Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-12-03

struced and even breakwatcrs for the safety of ship
ping and sea walls to protect harbors from being filled
up and rendered useless by the action of the ocean,
have been erected at very great expense.
ana tins construction OF the Constitution appears the
more reasonable from the consideration, that if these
WORKS. OF such evident Importance and utility are not
70 De accomplished by Congress, they cannot be ac
conplshed at all. By the adoption of the Coustitu-
lo the several States voluntarily parted with the pow
er OF collecting duties of mpost in their own ports; and
IL ls not TO be expected that they should raise money
oy internal taxation, direct Indirect for the benefit
OF mat commerce, the revenuesderived from which do
not either IN whole or in part go into their own rea
sures. Nor do perceive any difference between the
power OF Congress to make appropriations for objects
Vi tns KIND on the ocean, and the power to make APP
preparations Tor similar objects lakes and rivers
wherever they are large enough to bear their waters
an extensive traffic. The magnificent Mississippi and
Its tributaries, and the lakes of the North and the
orthwest appear to me to fall within the exercise OF
l,ie power as justly and clearly the Ocean and
the Gulf OF Mexico. 1t is a mistake to regard expen-
dues ludicousy made for these objects as expendi-
lures Tor 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 less than
mile In LENGTH though local in its construction would
et De national in Its purpose and its benefits would
remove tne only obstruction TO navigation of more than
thousand miles, affecting several States as we'll as our
commercial relations with Canada. &c. too the Break
water at the mouth of the Delaware erected not for
the exclusive benefit of the States bordering on the bay
and river OF that name but for that of the whole coast
wise navigation OF the United States and to consider
able extent also, OF foreign commerce. If 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 ship; and if steamboat be sunk in any
part OF the Mississippi, account of its channel not
naVlng heen properly cleared of distractions, it may be
Doat belonging to either OF eight ten States Imay
add as somewhat remarkable that among all the thir
y-one States, there is that is not to greater or
less extent bounded on the ocean, the Gulf OF Mex
co or one OF the great lakes, some navgabe river
In iulflng our constitutional duties, feow-citizens,
on tins subject, as in carrying into effect all other
powers conferred by the Constitution we should con-
soer ourselves as celebrating and acting for one
and the same country. and bear constantly III mind,
hat our regard our duty due, to parclar part
only, but to the whole
therefore recommend that appropriations be made
or completing such works as have been already begun
ana Tor commencing such Others as may seem to the
wisdom OF Congress to be ofpublic and general impor-
lance.
The difficulties and delays incident to the settlement
OF private claims by Congress- amount in many cases
70 denial OF Justice There reason to apprehend
mat many unfortunate creditors of the Government
have thereby been unavodably ruined. Congress has
so much business OF public character that 1t is i'm
possible 1t 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 nearing. 1t may well be doubted whether
Congress- from the nature of its organization is pro-
perly constituted to decide upon such cases. tits i'm
possible that each member should examine the merits
OF every claim which he Is compelled to vote; and il
IS pfeposterous to ask Judge to decide case which
| he has never heard.
| Such decisions may, and frequently must do inus-
tlce either to the claimant or the Government and
perceive no better remedy for the growing evil than
the establishment oil some tribunal to adudic ate upon
such claims beg leave, therefore, most respectfully
| to recommend that provision be made by law for the
appointment OF commission to settle all private claims
against the United Staes and as an er parte hearing
must in all contested be very unsatisfactory
also recommend the appointment of Solicitor whose
duty shall be represent the Government before such
COMMISSION al III,
lent or unjust CLAIMS which may be presented for their
adjudication.
| This District, which has neither voice nor vote ID
your deliberations looks to you for protection and aid
and commend all swans to your favorable considera
uon with tul confidence that you will meet them
borne in mind that in this city, laid by Washington
and consecrated by his name, is located the Capitol
our nation, the emblem OF our Union and the symbo
OF our greatness Here also situated all the public
buildings necessary tor the OF the Government and
all these are exempt from taxation. 1t should be the
pride OF Americans render this place attractive to the
people OF the whole Republic, and convenient and safe
Tor the transaction Of the public business and the preser-
walton OF the public records The Government should
therefore, bear liberal proportion of the burdens of ali
necessary and useful Improvements. And as NOTHING
could contribute more to the health comfort and safety
oil the city, and the security OF the public buildings and
| records than an abund ant supply of pure water
respectfully recommend that you make such prov
SONS Tor obtaining the same in your wisdom you ma,
deem proper.
The act passed at your last session. making certain
propositions to Texas Tor settling the disputed boundary
between that State and the Territory OF New Mexico
was Immediately on its passage, transmitted by express
to the Governor OF Texas to be laid by him before the
General Assembly for its agreement thereto Its re-
ceipt was duly acknowledged, but no official nfolma
ton has 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 propositions submitted
they were to have been acted upon or before the
! first day OF the present month.
1t was hardly to have been expected that the series
OF measures passed at your last session. with the view
of healing the sectional differences which had sprung
from the slavery and territorial questions should at once
have realized their benehcent purpose. All mutual
concession in the nature OF compromise must neces-
sarlly be unwelcome to men OF extreme opinions. And
though without such concessions our Constitution could
not have been formed and cannot be permanently
alned yet we have them made the subject of Bit
| ter controversy in both sections of the Republic. Il
required many months OF discussion and elaboration
secure the concurrence OF majority OF Congress il
their favor. 1t would be strange if they had been re-
ceved with immediate appreciation by the people anc
States preudced and heated by the exciting controver
sizes OF their representatives believe those measures
to have been required by the circumstances and condi
ton OF the country. believe they were necessary t.
aay asperities and animosites that were rapidly alien
atlng one section OF the country from another and de-
sroyng those raerna sentiments which are the strong
est supports OF the Constitution They were adopted
the spirit OF Cancellation, and for the purpose of con
citation. Ibelieve that great majority of our fellow
citizens sympathze in that spirit and that purpose
IN the man approve and are prepared, in all respects
to sustain these enacments. cannot doubt that thu
American people, bound together by kindred blood anc
common traditions, still cherish paramount regard
for the Union OF their tathers and that they ready
to rebuke any attempt to violate its integrity disturb
the compromises which it is based or to resist the
laws which have been enacted under its authority
The series OF measures to which have alluded are
regarded by me as settlement, in principle and sub
stance-a final settlement of the dangerous and excl
ting subjects which they embraced. Most OF these SUBJ
lects indeed, are beyond your reach the legislation
which disposed of them was, in its character final anc
lTrevocable. 1t may be presumed from the opposition
which they all encountered that of those measures
was free from mpe riections, but in their mutua depen
dence and connection they formed system of com.
promise, the most concliaory, and best Tor the entire
country, that could be obtained from conflicting sec
| tiona interests and opinions
For this reason, recommend your adherence to the
| adjustment established by those measures until time
and experience shall demonstrate the necessity of fur
ther legislation to guard against evasion or abuse.
| By that adjustment we have been rescued from the
wide and boundess agitation that surrounded u.s. and
have firm, distinct, and legal ground to rest upon-
And the occasion, trust, viii justify me in exhorting
my co1nrymen to rally upon and maintain that ground
the best not the only MEANS of restoring peace
and quiet to the country, and maintaining nvoate the
integrity of the Union.
And now, tellow-citzens, cannot bring this COM