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FEB. 10, 1829.]

Cumberland Road.

[H. OF R.

as members of the Confederacy, when they shall be taught the bounty of the Government, are still the most hungry to look to the General Government as the dispenser of and clamorous applicants for more of it? Such is the inpartial gratuities and bounties in money--the prices of toxicating and corrupting effect of these golden streams their submission to its will. It is apparent, that, in such a issuing from the treasury upon those who partake of them, state of things, the Federal Government must become that, like those who inhale the exhilarating gas of the cheevery thing--the States nothing. But these views have mist, the more they drink of it the more voracious their been often taken upon this floor, and I forbear to press them. appetite for it becomes; and when you shall force it from There is yet one view of the operation of this system, them at last, it is ten to one but they will repay your kindwhich I have not noticed fully, but which presents an ob-ness with ingratitude and discontent. Do gentlemen flatjection, compared to which, all others may be regarded ter themselves that those States or sections of the Union as of inferior consequence. Admitting that, in the exer- which have been nurtured from year to year by large apcise of the power which is contended for, in relation to propriations of the public funds will ever see the time Internal Improvement, Congress is to determine the par- when they will be ready to admit that they have had their ticular objects to which the national funds shall be applied, full portion of the good things of the treasury? Can they the effect upon the character and general legislation of ever cease to look for the return of the annual shower, this House will be of the most serious and alarming nature. which they have felt to be so refreshing to their interest? It is thought by the friends of this system, that now, be- Or is it to be expected that they will ever acknowledge, fore the national debt is discharged, we may safely make that the time has arrived when others may come in for an annual appropriation of a million of dollars for works of their share of the harvest? But I find myself digressing Internal Improvement. When the national debt is paid, from the point to which I wished to bring the attention it is supposed, by the most moderate calculation, that we of the Committee at present. Besides the corruptions shall have an annual surplus of four or five millions, to be which the practice of the system may introduce into the applied in this way; and we are to be the judges of the House, other great mischiefs and difficulties will arise, sections of the Union, and the particular roads and canals, which no purity or wisdom in Congress can prevent. upon which this annual surplus shall be expended. Let When Congress shall have settled that a road or canal it be remembered that the certain effect of making one shall be made in any particular section of the country, it of these roads or canals is to enhance the value of all the only seems to multiply the points of contention, which are landed estates bordering upon it, greatly beyond its for- certain to arise in fixing its precise locality. The responmer value. This is a permanent benefit to those, whose sibility of fixing the location of part of the old Cumberland good fortune it may be to own property upon the margin road was cast upon the President. Mr. Madison was heard of all such works. Other important temporary advan- to declare, that, in determining the precise location of tages flow in upon those sections of country in which we twenty-five miles of that road, such was the pertinacious may decree the expenditure of these large amounts of mo- and interested zeal of the inhabitants upon the several ney. The magnitude of some of these advantages will be proposed routes, in urging their respective claims, that perceived, when it is known that the disbursement of one the whole operation of the late war up to that time, so far hundred thousand dollars, voted to the continuation of the as he was concerned in them, had not given him so much Cumberland road in 1827, in connexion with the sums em- trouble as the discharge of this apparently trifling duty. ployed on the Cleaveland canal, had the effect of raising Some recent cases are more pregnant with example. the price of labor throughout the whole extent of the seems, in some way, to have been understood that Congress State of Ohio, with her million of inhabitants. Such is an would make an appropriation for the construction of a important fact, communicated by the superintendent of road between Baltimore and Philadelphia, a distance of the Cumberland road in that State, in one of his reports to about ninety-four miles only, and a part of the road being the Department of War. already turnpiked by private companies. Now, one would Let it be once understood, throughout the whole extent suppose that, if all the particular localities of any road in of this great Confederacy, that Congress has the uncon- the United States were well and generally known, it would trolled disposal of such important favors; that subscriptions be those of the road I have mentioned. Yet, sir, the may be obtained here, in aid of private road and canal United States' engineers report an examination of eight companies, and that road routes are to be settled at our distinct routes for the location of part only of this road; discretion; and you shall see this city swarm, from the be- and, if I am not mistaken, at the last session, we were ginning to the end of each session, with thousands of soli- honored with the attendance of two or three distinct sets citors, deputies, and agents of private companies, of dis-of deputies or delegates from the section of country through tricts and States, prosecuting the claims of their respective which this road runs, prepared to urge the advantages of principals to a part of the national spoil. They will block the routes which each respectively had in charge. Each up your door. Governors of States will be seen bowing presented you with maps and charts, handsomely delineatin the throng of them. The chief business of members of ing the course of the road, and the localities of the counCongress will be to secure to their respective districts try around; and, as might have been expected, each some portion of treasure. They will be chosen with re- thought his route rather the best, all things considered. ference to the qualifications necessary to secure that ob- In fine, sir, upon a section only of a short road, such were ject. Cunning and management will become the chief the difficulties created by jarring and opposite interests, accomplishments of a Representative. All the arts of ad- that the Committee on Roads and Canals, I believe, in dedress, and all the arts of corruption, will be put in re- spair of ascertaining which route was really entitled to a quisition by those who solicit from without, and it may preference, thought proper to recommend to the House not be long before an honest man will cease to have any that the determination of that question should be referred business here. Congress itself will cease to exist for any to the Postmaster General. We had last winter a deputy other purpose than to direct this branch of the public expen- also, from the distant region of Florida, soliciting a dona diture. Combinations will be formed between the Repre- tion of land, to aid in paying the cost of a canal which had sentatives of particular sections of the Union, to secure been, or was about to be, cut by a private company. I refer the principal dividends of the public funds applicable to to those missions from different parts of the country as this service, whose policy it will be to exclude a large illustrations merely of what we are to expect in future. minority from the enjoyment of any part of it. Every It is proper I should say, with regard to the gentlemen to important measure of the Government must, in the end, whom I have alluded, that I saw nothing but the most be controlled by this interest. Do we not already see, honorable deportment in the discharge of their respective that those States which have heretofore received most of missions; but, sir, this evil is in the bud. Not only this

