Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-16


ed with an expenditure quite disproPor-
tionate to their value. and has resulted
in. squandering large sums upon objects
which have answered no valua bic pur-
pose--the interests Of al the States re-
quire II To be abandoned, unless hopes
may be INDUCED for the future which
find 10 warrant in the past.
With an ANXIOUS desire for the COM
pletion of the works which are regarded
by all good citizens with sincere inter-
est, have deemed it my duty to ask at
your hands deliberate consideration OF
the question, with hope that, animated
7 by desire to promote the permane mt
and substantial Interests Of the country,
ysur wisdom may prove equal to the
task of devising and maturing plan,
which, applied to this subject, may prove
something better than constant strife,
the suspension of local enterprise, the
exciting Of vain hopes, and the disap-
po intment cherished expectations.
In expending the appropriations made
by the late Congress, several cases have
arisen in relation to works for the i'm.
provement of harbors, which involve
questions as to the right OF the soil and
jurisdiction, and have threatened conflict
between the authority of the State and
General Government: The right to
construct break-water, jetty, or dam,
would seem, necessarily, TO carry with
it the power TO protect and preserve
such construction. This can only be
efiectually done by having Jurisdiction
over the soil. But no clause Of the Con-
stitution is found, on which to rest tho
claim of the United States TO exercise
jurisdiction over the soil Of State, ex-
cept that conferred by the eight section
of the first article OF the Constitution
II is, then submitted, whether, in all ca
ses where constructions are TO be erect
ed by the General Government, the right
Of soil should not first be obtained, und
Legislative provision be made to cover all
such cases. it
/ For the progress made in the con-
struction of roads within the territories,
as provided for in the appropriations Of
the last Congress, reier you TO the re-
port OF the Secretary OF War.
There 10 one subject of domestic ma
ture, which, from its intrinsic impor-
tance, and the many interesting ques-
tons of future policy which IL involves,
cannot tail to receive your early stten-
tion. alhde 10 the means OF commu-
nicaiion. by which different parts Of the
vide expanse of our country are TO DO
placed in closer connexion for purposes
both OF defence and CONNIE reial inter-
course, and more especially such as ap-
pertain TO the communication of those
great divisions of the Union, which lie
on the opposite sides Of the Rocky Noun
taIns.
That the government has not beon un-
mindful Of this heretofore, Is apparent
4 from the aid ii has Afforded, through ap-
tpropriations for mail facilities and other
purposes. But the general subject will
now present itself under aspects more
imposing and more purely national, by
reason OF the surveys ordered by Con-
gress, aSd now in the process Of compile
ton, for communication by railway
across the continent, and wholly within
the limits of the United States.
The power 10 declare war, TO raiso
and support armies, TO provide aud main
tain navy and to Gull forth the militia
10 execute the laws, suppress insurfec-
tons, and repel invasions, was confer
red upon Congress, as means 10 provide
for the common defence. and to protect
territory aud population now wide
spread and vustly multiplied AZ Incl
dental to and indispensable Tor the exer-
else OF this power, Il must sometimes be
necessary to construct military roads
and protect harbors OF refuge. To ap-
propriations by Congress for such objects
no sound objection can be raised. Hap
PLY for our country, ite peaceful policy
and rapidly increasing population i'm pose
upon Us no urgent necessity for prcpar-
alton, and leave bn. few trackless d9s-
erts between assailable points and a pa.
triotic people ever ready and gonoraily
ube 20 protect them. Those necessary
links, the enterprise aad cnergy OF our
people ore steadily and boldly struggling
TO supply. All experience affrms that,
wherever private enterprise viii avail Il
IL most wise for the general .,ovetnmsnt
to leave 10 that and individual watch.
iulness Oh 9 location aud execution Of all
means OF communication.
Tho surveys before alluded 10 were
designed 90 ascertain the most practical
bic and economical route lor railroad
from the Mississippi TO the Pacific ocean.
Parties are NOW ln the field making
explorations, where previous examlna-
tious had not supplied sufficient data.
and whore there was the best reason 70
hope the object sought might be fonnd.
The means and time being both limited.
1t Is not 10 DO expected that all the uccu-
rate knowledge desired wllho obtained.
but Il IL hoped that much and important
Information viii ba adled TO tho stock
previously possessed, and that partial, II
not full reports Of the surveys ordered
will be rec cived, In time for transmits
sion TO tho two houses OF Congress, on
or before the hrst Monday In February
next, as required by the act Of appropri-
alton. The magnitude Of the enterprise
contemplated has aroused. and will
doubtless continue 10 excite, avery gem
cral interest throughout the country.
In lis political, lis commercial, aud
its military b earrings, Il hss varied, great.
and INCREASING claims 10 consideration.
The heavy expense, the grcu, delay. and
at t'mes, fatality attending travel by clth-
or of the isihlnus routes, lave demon
stratcd the advantage which would re-
suit from intentional communicauon BY
such safe and rapid means ssa railroad
would supply.
These difficulties, which have bccn
cncountercd Ia period Of peace. would
be magnifcd and eiil fufther increased
Ia time OF war. Bnt whilst the ernbar-
tassmonts already encountered, and 9th.
urs under new contingencies 10 be sntlc.
ipnted, moy serve s,riklngly 10 cxhibl,
the Importance Of such q work, neither
these nor oil considerations combined,
eau have an Improbable value, wien
weighed against Tho 5bhHailou strictly
70 adhere 10 cvnetilutoa. and isllh.
iully Go execute the powers IL confefs.
Within this limit aud TO ihr extent Of
the inlereel Of the government involved.
u would seem both ekpecient and prop.
~, u aa economical and practicable
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