Washington sentinel., 1853-12-07

! De crowned Dy happier results. WlnOul perceiv'
ing any sound distinction, or intending TO assert
any principle as opposed 10 improvements needed
/ for the protection of internal commerce, which
| does not equally apply TO improvements upon the
seaboard tor the protection of foreign commerce,
submit TO you, whether il may not be safely an
ticipated that, if the policy Were once settled
against appropriations by the general government
for local improvements for the benefit of COM
merce, localities requiring expenditures would not
| by modes and means clearly legitimate and pro-
4 per, raise the fund necessary for such construc-
tions the safety or other interests of their com
merce might require.
IL that can be regarded as a system which, in
the experience of more than thirty years, has at
no time so commanded the public judgment TO
give II the character of settled policy, which
/ though II has produced some works of conceded
importance, has been attended with an expendi-
! ture quite disproportonate TO their vaue--and
! has resulted IN squandering large sums upon OBJ
Jects which have answered no valuable purpose
! the interests of all the States require it 10 be
| abandoned, unless hopes may be indulged for the
! future, which find no warrant in the past
With an anxious desire for the completion oi
| the works which regarded by all good citizens
with sincere interest have deemed il my duty 10
ask at your hands deliberate consideration of the
| question, with hope that, animated by desire
| TO promote the permanent and substantial inter-
| ests OF the country, your wisdom may prove equal
! TO the task of devising and maturing plan, which
| applied to this subject, may promise something
better than constant strife the suspension of the
powers of local enterprise, the exciting of vain
| hopes, and the disappointment of cherished ex.
| pectations.
In expending the appropriations made by the
last Congress, several cases have arisen in rela-
ton TO works for the improvement of harbors,
| which involve question TO the right of soil and
jurisdiction, and have threatened conflict between
the authority of the State and general govern
| ments The right 10 construct abreakwater, jetty,
or dam, would seem, necessarily, 10 carry with il
the power to protect and preserve such construc-
| tons. This can only be efectually done by having
| jurisdiction the soil. But no clause of the
Constitution is found, on which to rest the claim
OF the United States 10 exercise Jurisdiction over
| the soil OF State except that conferred by the
eighth section of the first article Of the Consttu-
ton. II is then, submitted, whether, in all cases
where constructions are 10 be erected by the gem
eral government, the right of soil should not first
be obtained, and legislative provision be made TO
cover all such cases.
For the progress made in the construction Of
roads within the territories as provided for in the
appropriations of the last Congress refer you 10
the report of the Secretary of War.
There Is one subject of a domestic nature which
from It's intrinsic importance. and themany inter-
estng questions of future policy which il involves
cannot fail TO receive your early attention. | al
lude TO the means OF communication, by which
different parts of the wide expanse of our country
are to be placed in closer connexion for purposes
both OF defence and commercial intercourse, and
more especially such as appertain 10 the commu-
nlcaion OF those great divisions of the Union
which lie on the opposite sides of the Rocky
Mountains.
That the government has not been unmindful Of
this heretofore, is apparent from the aid il has af-
iorded, through appropriations 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 Congress, and now in the process of
completion, for communication by railway across
the contnent and wholly within the limits of the
United States.
armies, 10 provide and maintain navy, and 10
cah forth the militia 10 execute the laws, suppress
instructions, and repel invasons, was conferred
upon congress, as means 10 provide for the COM
mon defence, and TO protect territory and pop
ulatlon now widespread and vastly multiplied.
As incidental TO and indispensable for the exer-
else OF this power, II must sometimes be necessa-
ry to construct military roads and protect harbors
OF refuge. To appropriations by Congress for such
objects no sound objection can be raised. Happi-
~ Tor our country, its peaceful policy and rapidly
increasing population impose upon us no urgent
necessity for preparation, and leave but few track
less deserts between assailable points and pa
trotic people ever ready and generally able 10 pro-
tect them These necessary links, the enterprise
and energy of our people are steadily and boldly
struggling to supply. All experience aifirms that
wherever private enterprise will avail, il is most
wise for the general government to leave 10 that
e.
cution of all means Of communication
The surveys before alluded TO were designed TO
ascertain the most practicable and economical
route for railroad from the river Mississippi TO
the Pacific ocean. Parties are now in the field
making explorations, where previous examina-
tions had not supplied sufficient data, and where
there was the best reason 10 hope the object
sought might be found. The means and time be-
ing both limited, il is not 10 be expected that all
the accurate knowledge desired will be obtained,
but II is hoped that much and important inlorma-
tion will be added to the stock previously pos
sessed, and that partial, if not full reports of the
surveys ordered will be received, in time for trans
mission 10 the two Houses of Congress, on or be-
fore the first Monday in February next as re-
quired by the act Of appropriation The macni-
tude OF the enterprise contemplated has aroused,
and will doubtless continue to excite, very gen.
eral interest throughout the country. In its pot-
zeal, It's commercial, and its military bearings il
has varied, great, and increasing claims 10 consd-
Grafton. The heavy expense, the great delay and
at times fatality attending travel by either of the
lsthmus routes, have demonstrated the advantage
which would result from interterritorial commune
cation by such safe and rapid means as railroad
would supply.
These difficulties, which have been encountered
IN period of peace, would be magnitied and still
further increased III time of war. But whilst the
embarrassments already encountered, and others
under new contingencies TO be anticipated, may
serve srikingly TO exhibit the importance Of such
WI NJ HSltHcr tHesc, HOT all CONSIDERATIONS COM
bined, can have an apprecable value when
weighed against the obligation strictly to adhere
TO the Constitution, and faithfully to execute the
powers it confers.
Within this limit and to the extent of the inte-
rest Of the government involved, il would seem
both expedient and proper, if an economical and
practicable route shall be found to aid by all con.
stitutional means, in the construction of road
which will unite, by speedy transit, the popula
tons of the Pacific and Atlantic States. To
guard against misconcepton, il should be re-
marked that, although the power TO construct, or
aid in the construction Of road within the limits
of a territory is not embarrassed by that question
ofjursdiction which would arise within the limits
of State it is nevertheless held to be doubtful of
power, and more than doubtful propriety even
within the limits of a territory, for the general
government TO undertake 10 administer the affairs
of a railroad, canal, or other similar construc-
ton, and therefore that its connexion with work
of thi1 character should be incidental rather than
primary. will only add, a, present, that, fully
apprecating the magnitude of the subject, and
solcitous that the Atlantic and Pacific shores of
the republic may be bound together by insepar,ble
ties of common interest, as well as of common
fealty and attachment to the Union, shall BE dis
posed, so far my own action is concerned, 10