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plan now proposed by the War Department ought to be preferred.

[JUNE 16, 1834.

streets, because it could not tax the United States lands within the city bounds. There were three other new In reply to statements which had been made, showing States just as well entitled to this two per cent. fund as the large sums of money heretofore expended on this road, the States north of the Ohio. Was the Government going Mr. T. appealed to the House, and entreated them not to to make another road to their bounds also? He did not permit such exhibitions to prejudice their minds. What find a dollar in the bill for a road to Alabama. He dehave we to do with the errors of the administrations claimed, with warmth, against the large appropriations alwhich have preceded this? It is certain that Mr. Jeffer-ready made for the road, and the constant increase of the son's administration committed one error in not providing sums asked for. Gentlemen in the opposition had told for the continued repair of the national road in some eco-him, some time since, that there was to be no money in nomical manner. And the administration which succeed- the treasury; but now these same gentlemen were loudest ed his, erred also in attempting to keep this road in re-in favor of large appropriations for roads and canals. pair by annual appropriations from the national treasury. Where was the money to come from, if we had no treasury? But are we to permit these things to create a prejudice against the present measure? We now propose to make a good road, to reject the worthless material heretofore used, and then to erect toll-gates to collect a sum sufficient to relieve the treasury from this drain.

Mr. JONES, of Georgia, referring to what Mr. VANCE had said of the Cumberland road being the head and source of all the works of internal improvement in this country, observed that, if it was so, this road had been the fruitful mother of an odious offspring. He presumed that What, said he, are we reminded, too, of the very large the House would hardly bear to hear any thing about the sum which this road originally cost? He agreed the sum constitutional question involved: they were in fact so conexpended was enormous, and was at a loss to know how scious of the truth on that subject, that it would only be a so much money could have been honestly expended for reproach to have it mentioned. On the subject of the such a purpose. But are we to refuse an appropriation contract with the new States, if the Government was asked for by the present head of the War Department, bound to make them a road, it had done that: the consolely because his predecessors, or their subordinate tract, therefore, was fulfilled. The Government was not agents, under former administrations, have wasted or mis- bound to keep the road in repair. And if the road could applied appropriations made by Congress. He hoped not be given away, let the Government lose it, and let He hoped the House would examine the estimates them find it: if it was not worth keeping in repair by those now furnished, and if they were, as he believed they were, that passed over it, it was surely wrong to call on the reasonable and accurate, he trusted the whole sum of United States to keep it up. He concluded by moving to $652,000 would be given. lay the bill upon the table.

not.

Upon this question Mr. WHITTLESEY demanded the yeas and nays. It was decided in the negative: Yeas 68, nays 133.

Mr. T. said the House need not be alarmed at the suggestion of the gentleman from Tennessee, that this sum would embarrass the Treasury Department. It was now well understood that the receipts from the customs for Mr. ADAMS, of Massachusetts, moved to amend the the year 1834 would exceed considerably the estimated bill by striking out that clause of it which declares that receipts made by the Secretary of the Treasury at the the law is "to carry into effect" the laws of Pennsylvacommencement of the present Congress. Besides, the nia, Virginia, and Maryland, accepting the road. He conwhole sum asked for cannot be expended within the year. sidered the clause as not only useless, but quite improper. It was most probable not more than 150,000 or $200,000 He declared himself willing to assent to the reduced sum: would be actually drawn from the treasury during the but equally prepared to vote the whole appropriation reyear 1834. So that the only difference between the bill ported from the Senate. He considered it a mere question from the Senate and the bill, if amended as proposed by of time, whether the whole sum should be granted by the gentleman from Tennessee, would be this: If we make one act or by two. However, as he was ready to vote for now an appropriation of $300,000 we shall be called upon any thing bearing even the semblance of economy, he next year for more money; we shall waste time again in a would assent to the amendment. He could not, howlong debate, and perhaps suffer the repairs to be again sus-ever, consent to declare that this law of Congress was pended. On the contrary, if we sanction the bill from passed to carry into effect the laws of the States. He did the Senate, we shall place at the disposal of the War De- not believe such to be the proper function of the Conpartment a sum sufficient to relieve us from all further gress of the United States. It had enough to do to carry applications, and accomplish the object which the friends its own laws into effect. As to its being a compact, it

of the road desire.

