MARCH 24, 1830.]

cost.

Is

nel: this road, then, to the Carolinas and Georgia, upon pect; and to them it is what the majestic rivers so eloquent, either route, leads from, not to, the seaboard, to which ly described by him are to more favored quarters. the military arm of the South must ever be extended. then, the accommodation of those who are thrown so far Nobody can believe, that, with a seaboard so extensive within the interior as to be untouched by the refreshing as that belonging to the Carolinas and Georgia, and with showers of the treasury upon the tide water, a matter of a population of the character which is found amongst them, no moment to the representatives of the people? They their physical force is to be furnished to Mobile, Pensaco-are part of the American family; and, let me tell him, la, or New Orleans, in case of invasion. It is therefore to took their part, yes, a full share, in the difficulties of their the section of country intersected by the western route, country, whatever may be their portion now. that Mobile and the Gulf of Mexico must look for their Let me tell the gentleman, moreover, that, in passing support. Moreover, this bill is to construct a road through beyond the western boundary of his State, we come to a the heart of the country to New Orleans; neither of these section of this Union with which the individual who now routes reach that point, but each terminates on the Tom-addresses you has the most perfect knowledge. That is bigbee river, in Alabama, and connects with New Orleans, the land of his nativity; and he takes the liberty to say by descending to the bay of Mobile, and thence around that he does arrogate to himself the right to speak of the by water. On this plan, what would be the utility of a wants and necessities of that people, as well as the comgreat part of this road, upon the supposition of Mobile or mercial advantages to be conferred by this road. There the bay being occupied by an enemy's fleet? Useless to a the bounties of nature have been bestowed in an eminent great extent. Sir, I now hold in my hand the map of the degree. Little else is wanting than commercial facilities several surveys male by the engineers, from which it will in order to finish the picture upon which is delineated real be seen that, if an entire land communication were not prosperity. There you meet with a fertile soil, salubrious the object, the western route, on account of distance, in-clime, inexhaustible mountains of iron ore, furnaces and dependent of every other consideration, is to be preferred. forges, nail and steel factories, with water power and faWhy so? Because, if you fancy the Tombigbee river as cilities for all kinds of manufactures. Within the gentlethe point of termination, the western route approximates, man's own State, and near to the margin of this road, the within some thirty or forty miles, those southern routes at salt works, from whence an immense stretch of country, that river upon which they terminate; that being the fact, east and west, must (in the very nature of things) ever it is only necessary to see the extended land communica- be supplied by means of this road. What is the fact? tion from that point passing through part of Mississippi and That indispensable article for animal subsistence is now Louisiana, in order to account for the reason why it is transported in wagons to the Holston river, within the dismade to approximate either, as it regards distance and trict from whence I came; and then, relying upon the bounty of heaven to furnish rain to swell the tide, is now But, as I will have occasion to speak more at large in transported to all that stretch of country above the Muscle reference to the western route, in following my friend shoals. The advantages of that section of our common counfrom Virginia, I now come to the main issue. Is this road, try do not stop here. Its facilities in producing subsistence and upon the western route, necessary for the purposes for live stock, and all the necessary means of human comof this country on the three great and "fundamental con-fort, are not surpassed by any other quarter. Yet, what siderations which should combine, in its construction, com- is the fact in relation to that highly favored country? They mercial, mail, and military purposes? Following the have nature's rude works to contend with in their intergentleman's own course, I will examine these considera- course with their fellow-citizens of adjoining States. Need tions separately; and, first, commercial advantages. The I tell this committee that the edge of industry and entergentleman emphatically asked, of what use is this road in prise is blunted, for the want of some channel through a commercial point of view? and proceeded to show that which to dispose of the surplus products of that valley? it cut at right angles all the navigable rivers in its course, Let facts speak for themselves. When wheat, that indisand would not be useful for commerce. I answer that ob-pensable article of man's subsistence, commanded from a jection by saying, if his remarks had been applied to the dollar to a dollar and a quarter per bushel in other quarsouthern routes, there would have been some justness in ters of this Union, its current price there was from thirtythem; but, as applied to the western route, his objection is three and a third to fifty cents. Why was this? Because altogether gratuitous, and is predicated upon a total mis- of the want of outlets to market. So in relation to iron conception of facts. Look, for a moment, at the map of and all the other products and manufactures in that quarthe country traversed by this road, after crossing into the ter; and what has been the consequence? Many of the valley; instead of intersecting all the navigable rivers at citizens of that part of East Tennessee from whence I right angles, there is but one that is in any tolerable degree came, have sacrificed their lands and surrendered their lonavigable, for near five hundred miles, (I mean the James cal attachments, and have gone to other less eligible situariver.) If I recollect, the country through which this tions (in most respects) in order to gain a location where road is to run, between Staunton, Virginia, and Knoxville, the products of the labor of the husbandman would proTennessee, the only rivers upon which it touches, of mise a just equivalent, by reason of being permitted to enany size, are the James, New river, and Holston. How ter into the markets of the seaboard. Thus much, withis commerce now carried on throughout that section of the out going minutely into detail, in answer to the gentleman's country? In wagons, if indeed gentlemen will agree question, as to the necessity and commercial utility of this that commerce can be carried on in that vehicle. Sir, I tell the gentleman, that my whole journey from this to my The gentleman next examined into the utility of this residence (except fifty miles) is upon this very road, and road for mail purposes. In that point of view, he has conI can inform him, if he did not before know the fact, that ceded, to some extent, its utility; but, upon counting, in the merchandise consumed, as far west as Knoxville, is now dollars and cents, its cost and income, has also pronounced transported from the Eastern cities upon that very road, upon it his unqualified negative. If the gentleman imabad as it is. It is no uncommon thing to see caravans of gines that the most sanguine friend of this measure ever some eight or ten wagons passing upon it to the West; and, calculated upon the road, when completed, either upon in the nature of things, it must ever be the channel of the plan proposed by the bill, or any other, being the procommerce for a considerable portion of that interior sec-ductive source of revenue to the Government, I tell him tion. This road, then, whether on the McAdam plan, or that he is laboring under a most gross delusion. Sir, it that more humble, as contemplated by the bill, is all that was never dreamed of by any one of its friends. But it some of the gentleman's own fellow-citizens can ever ex-was believed that this, combined with the other cardinal