It

H. OF R.]

Cumberland Road.

[FEB. 10, 1829.

House, but the whole country, must and will be gradually twelve millions, spread over a territory of a million square moulded into that corrupt condition which I have said miles. We are just emerging from the wilderness, and the would be the consequence of persevering in this policy. great machine of production, to borrow an observation of You have only to cast your eyes over the vast extent of a gentleman, made in this House at the last session, is only country interested in the location of either of the great in a state of preparation, and is by no means complete; roads proposed to be made, the one to the North and the yet we aspire to equal, or even to surpass, England, in other to the South, to see how this thing will operate. the extent and magnificence of our public works. Sir, I We have a report from the same competent authorities of may not yet have noticed the argument most relied upon which I have already spoken, of four grand routes for the in favor of concentrating a'l these gre. t works upon this city. location of the road to Buffalo, with twenty subordinate For fear I should mistake it, if I were to give it in my own ones. The road to New Orleans presents you with three language, permit me to read it from a report made by the grand routes, and some subordinate ones. Suppose it Committee on Roads and Canals, to this House, in 1826. should become generally known that Congress had a se- After detailing many reasons in favor of the construction of rious determination to execute either of these grand pro- the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the following one is urged jects such an intensity of interest and feeling would be upon Congress, in these words: "The effect of constructawakened among the people residing upon the different ing the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal will be to raise the routes, that I am persuaded the agitation attending the City of Washington to the first rank among the commerdecision in favor of any one of them would be felt through-cial cities of the Union. With all the facilities for imporout the Union. The inconvenience, in this respect, attend-tation, it would stand several hundred miles in advance of ing the operation of the system, to this House, some have all the Atlantic cities in reference to the commerce and supposed, might be remedied by casting the responsibility trade of the interior and the West. Such a great and obof deciding between conflicting routes upon the President. vious advantage could not fail to attract the merchants and In whatever way this business is managed, the favor of the capitalists of the country, who are always quick to see, and Executive to any particular project will be a primary ob- prompt to seize, every occasion which promises a profitaject to be secured by its advocates. The influence of the ble investiture of their funds; and the foreigners who visit Executive will always be felt upon this House; but, sir, you the seat of the National Government, from which they genwould make that influence overwhelming the moment iterally form their ideas of the whole country, instead of shall become the arbiter of such extensive and conflicting finding a dull and dispersed town, presenting nothing to claims and interests; and you might as well sign an uncon- gratify or amuse, would find a splendid city, with all the ditional surrender of liberty and of your country into the embellishments, fascinations, and advantages, which ought arms of corruption and arbitrary rule. to belong to the capital of a great nation.'

[Mr. MERCER said he was not the author of the report, nor was he a member of the committee which made it. Mr. BELL observed, I know the gentleman's name is not affixed to the report. I was not aware that he did not belong to the committee. The argument, however, is not affected by this circumstance. Does the gentleman disavow the sentiment?

