Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-02
THE HARBoR OF MOBILE.

The good people of Mobile, Alabama, are sadly
disappointed at the failure of the River and Harbor
BILL which contained an appropriation Of 100000
for the removal of distractions from their harbors
In February last the residents of that city OF both
parties held public meeting for the purpose Of appeal
ing to sjust and paternal Government" to furnish
them channel three hundred feet wide and Of sufficient
depth to admit vessels Of the largest size They say that
they have no doubt Of the constitutional power of Con-
gress to open this furrow the ocean, through which
commerce Of already fifty millions Of dollars may freely
pass to and fro !" and the improvement, they add is
demanded by the imperioas commercial necessities Of
the port"
The memorial, which was prepared and advocated by
JonN FoRsYTH, Esq, Judge BRAGG, and other eminent
gentlemen goes to state in detail the serious incon
venences under which the commerce Of that region Ia
bors. The total yearly loss is set down at 1927 $685.
But the greatest item Of loss is tie damage to merchan
disc and deterioration in value by frequent handling and
exposure in the open bay the decks of the small light
and steamers employed in the ranshipment Cotton
shipped from Mobile is thus damaged eighth OF cent
per pound being tax to the producer Of fifty cents per
bale, and making the amount shipped last year the
sum Of $l67 230 which, added to the of 1927 39S
for lighterage gives total Of 1894 62S annual m
butte paid 10 lou water and non-mpropmnt and we may
add to CONSTITUTIONAL scRuPLEs Further calculations
were made for various losses; among which upon "or-
egn shipments total loss is figured out Of $500 699
the actual and palpabe damage to the commerce OF
the port from natural obstacle in Underwater which
will -oauy yleId TO the sK OF Ine engineer and the
Nwer Of steam" Other prominent advantages are por
trayed in striking coors to be derived from removal OF
the distractions arising from the growing commercial
demands destined to be made upon Mobile harbor by the
compilation of the railway Communications in pro-
gress from the Lakes the Gulf Of Mexico, called the
American Mediterranean " but we have not room for
the enumeration. These railroads through Alabama,
Tennessee Virginia. sc. will bring Mobile within forty
eight hours travel Of New York. by way Of Washington
They do not ask specific amount of appropriation but
say:
"We believe that whatever the cost, 1t win be
pendture not with the Importance of the
object; expenditure clearly within the constitutional
power and the manifest duty and interest of The Government
the second city Of the Gulf and the third exporting city
Of the Union at the hands Of enlightened Congress
and from overlooking Treasury"
Well bill was passed, by the aid Of the Wings in
Congress- and item Of 100000 inserted in it for
Mobile op motion of Mr.. PmLLIrs, the Representative
from that district (who afterwards voted against the bill
ttioners for the time being. Whether bill free from
constitutional objections win be obtained time
only can disclose.
We omitted to say at the beginning that the General
Assembly Of Alabama endorsed the application and
commended it to the favorable action Of the General Gov
ernment requesting their Senators and Representatives
urge the matters therein forth upon the consdera
ton Of Congress