VOL. VI.-83

road.

H. of R.]

Buffalo and New Orleans Road.

[MARCH 24, 1830. inducements for such work, (I mean the military and com- a road can be made, combining the advantages that this mercial uses,) would, when taken together, present al-will afford. I said, in the commencement of my remarks, most irresistible inducements to the National Legislature. that it was intended for a great interior communication Do gentlemen calculate the nett income of all their weigh-from North to South, with which this Government or the ty appropriations to the maritime defence of the country? States might, from time to time, connect other and less Did they, in the construction of the great Cumberland important ones, and thereby attach to them much of the road, keep in view the restoration of its cost in dollars and value of this great improvement. Construct this road, cents? No! Like this, it was a matter of national con-pass the bill for the road from Zanesville, Ohio, to Flo cernment, and was embarked in upon more liberal and en-rence, in Alabama, and you do-what? You place the larged views than those which the gentleman would now States of Tennessee and Kentucky, the troops of which extend to this. But let us look at it as a mere post road. are disposable, because that they have no frontiers of their What is now the rate of mail transportation upon that own, in the condition in which a skilful commander would route? If I am not misinformed, it will average about fif the interior force in the square of his encampment. You ty dollars a mile. What, is it probable, would be the re- keep them in readiness to push to either point where danduction upon the road when completed? Upon a fair cal-ger threatens. culation, one-half the present amount of transportation This being a question submitted by the gentleman from would be saved, taking into consideration the increased Virginia to the American people, I shall have failed in travel upon it, and other advantages to result from its im- presenting it in its true character, if I stop here. provement. This of itself would produce some forty thousand dollars of a saving to the Government, to say nothing of the importance of reducing the time of travel.

