The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-09-29
the Philadelphia Inquirer
The Della ware Breakwatcr--A Congressional
RcminiscenCe,


RcminiscenCe.
Soon after Judge Sutherland was elected 10 represent
the first district oil Pennsy lvana in Congress, commit
tee, consisting OF the late Matthew L. Bevan, John
White, and another citizen, called on the Judge at bis
residence Alter converting for short time on some
important topcs, the committee said that they felt deep
interest the commerce OF Philadelphia, and that they
weic anxious that appropriation should be made by
Congress for the construction OF break al the
mouth Of the Delaware bay At that time Mr. Suther
land had turned his attention to the subject he had
been for several years IN our State legislature and OF
had looked very narrowly TO this proposition
All that he knew was that the subject had been before
Congress for few years. but that no bills had been
passed BY that body 10 commence this great sea harbor
Tor the protection OF vessels coming TO and leaving The
port Of Philadelphia
The construction Of The breakwaier originally sug-
gested some years before by the Hon WIN Jones. who
was gentleman OF high commercial reputation. and who
had been Secretary OF the Navy under Mr. adisons ad-
minstraon After conversing with The committee or q
short tme Judge Sutherland said that he would use his
best efforts obtain law Tor The construction OF this
great work, il the committee from the Chamber OF Com
merce would draw, or permit him TO draw, memorial
in blank, TO suit all the different chambers OF com
OF the several ports oil the Union. and also for
the signatures OF The captains trading between Phllade
pha and the northern and southern States 10 be presented
to the two houses OF Congress This was agreed 10. and
the gentlemen left the Judge. The memorials were sent
to all the commercial Cities OF the Union and hundreds
OF obtained from captains and other officers
coming Philadelphia, petitions that afterwards
forwarded 10 Mr.. Sutherland, to give them the tight
direction in Congress, In this way the whole Union
memorialized the TWO houses in favor OF the break
water.
Soon after the Judge reached Washington, he was
asked what committee he would like 20 and he
word 70 the honorable Speaker that he desired be
appointed member OF the Committee on Commerce, and
his request ganted. He aid this because he knew
The memorials relative 10 the breakwaer would be
Tered to that committee. The Hon Mr. Cambreeng, OF
New York, was then the eminent head OF that commit
tee in the House, and he gave the breakwaer applica-
tons Mr.. Sutherland, no prepared written report
and bill Tor the adoption OF the House.
In tae Senate that distinguished stat and warm
friend OF the commercial interests oil the nation the late
Judge Woodbury., chairman OF the Committee on
Commerce and strong movement being made In favor Of
the Delaware bfeakwaer, be ardenty supported it, and
carried appropriation through The Senate.
The House after took up the same measuTe--ouT
whole city and county OF Philadelphia deleg alton com
posed OF the Hon John Sergeant, the Hon. J. b. Suher-
land. and The Hon. II. Miller There was. however,
but little debate in favor oil the proposition when il
before the House The whole Pennsylvania delegation
handsomely sustained the measure. all voting for it,
Indeed, there scarcely any opposition to the sp
preparation, as the subject fully understood that
debate considered almost unnecessary.
We cannot close this article without saying that the
people oil Philadelpha-nay, the whole commercial in
terests foreign we'll donlesc-are under great obi
cations to the late Judge Woodbury. for his active and
successful advocacy OF many commercial questions,
and especially for bis successful ehors IN the United
States Senate in behalf of the Delaware breakwateE