Mr. MERCER said the gentleman had no right to propound questions to him, to which, he knew, he could not then reply.]

There is one objection to the projected system of Internal Improvement, founded upon the location and extent of the works which had been proposed as of chief importance, which I trust I may urge without incurring the charge of possessing a narrowness of spirit unbecoming a Representative of the People. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal is intended to invite the trade of the West to the City of Washington. The great national roads from Missouri, from New Orleans, and the Northern frontier, are to concentrate upon this city. They are all upon a scale of magnificence of which the most gorgeous period of ImpeMr. BELL resumed. I know the gentleman's superirial Rome gives no example, although her highways have ority in reply, especially when he means to be severe. I been justly celebrated as monuments of art and of imperial would not therefore provoke him. I assure the gentleman, munificence. The via Aurelia and the via Claudia united, however, I did not quote the report with any invidious inand they were two of her most splendid works of this kind, tention towards the author of it, whoever he may be. I would not equal in cost and extent the great road to the know that the views which I have read from this report West, or the projected one to New Orleans. Except the are extensively felt, and they have, no doubt, been acted Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the old Cumberland road, upon by many gentlemen of distinction upon this floor. I believe it is not pretended that these works will increase Sir, these sentiments have become, I fear, but too fashionable the commercial facilities of the country in any degree for the purity and economy of the Government; and it is proportioned to the cost of them. The great road to New proper the country should know the full extent of the Orleans, and which cannot cost less than five millions, it plans of those who support this system of Internal Improveis said will bring the news five or six days sooner from ment. Sir, as regards the inhabitants of this city, I have that point than it now comes. The comfort of the emi- no unkind feelings towards them. I wish them the fullest grant, it is said, will be consulted by the construction of the measure of prosperity and happiness, in the accumulation Cumberland road, and the mail will bring more speedily, and enjoyment of wealth. I would, at any moment, reand with more regularity, to the seat of the Federal Go-lieve the Corporation of Washington from any supposed vernment, information of what is going forward among embarrassment, by voting to it all the building lots held by the tribes of Indians upon our Western frontier, if this the Government in its limits. Ithink it an extremely small road shall be extended to St. Louis. The road to Buffalo, business in Congress, to be husbanding town lots with a view I understand from the honorable chairman of the Com-to profit. But I cannot concur in the views presented mittee on Roads and Canals, is chiefly intended to enable by the report to which I have referred, nor in those of the Executive to conduct, with more safety and conveni- a similar nature, which have, upon more than one occasion, the operations of the next war upon the Canada fron- been communicated to this House by the Executive head tier! The day may come, but it is certainly a great way in of the Government. I cannot exult in that vision of the advance yet, when a few days gained in the transmission future grandeur and magnificence of the capital, which of intelligence by mail, may justify the enormous expendi-seems to delight the fancy of some gentlemen. I believe ture which these works will require. The island which that neither the purity nor character of the Federal Legisconstitutes Great Britain contains a population of about lature will be improved by the luxury and splendor of a fourteen millions, on an area of about eighty-seven thousand great and populous city. I am fully content with the presquare miles. She is rich in the accumulated treasures and sent " fascinations" and "embellishments" of this city. productions of a thousand years. We have a population of I believe, also, that the intelligent foreigner would leave

ence,

FEB. 10, 1829.]

Cumberland Road.

[H. of R.

our country more strongly impressed with the wisdom and ed to move. We should not, however, despair of the reprobable duration of our institutions, had he found less of public. We have the example of the material system of splendid folly in some of our public works than he may the universe, in which those ellipses occur, which, to our now see. When our Presidents have recommended for weak visions at least, do not appear to have been the result our imitation the example of the ancient republics, in the of a great first design, to cheer us still on in the great exembellishment of their capitals, I have thought that they periment we are making; and to give us some assurance, must have forgotten the disastrous catastrophe of those republics-that it was brought about by the luxuries, extravagance, and corruptions of a great city, first infecting the Senate, and then diffusing their contagion through every province.

