The republic., 1850-12-03

| supposed TO DO the preferable mode, and will, i
not entirely, 30 nearly supply that deficiency as Il
make any further appropriation that may be founc
necessary 80 inconsiderabe to form no obstacl,
to the proposed reductions.
lentertain no doubt of the authority of Con gres,
| to make appropriations for leading objects in thai
class of public works comprising what are usually
called works OF internal improvement. This au
| thority ! suppose to be derived chiefly from the
power OF regulating commerce with foreign ma.
tions, and among the States, and the power of Law
ing and collecting imposs. Where commerce is
to be carried on, and imposts collected, there must
be ports and harbors, as well wharvcs and Gus
tom houses. If ships, laden with valuable cargoes
approach the shore, or sail along the coast, light
houses are necessary at suitable points for the
protection of lie and property. Other facilities and
securities for commerce and navigation are hardly
less important; and those clauses of the Constitution
therefore, to which have referred, have received
from the origin of the Government liberal and
beneficial construction. Not only have lighthouses
| buoys, and beacons been established, and floating
lights maintained, but harbors have been cleared
| and improved, piers constructed, and even break
waters for the safety of shipping, and walls to
protect harbors from being filled up, and rendered
useless, by the action of the ocean, have been erect
ed at very great Expense. And this construction of
the Constitution appears the more reasonable from
the consideration, that fthese works. ofsuch evident
mpor tance and utility, not to be accomplished
by Congress, they cannot be accomplished ut ALL BY
the adoption Of the Constitution the several States
voluntarily parted with the power of collecting
duties ofimpost in their ports; and it is not to
be expected that they should raise money by in
erna taxation, direct or indirect, for the benefit of
| that commerce. the revenues derived from which
do not either In whole or in part, go into their
treasures. Nor do perceive any difference between
the power of Congress to make appropriations for
objects of this kind on the ocean and the power TO
make appropriations for similar objects on lakes
and rivers, wherever they large enough to
bear on their waters an extensive traffic. The
magnificent Mississippi and its tributaries, and the
vast lakes of the north and the northwest, appear
to me to fall within the exercise of the power as
justly and as clearly the Ocean and the Gulf of
Mexico. 1t is a mistake to regard expenditures
judciously made for these objects as expenditures
for local purposes The position, site of the work.
is necessarily local; but its utility is general
ship canal around the falls of st. Mary of lees than
mile in length, though local in its construction,
would yet be national in its purpose and its bene-
fits, as it would remove the only obstruction to a
navigation of more than thousand miles, affecting
several States, well commercial relations
of the Delaware is erected for the xcusive ben
eft of the States bordering the bay and river of
that name, but for that of the whole coastwse navi
al ~. O.
extent also, of foreign commerce If ship be
lost on the bar at the entrance of south
port for want of sufficient depth of water,
it is very likely to be northern ship; and if
steamboat be sunk in any part of the Mississippi.
on account of its channel not having been properly
cleared of distractions it may be boat belon gng
to either OF eight or ten States. may add as
somewhat remarkable, that among all the thirty
one States there is that is not, to a greater or
less extent, bounded tho ocean, the Gulf Of
Mexico, one of the great lakes, or some naviga-
bic river.
In fulfilling constitutional duties, fellow cit-
zens on this subject as in carrying into effect all
other powers conferred by the Constitution, we
should consider ourselves as deliberating and act
ing for and the same country, and bear con
DUE not 10 particular part only, but to the whole.
therefore recommend that appropriations be
made for completing such works as have been al
ready begun, and for commencing such others as
may seem to the wisdom Of Congress to be Of pub
lie and general importance.
The difficulties and delays, incident to the set
tlement Of private claims by Congress, amount in
many cases to denial Of justice. There is reason
to apprehend that many unfortunate creditors of
the Government have thereby been unavoidably
ruined Congress has much business of
public character, that il is impossible it should
give much attention to mere private claims and
their accumulation is now so great that many
claimants must despair of ever being able TO obtain
hearing. It may we'll be doubted whether Con-
gress, from the nature of it's organization, is
properly constituted to decide upon such oasrs
IL is impossible that each member should examine
the merits Of every claim which he is compelled
to vote and is preposterous to ask judge TO de-
eide case which he has never heard. Such deci.
sons may, and frequently must do injustice either
10 the claimant or the Government, and perceive
no better remedy for this growing evil than the
establishment Of some tribunal TO adjudicate upon
such claims. beg leave. therefore, most respect
fully, to recommend that provision be made by law
for the appointment of a commission to settle all
private claims against the United States; and, as
an ez parte hearing must in all contested cases be
very unsatisfactory, | also recommend the ap-
pointment Of Solicitor, whose duty Il shall be
TO represent the Government before such com
mission, and protect II against all illegal, fraud.
ulent or unjust claims, which may be presented for
their adjudication.
This District, which has neither voice nor vote in
your 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 not only with justice, but with liberal
y. tshould be borne In mind that in this city, laid
out by Washington, and consccrstcd by his name, s
located the Capitol of our nation, the emblem Of our
Union and the symbol Of our greatness. Here also
are situated all the public buildings necessary for
the use Of the Government, and all these are ex-
empt from taxation. II should be the pride OF
Americans to render this place attractive 20 the
people of the whole Republic, and convenient and