WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1827
116
would unite public opinion in their favor. Each individual, im- pelled by a feeling incident to our nature, attaches an undue portion of regard to the objects which have fallen under his more immediate attention, and to the points more directly affecting the interests of himself or his particular constituents. To obviate these conflicting interests, and to give confidence to all that the system would in its range, embrace by regular and just succes- sion, every portion of the state, the appointment of skilful en- gineers has been recommended to your particular consideration.- Their attention should be directed to a classification of all the objects to be embraced in the general plan; to the practicability and probable expense of such leading objects of general improve- ment as effect, to the greatest extent, the greatest portion of the community, and the comparative advantages resulting from the different modes of expenditure, by clearing out the natural chan- nels, constructing canals, common turnpikes, or the more modern and popular system of railways. Our fellow-citizens of East Tennessee, though able to furnish in the greatest abundance and of the best quality, flour and other articles of the first necessity, have heretofore been doomed to strive against the natural obstructions in the Tennessee river, shut out as they are from Mobile, the natural, and perhaps the most profitable channel of commerce. Engineers employed by the government of the United States have, for some time past, been engaged in ascertaining the practicability of a canal on the north bank of the Tennessee river, whereby the obstructions of the Muscle Shoals will be surmounted: Their survey has not yet been completed, but we have much ground to hope that it will be fully made at no distant day, and that it will result in much substantial good to the people of Tennessee and Alabama. It is greatly to be desired that at some period before the ad- journment of the present session, such report could be received, as would enable the Legislature of this State to determine with reasonable certainty on the nature and extent of interest which we should take in the enterprise. The eastern section of the State is not alone interested in facilitating the ascending and descend- ing navigation of the Muscle Shoals; several of our more popu- lous, wealthy and and cotton growing counties of the South are equally concerned. Should the difficulties of navigation through the whole length of the Tennessee, be so strongly presented as to forbid the hope of their early removal, our attention should be the more promptly
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