2d Session. In favor of improving the navigation of Newark bay, and the removal of the bars and obstructions to the navigation of Staten Island Sound, near Elizabeth Port. JANUARY 23, 1837. Referred to the Committee on Commerce. Whereas, the clear and unobstructed navigation of the sound, between Staten Island and the Jersey shore, is of the greatest importance, as well to the citizens of this State as to the general commercial interests of the whole community: And whereas, this passage, protected, at all times, from the uncertainties and dangers of a coast navigation, has become the channel of communication for the innumerable travellers between the north and south, and also for the transportation of the produce and merchandise passing from one extreme of our extended country to the other, and is likewise used for the purpose of conveying the mails of the United States: And whereas, by reason of the confluence of the tides of the sound, Newark bay, and the Kilns, or passage from New York bay, a sand-bar has formed, and is constantly increasing, near the southeast point of Elizabeth Port, which bar now presents a great impediment to the navigation, and, unless speedily removed, will entirely obstruct one of the most important channels: And whereas, the bar at the junction of the rivers Passaic and Hackensack, in Newark bay aforesaid, has obstructed and seriously diminishes the navigation and commerce upon said rivers : And whereas, it is represented, that in the opinion of the engineers and Surveyors of the General Government, who have lately examined and surveyed the said sound and bay, the said bars can be removed with great facility, and, by a reasonable expenditure, their formation hereafter be prevented: Therefore, Be it resolved by the Council and General Assembly of this State, That, in the opinion of this Legislature, the removal of the said bars, and the protection of the navigation, by the erection of suitable piers, or other Blair & Rives, printers. proper means, are objects peculiarly deserving and claiming the early attention of Congress, and that it be recommended to Congress to make the necessary appropriation for the purposes aforesaid. Resolved, That the Governor of this State be requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution to each of the Senators and Representatives from New Jersey. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, January 17, 1837. These joint resolutions having been three times read, and compared, in the House of Assembly: Resolved, That the same do pass. By order of the House of Assembly, THOMAS G. HAIGHT, IN COUNCIL, January 18, 1837. These joint resolutions having been three times read in the Council, Resolved, That the same do pass. By order of Council, J. B. MUNN, I, James D. Westcott, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of certain joint resolutions, passed by the Legislative Council and General Assembly of said State, on the eighteenth day of January, A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-seven, as taken from and compared with the original now on file in my office. [L. S.] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this eighteenth day of January, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven. JAMES D. WESTCOTT. LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAND CANAL. RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE OF INDIANA, Against the purchase by the General Government of the stock of the Louisville and Portland Canal Company. JANUARY 25, 1837. Read, and laid upon the table. A joint resolution on the subject of the purchase of the Louisville and Portland Canal stock. Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be requested to oppose the purchase of the stock in the Louisville and Portland Canal. Resolved, That his excellency the Governor be requested to forward a a copy hereof to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Approved, January 10, 1837. C. B. SMITH, Speaker House of Representatives. N. NOBLE. Blair & Rives, printers. Mr. HUDSON, from the Committee on the State of the Republic, to whom was referred so much of the communication of his excellency the Governor which relates to the act of Congress, approved the 23d day of June last, on the subject of a portion of the revenue of the Federal Government proposed to be deposited with the States, REPORT: That the subject referred to the consideration of your committee is one of embarrassment and complication. It is one that those who best understand the theory and practical operation of the Federal Government (it seems to your, committee) could not have anticipated, nor its direct influence [have been] provided for in the sacred charter of compact which so happily unites these States together in a Federal Government, for certain specific purposes. By the act of Congress referred to, a certain portion of the public revenue is tendered to the several States, by the Federal Government of the Union, for their reception, at four specified times during the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, on deposite, and the times at which said deposites are offered to be made with the States by the General Government. are clearly specified by the said act of Congress, as before referred to. By referring to the first paragraph of the eighth section of the first article of the constitution of the United States, it is declared, that "Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises; to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States; but no grant of power is given, by which Congress has the delegated rights to lay and collect more revenue than the legitimate wants of the Federal Government may require for the specified purposes of its execution. Your committee, however, feel it to be their duty to state to the General Assembly, that, if it could be ascertained that the other States of this Union Blair & Rives, printers. |