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That during his imprisonment, he was elected a member of congress, and thereby prevented from attending. His claim was for a reimbursement of his fine and costs, with the interest, and a compensation for the losses and injuries sustained by his imprisonment. From the peculiar character of this application, it was referred in the senate to the committee on the judiciary, who reported unfavorably, and the petition was negatived.

Mr. Calhoun's report on roads and canals. In compliance with a resolution of the house of representatives, at their former session, directing the secretary at war to report" a plan for the application of such means as are within the power of congress, for the purpose of opening and constructing such roads and canals as may deserve and require the aid of government, with a view to military operations in time of war, the transportation of munitions of war, and also a statement of the works of that nature which have been commenced, the progress which had been made and the means and prospect of their completion;" the secretary, on the 7th of January, presented an elaborate report to the house, stating, that in his opinion, a judicious system of roads and canals, constructed for the convenience of commerce, and the transportation of the mail, only, without reference to military operations, is itself among the most efficient means of defense; as the same roads and canals, with few exceptions, would be required for the operations of war, such a system, by consolidating the union, increasing its wealth and fiscal capacity, adds greatly to the resources of war.

"There is," remarks the secretary, "no country to which a good system of roads and canals is more indispensable, than to the United States. Great as is the military capacity of the country, compared with the number of people, yet, when considered in relation to its vast extent, it must be obvious that it is difficult for the government to afford adequate protection to every part. This difficulty is in a great measure overcome by a good system of military roads and canals." According to his views, in all questions of defense, there are three points which require special attention: the castern, or Atlantic frontier, the northern, or Canadian border, and the southern, or the frontier of the gulf of Mexico.

For the first object, Mr. Calhoun recommends opening a line of inland sloop navigation, from Boston to Savannah, which he estimates may be done by excavating one hundred

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Miami, seventy miles of which were finished. The course of the latter road lying through the public lands of the Michigan territory, brought into view, and rendered accessible, a large portion of fertile country, which was rapidly settling.

Employment of soldiers on roads and canals. This report of the secretary, brought under discussion an interesting question, how far the military could, with propriety, and consistently with the views with which the soldier enlisted, be employed in constructing roads and canals. The appropriate business of a soldier, is to fight, and not to labor; and fatigue duty had usually been confined to the erection of temporary fortifications, and the opening of military ways, necessary for immediate operations. The construction of a road, over which it might be convenient for an army to pass, at some future period, in case of a war, it was admitted, was but remotely connected with the military. On the ground, however, that employment was better than a state of idleness, and that for extra pay the soldier's consent might be obtained, a resolution passed the senate, by the casting vote of the president, appropriating ten thousand dollars to this object. The session terminated by the expiration of the period for which the house of representatives, and one third of the senate, were elected, on the third of March, 1819.

CHAPTER IX.

First session of the 16th congress-Message-Admission of Maine and Missouri-Preparatory proceedings of Maine-Her case connected with Missouri-Proposed restriction-Origin of African slavery-Arguments in favor of allowing it in Missouri-Against its further extension-A compromise-Excitement occasioned by the discussion-Proceedings of several state legislatures, and of the corporation of the city of Savannah upon the subject-Tariff-Separation of the committee of commerce and manufactures-Report of the committee on manufactures-Tariff bill-Bill abolishing credit for duties--Auction bill-A navigation act-An act prohibiting intercourse with the British American colonies-Fourth census.

First session of the 16th congress. The first session of the 16th congress commenced on the 6th of December 1819. Mr. Clay was elected speaker by an almost unanimous vote. The president's message, communicated on the 7th, was a plain business-like state paper, the prominent parts of which were a detailed account of the Spanish negotiation; and of an unsuccessful attempt with the British cabinet to obtain a participation in their colonial trade.

Maine and Missouri. The subject of the admission of two new states, one at the eastern and the other at the western extremity of the union, and distant from each other about two thousand miles, from the importance of a question incidentally raised respecting Missouri, occupied almost the whole attention of congress. The question assumed a sectional character, and towards the close of the session was attended with more asperity, than any which had agitated that body since the declaration of war.

Proceedings of Maine. The district of Maine is separated from Massachusetts proper by the intervention of New Hampshire. The local situation of the two sections, clearly indicated a division, whenever the population and the wishes of the inhabitants of Maine should call for it. In June, 1816, an act passed the legislature of Massachusetts, making provisions for taking the votes of Maine, upon the subject of a separation; and providing for that event in case fiveninths of the whole number of votes returned were in favor of the measure. The act also provided for calling a convention of delegates from the towns in that district, by whom the votes should be received and counted; and on

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