Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-12-12

my duu coHectitiS nnpOStS. Where com.
merce is to be carried on, aud mpost. coIlec.
ted, there must be ports aud harbors, as well
as wllarvcs and custom houses. II shps. Ia.
den with valuable cargoes, approach the
shore, or sail along the coast, light houses
are necessary at suitable points for the pro-
lection of lie and property. Other facilities
and securities for commerce and navigation
are hardly less important, and those clauses
Of the constitution, therefore, 10 which haze
referred, have received from the origin Of
the Government liberal and beneficial con-
s'rucion. Not only have lighthouses, buoys
aud beacons been established, and floating
lights maintained, but iarburs have been
cleared and improved, piers constructed, and
even brcakwaters for The safety Of shipping,
aiid sea walls 10 protect llarbois from being
hiled uP and rendered useless, by the action
of the ocean, have been erected at very great
| expense. And ih.s construction OF the Con-
stituton appears the more reasonable from
the consideration, that j; these works, of such
evident importance and utility, are not to be
accomplished by Congress, they cannot be
accomplished at ali. BY the adoption Of the
Constitution the several states voluntarily
parted with the power of collecting duties ot
impost in their own ports aud il is not To be
expected that they should raise money, by
internal taxation, direC; or indirect, for the
benefit OF that commerce, the revenues deriv-
| ed from which do not, either in whole or in
| part, go into their own treasures. Nor do !
perceive any difference between the power of
CongreSs TO make appropriations for objects
OF this kind on the occ,n aid the power 10
make appropriations for similar objects
lakes and rvers; wherever they are large
enough TO bear on their waters an extensive
traffic. The magnificent Mississippi aud IT'S
tributaries, and the vast lakes OF the north
and the northwest, appear 10 me TO fall with
| IN the exercise Of the power, as justly and
as clearly as the Ocean aud the Cult Of Mex
leo. Ii is mistake to regard expenditures
judiciously made tor these objects rs eypeD-
diures for local purposes. The position, or
site ot the work, is necessarily local tut its
utility is general. A ship canal around the
falls of 81. Mary Of less Ilian mile IN length
though local in It's construction, would yet
he national in IT'S purpose and its benefits,
as il woulI remove the only obstruction 10 Il
navigation Of moIe Ihan IA thousand miles,
affecting severai States, rs well as our COM
mercial relations with Canada. So 100, the
brcakwaier at the mouth OF the Deleware is
erected, not for the exclusive benefit Of The
States bordering on the bay and river OF that
]
iion Of the United States, and, TO consider.
able extent also, Of foreign commerce. l! a
ship be lost on tire bar a. the entrance Of a
southern port for want of sufficient depth
OF water, it is very likely to be northern
ship, aud if a steamboat be sunk in any part
OF rhe Mississippi, on account OF its channel
not having been properly cleared Of obsITuc-
tious, it'may be Il boa, belonging to either of
eight Or ten states. ! may add, as somewhat
remarkable, that among oil the thirty -one
States, there is not, 10 n greater or less ex-
tent, bounded OIL the ocean, or the Gull of
Mexico, or one of the great lakes. or come
uavigable river.
In fulfilling our constitutional dti;ies, fellow
citizens, on this subject, rs in carrying into
effect allolher powers conferred by the con-
slitution, VIC should consider ourselves as
deliberating and acting for one and the same
country, and bear constantly IN mind, that
our regard and our duty are due, not TO u
particular part only, but TO the whole.
| therefore recommend that appropriations
be made for completing such works as have
been already begun, and for commencing
such others as may seem 10 the wisdom OF
! Congress TO be Of public and general impor.
tance.
The difficulties and delays, inciden, to the
settlement Of private claims by Congress
amount in many cases, TO denial Of justice.
There is reason to aPprehend that many un'
fortunate creditors OF the Government, have
been unavoi,iably ruined. Congress has 50
much business Of n rublic character, that il
is impossible it should give much attention
! 10 mere private claims, aud their accumula-
lion is now so great that MANY claimant:
must despair of ever being able to obtain n
hearing. 1t may well he doubted whether
. Congress, from the nature of its organization
: is properly constituted 10 decide upon sucl
!, cases. |, is impossible that each member
should examine the merits of every claim OIL
: which he is compelled to vote and it is
preposterous to ask Judge 10 declte case
which he has never heard. Such decisions
8 may, and frequently must, do injustice either
10 the claimant or the Government, ami
perceive no better remedy for this growing
evil than the establishment of some tribunal
/, TO adjudicae upon such claims. beg leave,
therefore, most respectfully, to recommend
thar provision be made by law for the APP
pontment Of commission to settle all prf-
vate claims against the United States; and.
AS an er pdrte hearing ln,ist in all contested
cases he very Unsatisfactory also recon-
mend the appointment of a Solicitor, whose
; duty it shall he to represent the Government
before such commission, and protect II
against all illegal, fraudulent or unjust claims
which may be presented for their adjudlca-
, ton.
Tie District, which has neither voice nor
vote in your deliberations, looks ut you for
protection and aid, and commend all its
wants to your favorable consideration, with
full confidence that you will meet them no,
only with justice, but with liberaliiy. Ii
should be borne in mimi that in this city, lad
out by Washington, and cunsentraicd by his
name, is located the capitol of Our nation
, the emblem of our Union and the symbol o.
our greatness. Here also are sill .ated all the
public buildings necessary for the use of the
E government, aud all these are exempt from
taxation. II should be the pride of Amerl-
! cans to render this place attractive 10 the
e whole Republic, and convenient and sale ior
the trsitsaclinn Of the public baIsiness and
G the preservation of the public records. 1l'e
: government should. therefore, bear liberal
I proportion Of the burdens OF all necessary
/; and useful improvements. And as nothing
4, could contribute more 10 the health, comfort
: and safety of the city, and the security o
the public buildings and records, than m
abundant supply Of pure water, respectful
Iy recommend that you make such provision.
for obtaining the same ss in your Wisdom yot
/ may deem proper.
The act passed at your last session, ma
t king certain propositions TO Texas for ssttIin,
J the disputed boundary i,etween that stat.
and the territory Of New Mexico wns imme