I say to the gentleman, and proclaim to the American people, that this road, and upon the route delineated, in part, in the bill, so useless, in his opinion, for military pur I now pass on to the use of this road to the military ope-poses, is the identical road traversed by the East Tennes rations of the Government in time of war. Sir, whatever see troops for more than three hundred miles, in search the gentleman may think of it, this, to me, is the primary of the enemies of their common country. On the margin inducement. What I have said in relation to the local be- of this road it was, where your gallant troops encountered nefits, in a commercial point of view, to result from the the appalling horrors of famine, when upon its line, and measure, I wish to be distinctly understood as being ac-not farther distant than three hundred miles from the cessory to, and consequent upon, this paramount conside-scene of their sufferings and wo, there was bread, and to ration, national defence. This, instead of furnishing an spare. Has the gentleman forgotten, or does he suppose objection to such improvements, on the contrary, esta-you have, that, for the want of this very road during the blishes their importance in a national point of view. When war, and other facilities in defence, countless milkons of was it, or where, that a work of improvement, conducing to the public money were squandered in the article of transthe general good, did not also address itself to the local portation? Sir, I will call to the recollection of my friend interests of more or less of the citizens of this confedera- a single fact connected with this subject. In the vicinity cy? This follows inevitably, because, as a general rule, of this road, in the southern part of Alabama, the Govern your men and munitions of war are transported upon just ment was compelled to pay from fifty to sixty dollars a such roads, rivers, and canals, in time of war, as are used barrel for flour, when, at the same time, the current price, for commerce in peace, This is obvious, because, in the in that part of East Tennessee in which I reside, and nature of things, attack will be made at the same places which is intersected by this road, has never, to my knowat which are your great commercial deposits. The gen-ledge, exceeded from three to five dollars. Let this fact, tleman has asked if troops and munitions of war would without comment from me, speak for itself. ever be transported from Buffalo to New Orleans, and vice But, sir, the enormity of the price attached to articles versa. I answer, no. Nobody ever thought of such thing. of subsistence, during the war, was not all, your exhaustBut it was believed that, in case of war, and Buffalo agained treasury, by reason of improvidence and prodigality, becoming the theatre of that war, men and munitions might, and has been, replenished. Sir, more than money could be transported from the interior of Pennsylvania wasted, was the melancholy jeopard of human life, occaand the adjacent States, to that quarter. It was also be- sioned by the exposure consequent upon wading rivers, lieved, and confidently, too, sir, that, in the event of Or- creeks, and swamps, on account of the want of the very leans being again attacked, troops from Western Virginia means of defence now contemplated, and upon the very and Eastern Tennessee could be marched upon this road track delineated in this bill, which, in the estimation of to its intersection with the Tennessee river, and, when im- the gentleman, presents so useless a project as to merit an proved for navigation, could thence be transported to the appeal to the source of all power, the people. I ask my defence of Orleans; whilst those parts of Alabama, Missis- friend from Virginia, what estimation he places upon husippi, and Louisiana, could be marched upon this road. man life? Would he coldly sit down and calculate its Sir, it was furthermore believed that Mobile being the worth in dollars and cents, as he has done the cost of this point of attack, West Virginia and East Tennessee were road? Sir, I answer for him; I know him too well; he not only interested in it as their natural channel of com- would not. But, sir, all the arguments and inducements merce, but, from their geographical position, were the le- flowing from the practical results of the late war are to gitimate allies of that defenceless point. This road, and be obviated by assumptions of supposed results, which I this alone, opens to the southern part of Alabama the most deny. The gentleman says that things are not again to speedy, natural, and efficient means of defence. transpire as they did during the late war; and why? BeBut, suppose, for argument's sake, I were to admit that cause [said he] the density of our population will enable this road, running nearly equi-distant between the south- the frontier to defend itself. This delve into futurity is ern seaboard and the Ohio, and part of the Mississippi river, beyond my ken, and my objection to it is, that it bids dewould not of itself furnish the full means of reaching all fiance to experience, that surest guide. It is quite too the exposed parts on the Gulf of Mexico. What then? flattering, and is based upon speculative opinion, against Would it follow that this road ought not to be construct- established facts. In matters of every day concern, confied? Surely not. It would only prove that, when con-dence might be elicited; but in a matter of such interest structed, the full means of facilitating the defence of the as the safety of the republic, I have been instructed in country were incomplete. I will now ask the gentle- that school, in which it was an established maxim, "judge man from Virginia, and all who stand in opposition to the the future by the past;" to do which, most effectually, in passage of this bill, where, on this continent, can they time of peace, prepare for war; construct this great road point the finger to a portion of the Union through which from North to South, upon which you will be enabled to

