Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-02-18
GOV. ohase o. liver ana IEarbor am

GOV. chase on River aud EEarbor I'm.
prOvoutents.
The subioined communication was sent
to both branches Of the General Assembly,
on Thursday, by Gov. Chase. Il was ac-
compsnlod by memorial from the logisla-
ture Of the State Of New York, invoking
the aid Of Congress in the protection Of
Lake harbors. Gov. Chase goes further,
and appeals to the Legislature Of Ohio to
urge upon the attention Of Congress the du-
ty of fulfilling its solemn pledge that the
nayigsbe waters isading to The Mississippi
and st. Lawrence should be forever froe
"without any tax import or duty therefor"
The views expressed by the Governor are
as comprehensive as just, and commend
themselves to every friend Of western in
terests.-- State Journal.
To Tie General AsSembly.
The Governor Of New York, in compli.
anco with tho request of the Legislature Of
that State, has transmitted to me rs Gov
ernor Of one Of the States adjacent to the
Lakes, or interested in their commerce and
navigation, a copy of memorial addressed
by the Canal Board and Canal commission
ers Of New York, with the sanction Of the
Legislature, to the Congress of the United
States, asking for improvement Of the Lake
Harbors. One copy only Of these docu.
lnents having been receive, it is sent TO the
House of Representatives.
The subject Of this application TO the
Federal Congress, is one in which the people
Of Ohio have deep interest, and l there
fore but fulfill plain duty while submitting
to your consideration the memorial and the
resolutions by which it is sustained, in rec.
omnending the general object sought to be
obtained to your approval and support.
The arguments by which the claim o.
New York to be reimbursed, in the sums ex-
pended in the improyent Of tho harbors Of
Buffalo and Oswego are as cogent as the
statements by which the Importance OF the
Sreat lines Of canal, which receive at these
points the vast commerce of the districts
bordering upon the lakes, is exhibited and
illustrated, arc clear and striking. The
same arguments enforce the duty Of the
General Government to improve the harbors
in which the canals of Ohio unite theil
waters with those OF Lake Erie, and to pro-
vide otherwise as fully and completely for
the security of commerce upon the groa'
lakes as for that upon the ocean.
In connection with this subject permit
me TO suggest the expediency, or rather the
duty of making an earnest appeal to Con
gress for the discharge of its long neglected
duty in respect to the navigation of the
great rivers of tho Interior. The settle.
ment of the States northwest of tho Ohio
was made under a pledge given by Con
gress in the ordinance Of 1887, that the
nayigable waters leading to the Mississippi
and the St. Lawrence should be "foreyet
kee," "withoutany tax, or import therefor.
How this pledge has been regarded, may
be seen in the fact that the General Gov
ernment, instead Of removing by proper
appropriations from the Federal treasury
the great Instructions to the safe and free
navigation of the Ohio, created by tht
Falls at Louisville, became corporators in q
joint stock company, for the construction o
canal at that point, by which the naviga
ton of the river for long series Of years
has been so heavily taxed that the amounts
paid in tolls by citizens engaged in com
Inerce and navigation, would more than de-
fray the total cost Of tho improvement,
which ought to have been made withou
"tax, import or duty and yet the naviga
ton is not free.
cannot but think that the General As
sembly will perform an acceptable servic'
to tho people of the State, by uniting will
the Legislature of New York, in an urgen
appeal to the Congress of the United
States, in behalf of the harbors of tht
lakes, and not only of these, but Of tho
uavigable rivers, which bear the commerce
of the vast interior TO the latter and to th'
Ocean. S. P. CHASE.