Register of Debates in Congress, Comprising the Leading Debates and Incidents of the Second Session of the Eighteenth Congress Page: 323
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823
GALES & SEATON'S REGISTER
324
H. of R.]
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.
[Jan. 21, 1825.
under that construction of the Constitution which was
adopted at the last session of Congress. The first, at
Jeast, in which that construction had been clearly and
distinctly recognized ; for the bill passed for removing
the obstructions in the Mississippi and the Ohio rivers
was of a compound character. Its object was not ex-
clusively to facilitate commerce, but to preserve the lives
and property of our citizens. He had another objection
to the bill: In carrying into effect the system of internal
improvement, he thought it was wise, nay, indispensa-
ble, for the House to legislate on correct data. In this
case the Board of Engineers, who had been organized
under the act of last session, called the survey bill, had
not made any reporter presented to the House any opin-
ion respecting the general route of this canal, or any
of its details. In his judgment, Congress ought never to
appropriate unless upon estimates first submitted to
them by judicious and experienced persons. Besides,
he did not consider the finances of the country in such a
state as to warrant this appropriation at the present
time. There was, indeed, a sum of money in the Trea-
sury ; but the officer at the head of that Department
had informed the House that every part of it was alrea-
dy under appropriation, and several acts had already
been passed the present session, granting different sums
to the amount of at least one hundred and fifteen thou-
sand dollars. He could, therefore, see. nothing in the
state of the finances which was calculated to induce any
gentleman to vote for the present bill. Mr. G. observed,
in conclusion, that he lived nearly opposite to one of the
points where the canal was to pass, and he was himself
a friend to the canal; but he did not conceive that the
General Government was called upon to engage in the
undertaking, as it would, in his opinion, proceed, and be
completed, by individualunterprize.
Mr, MALLAKY, of Vermont, said he wished to make
a few remarks, in addition to those submitted yesterday.
He referred to what he then observed on the probable
completion of the great line of water communication
through the country. The Jersey Canal was provided
for, and its execution might be considered as certain. It
appeared, that.after a great expenditure had been made,
the Delaware Canal would be abandoned unless the aid
of Government was afforded. This work alone vvas
wanted to complete the greatest internal communication
to be found in any country. It would complete the in-
ternal navigation between the East and South. You may
pass from Canada through Luke Champlain—the North-
ern Canal—the Hudson—Jersey Canal—the Delaware
Bay—the Delaware Canal—Chesapeake Bay and waters
to Norfolk, Virginia, and thence through the Dismal
Swamp Canal to North Carolina. You may soon also
pass from the great lakes through the Erie Canal to the
Hudson, to the South. The effects must be incalcula-
ble. The interests of the North and South, of the East
and West, are every day becoming more and more unit-
ed and consolidated. By no effort of Government can
they be more promoted, than by giving the assistance
provided for by the bill now under consideration. Per-
mit me to refer to the great manufacturing interests of
the North and East, 1 do not, said Mr. M. intend to re-
vive tile discussion on the ta ill'. 1 must, however, be
allowed to say that its effects are already most conclu-
sively proving the wisdom of the measure. New life and
vigor were already communicated to the industry ot the
country. The accomplishment of the object before us,
must have the happiest tendency. With a view to illus-
trate the importance of this canal communication to the
manufacturing interests of this nation alone, he would
consider the article of cot ton alone. This is one of the
greatest materials on which northern industry and capi-
tal are employed. A safe and convenient transportation
from the South, was of the utmost importance. This
ttansportation can be at once interrupted, and almost
wholly prevented by any foreign power, which can bring
into service a greater naval force than our own. The
momerit such an interruption takes place, the most disas-
trous consequences must follow. An interruption of re-
gular supplies for a month would produce a greater sa-
crifice to the manufacturing community, than double the
cost of the Delaware Canal. Whatever, therefore, pro-
motes internal communication, adds to the great inter-
est of the nation, and no part will enjoy its advantages
to a greater degree than the North and East. As a
further evidence of its value, let me refer to a recent
important fact. The manufacturer of the North, already
sees his fabrics passing over this line of communication as
fast as completed, over the Cumberland Road, and dis-
persed through the Western country. They have al-
ready found a market at Santa Fe, in the most distant
Spanish provinces.
Again, said Mr. M. let me illustrate the interest of the
North in this question. That section is now beginning to
be most successfully and deeply engaged in the manu-
facture of iron. It is second to no production of art to
be used in peace or war. The completion of the great
object before us, renders the distribution ofit at all times
safe and economical. Should our coasting trade be in-
terrupted, this great and essential article will be distri-
buted without any hazard. The armories and navy
yards of the country would not be interrupted a moment;
you could, without the least inconvenience, supply the
navy yard at Norfolk, Virginia, with iron from Lake
Champlain.
Aliow me, sir, said Mr. M. to observe, that the Dela-
ware Canal has always been the favorite object of the
nation. More than ten years ago the subject was brought
before Congress. It was viewed with a favorable eye.
It would have succeeded, had not the delegation of New
Jersey been desirous of adding, also, the canal through
that state. The original bill was loaded too heavily, and
finally sunk. It appeared surprising, that gentlemen
now, from that state, should be desirous of defeating
the present measure, especially as the Jersey Canal was
provided for without the aid of Congress. Nothing
could aid the interests of New Jersey, and the value of
her contemplated canal, like the success of the bill be-
fore us. He hoped opposition from that and every oth-
er quarter might prove totally unsuccessful.
Believing that every portion of the country wasdeep-
ly interested in completing the grand internal commu-
nication which had been described, and that the last link
in the chain to be made was the Delaware Canal, he
should most cheerfully give the proposed measure his
cordial vote.
Mr. SHARPE, of New York, said, that, as he was one
of the Committee of Roads and Canals who had report-
ed the bill, he thought it was his duty to state some of
the reasons which had influenced him in giving his con-
sent to the measure.
The committee had had many different projects before
them, some of which were on a very large scale. There
were many of these which he approved, but which he
should be opposed to undertaking at the present time
—he considered the present object as standing on a dif-
ferent footing. The work was already commenced; the
company did not ask the Government to embark in this
undertaking as a benefit to them ; nor did it ask that any
sum of money should be appropriated to the object at
all. But, as the Legislatures of Pennsylvania, Delaware,
and Maryland, had subscribed in their character as states,
and as individual subscriptions had likewise been ob-
tained to a total amount of $ 700,000, and nothing more
could be obtained, it merely asked that the General Go-
vernment should do what individuals and states had al-
ready done to further a great and useful public object.
He did not see the least necessity for waiting for further
plans or estimates; the plan had "been laid and approved.
The estimates had all been made ; contracts entered in-
to; and one whole year of labor actually expended, if *
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Gales, Joseph, 1761-1841. Register of Debates in Congress, Comprising the Leading Debates and Incidents of the Second Session of the Eighteenth Congress, book, 1825; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc30752/m1/166/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.