MARCH 24, 1830.]

Buffalo and New Orleans Road.

[H. of R.

throw your disposable forces from the centre to the extre- of the issue joined upon the expediency of this measure, I mities, without jeoparding life and treasure--save your leave to this committee to determine; and will now adhigh-minded countrymen and yourself from the humiliat-vert to the attack which he has thought proper to make ing recurrences of the late war, here, as well as elsewhere. upon the general system of internal improvements. I am not one of those who believe that we should act It would seem that an attack upon this particular proupon the supposition that this country is destined to en- position ought to have sufficed, and that it should have joy eternal peace. My prayer to God is, that that may be been allowed to stand or fall upon its own intrinsic merits. the case, without sacrificing too much for it; but, until I But the gentleman has not been content with that course, can satisfy myself that our country is able to withstand the but has, with all his eloquence and ingenuity, endeavored combined opposition of the world, without the use of pre- to fix upon this system that deformity which would subparatory means, I will select the time of peace as being ject it to the primeval curse. Sir, if we were to accredit the most appropriate to prepare for war. the gentleman, every evil, when traced to its source, The gentleman asks what is the use of the extensive would be found to be the offspring of this corrupt and line of fortifications, if we are not to depend upon them corrupting system. It is to build up a colossal Governfor our defence? This question brings to my recollec- ment here, the shadow of whose wide-spread wings must tion a document which has been placed upon our tables, wither and blight the sovereignty of the States. Whole during this session, detailing the number of fortifications, States are to be bought up, and bow before this Moloch of and the appropriations toward that system of defence, internal improvements; the chains of despotism and bondage since the termination of the war. If I am not mistaken, are to be riveted upon the country, by oppressive exacthat document exhibits that nearly nine millions of the tions to sustain this cormorant system. Is this picture public moneys have been appropriated to that use. Now, real, or is it the product of the gentleman's high-wrought as the gentleman has asked the use of these fortifications, fancy, calculated to intimidate the members who have and if they are not to be relied on for defence, I will an- taken their seats in the present Congress, and stand unswer him. Such fortifications as have been erected at committed on this great question? I ask the gentleman to the points and places where there is a great concentration point his finger to the fact which would justify this severe of wealth, necessarily must be of great importance in re- sweeping, and, I must say, unmerited denunciation. I, too, sisting the avarice and cupidity of an enemy in time of war, regard the sovereignty of the States. I cherish their and no doubt will subserve the end for which they were union as the palladium of our liberties, and would join constructed; but when he asks me to rely upon all the the gentleman, and resist any incipient measures by this balance, useless as he has pronounced this road to be, I Government to abridge their sovereignty. I ask him to must say to him that I think his great chain of fortifica- retrace the progress of this system, and to give us a single tions still more useless. The inutility of them is not all. fact calculated to sustain him in presenting to the country They lay the sure foundation for raising and maintaining the gloomy picture which he has so unsparingly delineated. a standing army in time of peace in order to man them; If he can do so, I, for one, am not so fond of the pride of and worse than all, in time of war, your regulars and dis- consistency as to persevere in error. I will join him most ciplined troops, who, in the estimation of some gentlemen, heartily, and strangle the monster before it shall have atare "the salt of the earth," are to display their prowess in tained to maturity. But, in the absence of facts, the gendefending those monuments of extravagance, instead of tleman must excuse me if I will not run at the cry of "wolf! bringing them to bear upon the defence of the country. wolf!" when, at every stage of this great question, that Sir, this is not fiction. It must be true. An invading fleet, cry has been made. having the choice of our coast extending itself for thou- The tariff is lugged into this discussion, and its deforsands of miles, think you that within shot of one of these mity is to be reflected upon this measure. We are callfortifications would be the point of attack? Not so. ed upon to strike at the root of this evil, and repeal that Their attempt would be elsewhere; and what follows? odious system of exaction which robs one portion of the The militia of your country will be called upon to re-act community to enrich another. I answer, that effort has the scenes of New Orleans again. This very disposa- been made. I have acted with the gentleman from Virble force from the interior, and for whose accommoda-ginia, and we have been in the minority. Thus far, we tion this road is intended, would again redeem the flag of agree; and the point at which we separate is, the use to their country. which this redundant revenue, raised without our consent,

