Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-09

to navigation Of more than a !
thousand miles, affecting several States, as
we'll as our commercial relations with.
Canada. So, teo, the 'breaiswater at the
mouth of the Delaware is erected, not for
the exclusive benefit of the States border.
ing on the bay and river of that name, but1
for that OF the whole coastwise nasigatlon
efthe United States. and, 10 'considera.s
bic extent. also. Of foreign commerce. ifA
a ship be lost on the bar at the entrance of
u southern port for want Of sufficient depth |
of wafer, il is very likely 10 be northern
ship; and If a 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 belonging
to either Of eight .or Ten Stafes. l may
add. as somewhat remarkable, that among |
all the thifty-one States, there IS none that
is not, to greater or less extent bounded
on the ocean, or the Gulf of Mexico, or
one Of the great lakes, or some navigable
.riuer.
Hn fulfilling our Unconstitutional duties,
fellow citizens, on this subject, as carry
ing into effect all other powers conferred
by the Constitution, we should consider
ourselves as celebrating and acting for
one and the same country, and bear con-
-stan,hy I'm mind, that our regard and our
duty are due, not to a particular part only,
but 10 the whole.
| therefore recommend that appropria.
tions be made for completing such works
as have been already begun, and for com.
mencing such others as may seem 10 the
wisdom Of congress tobe of public and gen.
eral importance.
The difficulties and delays incident to.
the settlement of private claims by Con.
gress, amount in many cases 10 denial OF,
justice. There is reason to apprehend ;hat
many unfortunate creditors Of the Govern
ment have thereby been unavoidably ruin.
e1. Congress has so much business Of q
public character, that it is impossible it
should give much attention 10 mere private
claims, and there accumulation is now so
great, that many claimants must despair of
ever being nbls to obtain a hearing. 1t:
may we'll be doubted whether Congress,
from the nature Of its organization. is pro-
perly constituted TO decide upon such cases.
illus impossible that each member should
examine the merits of every claim on
which he is compelled to vote; and ii is pre-
poslerous 10 ask Judge TO decide case
which helms never heard. Such decisions
may, and Frequently must, do justice either
to the Government or the claimant, and
perceive no better remedy for this grow.
ing evil than the establishment Of some tri-
bunal 10 adjudica,e upon such chains. |
beg leave, therefore, most respectfully,
that provision be made by law for the ap-
pointment of q commission to settle oil pri-
sate claims agains, theiUnied States; and.
as an exParte hearing must in all contested
cases be very unsatisfactory, also recon
mend the appointment Of Solicitor,
whose duty it shall be TO represen, the
Government before such commissions, and
protect it against all illegal, fraudulent or
uniust claims which may be presented for
their adjudication.
This District, which has neither voice
nor vote in your deliberations, looks TO ) ou
for protection and aid, and | commend oil
its wants to your favorable consideration,
with full confidence that you will meet
them not only with yus,ice. but with liber.
aliiy. at should be borne in mind that in
this city. laid out by Washington, and con.
secraied by his name, is located the Capi.
tol Of our nnlion. the emblem Of eur Un.
ion. and the symbol of our greatness. =
Here also are situated all the public build
ings necessary for fhe use of the Govern.
ment, and all these are exempt from taxa
ton. Ut should be the pride of Americans
to render this place attractive to the people
Of the Whole Republic, and convenient and
safe for the transaction Of the public busi-
ness and the preservation Of the public rec.
ords. The Government should, therefore.
bear liberal proportion Of the burdens Of
Ill necessary and usefui improvements
And. as nothing could contribute more to
the health. comfort, and safety of the city,
and the security Of the public buildings
and records, than an abundant supply Of
pure wa,er, respectfully recommend that
you mike such provisions for obtaining the
same as in your wisdom you may deem
proper. ..-.* .-..> ...-.
The act passed at your last session. ma
king certain propositions to Texas for set
Ting the disputed boundary between thai
State and the Territory Of New Mexico,
was. Immediately on its passage. transmit
ted BY express to the Governor Of Texas,
to be laid by him before the General AS.
sembly for its agreement thereto. Its re-
ceip' was Gully acknowledged, bu; no off.
cial Information has yet been received OF
the action Of the General Assembly there
on; it saay. however, be very soon expect
ed. as, by the terms Of the propositions
submitted. they were to have been acted
upon on or before the first day Of the pres
ent month.
i 1t was hardly to.have been expected that
the series of measures passed at our last
sessi,n. with the view Of healing the Sec
,ional differences which had sprung from
the slavery and territorial questions, should
at once have realized their beneficial pur-
pose. All mutual concession in the nature
Of compromise must necessarily be un-
welcome to men of extreme opinions. and
though without such concessions our Cons,i-