MARCH, 1830.]

Buffalo and New Orleans Road.

[H. OF R.

they would have the pleasing reflection that improvements-my votes on that subject will they too had cause for holding in affectionate remembrance those who had preserved, in health and vigor, their beloved country.

Mr. CROCKETT, of Tennessee, submitted an amendment, providing that the roads should run from the city of Washington, in a direct route, to Memphis, on the Mississippi River, in the western district of Tennessee.

In support of his amendment, Mr. C. said, he was truly sorry, under existing circumstances, to trouble the committee with any remarks upon the subject, especially as a considerable portion of time had already been consumed by the Representatives from his State, no less than four gentlemen from Tennessee having addressed the committee, (Messrs. BLAIR, ISACKS, POLK, and STANDIFER,) all of whom (said Mr. C.) are much better qualified to give light on this subject than myself.

When (he continued) I consider the few opportunities which I have had to obtain information on this important topic, I shrink at the idea of addressing so intelligent a body as this, upon matters relating to it. My lips would be sealed in silence, were I not fully convinced that there has been, in some instances, a partial and improper legislation resorted to during the present session. I was elected from the western district of Tennessee, after declaring myself a friend to this measure; and I came here quite hot for the road-yes, the fever was upon me; but I confess I am getting quite cool on the subject of expending money for the gratification of certain gentlemen who happen to have different views from those I entertain. Let us inquire where this money comes from. It will be found that even our poor citizens have to contribute towards the supply. I have not forgotten how I first found my way to this House; I pledged myself to the good people who sent me here, that I would oppose certain tariff measures, and strive to remove the duties upon salt, sugar, coffee, and other articles, which the poor, as well as the rich, are from necessity compelled to consume. The duties on these articles are felt to be oppressive by my fellowcitizens; and, as long as I can raise my voice, I will oppose the odious system which sanctions them.

show that I am an internal improvement man, though I cannot go, as the Kentuckian says, "the whole hog." I will only go as far as the situation of the country will admit, so far as not to oppress. I will not say that I will vote against the bill under all circumstances, yet, at this moment, I consider it a wild notion to carry the road to the extent contemplated, from Buffalo to this city, and from this to New Orleans. Adopt my amendment, and you will shorten the distance five hundred miles, which will save, in the outset, upwards of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the country. Is not this worthy the consideration of the committee? Besides, it would, in a measure, be useless to open the road as contemplated by the bill. I recollect there was a road opened by the army, from the lower end of the Muscle shoals, on the Tennessee River, to Lake Pontchartrain, and thence to New Orleans, and now it is grown up, except about one hundred and twenty miles, so that it is impassable; this is according to information I have received from gentlemen who are acquainted with the road.

From East Tennessee to New Orleans it must be upwards of eight hundred miles; from that place to Memphis, I mean from where the road would pass, between two and three hundred. I am well acquainted with the local situation of East Tennessee, and do not doubt that it would be of great use to make a good road from Memphis to this city. The contemplated road is to commence at Buffalo, come to this city, and go thence to New Orleans. But suppose we should say it were best to begin at Memphis, and come to this place? Will this be opposed? Will the rule not work both ways? If not, it is a bad concern. I am astonished that certain of our eastern friends have become so kind to us. They are quite willing to aid in distributing a portion of the national funds among us of the West. This was not so once. And, if I am not deceived, their present kindness is merely a bait to cover the hook which is intended to haul in the western and southern people; and when we are hooked over the barb, we will have to yield. Their policy reminds me of a certain man in the State of Ohio, who, having caught a raccoon, placed it in a bag, and, as he Those who sustain the Government, and fur- was on his way home, he met a neighbor, who nish the means, have, by the illiberality of their was anxious to know what he had in his bag. servants, been kept in ignorance of the true He was told to put his hand in and feel, and in cause of some of their sufferings. These servants, doing so he was bit through the fingers; he after the people intrust them with their confi- then asked what it was, and was told that it dence, too often forget the interest of their em- was only a bite. I fear that our good eastern ployers, and are led away by some designing gen- friends have a hook and a bite for us; and, if we tlemen, who, to gratify some wild notion, are al- are once fastened, it will close the concern. We most willing to enslave the poorer class at least. may then despair of paying the national debt; I am one of those who are called self-taught men; we may bid farewell to all other internal imby the kindness of my neighbors, and some ex-provements; and, finally, we may bid farewell ertion of my own, I have been raised from obscurity without an education. I am therefore compelled to address the committee in the language of a farmer, which, I hope, will be understood. I do not mean to oppose internal

to all hopes of ever reducing duties on any thing. This is honestly my opinion; and again I say, I cannot consent to "go the whole hog." But I will go as far as Memphis. There let this great road strike the Mississippi, where the

H. OF R.]

Buffalo and New Orleans Road.