Mr. SUTHERLAND reminded the House that, when this report had been made, the States had not agreed to take the road; they had, since then, agreed to take it, if in good repair. But if the sum now given should fail to accomplish that end, how could the Government insist on the States taking the road off its hands?

was one which Congress could annul at pleasure. The assent of Congress to the State laws accepting the roac had been expressly declared as continuing in force "during the pleasure of Congress." He now called upon the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means to say whether any act had been passed, by either of the States concerned, assenting to such condition? The act cerMr. McKINLEY insisted that the road pertained to the tainly had no force to create a compact, unless the subseStates, and that no condition need be interposed to obligequent assent of the States had been given to it. Of itself them to take it. As to the contract with the Western States, it was a mere nullity. The gentleman from Virginia it was only to apply two per cent. of the sale of the public [Mr. GHOLSON] considered it very doubtful whether Virlands sold within their limits. This amounted to $371,251,ginia was bound; indeed, he denied that she was bound and that was insisted upon to meet an expenditure on at all, and so did Mr. A. It could not be pretended that this road of $2,175,000. He inveighed against the con- either Maryland, Pennsylvania, or Virginia were bound, tract, as a most unholy compact to deprive the new States by the acts which they had passed, to take this road of of a portion of their sovereignty over their own territory the hands of the Government. To what use was it, then, They were just born, scarce able to crawl, and yet to say that this law was passed, to carry into effect the were forced to walk and to walk alone, too. He insist- laws passed by the States? As to the fourth section ed that they were sovereign States; and that nobody could the bill, it was one which Congress had no right to pass. hold lands within their jurisdiction. The argument was They had no right to declare that no more money should just the same as had been used in support of the bill for be expended upon the road, or that, when what was now the city of Washington: the city wanted us to make its given had been expended, the road should be surrender

JUNE 17, 1834.]

Public Lands--Spanish West India Trade.

ed to the States: for Congress and the States were not yet agreed as to the condition on which it should be surrendered. The clause he moved to strike out, therefore, was not only wholly inoperative but entirely improper, and the fourth section was in violation of the faith of this Government to the States north of the Ohio.

[H. OF R.

Mr. ELLSWORTH objected to that part which went to make the bill a special order.

Mr. VINTON said he must concur in the objection, believing that, if the motion prevailed, it would be the means of bringing up the whole subject of the public domain. The present bill, he supposed, being intended Mr. W. COST JOHNSON regretted, at so late an as a substitute for that heretofore originated in the Senate hour, to throw himself upon the forbearance of the House. in relation to the public lands, was, in fact, a new proHe had been told that the States concerned in this road ject submitted for their consideration, and presented at did not feel themselves bound to carry into effect the a time when it must be apparent to every one that the laws which they themselves had passed. This might or lateness of the session, with the pressure of other busimight not be true with regard to other States, but for ness, would prevent its having that due attention paid to the State of Maryland, which he had the honor, in part, it to which the subject was entitled. to represent on that floor, he would say that, when she Mr. CLAY said he had not intended to have made any passed her law of 1832, she meant to hold herself bound observations on the subject, desiring rather to leave it by it. She had frequently refused to pass any law of the with the House to decide, without debate, whether they kind. So late as 1831 she repeated that refusal, on the should take up the bill this session or not. He must, ground that the General Government, by its compact however, remark, the honorable member from Ohio [Mr. with the Northwestern States, was bound to keep up this VINTON] was mistaken in supposing that the project road as a free highway and without toll. But, finding "was a new one;" because it was a proposition which that the Government was very anxious to surrender the had been made and renewed at every session for the last road, she had at length yielded her assent, stipulating, ten or twelve years. The present bill was not intended however, that the road should be put into a state of good as a substitute for the bill alluded to by the gentleman repair. As an honorable and high-minded State, she held from Ohio. It embraced, and was intended to affect herself bound by that agreement, as she did by every those refuse lands which had, for twenty years past, been other compact into which she had entered. It was now unsaleable at the minimum price fixed thereon by Govtherefore fit and proper that Congress should grant such ernment. The object of the bill was to graduate and rean appropriation as would at once put the road into such duce the price to the real value of those lands, so as that a state as that it might be relinquished to the States through they might become available for so much as they were which it passed. It had been said, in a tone of complaint, worth to the Government. It did not, then, follow that that the States had not yet erected any gates upon the the whole policy of the Government, (as had been intiroad; and it had been insinuated that, when surrendered, mated,) in respect to the public domain, would necessathey would not keep it in repair; but what authority had rily be brought up. He hoped the resolution would be the States to set up gates upon the road until they adopted.