as from Heaven, that every departure from a first design, in the contrivances of a man for the security of his own happiness, may not be the destruction of the entire plan. While I am upon the subject of this diversity of opinion which exists as to the safest mode of construing the Although I know that I shall be liable to much miscon- constitution, I hope it will not be considered improper or struction of motive, and that a spirit of illiberality may be presumptuous in me to make a remark or two in regard to imputed to me, which I know does not belong to me, if I the two great parties which divide this country upon all quesproceed, yet, I should feel that I had not done my duty tions of this kind. They had their origin as far back as if I failed to bring to the view of this House and the the formation of the federal compact. Their foundations country the existence of an evil which threatens to be were laid in the difference of sentiment which prevailed more formidable to a safe and correct adherence to at that time, of the wisdom of the provisions of that instruthe principles of the constitution, in the administration ment. They are, in short, the fruit of that discord of opiof the Government, than any which we have to fear. nions and feelings, without a compromise of which, at Who, sir--who that has seriously and carefully considered the time, we should have had no constitution at all. One all the interests which have been, and yet are, at work, opinion was, that sufficient power was not conferred upon in removing all constitutional barriers to the full and un- the Federal Government to ensure the quiet, happiness, limited action of the Federal Government, not only in and prosperity of the country; while the opinion of others relation to this question of Internal Improvement, but to all was, that the power actually conceded would prove too others of a like character, but must have observed that strong for the preservation of liberty. The most zealous there is a great central power, unknown to the constitu- and active of the partizans on both sides, never abandontion, in operation here, which has done more, which is ed their creeds; both parties became sufficiently powerdoing more, to bring these latitudinous doctrines into ful to propagate their opinions; and as one or the other practice, and which must continue to exert a more power- predominated in the administration of the Government, a ful energy in maintaining them in future, than any other tincture of the favorite notions of each was infused into its influence whatever? Who that has been here, does not measures. Both have sought, by construction, to make the recognize the existence of this power? Who has not seen, constitution what they wished it to be in fact; the one by and even felt its operation? It operates upon the members enlarging its powers beyond its letter and spirit, the other of this House; and the channels of its agency are the best by narrowing them down to the standard of their wishes. feelings of the human heart. It exercises almost a sover- Although it will be seen that I know and feel what party eign influence over every press established in this Dis- has had the ascendancy for several years past, and where trict. It reaches every officer of the Government, located the greatest danger is, yet, it may be said that both those here, whatever may be the stubborn material of his heart, great parties are in some degree hostile, not to liberty, or his usual inflexibility of principle; and if he is not dri-not to their country, but to the constitution as it is written; ven by it to renounce his former principles in relation to to that instrument which we are bound by the most sathis subject, his opposition is relaxed and paralyzed. The cred obligation to support; to that instrument, to which, public journals of this place, which alone have a circulation for one, I am disposed to cling, with or without such in every part of the Union, and upon which we must chiefly modifications as may be effected by amendment. Both rely for the dissemination of correct and full information the great parties to which I have alluded, seem to me to of the cast and tendency of the measures and policy pur- have abandoned the principle of compromise. I would sued by the Federal Government, I fear can never take adhere to it as the only principle by which the States the true grounds of opposition in relation to Internal Improvement, or to any kindred project. A press located here, however intrepid it may be in the discharge of all other duties, perhaps could not be sustained if it should refuse to yield to the influences, and become alien to the feelings, sympathies, and interests, of all surrounding society in relation to this subject. I do not complain of the motives of the inhabitants of this city, or this District. They, like all the rest of mankind, are pursuing what they believe to be their true interests. We are all in pursuit of our own happiness. The people of this District are not, they cannot be, sensible of the action of the State Govern- I am aware that I have paid but little attention, in the ments. The Federal Government is every thing to them, course of my remarks, to the details of the bill under disand it is natural that they should desire that the sphere of cussion, or to the amendment. I shall vote for the amendits power should be enlarged. Need I be more explicit in ment, but I cannot say that I feel much interest about it. the description of this central influence of which I have spo- The rejection of the amendment, and the passage of the ken? Need I point to the success of its action, exhibited in bill, might be the best thing that could happen to forward connexion with this business of making roads and canals? my wishes in relation to this subject. It might have the What it may yet effect, in the same way, time will unfold. effect of awakening the people to a sense of the dangers I am not so ignorant [said Mr. B.] of the nature and ope- which threaten them, and of the lengths to which a party ration of the causes which influence all human affairs, as in this country would push their doctrines. To use the to imagine that this great central power can ever be de- language of a great man, (employed, indeed, in reference stroyed. To know that it exists may, in some degree, to a very different event) it may have the effect of "stunweaken its energy. It is one of those disturbing influences ning the people into their senses," upon a subject about in our political system, which is ever attracting the main which a great portion of them have been misled. I know bodies from that perfect sphere in which they were intend- there may be some difficulty in getting the States to take

were able to agree upon any compact, and without an acquiescence in which, we are not destined long to enjoy the blessings of the one adopted. He, sir, who shall renounce the extremes of both these great parties, as dangerous to order and to union-he, who, by his talents, experience, and weight of character, shall succeed in placing himself at the head of a great constitutional party, and shall become the advocate of the administration of the Government upon the principle of compromise, as it was understood to have operated in the formation of the constitution, will deserve the highest gratitude of his country.

