h APRIL 12, 1830.] Kentucky Deaf and Dumb Asylum. 759 officer, after a careful examination of the law, was of opi- | and to which reference had been made by the gentleman, nion that it permitted the location of the land in tracts of had nothing to do with the present bill. The land had a smaller size than an entire township, and they made been granted them under condition that it should be sold their locations accordingly. But still within some of the within five years. For reasons which had been very fully sections, there were settlements which had indeed been explained, the trustees would not be able to comply with abandoned, but whose owners, not having removed from this condition. The gentleman had contended that a furthe territory, were entitled to pre-emption. Finding such ther delay would be injurious to the territory; and had to be the case, the trustees were under the necessity of affirmed, that, at the end of another five years, the land, applying to Congress; and, in 1827, a law was passed pro- instead of being worth five dollars, as at present, would viding that the incorporated Deaf and Dumb Asylum probably be worth twenty. Now, if Congress, in its beof Kentucky shall have the power, under the direction of nevolence, had seen fit to grant a tract of land to the most the Secretary of the Treasury, of locating so much of the unfortunate of the human race, would any gentleman on township of land granted to the said institution, as has that floor say that the guardians of these deaf and dumb been taken by the claims of those who are entitled to the children should be compelled to sell their land for five right of pre-emption in the Territory of Florida, under dollars, when they might get twenty? Surely not. The the provisions of the act aforesaid, which shall be located fact, if it was as the gentleman supposed, was the very in sections upon any unappropriated and unreserved lands best reason, not against, but in favor of the bill. It would in either of the Territories of Florida or Arkansas." not take long, however, to prove that, if compelled to sell Leave to re-locate being thus obtained, they located once now, they could not get five dollars an acre, or any thing more; but the true position of the boundary line between like it. What individual, sir, ever received an adequate Florida and Alabama not being then accurately known, price for his property, if compelled to sell within a limited it happened, as he was informed, that a considerable part period? Is he not forced to sacrifice it himself, or allow of the land had unintentionally been located within the the officer of the law to do it? My observation through State of Alabama. The mistake being discovered, a new life points out at this moment no exception. The speculalocation had to be made. In the mean time, to add yet tor, always heartless and vigilant, is waiting with impafurther to the impediments and difficulties they had to tience for one thus embarrassed and pressed. He listens contend with, their agent died; by which several months' to no argument addressed to his sympathy or his justicefurthe delay was occasioned. At length, however, the no appeal that necessity compels the sale, and therefore he entire amount of the land granted was located in such a ought to give a fair consideration. No, sir, that is the very manner, he believed, as not to interfere with any improve- kind of case he has been anxiously looking for; and, promptments of the settlers. Sales were effected as before re-ed by his cupidity, he will ruin the seller for the sake of marked, until all that portion of the land, or nearly so, his own gain. And would not this be the fact in reference which lay within the limits of the settlement, was disposed to the lands given to the Kentucky Deaf and Dumb Asyof; but, for the residue lying without the settlement, there lum, if forced into the market? Would they not be sacriwas at present no demand. was known to all the buyers, that the land must be sold or - ficed? Could any gentleman seriously suppose, that, if it forfeited within a given time, they would offer five dollars an acre for it? One would underbid, and another would underbid, and finally the object of the benevolence of the Government would be completely defeated. The institution is going on prosperously; it sustained a high character, and promised very extensive utility. All it asked, was for a little time. Its property was rising, and would soon command a respectable price. If the sale were compelled at present, the land must necessarily fall into the hands of speculators; and how would the Territory of Florida be benefited by the change? The speculators would not be compelled to settle the land, and would be sure to keep it up for higher prices. Florida would not be settled any sooner in the one case than in the other. If, however, gentlemen were desirous of defeating their own benevolence, all they had to do, was to vote for the motion of postponement, and then the greedy speculator would children. Why should the House refuse to extend the carry away the patrimony of these poor deaf and dumb in the first instance, the one period would have been as time for sale? If ten years instead of five, had been asked their willingness to sell-for they had actually sold tworeadily granted as the other. The trustees had proved thirds of the land. Why not allow them the requisite time to dispose of the residue? Mr. K. said that the trustees had no wish to impose on the people of Florida, nor did they ask to retard the settlement of the territory; but, on the other hand, they were unwilling to be forced into the hands of speculators. The question for the House now to determine was, whether these