Kentucky Gazette

CANAL AT THE FALLS OF OHIO.

The Senate took up the following resolutions, offered by Mr. Johnson, of Kentucky.

Resolved, That the committee on roads and canals be instructed to enquire into the expediency of authorising the appropriation of forty thousand dollars, for the purpose of co-operating with the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana, to improve the navigation of Ohio river.

Resolved, That the committee on roads and canals be instructed to enquire into the expediency of authorising the President of the U. States to subscribe for 100 shares of the capital stock of the Kentucky Ohio Canal Company, according to the 7th section of the act of the Kentucky Legislature, entitled, "An act to amend an act, approved January 30, 1818, entitled an act to incorporate the Kentucky Ohio Canal Company."

The resolutions having been read.

Mr. Johnson made, in substance, the following remarks:

He said he did not intend to detain the senate very long upon the subject of enquiry into this subject, so interesting to the western country. He was animated with a hope that several circumstances would combine to influence the senate to look with a favorable eye upon the proposition contained in the resolution. The contemplated appropriation is very inconsiderable compared with the object. Forty thousand dollars is proposed to aid in making the navigation of the Ohio river practicable at all times and all seasons, for steam, or keel, or other boats, which may not draw more than six feet. Every measure which will cherish our Union, operates as a powerful cement, and to convert every great concern into a common interest, should be taken into the most serious consideration, at a time when longitude and latitude have been made the basis of merit, instead of public service. The session at which, said Mr. J. we passed a law giving ourselves 1500 dollars per session, instead of a per diem, the age of good feeling prevailed, and then it was that the widow, the orphan, the wounded soldier, received from the nation the debt of gratitude, in part, for their sacrifices and sufferings. The present period, which furnishes a contrast to that happy season, furnishes inducements as strong to be liberal in these views. For my part, said Mr. J. I ever have, and ever will, vote for reasonable appropriation, whether it be intended to improve the rivers of Maine or Georgia, or to fill up valleys, or level mountains, and to remove natural & artificial obstructions in our navigable rivers, or to unite them by canals.

The great importance of this subject said Mr. J. presents a prolific source for reflections: and the information now before us, furnishes topics for almost inexhaustible remarks: but this is not the time to indulge in them. The magnitude of this subject, as a part of the great system of internal improvements, is made manifest by the utility of this measure; first, as it respects the internal commerce, the productions of agriculture; the articles of manufacture, and all the mechanic and domestic arts. Secondly, by furnishing a most powerful cement to this confederacy, by the freedom of intercourse which it will afford. and the facilities of interchanging the articles of commerce among the states. Thirdly, the extent of the territory which is dependent on this outlet and the waters which fall into it; the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, are duly interested in this measure. Fourthly, the extent of the population which is employed upon this vast territory. Without going into detail, we cannot forget the rising greatness of Pittsburgh, Maysville, Cincinnati, Louisville, Natchez, and New-Orleans, not to enumerate the many flourishing towns which please and arrest the attention of the spectator as he descends this beautiful river.

The next subject which presents itself, said Mr. J. is the report of the commissioners. This document, which I have before me, is a lasting monument of the merit of those who executed the work assigned to them by a resolution of the respective states concerned, by the invitation of the state of Ohio. at their own expense, in the first instance, in the heat of summer. These commissioners devoted themselves faithfully to the public trust committed to them, and have at length given to us the knowledge of the character of the Ohio river, and established beyond a doubt the practicability of making it navigable
at an expense far below the wreck of property and loss of the last season, in consequence of the water. These obstructions are principally of gravel and sand, some rocks in various parts of the river, and some artificial obstructions of trees, &c. And the report is not less valuable on account of its modest and unassuming character, which I understand, said Mr. J. is the labor of a member of this body: and whose usefulness, I trust, will not only benefit the great state whose confidence has sent him here, but the whole Union (Walter Lowrie, Senator from Pennsylvania.)—

The Constitution of the United States next presents itself for consideration.— We are, said Mr. J. vested with the actual and positive power to regulate commerce with foreign Indians, with Indian tribes, and among the several states.— We have exercised this power to its full vigor as respects foreign nations and Indian tribes; but as to the states it has remained almost a dead letter: and it is time, said he, that we should look at the cause of this apathy. The various states are busily employed in planning and executing systems of internal improvements, and individuals co-operating with state authority, to effect these desirable objects. In this state of the country, shall congress invigorate the spirit of enterprize which characterizes the states and the people of the states, by timely and reasonable appropriations? or shall we refuse our aid, and thus indirectly condemn and positively protract that system which will give to this nation so much wealth, so much power, and so much union?

The resolutions were then adopted.