The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-03

granting 70 he oatc OF michigan the right OF way and
donation OF pubic land Tor the construction OF ship
canal around the falls OF ST. Mary's in said State
Mr. DICKINSON said ne would like to hear the sena-
from Michigan, who had charge Of this bill, explain
whether its operation would be equal upon the c zens
Mr.. FELCH, will answer the inquiry made by the
stands do not provide anything in reference the
toll Il merely gives TO the State of Michigan amount
Of land which s supposed to be sufficient to
work which il is the object of the bill to secure that s
to open . canal by which communication shall be
made which will connect Lake Superior with the waters
Of the other lakes and the II has been suggested
from several quarters that amendment should be made
10 the bill which will secure to all the citizens Of the
different States the right Of transactng business upon
paying an exorbtant toll With that we fully agree
The bill, it is now, leaves il to the legislature of Mch
gan 70 fix that matter Of toll. We supposed that there
would be necessity of going any urher-,ha this toll
would be reasonable Tie object is understood to be 10
open communication with the lake counry, and in
order to do it supposed that the tolls would be such
would not be oppressive. OF course only wish to
obtain the building of this work for the benefit of the
public Indeed the Stale OF Michigan has more in
erest than any other Stie bordering upon the lake in
this matter But to meet the objection that has been
started in some quarters, and present the matter that
will be acceptable to every one, will offer amend
ment to the bill, to accomplish the object suggested by
the senator from New York It is to come in just be-
lore the last section. and is To stand the fifth section
The PRESIDENT. 1t will not be in order until these
amendments now pending are disposed OF.
The question being then taken upon the pending
amendments, they Were agreed 10.
MIR. FELCH then moved the following amendment:
SEC. o. And be fnrhfy enacted That the ley sature
said State shall be kept the
sales and proceeds hereby granted and
all Penditnres IN The constructions repairs and operating
of sad canal and OF the thereof and shall
statement OF 'be same annually the Secretary Of the Int
and whenever said Stale shall be fully reimbursed Tor
all advances ade for the construction, repairs and opera
an the reinforcement Of lie same, or upon payment BY
the United States OF balance OF such advances
lie said Stat. shall tax for the use of said
canal only such tolls as snail be sufficient TO all
expenses for the charge and repairs Of the
Mr. DAWSON merely submit whether this is not
internal improvement, without any limitation for par
cuar purposes taking upon ourselves here require
Of the State 10 keep an account current between that
State and the government of the United Slaes in rea-
ton TO her internal concerns should be glad also,
know how many of land proposed by the pro-
visions OF this bill to be appropriated to the State OF
Mr. BUTLER. Tin his seat) 100000 acres.
MIR. CASS, Mr. President. do not believe there is,
in the United States, single mpro vement which could
be easily made, and which the time would be
productive OF such important consequences. sorry
see that the senator from Georgia tMr DAwsoSl has
have raised the Questions he has done had he examined
the whole subject with his usual care We have passed
several bills al this session, involving the princi
pies this does and we have passed them almost with
out examination or objection And why such stand is
taken against this providing for local and partial road
bat for opening navigable communication between the
greatnland at The Northwest, profess utterly
unable 10 conjecture. Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan
are connected by natural communication, and lakes
cen foihe vessels which the commerce of those regions
requires But Lake Superior deprived Of this
It's elevated about 81 feet above lake Huron and the
communication between them is interrupted by the falls
ST. Mary where vessels OF burden neither ascend
nor descend All the articles passing from lake to
the other must be landed and transported across the port
age, and then anshipped into another vessel This
senous impeachment TO the growing commerce OF that
important region | hold in my hand statement
d n NJ Lake 10a has at The
shows the importance OF this trade and the impedimens
II meets with.
[Here MIR CAss read an article describing the i'm
mense masses OF copper, being many OF them two tons,
which are brought down Lake Superior, and transported
by land across the portage, at great additional trouble, de-
lay, and expense
Now, Mr. President, the United States own the whole
country upon Lake Superior, with the exception OF few
tracts OF mineral lands, which have been purchased by
Individuals. BY opening this communication, you will
facilitate the operations OF trade the ngress and egress
10 and from the country, for all the purposes OF improve
ment and settlement II is most important district, rich
IN IFS mineral treasures, Of which speak from my
own personal observation having twice rayersed IT, from
one extreme TO the other Public is directed to
~ and industry and enterprise and capital are combining
70 develop is value and to realize r. The government
- The great andhoder, and such Improvement this
cannot take place without enhancing the value OF the
property ahd returning many times The ade required for
The senator from Georgia made another objection
inns bl, The point OF WHICH, must confess do not
comprehend lie sees in II improper interference with
ssle au'hofy because we require the State OF Michigan
Keep and render TO the United States account OF the
Pioauet and application of this fund. Mr President
see no such interference We make offer 10 Michigan.
Wbieh she ~ fully competent to accept reject We
say here are 100000 acres OF land which are willing
convey 70 YOU provided you will apply them to canal
round the falls ol ST Mary, and render statement,
rom ume 10 time OF us proceeds and soon as you
reimburse your own advances, you have To encounter
y be canal Is 10 become free to oil the citizens OF HE
Sn'ed States with the exception Of such tolls may
oe necessary 10 put the canal in repair and operation
Now slr, u this offer is accepted, il becomes mutual
arrangement imposing nothing upon the state but what
hhe fmVOses upon hapelf, and
stnar grants This proposition, therefore. brings up no
9uesuon OF jurisdiction respecting internal lmprov
but the night only OF the general government to apply
portion of the public land raise the value OF the re-
mainder.
When this subject was before the Senate .ome aavs
IN military point OF view, and add tina, at one
lime, during our difficulties with England growing out OF
the Oregon controversy, II WIS within the contemplation
Of the Secretary of the Navy recommend 10 Congress
IN consequence OF resolution from the Senate the con.
siructon Of this canal measure OF defence The pro-
lee not pursued consequence OF the amicabe ad
lustnent OF the dispute In the event OF future Difficult
nes with the same power unless this work is done,
mus, have a military marine for Lake Superior anc
anoheI Tor the lakes below, and thus double armament
WIN al ts hazards and expense small portion o th'
COY OF which would unite those internal seas forever.
mf. DAWSON. Mr.. President. my views IN relation
10 nese questions have not been changed by the argu
mems OF the honorable senator from Michigan. Tie say,
ma ms is not internal improvement upon the part o
be general government Now, would like TO know
wna IS lhe difference between appruprlaing money o
and, on The part Of the general government to consuc
esnals lhere can be none. This canal ls 10 be con
arucled entirely by the funds which the United States
give 10 the State--not for the United States herself bu
or the Stale of Michigan, and is to be done by the STATE