unfortunate deaf and dumb children, to whom the Government had extended the hand of beneficence, should be defrauded of the boon by a sacrifice of the land intended for their benefit. The institution was of a highly interesting character, and had a strong claim on the humanity of all who could pity the destitute. It was at present in a prosperous condition, supplied with instructors of the first abilities, and in circumstances to receive and educate perhaps all the deaf and dumb children in the western States. He trusted the House would intepose its aid, and shield the children of its own benefactor from so great an injury, by rejecting the motion for postponement, and putting the bill in a train for its final passage, by ordering it to its third reading. Mr. VINTON having made a few remarks in support of the bill. Mr. SPEIGHT, of North Carolina, moved to lay it upon the table. Mr. LETCHER begged the gentleman to withdraw that motion, as it was highly important to the prosperity of the institution that no further delay should occur. He hoped it was not the wish of any gentleman to do it an irreparable injury. The bill must pass now or never. It would occupy the time of the House but a very few minutes. Mr. SPEIGHT withdrew his motion. bill; the institution was not within his district; but he was Mr. L. said, he had no personal motive in supporting the acquainted with its condition, he knew it to be well conMr. LETCHER then said that he regretted to see his teresting youth, whose unfortunate privation bespoke for ducted, and to enjoy a high reputation. It was filled with infriend from Florida making such strenuous opposition to them the compassion of every benevolent heart. The this small bill; and he was persuaded that the source of gentleman from Florida, however, was unwilling to pass that gentleman's hostility was to be attributed to feeling this bill, because there were other bills on the table conand to over-anxiety, lest some injury might happen to his taining grants of a similar character. But if that were the territory, rather than to any solid reasons. The difficulties case, when those bills should come up, the gentleman which had occurred heretofore in the location and sale of could oppose them if he felt it to be his duty, but ought the land granted by Congress to the Kentucky institution, not to urge his expectation of other bills as an argument H. OF R.] Buffalo and New Orleans Road. [APRIL 12, 1830. against this one. A more reasonable and unexceptionable | lation within the last fifteen years of our history. Instead request than that of the trustees of this institution could not be made, and he felt perfectly confident it would be unhesitatingly granted by the House. of now being confined to an equitable adjustment of our exterior relations-instead of now being confined to the transaction of our public business, and to the liquidation Mr. VINTON said that he hoped the bill would pass. of private claims against the Government-instead of beHe could not think with the gentleman from Florida, that ing limited exclusively to measures designed for the comthere was reason to apprehend the institution to which the mon defence, or for the advancement of the general welland in question belongs would attempt to hold up its land fare-instead of having the legislative action of Congress from sale, so as to avail itself of an enhanced price by that confined to objects of this character-instead of giving meaus. It must be recollected, this was a charitable insti- heed to those things which shall, in effect, advance the tution, and, like all such institutions in this country, pre- great interests of the republic-of this whole republicsumed to be in want money. The land was in a state instead of providing ways and means to extinguish our of nature, and situated in advance of the settlements; it is, national debt, and to secure a revenue, for the further therefore, quite apparent that the institution can never purpose of defraying the necessary expenditures of the clear up and cultivate this land, so as to make it produc- Government-it would seem that, within the period named, tive of revenue. As long the land remained unsold, it the legislation of Congress has, to an alarming extent, must be dead and unproductive property. It will, there-been directed to local and limited objects. It would seem fore, always be the interest of the institution to sell this that the course of our modern legislation has been for the land, when and as fast as it can be disposed of at its fair protection of the few, to the injury of the many; and from value, and for less than that it ought not to be compelled the numerous and multifarious applications which have to part with its property. It can never be the interest of flooded in upon us since the commencement of the prethe institution to hold up the land, and pay the taxes that sent session, to appropriate portions of the common fund would be assessed upon it: as I understand the gentleman to objects of local and internal improvement, it would from Kentucky, [Mr. KINCAID] the grant will be forfeited, seem to be the order of the day, that we should sit here, unless the residue on hand is disposed of within a twelve- as session justices-receive petitions for new highways month from now; and that about eight thousand acres-hear the reasons for and against-pass judgment thereremain unsold. Now, sir, every day, and every hour, on; and should the contemplated improvement begin in diminishes the value of this land to its present owners. one, and end in another State, we are at once to give it There are millions of acres of land, both public and pri- the name of national-send forth our brigade of engineers, vate, beyond