Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-22


cautious statesman do to this as far possble
fencing round the deposaes of authority with such checks
and limitations as without destroying the object may tend
render its attainment the safer General jackson cndeavor
ed to do this by adopting rule for himself not TO sanction
appropriations for river improvements above the highest ports
OF entry Hethu States in the message his views upon
this branch OF the subject
Although have expressed Congress my apprehension
that these expenditures have sometimes been exayaant and
dispropoonate the advantages be derived from them,
have not felt to be duty refuse assent 10 bills con-
tanning them % and n,ye so1sntsd M e oew II .hs re
from experience and observation of the great abuse to
which the unreseed exercise Of this authority BY Congress
Of own conduct BY which expendtures q this ehar.c
are cosLned 70 places below he pcs fs.tyor delivery
.. !: sss sss ,ss s, rs ss.r
Be eaossd % the Exesuss depsrtmsot
Objects But neither my own reflections nor the lights
properly derive from other Sources have supplied
with better shall continue to apply my best exerons
faithful application of the rules upon which is founded
twill be that the limitation he lays down is not
constitutional one, but adopted for his personal
guidance to guard the certainly the public interest
Another eminent statesman, lately in the midst of us but
whose brilliant career has recently terminated deab equally
10 the regret Of his friends who admired him, and of his
country, whom be served with pure devotion ever in
spired human breast and whose mighty intellect and spoess
integrity none questioned doubted he also gave his
views upon this general subject and very eaboaey in his
celebrated report on the memorial the Memphis Convention
He comedies fully the right harbor and river improvements
as that document shows and short extract from il will put
4 us in possession of his general sentiments:
Havng shown that the power raise money and to
appropriate and expend is confined carrying
ton the delegated trcmans to be considered whether
there is power delegaed to the Federal Government the
carrying OF which into execution would authorize appropra
and expenditures for the improvement of the navigation
of the Mississippi and its waters.'
But there the least probability" continues Mr..
Calhoun that Congress will abandon the exercise Of
this power he power improve rivers and harbors has
only the right has been shown but its duty
else it duty, under the constitution. to the States mme
datey interested and which are by of its provisions
prohibited from adopting the only by which they could
themselves regulate their commerce with each other'
Mr. Calhoun also sought practical limitation this pow
er to improve rivers for with respect to harbos be left il
wholly to legislative discretion; but be sought it, not in
selfmposed RESTRICTIONS but in the constitution itself,
independent Of the power to regulate commerce, which, in
my opinion, is the only foundation also the only
actual limitation Of this power. shall not enter into
animation Of this State paper marked with the powerful cha
racerscs OF the author could do without injustice,
for it years since examined with care will only
remark, that 1t denied the power to Congress improve
rivers running through State running through
bounded by two Saes the ground that in the former
the State itself Is competent to improve them, without any
other action than It's and in the latter case that
States interested may, with the sanction Of Congress- enter
into convention for their improvement But that river
penetrating than two States cannot be improved by joint
action es there are to obtain under the consu
ton, and must be improved by the General Government 1t
obvious that this rule has relation the size impo
ance Of the river but political considerations, wholly in
uepenuent III
category The Connsccut The Mississippi while excludes
other rivers vastly exceeding the former in every uaran
point OF view, Of which among the greatest Of our
commercial arteries Without pursuing this vew however,
will content myself with remarkng that the Of this
construction be this that it that the
improvement of rivers take place. and that where
be effected by the States themselves may and must
be done BY the United States. tskes that such view
sireconcilabe with the fundamental principles Govern
ment ltwoud make the General Government kind Of esdu
ary egatee having reversonay right to all not other
wise disposed Of The reverse, take it. is the and set
tied docnetha 10 the States and the people belong a the
powers not granted by the constitution II power is
found there however necessary it may be- cannot be
sumed BY Congress We're there authority to declare war;
maintain an army or to equip navy, these acts could not
be done, whatever pressing emergency may arise, till the
cessay authority granted repeat thu. some time
since looked this document with care, and there
fore only state the general impression left upon my mind
Now, sir, the honorable Senator from South Carolina Mr.
BUrLER has referred rather triumphanty thought the
resolutions of the Baltimore Convention, and sup
pose that their faithful observance would prevent those Of
who acknowledge their obligations from voting for airy river
or harbor BILL Mr.. President for one see neither difficulty
in the inconsistency in the This resolution,
dsavowing the right establish general system Of internal
improvemensor that Is the doctrine reproved-was first
presented to the Democratic party by that able and ncorup
tible statesman Sas Wright whose memory is embslmed in
the heart Of every true Democrat Well be, its acknow-
lodged father held the time he urged and continued to
hold ill his amented death, the opinions upon this
subject which sanctioned by the Democratic party,
appropriations
objects Can doubt rest upon the mind Of man, fairly
disposed respecting the construction he put upon his
declaration What he meant and what the Democratic
party to repudae Is the power spread great system
public works through the whole country, embracing roads,
canals rivers and harbcrs and ponds oo for aughi know
system by which the Union be covered with roads
and canals, by net work, and whose consequences
well financially n the expenditure would entail
morally and politically, by the corrupons it would lead
to, seriously contemplate without alarm Why,
sir fact which has just been stated by honorable
be (Mr Dowrs. that at the tms Of the Maysvis velo
there propositions before committees Of Congress lines
him-or have time refer the documens-paces in
striking light the dangers exposed to- and from
which escaped by the ftmnes and wisdom Of Andrew
Jackson and by the adherence Of the Democratic party to
the principles Of this great ACT yet safe from this
peril They have taken roads and canals the grasp Of
the General Government and oil the rivers, except few
which be considered national in their character by the
contributions they furnish 10 the Of the country
great system Of internal Improvements Is exploded and the
OF the Government confined within their legitimate
boundaries the right to regulate commerce. and to improve
natural reservoirs and some Of the principal natural
of communication.
Look s at the in the Senate in ls47 the las, time
bill upon this subject passed, and but year before the
meeting OF the Baltimore Convention. You will find that
on test vote, SO announced by the mover Mr. Bagby, to
strike out the Of Sl56 900 r the improvement Of the
Ohio river below the falls, there SO nays and but
yeas My name is recorded among the former and far
greater one than mine is there, oothe of Calhoun.
With respect 10 harbor Improvements the great lakes
IN which my constituents feel deep interest," may oe per-
mitted, trust TO make few remarks Il is the exercise OF
power essential to the prosperity OF the country and neces
say to prevent prodiga waste Of human s When first
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