It may be thought strange that the appropriations to shall be applied. He is for having none to appropriate. the splendid sea-wall or chain of fortifications, and the Agreed. But what are we to do with that which has acfolly of such system, has inclined my mind to lean more crued, and will hereafter arise, under the present tariff? strongly to the system of internal improvements, as a more Shall it follow the countless millions which have gone, appropriate mean of defence; but I confess, that, not- from year to year, to the building of useless fortifications withstanding the gentleman has so unsparingly repudiated to keep up a standing army; to the building of ships to that system, such is the fact. I take, for example, the decay before they shall be called into use; harbors, bays, base line of this road, when completed. Upon it this inlets, and the thousand other projects upon tide water? Government or the States, necessarily, must hereafter or shall a small rivulet be diverted from that channel, and intersect other and less important roads, upon which the be directed to the interior to fructify a quarter of this military operations of the country can be carried on. Union in which the operations of this Government have They will then be brought to subserve the twofold pur-been felt only in its requirements and exactions, without pose of roads and fortifications. Had the nine millions, the first act of parental care being extended to much the which are now buried under piles of rocks in the form of greater portion? Will my friend from Virginia tell me fortifications, been judiciously applied to the construc-how, and in what way, the State from whence I come can tion of military roads and canals, and the opening of im- ever expect a return of the money indirectly taken from portant rivers, it occurs very forcibly to my mind that our the pockets of its citizens, unless it be under this very expenditures in that respect would have imparted vitali- system? Does he calculate upon a diminution of revenue, ty to the industry and enterprise of the country, and hap-until the public debt shall have been paid; and, when repiness and prosperity to parts of this highly favored Union, duced, that there will be a foresight and sagacity sufficient now left comparatively destitute. to so regulate that complicated machine, as to bring its

I have now followed the gentleman through the course operation just to the point of ordinary disbursement? of his remarks as being applicable to this particular Acting upon the principles by which I am governed, I need bill. How far I have succeeded in sustaining my side not look forward to the extinction of the public debt;

H. of R.]

Buffalo and New Orleans Road.