any present demand for settlement, in mar- to mark and survey, and to return to us a profile of the ket, in Florida and every part of the western and south improvement. western sections of the United States. Many gentlemen on this floor, from those sections, who are proprietors of uncultivated lands, very well know that an individual who was obliged to dispose of eight thousand acres of wild land in the short period of a year, would necessarily be com pelled to sacrifice nearly the full value of his property. This institution can do no more than an individual, to effect sales on fair terms. It is therefore obvious, that, unless we grant the time proposed by the bill, which he thought quite little enough, the property of this charitable and humane institution would fall a prey to speculators, who would buy on their own terms, perhaps for one or two dollars per acre, land which, from the remarks of the gentleman from Florida, there is reason to think may be worth ten or twenty times that amount. Mr. WHITE briefly replied to Mr. LETCHER and Mr. VINTON. Such proceedings are not unfrequent in my own region of country: they in truth, constitute almost exclusively the jurisdiction of "the session courts in New England." But, in my judgment, they illy comport with the dignity, or accord with the legitimate action of Congress. The little excitement which was manifested the other morning while this bill was under discussion, when it was proposed by one gentleman to change the route so as to pass the other side of the mountain; by another, to confine the course to the metropolitan route; and, when it was suggested by a third that he could not, as much as he loved his constituents, through whose territory the road was intended to pass, "go for the whole hog," that he must stop at Memphis-it could not fail to bring to mind the events which ordinarily happen whenever applications are made for the laying out of new roads, especially when such contemplated improvements would, in effect, divert the pub Mr. ISACKS was in favor of the bill, but thought the lic travel from the doors of our early settlers; on this subtime asked was longer than necessary; and moved to re-ject, more than on any other, the people are peculiarly duce the proposed extension to three, instead of five years. sensitive; and the scramble over the way satisfied my mind, Mr. DANIEL opposed the amendment, and supported most conclusively, of this fact, that each of the parties litithe bill. gant conscientiously believed that this great national road, to give it a more perfect national character, should pass directly through his own national district. The gentlemen were not prepared to go quite so far as a very honest but zealous yankee did on a certain occasion, when an application had been presented to the proper authority for å new road, and which if established, would divert the travel from his own door: he declared its impolicy in the most emphatic manner, by alleging that, starting from the given point, and travelling either north or south, east or wost, you must pass his own habitation. No, the gentlemen who were engaged in asserting the claims of their favorite BUFFALO AND NEW ORLEANS ROAD BILL. routes, were not quite so extravagant as my own countryMr. MERCER rose, and spoke two hours in continua man. But, from what was then heard, from what was tion and conclusion of the speech which he commenced then seen, from what is invariably heard and seen on simiin support of the bill when it was last under consideration. lar occasions, we are forced to say, "O, judgment, thou Mr. HUBBARD said, it must have occurred to every art fled." The various plans of the parties concerned individual who had observed the course of proceedings in could not fail to impress our minds, that, starting from the Congress of the United States since the adoption of our Buffalo, going east, southeast, southwest, or south, or, constitution, that a most important and somewhat extraor- according to the mighty project of my friend ]Mr. RICHdinary change had taken place in the character of its legis-ARDSON] from Massachusetts, going northeast to the waters The question was put successively on the amendment and the indefinite postponement, and both motions were negatived by large majorities. Mr. WHITE then moved an amendment, to provide that the lands should be liable to taxation as private lands; which motion was also negatived; and The bill was ordered to a third reading, by a large majority. The House again went into Committee of the Whole; Mr. HAYNES in the chair, on the 761 APRIL 12, 1830.] Buffalo and New Orleans Road. of Champlain, still we should be conducted on the great | from Massachusetts, he can never expect the co-operation national road from the northern and the western lakes to of the intelligent yeomanry of New England. They will the Gulf of Mexico, from Buffalo to New Orleans. Yes, not be deceived. They can never yield their assent to a it does seem, from what has transpired, that we are here- measure of so great and so gross injustice as the one now after to be constituted as the great road court of the coun- under consideration. They never will voluntarily agree try; and whenever a new highway shall be wanted in any to such an inequitable distribution of the common fund, One of the States of this Union, which may, by chance, as is provided by the present bill, or even as would be accommodate an itinerant citizen from another State, it is at provided by the bill with the gentleman's amendment. once to receive the baptismal name of national, and thus be presented to our consideration; and with such an im- gentleman from Massachusetts, and see whether New Engposing character, (judging