knew whether Congress would assent to their acts? Con- Mr. ELLSWORTH rose to express his belief that gress had now given that assent; let the road be put in there was no subject more deeply interesting than the repair, and the States would take care of it. They had disposition of the public domain. He knew that it was the authority of able engineers to say that it would require one deeply interesting to his own constituents; and, $600,000 to accomplish this object, and he felt very sure knowing this, he regretted that there was not time now that the State of Maryland, for one, would never accept the left, before the day it was fixed upon by Congress for road until its repair was complete. Let those gentlemen adjournment, for taking up the subject, so that it could who are so anxious to have the question settled, vote for be discussed as such a subject ought to be, gravely and the bill as it came from the Senate, and they should never hear of it again on that floor.

The question was now put on the amendment moved by Mr. ADAMS; and, being decided in the negative, the amendment was rejected.

The question then recurring on the amendment proposed by Mr. POLK, the yeas and nays were demanded. Mr. BEARDSLEY moved that the House adjourn; which was negatived.

Mr. MERCER referred to a report of the Secretary of War, dated in April, 1834, giving the items of expenditure which went to make up the $602,000.

Mr. DICKERSON, of New Jersey, moved an amendment, containing a proviso that no more than $300,000 be expended until the States should assent to the act of Congress agreeing to surrender the road, and to receive $652,000 as a compliance in full with their stipulation for the repairs of the road.

Before the question was taken, the House, on motion of Mr. CRAMER, adjourned.

TUESDAY, JUNE 17.

PUBLIC LANDS.

Mr. CLAY, from the Committee on Public Lands, reported the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, Than the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union be discharged from the further consideration of the bill to reduce and graduate the price of the public lands; and that said bill be made the special order of the day for Friday the 20th instant."

fully. But, in reply to the observations of the honorable member from Alabama, [Mr. CLAY,] "that the bill would only affect refuse or poor lands," he would take leave to say that, if the bill referred to was passed, the public lands would be soon all termed "poor;" and thus the bill would, in a very important manner, be found to affect, and soon, all the public domain.. For these reasons he hoped the resolution would not be adopted.

Mr. H. EVERETT, being desirous that the whole remaining time of the House should not be wasted in discussing the class of business which should be taken up, moved to lay the resolution on the table.

Mr. McKINLEY called for the yeas and nays on this motion; which were ordered.

Mr. PATTON moved a call of the House.

The House refused to order a call; after which the question was taken on the motion of Mr. II. EVERETT, to lay the resolution on the table, and decided in the affirmative: Yeas 82, nays 80.

SPANISH WEST INDIA TRADE.

Mr. PINCKNEY asked the consent of the House to offer a motion to discharge the Committee of the Whole from the consideration of the bill reported by the Committec on Commerce, relating to the trade of the United States with the Spanish West Indies, that it might be made the order of the day for Thursday next. Objections having been made

Mr. PINCKNEY moved a suspension of the rule to enable him to offer it.

Mr. CAMBRELENG remarked that the objet pro

H. OF R.]

Post Office Contracts--Cumberland Road.

posed to be attained by the honorable member would be retarded instead of advanced by the motion.

Mr McKIM said he was against the project of laying on the large extra duty on Spanish vessels, as proposed by the bill, as he helieved it would not be the interest of the country to impose it.

Mr. JOHN Q. ADAMS considered that the motion was out of order, being a proposition to impose a tax which must be first discussed in a Committee of the Whole. He hoped, therefore, the honorable member would withdraw it.

Mr. PINCKNEY was not disposed, he said, to press the motion against the sense of the House, and would withdraw it.

The resolution was withdrawn accordingly.

POST OFFICE CONTRACTS.

