The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-12-14

the report Of the Secretary of War.
There is one subject Of domestic
nature, which, from Us intrinsic i'm.
portance, and the many interesting
questions Of future policy which in in
wolves, cannot fail to receive your
early attention. | alude to the means
Of COMMUNICATION by which different
parts Of the wide cxlansc of our coun-
try are to be placed in closer connec-
ton for purposes of both defence and
commercial intercourse, and more es-
peciaIly such as appertain to the COM
munication Of those great divisions of
the Union which lie on the opposite
side of the Rocky Mountains.
That the government has not been
unmindful Of this heretofore, is appar-
ent from the aid it has afforded through
appropriations for mail facilities and
other purposes. But the general subject
will now present itself under aspects
more imposing and more purely ma
tional, by reason Of the surveys order.
ed by Congress, and now in the pro-
cess Of completion, for communication
by railway across the continent, and
wholly within the limits of tie United
States.
The power to declare war, to raise
and support armies, to provide and
MAINTAIN a navy, and to call forth the
militia to execute the laws, suppress
instructions, and repel invasions, was
conferred upon Congress, as means to
provide for the common defence, and
to protect a territory and a population
now widespread and vastly multiplied.
As incidental to and indispensable for
the exercise Of this power it must
sometimes be necessary to construct
military roads aud protect harbors of
refuge.
10 appropriations by Congress for
such objects, no sound objections can
be raised. Happily for our country,
its peaceful policy and rapidly increas-
inS population impose upon us no ur-
gent necessity for preparation, and
leave but few trackless deserts bet.
wcen assailable points and patriotic
people ever ready and generally able
to protect them. These necessary
links, the enterprise and energy OF
our people arc steadily and boldly
struggling to supply. All experience
affirms that, wherever private enter
prise will avail, it is most wise for the
general government to leave to that
aud individual watchfulness, the loca
ton and execution of all mean, Of
communication.
The surveys before alluded to we're
designed to ascertain the most practic.
able and economical route for railroad
from the river Mississippi to tie Pa
chic ocean. Parties are now in the
field making explorations, where pre-
vlous examinations bad not supplied
sufficient data ; and where there was
the best reason to hope the object
might be found. The means and time
being both limited, it is not to be ex.
pcctcd that all the accurate knowledge
will be obtained, but it is hoped that
much and important information will
be added to the stock already posses
scd, and the partial, if not full reports
Of the surveys ordered, Will be rccciy-
ed in time for transmission to the two
Houses Of Congress, Oh or before the
first Monday i'll February next, as re-
quircd by the act of aplro, ration.
The magnitude Of the cnterprisc
contcmI lated has aroused. and will
doubtless continue to excite, a very
general interest throughout the coun.
try. In its political, its commercial,
and its military bearings, it has varied,
great and increasing claims to consid-
Grafton. The heavy expense, great
delay, and, at times. fatality attending
travel by either Of the lsthmus routes,
have demonstrated the advantage
which would result from interterritori.
al communication by such safe and
rapid means as railroad would sup
ply.
These difficulties, which been en-
countcred in period of peace. would
be magnihed and still further ,ncreas.
ed in time Of war. But whilst the
embarrassment, already encountered,
and others under new contingencies
to be anticipated may serve strikingly
to exhibit the importance of such
work, neither these nor all considera-
tons combined can have any apprecia-
Bile value, when weighed against tho
obligation strictly to adhere to the
Constitution, and faithfully to execute
the powers it confcrs. Within this
limit and to the extent of the interest
of the Government involved, it would
seem both expedicnt and proper if an
economical and practicable route shall
be found to aid, by all constitutional
means, in the construction of road,
which will unite, by speedy transit, tho
populations of the Pacific and Atlantic
states. To guard against misconcep.
ton, it should be remarked that, al
though the power to construct, or aid
in the construction of, road within the
limits of territory, is not embarrass-
ed by that question of jurisdiction
which would arise within the limits of
a State, it is nevertheless held to DO
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