from what has taken place,) it land should give her aid for the road from Buffalo to Let us examine with some minuteness the plan of the will not fail to receive the deliberate and successful atten- New Orleans, with the belief that this contemplated addition of Congress. I should not have submitted any re- tion would be of the least practical advantage to a single marks to the committee on this subject, did I not feel con- State within her borders. Whether, in truth, if the whole strained by a sense of duty, a duty which I owe to my plan of the gentleman could be perfected, it would not constituents, to state, most distinetly, the reasons which hereafter operate to our detriment, at some future period have induced me, and I presume my colleagues, to vote of our history, when our surplus revenue shall be divided against the bill which has already passed, making appro- among the several States upon principles of justice and priations for the Cumberland road; and which will induce equity-will it not then be said, that the national road of me to vote against the bill now under consideration. Be- the gentleman from Massachusetts has swallowed up the fore I proceed to state my objections to this bill, I must portion of New England Believing, as I do, that for no ask the indulgence of the committee for a few minutes. national purpose whatever can a new and independent while I advert to some of the reasons which were urged way be wanted from Buffalo to Boston-believing, as I do, by my worthy friend from Massachusetts [Mr. RICHARD that the construction of such a road would not add to the SON] in favor of the measure. If I rightly understood that existing facilities of communication in any point of viewgentleman, this project had his support; that his feelings I cannot consent to tax my constituents with such an unwere warmly eulisted in its favor, not on account of its necessary expenditure of the public treasure, even within own intrinsic merits, but for the reason that it might and the territorial limits of New England. It would be a meawould lead to other improvements nearer and of more in- sure of great inexpediency, and to New England herself terest to him and his constituents, and which could not fail the height of impolicy. Her doctrine now is, ever has to secure New England influence in favor of this system been, and ever will be-waste not the common fund, of internal improvements. And the gentleman, with great but mete out to her and to every section of the Union the sagacity, and with his usual force, for the purpose of get- measure of equal justice. She asks no more at your ting up a New England excitement favorable to this pro- hands; with less she ought not to be, and never will be, ject, and for the purpose of securing the votes of her dele- willingly satisfied. I could not have supposed it possible gation in favor of this measure, proposes to connect with that any individual, with a knowledge of the existing facilithe project now under consideration, a plan for extending ties of communication between the interior and the marthe road from Buffalo to the waters of Champlain, and ket of New England, could have conceived the idea of from thence to the great market town in New England. constructing a new national road at the cost and charge And the gentleman has gravely told us that a road of such of the United States, from Boston to Lake Champlain, extensive dimensions, passing from New Orleans, by the and from Champlain to Buffalo. It looks to me like one way of Buffalo and Champlain, to the city of Boston, of the most extravagant fantasies that ever entered the through not less than twelve States of this Union, would head of the most extravagant enthusiast. The present exibe so national in its character, so grand in its object, of gency of the country for any national purposes does not such vast importance in a commercial and in a military call for such a road. If such a road was at this moment point of view to the country, that it would be so conducive well constructed and made, it could not, in the nature of to the common defence and the general welfare of the re-things, tend to increase the commercial intercourse, or to public, that he should feel constrained with all his heart, strength and mind, to give to such a mighty measure his most unqualified support.date augment the facilities of communication between those two points. There is but little difference between the latitudes If the gentleman had been a little more comprehensive other facilities of communication, from Lake Erie to Bosof Buffalo and Boston. And establish railroads, or any in bis extended plan, he might possibly have hushed, in ton; give them, if you please, the imposing name of naevery part of New England, the silent murmur of discon- tional ways, and you could not then induce the farmer, tent. If, after winding through Vermont, he had passed destined to market with the produce of his farm, to cross down the banks of the Connecticut, by Hartford, to Say- the Hudson. No; when he arrives there, he well knows brook, and from thence had continued a metropolitan route that, in twelve hours, he can be conveyed to the largest by Newport and Providence to Boston; if the gentleman and to the best market in our country, by the safest, most had enlarged his plan by establishing one other branch, direct, and most expeditious way and mode. And as soon passing from the lake to the Connecticut, thence through would you find fire in ice, as find the farmer of Buffalo the White Hills to Portland, and from thence on a metro- travelling on the gentleman's national road, with his pigs politan route through Portsmouth to Boston, he would and his poultry, to the market