[JUNE 17, 1834.

the observations of the honorable member from Kentucky [Mr. HAWES] would not be entirely lost upon the House. He hoped honorable gentlemen would look about them and see where all these immense appropriations will ultimately lead us. He admitted, to a certain extent, the obligation of the Government to complete this road, and he would willingly, at the proper time, vote for such sum as would finish and put it in a condition to be surrendered to the several States through which it passes-and thus rid the nation forever from these continual, and, what seemed to him, extravagant and never-ending expenditures of the public money. Unless he was much mistaken, the friends of the bill admitted that no more than $300,000 could be expended upon the road during the present year, and he therefore, upon reflection, deemed it most prudent to limit the present appropriation to that sum. He should vote for the reconsideration of the motion to amend, and, should it prevail, he would then record his vote in favor of the sum proposed by the honorable gentleman from Tennessee. Mr. EWING opposed the reconsideration at length. Mr. HARDIN went at length into an explanation of the obligation resting upon the United States to make this road. Mr. H. expressed his alarm at the amount of the appropriations for various works of internal improvement contained in the bill already reported, which he estimated to be twenty millions. With regard to this road, he thought the $2,500,000 which had been expended upon Mr. CONNOR, chairman of the Committee on the it, solely to enable Baltimore to compete with Philadelphia, Post Office, rose to inform the honorable member that was quite enough. If a road to the West was necessary, as there was a bill reported from the committee pending why not make a road by White Sulphur springs and the in the Senate, which covered the whole ground taken Kenawha, which was a hundred miles nearer? If the friends by his resolution, and that, inasmuch as many of the mat- of the bill were not satisfied with the $300,000 proposed ters referred to were already provided for by existing by the amendment, he hoped they would not obtain more by the vote of the House. laws, the passage of such a resolution was unnecessary. Mr. JONES repeated he did not want any discussion, but simply to have the resolution printed.

Mr. JONES, of Georgia, asked the unanimous consent of the House to offer a resolution for regulating and restricting contracts for carrying the mail, and abolishing extra allowance for any such service, unless when performed by authority of some act or joint resolution of Congress.

Objection having been made

Mr. JONES moved a suspension of the rule, and said, if the motion prevailed, his object at present was simply to have the resolution laid on the table, and printed, to be taken up hereafter.

The House, however, refused to suspend the rule, to enable the resolution of Mr. JONES to be presented.

CUMBERLAND ROAD BILL.

The House then proceeded to the unfinished business of yesterday; being the bill for the continuation and repair of the Cumberland road.

Mr. GILMER moved to reconsider the vote by which the motion of Mr. PоLK, to reduce the appropriation for repairing the road, from $652,000 to $300,000 was yesterday rejected.

Mr. STEWART said the friends of the bill would vote in favor of the amendment, if the restriction in the next section should be stricken out. If the supporters of the amendment would intimate their willingness to accede to that proposition, no objection would be made to the amend

ment.

confine himself to the subject before the House; and yet Mr. THOMAS of Maryland, said he was desirous to he could not think it amiss if he should briefly touch on some of the topics which had been treated of by the gentleman who had just resumed his seat. If he (Mr. T.) did go somewhat out of his way, he should do so, much on the same principle as the Methodist preacher, who, addressing some backsliders of his flock, exclaimed "Oh, my beloved brethren, if you will wander to the devil, I must wander to the devil after you." What was the question before the House? It was the reconsideration of the vote of yesterday, by which they had refused to reduce the sum in the bill. They were now called on to reverse their judgment, and to consent to this reduction. But, before doing this, what inquiries were to be made? Should they not inquire if this less sum would be sufticient for the end they were aiming at? And to what source should they go for information? Should they take the bold, incoherent statements of gentlemen on that Mr. HAWES hoped no such intimation would be given. floor, based on no certain grounds, made without data; He was opposed to the whole system. Unless an end was or, should they go to the estimates prepared by the War put to the log-rolling which prevailed in this House, in Department-estimates made out by skilful and scientific relation to internal improvements, would be necessary men, employed for the purpose? The question was, to increase the tariff to keep the treasury from bank- would they complete these works, or would they sacriruptcy. The immense amount of appropriations which fice all the public money that had been already expended, had already passed the House, were sufficient, he believed, by letting them go to decay? What was the objection to to exhaust the treasury. the estimates laid before the House? If there were any Mr. BROWN said he voted yesterday against the prop-mistake in them let gentlemen point it out, and let it be osition of the honorable gentleman [Mr. PoLK] from rectified. The gentleman from Kentucky had said he Tennessee, and, upon reflection, he now thought the vote would not believe the statements in the report, if an angel was wrong. It had been his intention to move for a re- from heaven should come down and declare them true. consideration this morning, but it gave him pleasure to He (Mr. T.) required no such evidence. It was sufficient find he had been anticipated by the honorable gentle-for him that these statements were made out by honoraman [Mr. GILMER] from Georgia. He was not unfriend-ble and high-minded men, and men who were competent ly to such an appropriation as would finish the road, when to make them out. That report told that it was neceshe considered the compact made by the Government; sary to bring the requisite materials in some cases fourbut he doubted very much whether the treasury would be teen miles. In answer to this, the gentleman from Kenable to bear so large an appropriation of the public money tucky had spoken of the quantity of materials at hand on for this single purpose, during the present year. He hoped the Alleghany. It was true there was abundance of rock

