Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-12-21

commanded The pubic Judgment as to give il The character
Of settled polcy.wheb, though i has produced some
works OK conceded Importance has been attended with
expenditure quite dsprcportonaie to their value,-
and has resulted in squandeTng large upon objects
which have answered no valuable paTpose,-he inter-
ests OF all me States require il to be abandoned unless
hopes may be INDUCED for the future which find no
warrant in the past,
Win an anxious desire for the completion of the
works which regarded by all good citizens with sim
interest, have deemed il my duty to ask your
hands deliberate consideration of the question, with
hope that animated BY desire TO promote the permanent
and substantial interests Of the country, your wisdom
may prove equal to the task OF devsing and maturing
plan, which, applied 10 this subject may promise
thing better than constant Strife the suspension of the
powers OF local enterprise, the exciting OF vain hopes,
and the disappointment OF cherished expectations
In expendng the appropriations made by the last Con-
gress several cases have arisen IN relation TO works for
the Improvement OF harhofs, which involve question
to the right OF soil and jurisdiction, and have threatened
conflict between the authority OF the State and general
governments The right 10 construct breakwater, jetty,
or dam, would seem, necessarily, TO carry with Il the
power TO protect AL preserve such constructions This
can only be efecualy done BY having jurisdiction
the soil But no clause OF the constitution is found on
which TO the claim of the United States exercise
jurisdiction the soil OF State except that conferred
BY tie eighth section Of the FIRST article OF the constitu
ton II il. then, submitted, whether, in all where
constructions to be erected by the general
the right OF soil should not first be obtained and legs
lative provision be made to cover all such cases
For the progress made in the construction Of roads
within the territories, provided for in the appropra-
tons OF the last Congress, refer you TO the report of
the Secretary oil War
There is subject OF domestic nature, which, from
its intrinsic Importance and the many interesting ques
lions OF future policy which involves cannot fail 10 re-
ceive your early attention afiude the means OF COM
muncaion by which different parts Of the wide expanse
OF our country TO be placed closer connexon for
purposes both OF defence aud commercial intercourse aud
more especially such as appertan 10 the communication
OF those great divisions of the Union, which lie on the
opposite sides OF the Rocky Mountains.
That The government, has not been unmindfu OF this
heretofore, is apparent from the aid it has afforded,
through appropr ations for mail facilities and other pur
poses But the general subject will now present iise
under aspects more Imposing and more purely national
BY OF the surveys ordered by Congress- and
in the process OF completion, for communication by rail-
way across the continent, and wholly within the limits
OF the United States.
The power to declare war, TO raise and support ar.
mics, to provide and maintain navy, and call forth
the militia TO execute the laws, suppress Instructions
and repel nvaslons was conferred upon Congress,
means TO provide for the defence, and protect
territory and population spread and vastly
multiplied AS incidental to and Indispensable for the
exercise OF this power, 1t must sometimes be necessary
construct military roads and protect harbors OF refuge
TO appropriations by Congress for such objects, sound
objection be raised. Happily for country, its
peaceful policy and rapidly increasing population impose
upon urgent necessity for preparation, and leave
but Jew ackless deserts between assailabe points and
patriotic people ever ready and generally able 10 pro-
tect them These necessary Inks the enterprise and
ergy oil our people are steadily and boldly struggling to
supply. All experience ahrms that. wherever private
enterprise viii avail is most wise for the general gov
the location and execution of all means OF communca-
ton.
The surveys before alluded TO were designed to ascer-
tain the most practicable and economical route for a
railroad from the river mississippi 10 the Pacific ocean
Parties are now in the field making exnorstonx where
previous examinations had not supplied sufficient data.
and where there was the best reason to hops the object
sought might be found The and time being both
limited, it IL not TO be expected that all the accurate
knowledge desired will be obtained bnt II Is hooed that
mach and important information will he added 10 the
stock previously possessed and that partial if not full
reports of the surveys ordered will be received in time
for transmission 10 the two Houses of Congress on or
before the first Monday in February NEXT as reunrsd
BY the act of appropriation The magnitude of Inc en-
efprise contemplated has aroused and will doubtless
continue to excite very general interest hroughou,
the country In its political lis commercial and It's mill
ary bearings it has varied great and increasing claims
consideration. The heavy expense the great DELAY,
and at times, fatality attending travel by either OF The
sthmus routes, have demonstrated the advantage which
would result from nerteritoral communication by such
safe aud rapid means AS a railroad would supply.
These difficulties which have been encountered in a
period Of peace would be magnted aud sf;Ii ln,,hs IN
crcased In time al bnf ~ hils nn
already encountered aud others ane new contingencies
be anticipated may serve srikHgly to exhibit The in
porance of such work, neither These nor all consie.
rations combined, nave appeciabe value, when
weighed against the obligation strictly TO adhere to the
constitution, and faithfully to execute the powers il con-
ers Within this LIMIT and 10 the extent OF the aterest
OF the government involved, would both exped
en and proper, IL economical and practicable route
shall be found To aid by all constitutional MEANS in the
construction OF road which will unite by speedy tran
sit, the populations OF the Pacific and Atlantic States
To guard against misconceptions il should be remarked
stfucilon Of road within the limits of territory ia not
embarrassed by that question OF jurisdiction which would
arise within the limits oil Stale, il is nevertheless held
10 be OF doubtful power, and more than doubtful proprie
", within the limits OF territory for the general
government to undertake TO administer The affairs of
railroad, canal, or other similar construction, and