of New England. Men have added three more States of the Union to his number, never will voluntarily act against their own interest. The and the plan would have been so national in its character Erie and the Champlain canals, and the waters of the Hudand in its object, would so much increase the facilities for son, have brought the market of New York near to the commercial intercourse, would so essentially aid the mili- farmers of the northern and the western lakes; and it tary operations of the country, would so directly contri-would not happen, that such an intelligent and sagacious bute to expediting the conveyance of the public mail, that, body of people as compose the farming interests in those if the gentleman is not mistaken in his doctrine, every regions of country, would ever transport their produce Yankee voice in New England would be loud and clamor- from the Hudson, two hundred miles, either over railous in favor of this mighty scheme. But, if the gentle- roads or national roads, to the market of New England. man has erected his superstructure on a sandy foundation, But this is not all. The gentleman must, according to his it will ultimately fall. If reason and if fact stand oppos-scheme, leave the western canals the great highway of ed to the improvement contemplated by the gentleman the western country-and wind his way through the inteVOL. VI.-96. H. OF R.] Buffalo and New Orleans Road. [APRIL 12, 1830. rior of New York; and, if he designs to find the waters If a portion is to be dealt out to my own State, New of Champlain at Plattsburg, he would carry us in a north- Hampshire should direct and control its expenditure. It eastern direction, into the northeast county, and almost to is not in her heart to desire any unnecessary, any useless the northeast corner of that State. In such an excursive expenditure of the common property, even if that expenrange, he would assuredly lose his point of compass; he diture should be made within her own territory. No such would find himself two degrees, at least, north of his line. sentiment, no such feeling exists among the people of that But the gentleman, probably, goes on this principle, that granite State. The general welfare is her text and her the more circuitous the route, the more national the object. commentary. It is perfectly true that the country cannot From Plattsburg the gentleman would undoubtedly trans boast of better roads, roads wrought with her own hands, port us across the lake, on floating bridges, to Burlington; than are now to be found in the very route and over the from thence, on his national road, by Onion river, to Mont- very ground herein before described; and which route pelier; from thence, by White river, to Hartford, in Ver- must have entered the imagination of the gentleman, when mont; and from thence, by Concord, in New Hampshire, he conceived his grand national project. to Boston. If I am mistaken in the contemplated plan of my friend This looks well on paper, it sounds well in story; it may from Massachusetts-if it is his purpose to strike the waters bave entered the imaginations of some of the most zealous of Champlain at Whitehall, and wind his way through friends of internal improvement within the limits of New Vermont to the banks of Connecticut, near my own native England. It may, for aught I know, be among the nu- village, and from thence to the market of New England, merous plans in contemplation, upon which the surplus I would merely suggest that all that I have said in relation revenue, the property of all, the common fund of the na- to the inexpediency and impolicy of the measure, on the tion, is hereafter to be expended. But, mark my word: northern route, will apply with equal force to the course the warmest supporters of these measures will never live last alluded to. It is well known that, from the Connec to see a road constructed and supported by this Govern- ticut river, through this section of New Hampshire and ment from Buffalo to Boston. Some New England gen- Massachusetts, every facility is already furnished, at the tlemen may honestly believe that it may take place; some exclusive charge of those States, for the transportation of gentlemen may sincerely wish it. But for one I am incre- the farmer's produce, for the accommodation and comfort dulous. The influence of New England never has, and of the traveller, as far as the construction and completion never can be successfully exerted in obtaining appropri- of good roads can furnish such facilities. The present exiations from the common fund for the purpose of accom-gencies of the country do not call for this improvement plishing local objects of internal improvement within her through those sections of New England. And her influown limits. If considerations of interest should control my ence should not be enlisted in favor of the bill before us, vote on this question, as one of the delegation from New from the idea that the contemplated amendment of the England, as one disposed to look to her interest, I should feel constrained to oppose, in every shape, the appropriation of the public money for local purposes. But other considerations in connexion, which I shall take the liberty soon to suggest, have produced on my mind the conviction that I have no right to put my hand into the public treasury, and draw from thence, for particular and local objects, any portion of the public fund, the property of all, without the consent of all. I have said that the expectations, the hopes of the gentleman from Massachusetts would never be realized. And why? For this plain, this forcible reason: there does not exist any necessity for this great and contemplated improvement. The condition