JUNE 17, 1834.]

Cumberland Road.

[H. OF R

and other materials, but these were the very materials ted the measure, as one of great moment, and one in which the Department had expressly stated were unfit for the construction of this road.

which the faith of the Government was implicated. He hoped the House would refuse to reconsider.

Was it then just, was it candid, to talk of plenty of Mr. T. desired the Clerk to read the two amendments materials being at hand, and charging it as incorrect that of Mr. SUTHERLAND and DICKERSON. The friends of the the report stated otherwise? The truth was, the gentle- bill (said Mr. T.) were perfectly willing to adopt these man from Kentucky was opposed to the bill altogether. amendments; and they were anxious that every guard to He (Mr. T.) would here caution the friends of the bill the faithful expenditure of the money should be secured. against being led astray by the false lights of gentlemen He did hope and trust, then, that the bill would be no to vote for the reconsideration of the bill. Even when so longer delayed, but that the House would act upon it at amended, these gentlemen would vote against the bill. once.

The gentleman from Tennessee who proposed the amend- Mr. BURGES expressed his regret that the members ment, the gentleman from Georgia who moved the re- from the West should be divided on a question of this consideration, and the gentleman from Kentucky who last kind, and still more that they should so frequently readdressed the House, they would all vote against the bill.flect on the Eastern States in respect to the amount of Mr. T. then went into a consideration of the arguments public money expended there in works of fortifications, of Mr. HARDIN as to the two per cent. fund. in the support of the navy, and upon other objects, in It was not fair to take, in the basis of his estimate, the which the whole Union had an equal and common interfund which accrued from these lands, at the price fixed est. This, however, should not influence his vote upon by the Government. It was due to the Western States, the present occasion. As to the Cumberland road, it under their compact with the Government, to make a was as strictly a national work as the navy or the fortigood and permanent road. Had this been done? The fications. What could be more national than a great statements of the War Department showed that it had not. highway crossing the whole Union, and uniting the Gentlemen had spoken of the immense sums expended Eastern and the Western States? One gentleman had obon this road for the benefit of the Western States, But jected to it as merely intended to bring Baltimore into it should be remembered that the Western States had competition with Philadelphia and New York for the exempted the public domains from taxes five years after trade of the West. Was this an objection to be urged they became private property. Why did the honorable by a western man? The more competitors there were gentleman object to this road in particular? The party for western products and western business, the better for to which that gentleman belonged, were ready to carry the West.

roads through any and every part of the United States. Mr. B. dwelt on the advantages of the road in a poHe (Mr. T.) was one who was opposed to a system of litical point of view, as tending to diminish local jealousinternal improvement to be carried on by the Federal ies, increase intercourse, and cherish a feeling of comGovernment; and he advocated this work, not as a part mon interest in the Union. Much of the waste of money of such a system, but because Government was bound to that had occurred was owing to the imperfect knowledge do it, in fulfilment of its compact with these States. If of road making at the time this work was commenced; they had kept the lands at $2 50 cents per acre, the price but whatever waste might have occurred in other Departfixed when the compact was made, the proceeds of the ments, the country might rest assured that in that of war, two per cent. fund would have exceeded all that had to which this road belonged, the public money would been laid out on this road. always be expended with care and prudence. As to what was called log-rolling, it was nothing more than a mutual regard to mutual interests, and, if applied to laudable objects, was fair and proper.

