.MTc4NA.MjE5OTU

VI

The course which has been pursued by the general Government in the appropriations for the purposes of internal improvement, has heretofore received the attention of a previous Legislature, and from the direct bearing which it has upon the equal rights, interests, and soverignty [sovereignty] of the individual States, has become a subject of too great importance to be now regarded with indifference or suffered to pass by without being presented to the consideration of the Legislature and people of this State. If it should continue to be the policy of the United States, to raise an annual revenue from duties or imports, and from other sources more than sufficient for the gradual extinction of the public debt, and the ordinary expences [expenses] of the Government, the surplus fund will remain in the national treasury without any benefit resulting therefrom to the people, or some constitutional mode must be devised for its appropriation and expenditure. Perhaps no plan could be suggested less objectionable, or more conducive to the interests of this State and of the Union, than the one which proposes the apportionment of this fund among the several states according to their ratio of representation, to be by them expended for internal improvements, and the promotion of education. The extent of our public lands, the settlement and value of which might be greatly promoted by roads and canals; our numerous rivers, many of which by a comparitively [comparatively] small expense might be rendered navigable with boats nearly or quite to their sources, our schools and seminaries of learning, whose prosperity and usefulness might be much advanced by additional encouragement; all conclusively demonstrate the immense benefits that would arise to this State from liberal appropriations for the promotion of education, and works of public utility. The mode adopted by the general government in the appropriations