Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-03-18
10 he Editots of ..e Daily Journal:

TO The Editors Of ate Daty journal:
GEETLEMEN A recent article in your paper,
commenting on the course of our North CaroIlna
Senators in Congress, relation to the appropria'
ton for our Bar calls for some notice at our hanos.
we feel confident that it would not have been
written under a proper knowledge OF the circum-
stances and, believing that you would not know
;n9Iv do or say anything calculated to jure or
misrepresent the distinguished gentlemen alluded
TO- we think YOU will, without hesitation give place
to some explanations of the poceedngsin Congress-
which happened under our own observation during
the last week of the late Session.
You are aware that we have been acting for some
time past, with others, members OF committee:
appointed by our fellow citizens, IN Town Meeting
to look after the important work OF improving the
entrance to our River, and that we have repeatedly
visited Washington to urge the matter on the "tten-
At our last visit we found our excellent
Representative suffering under serious lndspostIon
but still anxiousy alive to the interests under his
immediate charge. and exertng his extensive lnhu-
ence for the promotion of our object. 1t Was now
ever evident that, at late period of the session.
there could he nothing expected from the general
River and HarbOr Bill, which contained an Item Tor
our River, but was not even reported to the House.
nv its committee on commerce. The only hope left
US then, was to get the appropriation attached to
one Of the Bills which must necessarily be acted on
before the adjournment Of Congress, and, with this
view, We called on MIR. Senator Badger who: with
his colleague we found already taking deep in
terest in the subject Mr. Badger worked for 1t
night and day-in and out of notwithstanding the
support of some, and silencing the opposition OF
others, by appeals to their personal friendship, ana
finally succeeded in passing through the Senate an
amendment to the Navy Bill, appropriating S5O'OOO
for Bar.
On the Sd day of March, the House disagreed to
this and most of the other amendments OF the Sen
ate but by Mr.. Badgers continued exertlons, our
appropriation was retained in the bill by Confer
cnce Committee of the two Houses, and again came
before them The House refused TO confirm the re-
port of the Conference and though the whole bill
was in danger Of defeat, Mr. Badger long after mid
night, IN the most eloquent manner, urged the Sen
ate to stand by its amendments Another Confer
ence was finally agreed to, and after holding out till
or o'clock on the morning of the 4th the Senate
Committee yielded and our appropriation was lost
You will see, then, that, with proper u! derstan-
ding of the facts of the case community. far
from having to censure, is under great obli-
cation to Mr., Badger, for his untiring. powerful
and $50 far as the Senate was concerned) successful
efforts in behalf.
We take the occasion also to say, that the thanks
our community are due to Mes>rs. Venable, Out
law and Clingman, for their active support OF our
interest and think that. but for the unfortunate ILL
ness of Mr.. Ashe, by which his valuable influence
was lost at the most important juncture their uni
ted efforts might have been successful In accomplish
ing our object.
At any rate Messrs Editors, let US not despair
let not relax in efforts to improve our facili
ties for commerce. bright and glorious prospect
must be DONE Let US manfully put our shoulders tc
the wheel, and though Hercules has not yet heard
call, he will in good time most assnredly come
to our aid. p. K. DICKINSON.
A. }. DEROSSET, Jr.
Wilmington N. c., March 14'h, 1858.
We cheerfully give place to the above communi
cation of Messrs Dickinson and DeRosset, taking
pleasure at all times to afford room for the correction
of any injustice which may have been done througl
misunderstanding, in ignorance of the full details
and still more pleased to find that Senators wer
not recreant, but fully alive to their duty Nort
Carolinans, and willing to contribute their best ef
forts to the furtherance of object essential
the interests of the people of Wilmington, and G
this whole section of the State
While upon this subject, would wish to ca
the attention of all our readers who take any inter
est in the improvement ofou river to view of tn
subject which is brought forward in the conclusio
of the letter of our correspondents, who say, LIE
US begin ourselves the work which must be done,
etc. How this is to be done how far the people
the authorities of Wilmington should cooper
ate with the United States officers who have til
work in charge, should be we'll pondered and if an
action is to be TAKEN it should be taken immediate
OF course it is known that the first session of til
Congress which has just closed, appropriated $50
600 for the Cape Fear River. This, by ITSELF migl
not, perhaps, be able to effect much but it has bee
suggested, that similar course might be adopte
here, as has been adopted in Petersburg, where tn
officers in charge have been authorized to make COZ
tracts for such amount CT work as may be deeme
necessary without being restricted to the appropri;
ton made; provided that in anything exceedin
that appropriation, the General Government sha
not be bound by such contracts but that it shall
purely on account of the proper authorities Of til
city, such other parties as may supply such extr
means.
The works here can be commenced almost hmm
diately, and it is hoped that by small addition
amount in connection with the appropriation alre
dy granted, they can be kept in active operate
and vigorously pushed forward until Congress ca
again be applied to. We have to suTpo
that such an arrangement would he sanctioned
the proper authorities, on behalf of the government
County COurt-ResIgnatIoms.S &c.
Daniel Dickson resigned the Clerkship of IL
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions on ycsterda
s. R. Bunting, Clerk of the Superior Court resign,
his Office short time since
HiramW FOy has been appointed, by Judge Die
Clerk of the Superior Court in place of Mr. Bun
ing, resigned; and S. r. Bunting was yesterd,
elected County Court Clerk by the Magistrates