But, if the arguments of the gentleman from Kentucky were correct, why not go up to the source, and deny the appropriation for this road altogether? Why select this branch for an object of proscription? Of what use would Mr. B. illustrated the policy of completing this road by be the other branches of this road, if this quagmire were the example of a man engaged in boring for water, who not filled up? They would be entirely useless. A few was persuaded to go further and further, though alarmed words as to the history of this branch of the road. After at the expense, and was at length fully remunerated by Mr. Jefferson's administration had selected Cumberland finding a valuable spring.

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$8,000,000 18,500,000

as the point where this road should commence, the peo- Mr. CAMBRELENG, though willing to give a large ple of Maryland undertook to construct a road from Balti- sum if the Government could be sure of getting rid of more to Cumberland, to enable the people of the West this road, feared that object could not easily be effected. with facility to reach the seaboard. They did this under He went into a number of statistical statements, in relaan impression that the compact between the United States tion to the receipts and expenditures of the Treasury. and the Western States was to be fully complied with. He said the balance in the treasury of available funds on As the United States had engaged to make a road, the 1st of January, 1834, was Maryland naturally supposed it was to be made perma- Estimated receipts for the year, nent. In other words, that some plan would be devised by which it should be kept in repair. Such was the liberal construction given to that contract heretofore by the United States; and hence the large appropriations which have been made from time to time, for repairs on Estimate of expenditures that road, from the national treasury. Maryland there- for 1834, including five mil fore felt, and her representatives here feel, that that lions for public debt and inState has a claim for this appropriation, on principles not [terest, connected with the American system. If the Cumberland road should be abandoned, then the investments of the people of Maryland in the road from Baltimore to Cumberland must become very unprofitable. His immediate propriated, but not expended constituents (Mr. T. said) had, indeed, but little interest, in 1834, same as last year,

as individuals, in this road; but, as a portion of the citizens of Maryland, they were anxious that justice should be done to that State. Believing the repairs of this road to be constitutional, and called for by compact, he advoca-[

Appropriations of 1833, chargeable on 1834,

$26,500,000

$5,200,000

23,500,000

28,700,000

Less probable amount ap

5,200,000

23,500,000

$3,000,000

H. OF R.]

Cumberland Road.

[JUNE 17, 1834.

To meet all the appropriations which were annually ple of perfect unison. After some reflections on the made over and above the Treasury estimates last year, comparative reliance to be placed on the estimates of practhese extraordinary appropriations amounted to three ticaland of merely theoretic men, Mr. C. said he should millions and a half. The resources of the year were less risk a vote against the bill, unless the proposed reducon the 1st Januray, 1834, than on the 1st January, 1833, tion should be made. Though this was a western measby fourteen millions less in available revenue bonds, and sure, and he a western man, he could not consent that all two millions in reduction of duties, which took effect on the money for the West should be expended in one spot; the 1st of January last. and, if the high-pressures ystem was still to be kept up, the country would have to resort to direct taxation, and that of the most pinching and grinding sort. The tariff would never supply the sums that would be needed. It could be shown that this one road had cost the nation ten per cent. on the whole amount received from the public lands. To such a scale of expenditure he would never give his consent.

Mr. CHILTON would vote for the bill if reduced as had been proposed, otherwise he must vote against it. The pledge of never asking for more, if the sum now asked were given, might impose upon new members of the House, but it had been too often repeated to have any effect upon old ones. The appropriations had been constantly increasing, and Heaven only could tell when they were to cease. The road had cost millions, and was this day a quagmire. Now it was a plain sum in the rule of three, and might be stated thus: If the road, after fifteen years' appropriations, constantly increasing, was now a quagmire, what would it be, at the same rate, in fifteen years more?