of the highways from the lakes to the ocean forbids the idea that millions of the public treasure will be expended in effecting improvements not absolutely required by the exigencies of the country. No, if we can, and if we will, go on in appropriating money, or parts of the public domain, for local and particular objects, the West and the Southwest will be ready, with open arms and with irresistible claims, for years yet to come, to receive all that can be spared from your public treasury. It will be said, and be said with effect, when the proposed amendment of my friend from Massachusetts shall be under consideration, that Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts have already anticipated the Government, that their roads are already well made. gentleman from Massachusetts will be adopted. The true policy of those in New England who are the devoted friends of a system of internal improvements, most clearly is, a just and equal distribution of the common fund, upon the principle of representation, to be expended under the direction of the States. This would give to her equal rights. Without this, New England never can, and never will, have meted out to her a full measure of justice. The exist ing state of her roads, and the existing facilities for internal communication, forbid the idea; and her delegation, look. ing solely to her interests, would do well, in my judgment, to oppose every appropriation for improvements in any one State, without an equitable appropriation, upon the principle just stated, to the other members of the Union. In New Hampshire, not a dollar of the common fund has ever been expended in the construction of her public roads. The people of that State have, by their own voluntary contributions, established and made every road within her limits. I have said that these roads are wrought by the voluntary contribution of the people. The remark needs explanation. The members of the town corporations in New Hampshire-the purest democracies in the known world-assemble at stated periods, with equal rights and equal privileges. The man who has attained the age of twenty-one years, whether he be or not the owner of property, has the same political power as the richest of his neighbors. You do not, as might be imagined from the character of And, at these primary meetings, composed of the people, the proposition, and from the remarks of the gentleman who are most emphatically the true sovereigns of this part from Massachusetts, after crossing the waters of the north- of our country, money is voluntarily voted, for the purern lake, pass into a trackless wilderness. No; but you pose of making and repairing public highways, and for the find a highly cultivated country; a rich, a prosperous, and further and worthy object of instructing and educating the an enterprising people; men who know the value of your rising generation. For these and for all other purposes neinstitutions; men who have fought for your liberties; men cessary for the well being of society, the people freely vote who are patriots, not in word but in deed; men who have, to tax themselves. In this way, not less than two hundred by their own pecuniary and physical means, constructed thousand dollars is annually raised in New Hampshire, for as fine "national" roads from the lake to the ocean, as the making and repairing of their public roads. In this honest hearts could desire, as faithful hands have ever way, but little less than a like amount is annually raised wrought. And, unless I greatly misjudge, the good people for the support of her free schools. And the money is of my own State would not wish to have the common fund not only raised, but it is most faithfully applied and exappropriated in the furtherance of such a project.pended; and, "year following year," the people reap their Buffalo and New Orleans Road. [H. OF R. reward, in the improved condition of their public ways |jects. I know full well that such allusions and compari- In the manner I have stated, by the application of our own means, have all the improvements in the roads and canals in New Hampshire been made; and it cannot be supposed that I would be silent, with a knowledge of these facts, and see drawn, indirectly from the pockets of my fellow-citizens, annually, the enormous tax of two hundred thousand dollars, (which I will attempt soon to explain,) for the purpose of constructing new roads in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Carolina, three of the oldest sisters in the confederacy. navigable rivers, the erection of light-houses and of break-' I cannot but regard the improvement of our harbors and waters, as so essentially connected with the commerce of the country, from which we derive the greater portion of our revenue, as objects falling clearly within the legitimate action of Congress, under the express power given by the constitution to regulate commerce. I cannot but regard fortifications and military roads as so essentially connected with the common defence, and with the general welfare, No, I feel myself called upon most solemnly to protest such objects, I have felt myself bound, as I would contrias objects properly claiming our consideration. For all against a measure of so gross injustice. Virginia has been first and foremost in opposing this en-neral welfare, to give my support. And in favor of every True it is, that bute to promote the common defence and advance the gecroachment on constitutional right. True it is, that a ma- such measure, during the present session, my vote has jority of her delegation will stand forth now in opposition freely been given. Beyond this I cannot go, consistently to the measure before us. But it is no less