[MARCH 24, 1830. sufficient for the day is the evil thereof; we have now re-paraphernalia of seaboard extravagance. Answering this venue to be used, over and above the necessary expendi- question to his satisfaction, is no reason for rejecting this tures of the Government, and the operations of the sink- bill. Having answered what I would not do, I will now ing fund, and the question is narrowed down to a mere tell him what I would. A wise and prudent individual, in choice of alternatives. I have thought that it could not the management of his own concerns, will act with rebe so beneficially applied in any other manner, as in con- ference to his resources. When circumscribed, he will structing this great interior highway, which, in time of war, contract his expenditures; when redundant, they will be would be a secure route for carrying on with activity the more enlarged. So of a Government; if possessed of the operations of the Government, as well as intercourse means, I would build this road; deprived of them, I would, among the States. Believing that Congress does constitu- from necessity, abandon it. tionally possess the power to construct roads and canals We are pathetically asked by the gentleman, how is this for national purposes, what would the gentleman do, were system to be gotten clear of? and will we, because we have he from the State from whence I come? Would he stand the power, continue its exercise, when that course is cal with folded arms, and see the revenue, raised, if you please, culated to produce discontent and heart-burnings. As to without his consent, poured out in an unremitting sluice the getting clear of this system, I can only say to the gen upon those sections of this Union to which the kindness of tleman, the remedy is with the American people, to whom Providence had given much; and to accomplish for them his eloquent appeal has been made. This system is the still more, the little must be taken from those who were workmanship of their hands, reared up against the techforced to contend with nature's parsimony? Sir, I may nicalities of constitutional disquisitions, though, under the be under delusion upon this subject; if so, I wish to be cor- most embellished pictures of the expediency of such system rected. I have said, that, under the system of internal to the revolution which the gentleman is attempting to improvements, and that alone, can the interior parts of produce, I can assure him that I will bow with the most this Union participate in the disbursements of this Go- profound respect. I am on the safe side on that subject. vernment? I ask the citizens of my own State what has When it shall happen that the people, to whose will I shall been the course of things heretofore? More than three always yield obedience, become tired of this system, there hundred millions of revenue, collected since the war-will be no such spectre in the path of obedience as the where has it gone? I mean that, over the ordinary ex-ghost of the constitution; no, it will be a mere question of penses of the Government, and the public debt? To the expediency. seaboard. How much has been expended since the war, amongst you? The salaries of your federal officers, and no more. What, aside from opening your roads and rivers, can you expect hereafter? Nothing.

As to "discontent and heart-burnings,” I can assure the gentleman that I regret the necessity of such a state of things as much as he can; but does not his own experience teach him that that is the inevitable result of all that le I am not so credulous as to believe that that sluice, gislation which relates to matters of great interest? Can which was kept running when the public debt was at its he suppose that man, in his imperfect state, prompted by maximum, is now to be closed, when it is reduced to a mere ambition, interest, or whatever passion may be addressed, point. As, then, one of the Representatives from the when brought in conflict with an antagonist feeling, and interior, I will attempt to divert a part of the great cur- has failed in the attainment of his object, should be exrent running to the seaboard, and, by my influence, send empt from that condition? Are we then to surrender a rivulet to fructify that goodly land, which has been neg-that for which we have contended for years; and which, lected. I speak feelingly; it has, emphatically, been in our deliberate judgments, conduces to the essential and permanent interests of the country, because of the

overlooked.