From these facts, Mr. C. felt himself justified in warning the House to hold its hand, lest they should make the treasury bankrupt, and have gentlemen coming to the House next session with a grave story, laying the whole blame on the President and his Secretary. He exhorted the House to a system of substantial retrenchment, and insisted that this was the time to adopt and enforce it. He deprecated the course which had too often been pur- Mr. DUNCAN expressed great surprise at the course sued of making appropriations as matters of political and pursued in the debate by several gentlemen from Kenparty emulation. He was willing to appropriate for this tucky; it was the last place in the world he should have Cumberland road, but insisted on the necessity of laying looked for opposition to the national road. The sum down some rule to restrict the expenditures of Govern-proposed to be stricken from the bill was for repairing ment. He thought it would be well to establish a limit the road east of Ohio, in which Kentucky had as much in respect to other subjects of expenditure, as had been interest as any other Western State; and he could not see done in respect to the navy. Let Congress name a defi. what motive could induce a citizen from the West to denite sum that should be applied to fortifications, another sire the destruction of the only road connecting the great for roads and canals, &c. This was the only mode to valley with the Atlantic, which they could claim as their check extravagant applications of public money, and own, and use independently. The gentleman from Kenguard the treasury from bankruptcy. tucky [Mr. HARDIN] had used many arguments with the view of bringing this road into disrepute; but, from some expressions, it appears very clear to my mind, if the Maysville branch of it had not been vetoed, the gentleman would be as firm a supporter of the road now as ever. Here Mr. D. commented at some length on the speech of Mr. HARDIN, in which, he said, there were many errors of calculation, both as to the amount of land owned by the Government in the new States, and the donations, grants, and favors, which they had received. He denied that the new States had ever received any favor from the Government that had not been paid for in the surrender of their right to tax the public land. In Illinois this tax would amount to about $480,000 per annum, which was The gentleman from Rhode Island had lamented much more than all the lands ever granted to that State were over the disunion of the western members. Now, Mr. worth. One of these errors was in charging the new C. dared not say that that gentleman did not know every States with the sixteenth section, set apart and granted to thing, because, if he should, the gentleman would turn the citizens of each township for the purposes of educaround and castigate him, as he was in the habit of doing tion. This had been set down by the gentleman as a tax other members of the House; but he could tell the gen- of ten per cent. upon the whole public domain, in favor tleman that, as for that part of the road west of the Ohio, of the new States. Nothing, he thought, could be more he would never find men more united than were the fallacious. They were not given to the States or to any western members. But he must not expect that mem-one else. The sixteenth section had been set apart in each bers from Kentucky, a State which had poured out its townsbip before the sales; and the people were told, if blood and treasure in defence of the General Govern-you will purchase land of the United States at $1 25 per ment, but in which the very first dollar had not yet been acre, you shall have an interest in the sixteenth section, expended from the treasury on any work of public im- for the education of your children; so that this was no provement, should stand quietly by and see vast sums more of a donation to the States or people than the prolavished improperly, because the road upon which they prietor of a town makes of the streets and squares he lays were to be expended ran towards the West. off as an inducement for men to purchase and improve his lots. Much had been said, by those opposed to this road, of its great cost, and of the Government having already expended sums far beyond the obligation imposed by the compact. As to the cost, it was nothing, he said, when compared with the benefits of the road. As to the compact, it was a fair and legitimate argument in favor of going on with the road: as it would be worse than folly to say the Government was to begin and then abandon such Mr. CHILTON resumed, disclaiming any bad feelings a work, under a technical construction of an ordinance. towards other States. If the gentleman from Indiana But he did not rely upon the compact as the only obligawas fond of receiving the lash, the gentleman from Rhode tion on the Government to make this or any other road. Island had his permission to lay it on. But when theIt was a high, a vital object, to connect this almost ungentleman from Rhode Island had been applying it to bounded country by roads and public highways, and es the western members generally, for not agreeing among pecially was it the duty of Government to overcome great themselves, Mr. C. could not help thinking about a cer- natural obstructions-such as separates the West from tain little State to the eastward, whose two repretentatives the Eastern sections of this country. Such improvements on that floor did not present the most impressive exam-would make us a united, prosperous, and happy people

Here Mr. EWING interposed, and said that as to the castigation administered by the gentleman from Rhode Island, the gentleman had his thanks for it. He, for one, had never objected to the money expended on fortifications, and he thought the castigation well deserved. If Kentucky had received no money, she had at least received land from the common fund of the Union. As to money, Indiana was equally unfortunate.

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