Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-12-07


construction Not only have lighthouses buoys and bes
been established and floating lights maintained but
habos have been cleared and improved piers constructed,
and bsakwaes for the safety Of the shipping and sea-
walls protect harbors from being filled up and rendered
useless by the action Of the have been erected at very
great expense And this construction Of the constitution ap
pears the reasonable from the consideration that these
works. of such evident Importance and utility, are not TO be
accomplished by Congress- they cannot be accomplished at
ALL By the adoption of the constitution the several States
voluntarily parted with the power Of collecting duties OF I'M
post in their ports and il is not to be expected hathey
should money by internal taxation, direct indirect,
for the benefit Of that commerce. the derived from
which do not either in whole in part 60 into their own
treasures.
Nor do perceive any difference between the power of Con-
gress make appropriations for objects Of this kind on the
and the power make appropriations for similar objects
lakes and rivers wherever they large enough to bear
their waters an extensive traffic The magnificent Missis-
spp and its tributaries and the lakes of the north and
the northwest appear to fall within the exercise OF the
power, justly and clearly the Ocean and the Gulf Of
Mexico is mistake regard expenditures judiciously
made for these objects expenditures for local purposes
The position. orsta Of the work. necessarily local; but its
Of less than mile in length though local in s construction,
would yet be national in its purpose and i benefits % Il
would remove the only obstruction navigation Of more
than thousand miles, affecting several States well as our
commercial relations with Canada So, too, the breakwasr
at the mouth of the Delaware is erected for the exclusive
benefit of the States bordering the bay and river OF that
but for that Of the whole coaswse navigation OF the
United States, and to considerable extent also. Of foreign
III ship be lost the bar at the entrance of
Southern port for want of sufficient depth Of water II is
likely be Northern ship and If steamboat be sunk in
any part Of the Mississippi account of its channel not
having been properly cleared Of obsrucons it may be
boat belonging either Of eight ten States may add,
somewhat remarkable, that among all the hryone States
there that is not greater less extent bounded
the ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, of the great
lakes or some navigabe river
In fulfilling our constitutional duies fellowcitzens,
this subject in carrying into effect all other powers con-
feed by the Consultations should consider ourselves
celebrating and acting for and the country, and
bear constantly in mind that regard and duty due,
not to particular part only, but to the whole
therefore recommend that appropriations be made for
completing such works have been already begun, and for
commencing such others may the wisdom Of Con-
gress to be Of public and general importance.
The difficulties and delays incident to the settlement of
private claims by Congress- amount in many denial
justice There is to apprehend that many unfou
creditors Of the Government have thereby been unavod
ably ruined. Congress has SO much business of public
character that is impossible should give much attention
to private claims and their accumulation is
great that many claimants despair of being able
obtain hearing It may well be doubted whether Congress-
from the nature Of its organization, properly constituted
decide upon such 1t is impossible that each member
should examine the merits Of every claim which he
PEELED vote, and preposerous to ask Judge decide
which he has heard Such decisions may and
frequently must, do injustice either to the claimant the
Government and perceive better remedy for this growing
evil than the establishment OF tribunal to adjudicae
upon such claims. beg leave, therefore, respectfully
recommend that provision be made by law for the appoint
men Of commission to settle all private claims against the
United States and, parte hearing must in all
tested be very unsatisfactory, also recommend the ap-
pontmen of Solicitor whose duty shall be to represent
the Government before such commission, and protect against
all Illegal fraudulent unjust claims, which may be pre-
sented for their adjudication.
This District which has neither voice vote in your de-
beratons, looks you for protection and aid, and
mend all its your favorable consideration, with full
confidence that you will them only with justice but
with beraiy II should be borne in mind that in this city,
laid by Washington and consecraed by bis name, To-
Gated the Capitol Of Nation the emblem Of Union and
the symbol of greatness Here aso situated all the
public buildings for the the Government and
all these exempt from taxation 1t should be the pride of
Americans render this place attractive the people Of the
whole Republic and convenient and safe for the transaction
of the public business and the preservation Of the public re-
cords The Government should, therefore, bear liberal pro-
portion Of the burdens Of all necessary and useful improve
mens And nothing could contribute to the health,
comfort and safety Of the city, and the security Of the public
buildings and records than abundant supply Of pure water,
respectfully recommend that you make such provision for
obtaining the in your wisdom you may deem proper
The passed your last session. making certain propo
sons Texas for settling the disputed boundary between
that State and The Territory of New. Mexico, was, mmedi
atey its passage transmitted by express the Governor
Of Texas be laid by him before the General Assembly for
its agreement thereto Its receipt duly acknowledged,
but official information has yet been received Of the action
Of the General Assembly thereon it may however, be very
expected az by the terms Of the propositions submit
ted they have been acted upon before the first
day of the present month.
It hardly have been expected that the series of
passed your last session, with the view Of healing the
sectional differences which had sprung from the slavery and
territorial questions should have realized their bene-
cent purpose All mutual concession in the nature Of
compromise necessarily be unuelcome men Of
opinions And though without such concessions