[MARCH, 1830

steamboats are passing every hour in the day | any thing else, nature has furnished us with and night; where you can board a steamboat, and, in seven or eight days, go to New Orleans and back; where there is no obstruction at any time of the year. I would thank any man to show this committee the use of a road which will run parallel with the Mississippi for five or six hundred miles. Will any man say that the road would be preferred to the river either for transportation or travelling? No, sir. Then, is not your project useless, and will it not prove an improper expenditure of the public funds to attempt to carry the road beyond Memphis? New Orleans has local advantages which nothing can take from her; it cannot injure her to have the road terminate at Memphis; and if the road should so terminate, it would be on the direct route from this city to the province of Texas, which I hope will one day belong to the United States, and that at no great distance of time.

These considerations, I think, are entitled to the notice of the committee. If we must burden the people by a great expenditure, let us endeavor to do it with a view to the general good of the country. As to the defence of the country, every man must know that the valley of the Mississippi can produce a sufficient number of troops to meet any enemy who may have the audacity or vanity to attack our western frontiers or New Orleans-that noted battle ground, where, a few years since, we made the most powerful enemy on earth tremble; where the proud troops of England, headed by their haughty Lord Packenham, so soon became tired of our present Chief Magistrate and his brave little band. We are at present much stronger than during the last war; and if we desire to transport an army to New Orleans, or

the best road in the world, the importance of which we have once experienced. Should it ever happen that your brave soldiers, who fought so gallantly at Bladensburg, should be called on to render us assistance, I should be in favor of their taking a water passage at Memphis; a ride on the water, and a pleasant nap or two, might recruit their strength and sustain their natural bravery. I do not anticipate that those heroes will ever be called on to protect us; if there is a call, it will be on the other side; and it is now to be regretted that you had not been aided here by a few Kentucky and Tennessee boys, in your brave exertions to prevent the disgraceful burning of the capitol. In the district which I represent, there are eighteen counties, in the whole of which there is not a spot of ground twenty-five miles from a navigable stream; and, for my part, I would much rather see the public money expended in clearing out those rivers, than in opening roads. By the bill, fifteen hundred dollars per mile is to be expended. This, I fear, would be but an entering wedge. But we will suppose the road to be fifteen hundred miles in length; at this rate it would cost two millions two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. But I believe the distance to be farther than gentlemen have calculated, and the expense will be greater.

Mr. CHILTON gave his reasons against the measure, although friendly to the system of internal improvement.

The debate was continued by Messrs. COKE, CARSON, CRAIG, of Virginia, SPEIGHT, PETTIS, and BARRINGER; but, before a vote was taken on the final question,

The committee rose, and reported progress.

INDEX TO VOL. X.

A

road, 377; Representative from Maine, 576; on a draw-
back on rum, 675. See Index, vols, 8, 9.

A. B. Plot, The.-See Index, vol. 8, Edwards, Ninian, Ad- | ANGEL, WILLIAM G., Representative from New York, 576.
dress of.

Accident, a most extraordinary, 197.

ADAMS, JOHN QUINOY, Message at 2d session of 20th Con-
gress, 200; note, 202; votes for, as President, in 1828,
894. See Index, vols. 2, 8, 4, 6, 8, 9.

ADAMS,

Appointments, Executive.-See Index, vol. 5.
Appropriations.-See Index, vols. 1, 2, 8, 5, 7, 8.
ARCHER, WILLIAM S., Representative from Virginia, 576;
on a Committee on Education, 582; on the Southern
Indians, 618. See Index, vols. 6, 7, 8, 9.

-, Senator, 588; on the removal of the Indians, Ardent Spirits in the Navy.-In the House, resolutions

538.
Addresses of the Senate and House in answer to Presi-

dent's Messages.-See Index, vols. 1, 2.
Adjournment of Congress.-In the House, a resolution rela-
tive to fixing the day of adjournment, considered, 119;
various amendments moved, 119; House cannot get
through all the business on the docket, 119; their duty
to attend to the public business, 120; the chief object
for which gentlemen are to be detained is the making of
President, 120; the time for adjournment too soon for
the amount of business, 120; further debate, 121; resolu-
tion to appoint a committee to confer, &c., carried, 121.
See Index, vol. 7.

