The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-12-05

aud, TO a considerable extent, also, OF for
eign commerce. If ship be lost on the
bar at the entrance Off southern port for
want of sufficient depth of water, it is very
likely to be northen ship; and if a steam
o3atbe sunk IL. any part of fhe Mississip-
Pi, ON account oi its channel not having
been properly cleared of distractions, il
IN be~a boat belonging TO either of eight
ur ten States. | may add, as some hat
remarkable, that among all of the thirty
one States, there is none that is not, to a
greater or less extent, bounded on the
ocean. or the Gulf of Mexico, or one of
the great lakes, or some navigable river.
In fulfilling our constitutional duties,
fellow citizens. on this subject, as carrying
into effect all other powers conferred by
the Constitution, we should consider our
selves as deliberating and acting for one
and the same country, and bear constants
ly IN mind, tina our regard and our duty
are due, not TO particular part only, but
TO the whole
therefore recommend that appropria-
tions be made for completing such works
as have already been begun, and for CON-
mencing such others as may seem to the
wisdom OF Congress 10 be of public and
general importance.
The difficulties and delays incident to
the settlement of private claims by Con-
gresS, amount In many cases TO denial of
justice. There is reason to apprehend that
many unfortunate creditors of the Goverr-
m ent have thereby been unavoidably ru.
med. Con gress has SO much business of
public character, that it is impossible it
should give much attention to mere private
claims; claimants must despair of ever be-
ing able TO obtain hearing. Itmay well
be doubted whether Congress, from the
nature OF Its organization, is properly con-
stituted to decide upon such cases. 1t is
impossible that each member should ex-
anime the merits of every claim on which
he is compelled to vote; and it is prepos-
terous to ask judge to decide case
which he has never heard Such decis.
ions may, and frequently must do inius-
tice either TO the Government or the clai-
mant. and | perceive no better remedy for
this growing evil than establishment of
some tribunal to adjudicate upon such
claims. beg leave, therefore, most res
pecuuily, that provisions be made by law
Tor the appointment of commission to
settle all private claims against the U. S.;
and as an exparte hearing must in all con
tested cases be very unsatisfactory. also
recommend the appointment of Solicitor
whose duty 1t shall be to represent the
Govern ment before such commission, and
protect 1t against all illegal, fraudulent or
unjust claims which may be presented for
their adjudication.
This District, which has neither voice
nor vote in your deliberations, looks to
you for protection and aid, and | recon-
mend all Its wants to your fac vrable con-
sideration, with full confidence that YOU
will meet them no; only with Justice, but
with llberality- 1t should be borne in
mind that In this city, laid out by Wash
ington, and con.ecrated by his name, is
located the Capitol of our nation, the en-
blem 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 exempt
from taxation. 1t should be the pride of
the Americans TO render this place attrac
tive to the people of the whole Republic,
and convenient and safe for the transaction
OF business and the preservation of public
records. The Government, should, there
fore, bear liberal proportion of the bur-
dens of all necessary and useful improve
ments. And, as nothing could contribute
more TO The health, comfort, & safety of the
city, and The security of the public build
lngs and records, than an abundant supply
of pure water, l respectfully recommend
that you make such provisions for obtain
ing the same as in your wisdom you may
deem proper.
The act passed in your last session
making certain propositions to Texas for
settling the disputed boundary between
that State and the Territory of New Mex
leo, wls, Immediately on its pasgage,
transmitted by express TO the Governor of
Texas, to be laid by him before the Gen
eral Assembly for its agreement; thereto |
Its rtc1ipt was duly acknowledged, but no 7
official Information had yet been received
of the action of the : General Assembly |
thereon; it may however be very soon ex-
pected, as, by the terms of the proposition
submit tied, they were to have been acted |
upon on or before the first day of the pres
ent month.
1t was hardly to have been expected
that the series of measures passed at our
last session, with the view cf healing the |
sectional differences which had sprung /
from the slavery and territorial questions,
should at once have realized their benef- |
cial purpose. ALI mutual concession in
nature of the compromise must necessarily |
be UNIV elcome to men of extreme opinions
and though without such concessions onr