The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-28
RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.
SPEECH OF HON. DAVID L. SEYMOUR

1884,
The House resolved itself into the COMMITTEES
Of the Whole on the state Of the Unon on inc
tarbor and river appropriation oil Nhf' oLp' ~
ne chnir.)
Mr SEYAIOJR. Of New York, rose and said
MIR. CanRMAs. The Committee on Commerce
d this House at an early period IN the session,
had their attention drawn 10 the great question OF
he Improvement OF harbors and rivers, and dis
cnssion was had, TO some extent, up1n Tue con-
slder4<gn Of the psssldepts message, 10 reference
q ms Subject; but the principles or views upon
,hich the committee would act IN framing bill,
sse not then determined. Shortly after that time,
however, petitions were presented IN very large
numbers from all quarters of the country, praying
appropriations for the improvement of our large
and navgable rivers. and Of our harbors both
upon the sea-coast and upon the northern lakes.
Petitions also came before us in reference 10 our
great western rivers in a1ch numbers, and pre-
sentng such pressing exigencies, that the commit
tee, before any decision had been had upon the
Presidents message, referring this subject specih-
cally 10 their consideration, proceeded 10 examine
this very important, and, will add, as il has
proved very embarrassing subject. In addition
10 these petitions, ought to state that from many
of the large cities Populations OF gentlemen OF the
highest responsibility connected with our COM
merce, and practical navgators--rnen who have
been long engaged both in our foreign and domes-
nc commerce--appeared before us, pressing upon
our consideration subjects of very great import
snoe to The localities where they resided. aude
,arlicalarly delegations sent here by the cities
OF BOSTON, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore,
and New Orleans.
Sir, we found when we approached this subject
that II full of embarrassments. On looking
back TO the history of this country for the last
fourteen years, we found that appropriations
had been made--not even TO keep in repair public
Ia ~,hirh had heap fhrauuh a ling perind mn
der previous appropriations, erected by the Gov
eminent and were out of repair. We found, in
some cases. that the channels OF streams and the
approaches to harbors were rendered even worse
than they were In their natural state, by the OBJ
sructions occasioned by the lack of appropriations
20 keep in repair these old works Of the Govern
ment. Besides, very large and extensive terrific
ries have been added 10 this Governnen. during
the fourteen years which have elapsed since any
general appropriation bill Of this character has
passed. In that period the State of Texas, with
a sea coast Of six hundred miles, and watered by
many very large rivers, with harbors adequate 10
large trade if they shall but receive small APP
preparations for the purpose of removing the
sand-bars at their mouths, has been opened TO the
commerce and enterprise Of the country; and
finally the march of population to the West, du-
ring that long period, has been settling the wider
ness and developing the resources OF one of the
richest and most fertile countries the face Of the
globe. New States have been added TO the
Union-States which have received no considera-
ton by appropriations of this character since they
have been admitted into the Union States where
large towns, great commercial centres, are now
growing up, where are large harbors 10 be i'm
proved, and where commerce is concentrating
States in which rivers Of great magnitude, need
ing but small appropriations 10 remove the OBJ
structons Of nature, will in a short time bring
from the improved and fertile regions OF The inte-
nor a vast amount OF commerce to eastern mar
ke,s.
Under these circumstances, and in view Of
subject so embarrassing this ia, the committee
addressed themselves TO the preparation Of this
bill and viii say, in their behalf, that they have
dsvoted more time to this bill than to any other-
indeed, may add, than to all the other bills be-
fore them--although the subjects referred to them
are very numerous, and concern the whole COM
merce of the county, both foreign and domestic.
Sir, the minority OF the committee were opposed
10 entering upon anything like general system
Of internal Improvements. They wished TO frame
such bill would meet the good sense Of this
House and Of the country-one that should not
embrace 80 large an amount, and located at such
various points would be liable to the objection
that II rsvving the old policy OF general sys-
TEN OF internal improvements, but which would
satisfy the imperious demands Of commerce. The
great difficulty has been 10 define and settle upon
n bhi WHICH, NJ INC same ufut knat TX shOu0 fnCct
the wants OF commerce, would suit the wishes
and crafty the expectations Of the various locali-
ties concerned, That, ar, is a very difficult mat
ter. Ii Is ono that has occasioned great embar-
rsssment 10 the committee. Many gentlemen
seemed to expect that, because appropriations
were contained IN former bill which passed this
House, bill embracing very large appropriations
made at numerous points, apparently much at
random, and without regard 10 localities and the
NJ H..
should be adopted by us, anu reported to the
House IN this bill.
But the committee prescrib a another rule for
their conduct. They supposed-aDd that is the
ground upon which they have framed this bill
that II was their duty TO provide for the general
wants Of the commerce of the country at those
localities, those great commercial depots, where
II had already concentrated. They did not con-
oere il to be within their province TO 90 into
those paris Of the country where commerce had
hardly yet defined its localities, where you would
not know If you appropriated to-day ten or
twenty thousand dollars for the improvement OF a
hGrbor whether ten years hence there would be
any trads or commerce 10 be benefited by IL They
preferred rather 10 eonhae appropriations 10 the
wants Of the general commerce OF the country,
first by locating them at the great centres where
II already exists, and where Il will be benefited.
But there arc still other harbors needed for pro-
these great centres to another, either upon the
lakes or NE oe-.a ensSis. II needs harbors Of re-
fugc 10 which II can repair IN case Of dstru-s Ap-
preparations for such hsrbors, IN the view Of the
committee, are not local IN their character, but
protect and subserve the interests OF the general
commerce Of the country. Therefore, we have
located a harbor Of refuge betweecn the mouth Of
the Niagara river on Lake Ontario, and the port
Of Rochester, at the mouth Of the Genesce river.
Betveen those points, distance Of some eighty
oS ninety miles, there were mnny harbors which
had been projected and some Of which, believe,
received the favorable consideration Of the Gov
eminent, and had been aided by appropriations.
Bot the committee did not think II proper, they
did not think il fell within the rule which they
had prescribed for their action, 10 recommend
appropriations for any Of thsse small ports, SIM
ply because they had received them before, or
had a respectable local trade.
But inasmuch as the general commerce on that
lake, N ts transit from the mouth Of the Niagara
river 70 the harbor 81 Rochester, IN case Of stress
81 weather would need a harbor for shelter, we
determined 10 locate ono, and only one, between
aoee Two points. And let me ssy here, we 10
cs'su mai harbor, 81 others Of this character,
ulnoal reference 70 any speculative interests that
pofsons living there may have, bot simply from
VIC CONSIDERATION that Oak Orchard creek - MD