H. OF R.]

Amendment of the Constitution.-Counting of Electoral Votes.-President Elect.

[FEB. 11, 12, 1829.

Mr. TAZEWELL, retiring to some distance from the Chair, read the following report:

this road under their charge. This difficulty will continue was repeated, until all the packets had been opened and as long as appropriations continue to be made by Congress read; when, for its repair. Would you relieve Congress from all further attention to it? Give money enough to the States to put it in complete repair, and renounce all jurisdiction over it. Do this, and Pennsylvania will be herself again. The other States will not be backward in doing what is right in regard to it.

As to the amendment offered by a gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. VANCE] if he will bring it forward in a separate bill, which shall give some assurance that the practice of the Government, in relation to Internal Improvement, shall be changed for the better, I will not only vote to give to Ohio the whole amount of the two per cent. fund, with interest, and without any deduction on account of what has been expended upon the Cumberland road, but I would most cheerfully vote to give double the amount demanded, if, in doing so, I could be cheered by the prospect of a remedy for the mischiefs which, I am persuaded, must attend an adherence to the present system. [The Committee then rose ]

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1829. AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

each State. No. of Electors appointed in

15

9854876

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Mr. SMYTH'S resolution on the amendment of the Con- 36 stitution, coming up as the unfinished business of yesterday, and the mover being entitled to the floor, not having concluded his remarks yesterday when the hour expired, Mr. SMYTH said that, in the hope that the House would be able to come to a decision on the subject of the resolution this day, he should waive his right of farther reply to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. SERGEANT] and for the purpose, as well of hastening such decisions as of disembarrassing his resolution from all amendments, he would ask the previous question. The call for the previous question was not sustained by the House: Whereupon, 16 Mr. SMYTH moved the postponement of the subject until to-morrow.

Mr. WRIGHT, of Ohio, spoke in opposition to this motion, and in favor of considering and deciding upon the resolution to-day; but having continued his remarks until the expiration of the hour allotted to reports and resolutions, the subject was laid over.

COUNTING OF ELECTORAL VOTES. It being now twelve o'clock, the SPEAKER announced the special order of the day, which was the opening and counting the votes for President and Vice President of the United States: Whereupon,

Mr. P. P. BARBOUR moved that the Clerk announce to the Senate that the House was ready, on its part, to proceed to that duty.

The motion being agreed to-

The Clerk left the House, and seats having been prepared for the Senate in the vacant space in front of the Clerk's table, they soon after entered the hall, with the VICE PRESIDENT at their head, preceded by the Secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate.

When the Senators had taken the scats assigned them, and the VICE PRESIDENT had seated himself at the right hand of the SPEAKER, the tellers, viz: on the part of the Senate, Mr. TAZEWELL, and, on the part of the House, Messrs. P. P. BARBOUR and VAN RENSSELAER, took their places at the Clerk's table.

STATES.

Maine,

New Hampshire,
Massachusetts,
Rhode Island
Connecticut,

Vermont,
New York,
New Jersey,

For President. For Vice President.

ANDREW JACKSON, of
Tennessee.

JOHN Q. ADAMS, of
Massachusetts.

JOHN C. CALHOUN, of
South Carolina.

RICHARD RUSH, of
Pennsylvania.

WM. SMITH, of
South Carolina,

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Pennsylvania,

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North Carolina,

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The VICE PRESIDENT then, having before him the packets received, one copy by express, and one through the post office, from the several States, took up those from the State of Maine, and, announcing to the Senators and Representatives that those packets had been certified, by the Delegation from Maine, to contain the votes of that State for President and Vice President, proceeded to break Mr. P. P. BARBOUR, from the Joint Committee apthe seals, and then handed over the packets to the tellers, pointed to ascertain and report a mode of examining and who opened and read them at length. The same process counting the votes for President and Vice President of the

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1829.
PRESIDENT ELECT.

FEB. 13 to 16, 1829.]

Cumberland Road.--Reprint of Congressional Documents.

United States, and of notifying the persons elected of their election, reported the following resolution:

[H. OF R.