Admirals in the Navy.-See Index, vol. 2.
Africans captured.-See Index, vol. 9.

relative to abolishing, &c., offered, 670; it should be
left to the discretion of individuals, 670; have the
effect of reducing the efficiency and impairing the
courage of sailors, 670; no practical results will follow
the adoption of the resolution, 671; ardent spirits never
contribute to the health or permanent comfort of the
sailor or soldier, 671; impolicy of endeavoring to cor-
rect it by a prohibitory law, which might raise the spirit
of discontent, 671; it is our duty to make the effort,
671; amendment moved, extending the resolution to
members of Congress, &c., 672; amendment lost, 673;
resolutions agreed to, 673.

Arkansas Western Boundary.-See Index, vols. 7, 8.
Arkansas Territory.-See Index, vol. 6, Territories.
Armory, Western.-See Index, vol. 8.

African Slaves and Slavery.—See Index, vols. 1, 2, and In- ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM, Representative from Virginia, 576.
dex, vol. 6, Slavery.

Agriculture, Committee on.-See Index, vol. 8.

Alabama, Land Grant to.-In the House, a bill granting

certain relinquished lands to, considered, 187; ordered
to a third reading, 193.

Alabama, vote for President in 1828, 894. See Index, vols. 6, 8.
ALEXANDER, MARK, on the tariff bill, 106; Representative
from Virginia, 576; on the pay of members, 697. See
Index, vols. 6, 7, 8, 9.

Algerine War.-See Index, vol. 1.
Allegiance, Foreign.-See Index, vol. 1; also Index, vols.
2, 5, 6, Expatriation.

ALLEN, ROBERT, on the rules of order, 401; Representative
from Virginia, 576. See Index, vols. 6, 7, 8, 9.
ALSTON, WILLIS, Representative from North Carolina, 576;
on postponing the election of Clerk, 578. See Index,
vols. 2, 8, 4, 5, 8, 9.

Amelia Island.-See Index, vol. 6.

Amendment of the Journal of the House.-See Index,
vol. 6.

Amendment of the Constitution.-See Index, vols. 1, 2, 3,
5, 7, 8, 9.

ANDERSON, JOHN, the case of, see Index, vol. 6, Bribery.
ANDERSON, JOHN, on the tariff bill, 54; on the Cumberland

See Index, vols. 8, 9.

Army. In the Senate, a bill to fix and reduce the military
establishment, considered, 415; the bill, 415; moved to
expunge the preamble, 415; reason of the preamble,
415; be quoted as a precedent hereafter, 415; a pream-
ble is an apology for legislation, 415; the old practice,
415; the reasons of this act should go with it, 416; the
bill requires no key to unlock it, 416; if the bill pass
without a preamble, we call upon the President to sign
a bill stating that to be right which he has declared to
be wrong, 416; amendment moved and passed, 416; bill
laid on the table, 416. See Index, vols. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7.
Army desertion, prevention of.-See Index, vol. 8, and In-
dex, vol. 9, Desertion.

ARNOLD, BENEDICT, Representative from New York, 576.
Assault on the President's Secretary.—In the House, report
of committee, 179; resolutions relative to, considered,
193; is this case subject to be discussed at this session?
193; a small affair from first to last, 198; let the resolu
tions be printed, 194; object of the mover, 194; the
majority and minority of the committee agreed on the
facts, but differed only as to the principle involved, 195;
reasons for printing, 195; bad practice to receive the re-
ports of minorities, 195; motion to lay on the table lost,

BAYLOR, R. E. R., Representative from Alabama, 577.
Beaumarchais, claim of. See Index, vols. 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
BAILEY, JOHN, Representative from Massachusetts, 576. BEECHER, PHILEMON, on the Ohio canal, 192 See Inder,
See Index, vols. 7, 8, 9.

from Pennsylvania, 404; on the marine service, 488; on
donations to deaf and dumb institutions, 512. See In- BLAKE, THOMAS, H., on the improvement of the Wabash
dex, vol. 9.
River, 80; on the Ohio Canal, 191. See Inder, vol. 9.
BARRY, JOHN, on naval appropriations, 6; on visitors at Blank ballots, shall they be counted ¡—See Index, vol. 4