
by been unavoidably ruined. Congress has much
business OF public character, that II Is impossible il
should give much attention 10 mere private claims and
their accumulation is now great that many claimants
must despair Of being able to obtain hearing Ii
may well be doubted whether Congress, from the nature
OF its organization is properly constituted to decide upon
such cases. II is impossible that each member should
examine the merits OF every claim on which he is CON-
PEELED to votes and il is preposerous to ask judge to
decide case which he has never heard Such decisions
may and frequently must, do injustice either to the claim
ant the government and perceive better remedy
his vin0p he tfi.
buna TO adudcae upon such claims beg leave, there
fore, most respectfully 10 recommend that provision be
made by law for the appointment OF commission TO set
lie all private claims against the United States; and, as
purte hearing must in all contested be very
unsatisfactory, also recommend the appointment OF
solicitor whose duty It shall be to represent the govern
men before such commission and protect il against all
illegal fraudulent. or unjust claims which may be pre-
scented for their adjudication.
deliberations. looks 10 you for protection and aid and
commend all its wants to your favorable consideration,
with full confidence that you will meet them oay
with justice, but with liberaly IL should be borne
mind tina, in this city, laid out by Washington, and con-
secraed by his name is located the Capitol OF nation,
The emblem of Union. and the symbol of our great
ness Here also, situated all the public buildings
necessary for the Of the government and all these
are exempt from taxation II should be the pride OF Amer
whole republic, and convenient and safe for the transac
ton OF the public business and the preservation OF the
public records The government should therefore. bear
liberal proportion OF the burdens oil all necessary and
useful improvements And, as nothing could contribute
the health comfort, and safety OF the city, and
the security OF the public buildings and records than an
abundant supply Of pure water, respectfully recommend
you make such provisions for obtaining the as
in your wisdom you may deem proper.
The act passed al your last session, making certain
between that State and the Territory OF New Mexico
was Immediately, its passage transmitted by express
TO the governor OF Texas TO be laid by him before the
general assembly Tor lis greelnent thereto Its receipt
vas duly acknowledged but official information has
yet been received OF the action OF the general assembly
thereon may, however, be very soon expected BY
he Terms oil the propositions submitted, they
have been acted upon on or before the hrst day OF The
present month
II was hardly have been expected that the series OF
measures passed al your last session, with the view OF heal
ing the sectional differences which had sprung from the
slavery and territorial questions should at once have real
zed their benehcen purpose All mutual conce s.on in the
nature oil compromise must necessarily be unecome to
men OF extreme opinions and, though without such con
resslons constitution could have been formed and
cannot be permanently sustained yet we have seen them
made the subject OF bitter controversy in both sections OF
The republic II required many months Of discussion and
to the concurrence OF a majority OF
Congress IN their favor Ii would be strange il they had
been received with immediate appreciation BY people and
States prejucei and heated by the exciting conrover
,ies Of their representatives believe those measures
have been required by the circumstances and condition OF
ne country believe they necessary 10 allay as
peres and animostes that rapidly alternating one
section Of the country from another and destroying those
raernal sentiments which the strongest supports OF
he constitution They adopted in the spirit of con-
,ilaton and Tor the purpose Of Cancellation believe
hat great majority OF fellow citizens sympaihize in
hat spirit and that purpose, and in the main approve
are prepared in all respects TO sustain these enactmens
cannot doubt that the American people. bound together
KS .ls.A LI.aI. II - II