true, that the with my own views of the constitutional powers of Conbill contemplates the construction of this national road gress, and consistently with my regard to that sacred printhrough a portion of her territory. Whether with or with ciple of strict and impartial justice to each member of the out her consent, I know not. But my argument is, if this confederacy in the distribution of the common fund. road is wanted for any public purpose-if it is necessarylet Virginia follow the example of New Hampshire. Let tional and sectional-limited and unlimited-reserved and Until I shall believe that general and particular-nathis road, within her limits, be made by her own pecuniary unreserved, are synonymous terms, I can never yield my and physical means. And whenever such a necessity shall assent to a construction of the constitution, by which inexist-whenever the exigencies of the country shall require strument authority is expressly given to Congress to proa new and continuous national road from the seat of Go-vide for the general welfare; that this power is legitivernment to New Orleans-there can be no doubt, from mately exercised by Congress, in appropriating any porthe course which Virginia has heretofore taken, that she tion of the public property for local purposes. I can will construct this road, within her own limits, unaided by never yield my assent to the doctrine, that a road from the General Government. The gentleman from Virginia, [Mr. ARCHER] who ad- Washington to New Orleans is a national road; or that a Buffalo to Washington is a national road; that a road from dressed the committee a few days since, remarked, that if continuous road from Boston, by the northern and westany appropriations were to be made for purposes of inter-ern lakes, by the seat of Government to New Orleans, is a nal improvement, they should be given to the West. I national road. It cannot deserve such a name, unless it do not stand here to make any sectional distinctions; I do be necessary to the common defence of the country; or not intend to controvert that point with the gentleman from Virginia; it is enough for me to know, that on this question we shall act in unisou; but I would wish to put the gentleman right. As far as it respects the State which I, in part, represent, the remark is unjust. I have hereinbefore stated, what is strictly true, that not a dollar of the public money has ever been expended in the construction of her roads. No such remark can with truth be applied to the western States. True, in New Hampshire, a light-house has been built near the outlet of the harbor, at Portsmouth; a measure which was of all importance to the safety of our public as well as of our private ships. True, a navy-yard has been established within her limits, and wisely and judiciously established; and if it were necessary to show this, I think I should find little difficulty in satisfying this committee, that, notwithstanding the bewildering fogs which at times hover over our sea coast, the navy-yard at Portsmouth, considering its perfect security, and the entire safety of that harbor, should be sustained. Yet, sir, this pittance, if reports and rumors are to be relied upon, is soon to be denied us. clusively national; they do not materially affect the State in which they are located; works which were established with a proper view to the general welfare. And, while the western States have been permitted to carve liberally from the public domain, for their benefit, the State of New Hampshire has, unaided, managed her own affairs in her own way. While appropriations, exceeding in amount seven millions of dollars, have been made for the exclusive advantage of the western States, New England has done her part in paying; but, with the exception of a few thousands to Maine, she has not received a dollar for local ob unless it be clearly productive of the general welfarethe welfare, not of a part, but of the whole republic. In my judgment, such a description of highways alone merits the name of national roads. Nor can I conceive that any partial expenditure of the common fund, for local objects, can have any tendency to rivet more strongly the various members of the confederacy-to cement more firmly the great boud of national union. No, sir, in my humble judg ment, a totally different effect will be the consequence of such partial and limited legislation. It is admitted that the ingenuity of man has never yet produced a better form of government than our own; and that no government could be devised, better calculated to subserve the great interests of the American people. And, sir, it may with great propriety and truth be said, that no people have ever enjoyed more real happiness-more rational liberty, than the people of this republic; and may it not be urged, that this enjoyment of freedom, in which the American people have hitherto so largely participated, has been the result of confining our legislative operations within the pale of our written confriends, who laid the foundation of this republic-to tell us These works are ex-stitution? that we have had with us our political fathers and the story of olden time-to remind us what was granted and what was reserved by the people-to warn us of the danger of giving any forced construction to the charter of our liberties, and to remind us to keep within its letter? No doubt, sir, but the seasonable admonition of these early friends of the republic have had a most salutary effect-have induced those who have come after them to rally round the constitution of the country as the grand pillar of their liberties, the only sure foundation of their political peace. In the virtue and intelligence of the American people I |