Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

DEBATES OF CONGRESS. 599 DECEMBER, 1825.] Western Armory. [H. OF R. examining the route for a National Road from the But, Mr. B. said, why should he speak of the city of W'ashington to New Orleans, to examine advantages which were presented to view from that part of the western waters which lie within the section of country under consideration, East Tennessee, with a view to the selection of a when the sole object of the resolution was, the site for an Armory on the western waters; and ascertainment of that fact. Had a cotemporathat report thereof be made to Congress during the neous examination of our claims have heen present session." made, with others, and the preference been Mr. BLAIR said that he had not intended to withholden from us, he could assure the comhave said any thing in commendation of this mittee that the language of complaint would not measure; that the resolution on its face so have been heard; but what else than just comclearly developed the reasonableness of the pro- plaint could have been expected from a people position, that he did not anticipate any objec- ever jealous of their rights? This complaint I tion to its adoption; but, from a disposition now feel it my duty, as one of their representabeing manifested by some members of the com- tives, to make, and, on their behalf, to call mittee to receive an explanation, he took pleas- upon the proper authorities for redress. He ure in affording any information which he was gratified to see thdt no other section of the might be able to impart. This resolution does western waters could be prejudiced, in extendnot ask for an appropriation of money to fulfil ing this act of justice to East Tennessee, as no its object, nor does it contemplate the least delay was asked for, nor was it intended that delay in the erection of the armory to which the object of the resolution could be fulfilled it has reference; its sole object is to obtain for by those officers of the Board of Engineers, a component part of the western waters, an who were now engaged in examining the counequal participation in respectful examination try between this city and New Orleans, with a with others which had been examined. It view to the location of the contemplated will be recollected that the act of 1821 author- national road. This opportunity being now ized the survey of the western waters, with afforded, he could not indulge the idea that a a view to the selection of a site for a national member of this committee would be disinclined armory. That act has not been carried into to afford the general satisfaction which would effect so far as relates to the section of country result, should no higher object be attained. elbraced in the resolution; notwithstanding a He would further add, that this early applicareport has been made to Congress at its last tion had been made with a view to enable the session, designating the vicinity of Pittsburg as President to forward the necessary instructions the most eligible site. Mr. B. said he did not to those officers who were now in the West, so pretend to a perfect knowledge of the whole as to meet them on their return route, which western waters, so as either to applaud or would lead through the vicinity of the most censure the report alluded to; nor was he so prominent objects of inquiry. He hoped the conversant with such establishments as to speak resolution would be adopted without delay, as with certainty as to what should be the primary it must now be attended with despatch, or the inducements in their location. But, Mr. B. object could not be accomplished. said, he did not hazard much when he said, Mr. STEVENSON, of Penn., observed that it was that neither the examining boarI.nor the com- with great reluctance he rose to address the mittee, were prepared to draw a just com- Committee of the Whole, consisting as it did of parison between the site which was the object some of the most distinguished men of the counof preference, and one of the many within the try; but he felt impelled to say a few words scope of country embraced in the resolution. upon the subject, with a view to bring fairly Mr. B. said that he did not wish to be under- before the recollection of the committee, what stood as complaining of the selection, so far as had taken place on this subject. By the act of the preparatory examinations had been made, the 3d of March, 1823, the President of the although it might with propriety be inquired, United States was directed to appoint commiswhether Pittsburg was within the spirit of the sioners to make a survey of the western waters, law, when its contiguity to the HIarper's Ferry with a view of fixing upon the most eligible site establishment, compared with other parts of for an Armory. These commissioners were acthe western waters, was taken into considera- cordingly appointed, and it would be seen, from tion; but that the great ground of complaint their letter of instruction, dated the 26th of arose from the total disrespect which had been April, 1825, that the widest range was given paid to a section of country about 250 miles in them. [Here Mr. S. read a part of the letter of length, and embracing the whole width of the instructions.] Here then, (continued Mr. S.,) State-a section of country abounding with was a wide range indeed, embracing the whole waterfalls, fuel, and iron ore, to a greater ex- western country, the whole of the Ohio and tent than almost any other; as an evidence of Mississippi Rivers, and their tributary waters. which, he would mention that, in the smallest To execute this survey, three distinguished men county in Tennessee, there were at that time were appointed, viz: Colonel McRee, Colonel not less than sixteen iron establishments in suc- Lee, Superintendent of the U. States Armory at cessful operation; that in addition to other Springfield, and Major Talcott, of the Ordnance advantages, East Tennessee was pre-eminently -men selected with care, who could hlave no blessed with climate, and the means of living.. previous commitment, and who were familiar

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Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 599
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

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Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

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