The question was at length taken on Mr. VANCE'S amendment, and decided in the negative, without a count. Resolved, That a committee of one member of the Senate Mr. BUCHANAN'S amendment shared the same fate, be appointed by that body to join a committee of two being rejected by a vote of 76 to 66. members of the House of Representatives, to be appoint- An amendment offered by Mr. RAMSEY was also reed by that House, to wait on ANDREW JACKSON, of Ten-jected, without a division. nessee, and to notify him that he has been duly elected President of the United States for four years, commencing with the 4th of March next.

A message was then received from the Senate, notifying the agreement of the Senate to the resolution recommended by the Joint Committee.

Mr. GORHAM then offered an amendment, which went to strike out the whole bill after the enacting clause, and substitute a provision to apply one hundred thousand doled--yeas 50, nays 80. lars to the repairs of the road; but it was promptly reject

The Committee then rose and reported the bill.

the same amendment he had moved in the Committee, and Whereupon, Mr. BUCHANAN offered in the House ap-demanded the yeas and nays: which were ordered.

The resolution was then taken up by the House, and adopted, and Mr. HAMILTON and Mr. BELL were pointed the Committee on the part of the House.

CUMBERLAND ROAD.

Mr. LAWRENCE, having obtained leave to offer a resolution, offered the following:

Resolved, That the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union be discharged from the further consideration of the bill for the preservation and repair of the Cumberland road.

Mr. BASSETT moved the question of consideration. On which question Mr. LEFFLER demanded the yeas and nays.

They were thereupon ordered by the House, and being taken, stood as follows: yeas 101, nays 73.

So the House agreed to consider the resolution. It was then debated by Messrs. RAMSEY, MERCER, KREMER, and HOFFMAN.

Mr. RAMSEY wished to introduce an amendment to increase the toll by shortening the distance between the gates-insisting that the toll proposed by the bill would be insufficient to keep the road in repair.

Mr. MERCER opposed this view in point of fact, and contended that the toll was sufficiently high.

Mr. KREMER thought it necessary to inform the American People why he should vote differently now from what he had formerly done; which was, that the time had arrived when equal justice ought to be done to all. There was no reason why this road should be the cream of the milk; and Pennsylvania ought to have her share of the plunder. He should withhold his vote for the bill till some of the public money was sent his way along the road to Buffalo, &c.

Mr. HOFFMAN opposed the discharge of the Committee, lest the bill and amendment, coming into the House, the previous question should be moved and carried, and thus the amendment be lost.

The hour having elapsed

[No further proceedings took place on the bill this day.]

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1829.

The House was principally occupied this day in the con sideration of private bills.

SATURDAY, FEB. 14, 1829.

REPRINT OF CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENTS. Mr. BARRINGER obtained leave, and offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the usual number of the documents of the House of Representatives, Executive and Legislative, up to the 13th Congress, inclusive, be printed under the direction of the Clerk of this House.

The resolution gave rise to a desultory conversation, in which Messrs. WICKLIFFE, EVERETT, WEEMS, BARRINGER, and FLOYD, of Virginia, took part, and which terminated in the reference of the resolution to the Committee on the Library, with instructions to report the num ber of documents intended to be printed, together with the probable expense.

MONDAY, FEB. 16, 1829.
CUMBERLAND ROAD BILL.

This bill being again taken up-

Mr. RAMSEY submitted the amendment heretofore of-fered by him in Committee of the Whole, to double the tolls on the road by placing the gates ten miles apart instead of twenty.

Mr. TAYLOR made a question of order, insisting that as this amendment, which goes to increase a tax, had not been adopted in Committee of the Whole, the House could not now receive it, under the rule on that subject. The SPEAKER decided differently; and declared it suf

Mr. STANSBERY moved to suspend the rule; but it ficient that the amendment had been offered and voted on was negatived without a division.

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in Committee, whether the Committee adopted or rejected it.

Mr. RAMSEY advocated his amendment on the same ground he had taken in the Committee, viz: that the tolls in the bill would not be sufficient to keep the road in a proper state of repair.

Mr. MERCER opposed this view, and contended, that, by halving the distance of the gates, the amendment went to double the expenses of erecting them, and also, of the gate-keeper's salaries, and would not compensate for this by any corresponding benefit to the road.

Mr. STEWART read the statement of a superintendent on that part of the road which lies on this side of Cumberland, and on which tolls are collected, going to show that the tolls in the bill would be amply sufficient.

Mr. RAMSEY deprecated the idea thrown out by Mr. MERCER, that he was unfriendly to the object of the bill. He preferred the amendment, but, if it failed, would vote for the bill.

Mr. RAMSEY'S amendment was rejected.

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