If I am correct in the view which I have taken of the minority being dissatisfied? Far as I would advance to disbursements of the Government for the past; and if it give satisfaction to any quarter of this country, this would be true that from three to five millions of the treasury, be going too far. It would, when carried out to its full common to all, have, year after year, regardless of the extent, prevent legislation from being enforced; and, there public debt, when at its maximum, been diverted to pur-fore, none should be adopted. I ask, what would have poses less important to the Union than this great road; been the consequence of yielding to discontent on the what is the fair, nay, inevitable inference? Surely it is, part of the minority, when your Government thought it that, before the close of this Congress, the sum embraced expedient to lay the embargo, declare war, pass a tariff, or in this bill will be appropriated to the object to which it a mammoth pension bill? Surely the answer is, that none refers, or, in the event of its failure, will be hypothecated of these measures would have been enforced. Different to some other project, if not altogether useless, greatly opinions are entertained by different gentlemen, as to the inferior to it in point of national importance. tribunal provided by the constitution for determining upon I look upon the attempt to throw upon this measure the the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress. If, how weight of the tariff, as being altogether gratuitous. That ever, it should turn out to be a casus emissus in that inpolicy, as I before hinted, has been settled, at all events strument, I would then say, that, in the absence of a until the extinction of the public debt. Why has it been more appropriate tribunal, I am, until the case can be dragged into this debate? The reason must be obvious to better provided for, content to refer the legislation of every one; and, without charging it to mal-motive in the this House to the ordeal of the source of all power, gentleman, whose candid, fair, and open course in de- the ballot boxes-I mean the people. If no where else, bate I have always admired, I will say it was calculated, there is there a redeeming spirit, that will not long suffer if not designed, to unite, in common cause, all who were their servants to be the willing instruments of unjust op hostile to either measure. pression, "heart-burnings, and discontent," to any por We have been gravely asked if we would levy upon tion of their fellow-citizens. If this system had been what our constituents a direct tax, in order to carry on this sys it has been characterized by the gentleman from Virginia, tem. I can only speak for myself; I answer, no. I go that of plunder, bargain, intrigue, and corruption, a virmuch further; I tell the gentleman nor would I for much the tuous people would, before this, have frowned into regreater number of projects which have been the objects of tirement the actors in a work so unholy. But I must coff peculiar care to this Government. I would not, by my sole my friend from Virginia, by informing him that there vote, levy a direct tax to continue the gentleman's splendid are two sides to this picture, and he has only looked upon sea-wall, or chain of fortifications; the building of useless one. I turn him to the other, and ask him to look upon ships to decay in time of peace; the military academy; it. I hold up to his view that which was commenced by the mammoth pension bills; in short, for none of the him who had been styled "the Apostle of Liberty:"1

at

MARCH 24, 1830.]

Buffalo and New Orleans Road.

[H. of R.

mean the illustrious Jefferson, and "though he is dead he completed, as a road of the description specified in the yet speaketh." On his side of the picture, he represented bill. I entertain no doubt of the perfect adaptation of such roads and canals as great foundations of union and pros-road to all the exigencies of the country through which it perity. All who have succeeded him to the office of Chief is to pass. I know, upon part of that road, the application Magistrate entertained the same opinion as to the ex-of stone would not only be useless, but detrimental. pediency and utility of such works; the high authority of But I will not disguise my views as to the ultimate destitheir names are furnished us, in opposition to the appal-nation of this improvement. I have said that I believe it ling picture drawn by the gentleman. Again, for his com- will subserve all the purposes of the Government, upon fort under this new era" of improvement, I beg to re- the plan proposed; but if, upon actual experiment, the fer him to the discussions of 1824 upon the surveys bill, increased necessities of the country should demand its which, by all, was considered the entering wedge to this construction upon a more elevated plan, we have it in reamuch abused system, and he will there see that this road, diness for the application of metal, or rails, whenever the now considered so superlatively useless, was avowed openly resources of the treasury, and the importance of the work, as a component part of it. It was surveyed and reported shall suggest itself to the wisdom of our successors as beupon, amongst the first works of that day, and has been ing advisable; not under any pledge upon the face of this ever since considered worthy of occupying a place on the bill, or the consummation of the present projected plan, calendar of business in this House. So far, then, as this but resting alone upon the future developments of its high particular branch of that system extends, it is no "new utility.

era" in improvements. I recur to the celebrated report | I have now done with this subject; but, before I take my of Mr. Gallatin, in 1801-'2, and I there see a forcible re-seat, I must say a word to the friends of internal improvecommendation, not of this particular road as delineated,ments. Seven years ago I took my seat in this hall; since

but of a great interior communication from North to South; when, I have been an advocate for such improvements as but I will dismiss the subject, by remarking that this Go- addressed themselves to the exigencies of the nation at vernment, when mea had not become so refined in con- large. I have doubted neither the constitutionality nor exstitutional disquisitions, did construct a road from Nash- pediency of that measure.

ville to New Orleans, the trace of which yet remains; to We have been told by the gentleman from Virginia, the period of constructing which I refer the learned gen-that this was a system, the operation of which was to buy tleman from Virginia, as the "era of internal improve-up not only Representatives, but States and communities. ments," to which this branch may be referred. That road I beseech you to contradict, by your disinterested votes, was constructed by the money and troops of the Federal the fearful anticipations of the opponents to the measure. Government, through the territory of the States, and with- This is a subject which does not address itself to the local out their consent.

