Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-21

the public judgment as to give it the
character of settled policy,-which
though it has produced some works of
conceded importance, has been attended
with an expenditure quite Interpretations
ate to their value,-and has resulted in
large sums upon subjects which have al.
swered no valuable purpose. -.he inter.
ests OF all the States require it to be
abandoned, unless hopes NAV be induced
tor the future that find no warrant in the
past. =
With an anxious desire for the compile
ton OF the works which are regarded by
all good citizens r.i.th sincere interests, 1
nave deemeti it my duty to ask at your
nahoS :. deliberate consideration of the
iestioG, with hope that, animated by a
desire to promote the permanent and SUBJ
stantial interests of the country. your wis
dom may prove equal to the task of devil
ting and maturing plan. which, applied to
this subject, may promise something bet
ter than constant strife, the suspension of
the powers of local enterprise, the excl
ting ofvain hopes, and the disappointment
OF cherished expectations. Ts
In expeading the appropriations made
by the last Congress, several cases have
arisen in relation to works for the improve
ment of har5ours, which involve question
as to the right of soil and jurisdiction, and
have threatened conflict between the au-
thority Of the State and general govern
ments. The right to construct breakwa-
ter, jetty. or dam. would seem, necessarily
to carry with it the powerto protect and
preserve such constructions. This can
only be effectually done by having juris-
diction over the soil. But no clause of
the constitution is found, on which to rest
the claim of the United States to exercise
jurisdiction over the soil of State, ex-
cept that conferred by the eighth section
of the first article of the consti.ution.-
1t is, then, submitted whether, in all ca
ses where constructions are to be erected
by the geneneral government. the right of
soil should not first be obtained, and leg
islative provision be made to cover all
such cases.
For the progress made in the coustruc-
ton of roads within the territories, as ro-
ylded for in the appropriations of the last
| Congress, | refer you to the report of the
Secretary of war.
| There is one subject Of dometic ma
| ture. which, from its intrinsic Importance
and the many interesting questions OF flu
ture policy which it involves, cannot fail
| to receive your early attention. [ allude
| TO the means of communication. by which
different parts of the wide expanse Of our
country are to be placed in closer connec-
ton for purposes both obedience and com
mercial intercourse, aud more especially
such as appertain to the communication Of
| . i: =. 81 /:
lie on the opposite sides Of the Rocky
Mountains.
| That the government has not been IN
mindful of this heretofore, is apparent
from the aid it has afforded, through ap-
preparations for mail facilities and other
purposes But the general subject will
now present itself under aspects more i'm
posing and more purely national. by rca-
son of surveys ordered by Congress. and
now in the process of completion, for
communication by railway across the con-
tinent, aud wholly within the limits of the
| United States.
| The power to declare war, to raise and
| support armies, to provide and maintain
Il navy, and call forth the militia to eSe-
cute the laws. suppress instructions, and
repel invasions, was conferred upon Con-
gress, as a means to provide for the COM
mon defence, and to protect a territory
and population now widespread and
vastly multiplied. As Incidental to and
indispensable for the exercise Of this pow
err, it must sometimes be necessary to con-
struct military roads and protect harbours
of refuge. To appropriations by Con-
gress for such objects. no sound objec-
ton can be raised. Happily for our coun-
try, its peaceful policy and rapidly increas-
ing population impose upon us no urgent
necessity for preparation. and leave but
few trackless deserts between assailabie
points and patriotic people ever ready
and generally able to protect them. These
necessary links, the enterprise and energy
of our people are steadily and boldly
struggling to supply. All experience af-
firms that, wherever private enterprise
will avail, it is most wise for the general
government to leave to that and individ-
ual watchfulness the location and cxecu-
of all means of communication.
The surveys before alluded to were de-
signed 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 explo-
rations where previous examinations had
not supplied sufficient data, and where
there was the best reason to hope the OBJ
ject sought might be found. The means
and time being both limited. it is not to be
expected that all the accurate knowledge
desired will be obtained, but it is hoped
that much aud important information will
re added to the stock previously posses
seJ md .hat partial if not full reports of
tho snrv. =. ordered will be received, in
time for r,ns,,,issioc to the two Houses
of Congress. on or trefore she first Mon
day in February next, as requIrc;' oy the