Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-11-12
MORE OF THE DISCUSSION
Concerning Henry clay and the Ma
tiOnaI Road Fund.

The series of interviews with Judge
THOMPSON on the National Roads origin
and history have created considerable in
terest and stirred up no little discussion.
A correspondent of the Cambridge JetteF-
sonian, who has already given his views
on the several points IN dispute, writes
this week as follows:
II is rot very material how or when the
funds for its construction were obtaired,
vet the Wheeling REGISTER has interviewed
Judge Thompson on that subject and pub
lished the same for the information OF its
readers, an interest is thereby created to
learn the exact facts in that connection.
In the interview first published in thai
paper and copied into the Jehersonlsn, |
volunteered to point out some mlsState'
ments. Afterwards on the 2oth uIt., the
RfC1srER again introduced the subject edit
torially, and therein admits some minor
errors in its first publication, but claims 10
be substantially correct on the Natlonai
road question. 1t says: "As to the fund
of the National road, it was pledged Ger
tainly as early as the ordinance OF l'9.,
and so Mr. Clay had nothing to do with It,
/. wes long before Mr.. Clay's time in pub
lie life. 1t will be found either in this
ordinance, or deed of cession from Virginia,
which succeeded the original grant to sup
p'y some defect thereof
There we have it, that the fund was pro-
vided either in the ordinance OF lIS1, or IN
the second deed. Well that is not as spe'
citic as it ought to be. Ii the provision ls
| in the ordinance Of l,NI, 1t should nave
| be en- so stated explicitly, and not IN the
alternative, that il was either there or
somewhere else. The other place is stated
l - - , ,o,o,I ,}oa3 NJ CeeSiDn Now why
VAS that statement not more explicit, aad
| tEe language OF the deed quoted? The
! simple answer is, that there is no sec
| ord deed. In Isl, Virginia made
a proposition to cede, butt it was
nst accepted by the Continental
Congress, by reason OF the Objectionable
| terms proposed. The next movement 10
| obtain the cesSion was proposition py
| Congress- which was accepted by Virginia
| ana in pursuance thereof Virginia Win
| the exception of some reservations, CeGeu
her interest March /, l7S4, in ana to the
| Northwestern Territory. This was the hrst'
| last and only deed for the Territory ever
| executed by Virginia; and the subject OF
constructing roads was not once nameo In
the deed Of ceSSion or the propositions
n s6e either by Virginia or Congress: IL
mistaken in this assertion, The Register
cen show it by the record.
| BY reference 10 the terms pTOposeu W
Congress for the admission OF Ohio as
State into the Union, this question IS clear
" settled. This is the language OF the
congressional Committee TO which the sub
iect was referred: That the one.tenth oI
The net proceeds of the lands lying in the
| said State hereafter sold by Congress, atte'
deGuciing all expenses incident 10 ths
ssne, shall be applied 10 the laying o1
and making turnpikes or other roads ieaH
ing from the navlgahle wsters enp'y
Irs into the Atlantic TO IN
Ohio, and continued afterwards througt
the State OF -; such roads to BE- lsll
ont under the authority of Congress, VIII
tie consent OF the several States throusi
which the roads shall pass; provided, taa
the convention Of the State OF - shs.I
ON It's part, assent that every and eac'
trsct of land sold by Congress shall be an,
rensin exempt from any tax oY order a2 4
under The authority OF the state
whether for State, county, toVnshiI
or sny other purpose for tn
term Of Ten years from aud alter the com
pletion Of the payment OF the purchss
money on such tract to the United States
The report was amended by inserting thre
per cent. in place OF ten, and limiting IN
| lime 10 FIVE instead Of ten years, exem?
| ing land from taxation. II was then pas
| ed by Congress and accepted by Ohio, an
| that Was the origin OF the road fuHt. u
CLAY was then 95 years old, and had STAT
| il not 8 Natiopal reputation as sn oFat(
ard statesman.