I ask, were there no patriots then to warn us of the yawning gulf of "consolidation?" No friend to State rights to raise the veil of futurity, and paint the gloomy picture of masters bowing, and cringing, and begging to their servants for a crumb from their own table? No! All was silence. It was reserved to other men and better days to espy the evil, and save the republic.

interests of many of you, in as much as it traverses States, to the greatest extent, in which our doctrines were not received as orthodox; and the majority of the Representatives of those States, upon this floor, are aiming a vital stab at the system for which you have been contending, in the overthrow of this measure. Let it not be said that you exchange your vote for the gilded bait which a measure of local interest may hold up to your view. It has so hapHaving followed my friend from Virginia through such pened, that, for the first time since I had the honor of a of his remarks as I thought it my duty to answer, and hav-seat here, a great national measure, including, also, local ing feebly attempted to sustain this measure against one interests, has been presented for my support. Having votwhose skill and tact in debate I cannot too highly complied for the continuation of the Cumberland road, upon ment, I must draw to a close my crude remarks. If I have which neither myself, nor, as I suppose, any of my consucceeded in showing the utility of, and necessity for, this stituents have travelled, being hundreds of miles from me road, need I say that the States would never construct it at its nearest approach, it was to have been supposed that on their own resources? Need I say that a project unit- I would have supported this, which must pass through ing in interest seven States, acting only within their local some part of my district. All that I can ask, is, that you limits, could not act in unison, so as to accomplish its con- look at this subject as statesmen, giving to it that importstruction? To which, I would ask, would it suggest itself ance which it merits, in a national point of view; and if as an object of primary importance, when viewed alone, you should then withhold your support, you will have as a highway for the State? None. It is one of those done right. Let us convince our adversaries that the prosgreat objects eminently stamped with the impress of na-perity of our common country is the leading inducement tionality, and which, alone, the comprehensive grasp of in the exercise of the power which we claim. I speak federal legislation can accomplish.

But the cost is objectionable. We have been told that, whilst the bill appropriates two millions and a quarter, this sum will only blaze out the way for this mammoth undertaking--that countless millions must follow to its final completion. Sir, it seems that this dish cannot be rendered savory to the appetites of our opponents. This bill, which has been drawn with more than ordinary care, to steer clear of the very objection of the gentleman, so much so as to require an estimate of the cost of each mile, bridge, and causeway, and that estimate to be submitted to the President of the United States, and must fall within the average of fifteen hundred dollars a mile, or the road is not to be constructed--this abundant precaution will not satisfy the gentleman. I must be allowed to say, that, in my humble opinion, as regards this objection, the defect is in the appetite of the gentleman, and not in the aliment provided. If commenced under such estimate, falling within fifteen hundred dollars a mile, it is to be

with freedom on this subject, as I have nothing to disguise. Let the opponents to this system succeed in their opposition to this bill, and, though I am not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet, yet I predict that you may bid a long farewell to that system for which we have so zealously contended.

Mr. CARSON made a few observations in relation to an amendment he heretofore offered, which [he said] he would discuss more at large on a future occasion. He yielded the floor to

Mr. ISACKS, who said that he would, on this occasion, follow the example of the gentleman from Virginia, [Mr. BARBOUR] in declining a discussion of the constitutional power of Congress to pass this bill, were it not from a behef that there were others who were not, like him, prepared to deny the expediency of the measure, but who had become persuaded that Congress did not possess that power, and who would entrench themselves behind the supposed barriers of the constitution; from whence it