Mr. TRUMBULL. Upon that question I suppose it is hardly necessary to read the bill, and perhaps not altogether proper to go into a general discussion of its provisions. I have been very much gratified at the tone of this debate, and was particularly pleased with the remarks of the Senfrom Kentucky, who seems to appreciate the great national impor, tance of tins enterprise. All the Senators who have spoken in regard to it have spoken of it asa work of vast importance, a work which the nation should undertake. The only question seems to be whether this is the proper time to move in it; the Senfrom I entncky thinking not, because we have a great national debt, the precise amount of which is not yet known and until we ascertain in regard to that, an our finances are in a better condition, he thinks that we on ht not to undertake an enterprise of this kind. So far from the reasons suggested by the Senfrom Kentucky being good reasons for the postponement of this measure, it seems to me they are the very ones which should induce us to take it up and act upon it at the present time. When an individua is pressed by debts, it is the very time for him to put forth all his efforts to meet his outstanding obligations. This is a proposition which is calculated to develop and increase the wealth of the country. The small amount which will thereby be added to the our national debt, trifling in comparison with the whole of it, is not to e taken into consideration as against the vast benefits to result to the whole country from opening this new avenue of commerce. Sir, no one can calculate, I will not undertake to conjecture, the increased value that would be given to the products of the West and of the Northwest if this canal were constructed today; and it is just as important to the East as to the West, because the productions of the West are connmed in the East, and whatever chcapens the transportion between different portions of the country is a benefitto Then, sir, in a national point of view, not simply as a commercial measure, butos a measureoi defense, upon which ground also this bill is placed there can be no question of the authority of the nation to construct this work. Why, then, should we not undertake it, and why not proceed with the consideration of the measure at this time? The motion to post wine is withdrawn, and now my friendfrom owa moves to recommit it. What can be gained by recommitting except delay? If this bill is to be recommitted, let it be recommitted with instructions; for if we send it back to the committee they would simply keep it or report it back to us in the same shape we now have it, unless they are instructed by the Senate as to the shape in which the body desires the bill to be presented. I cannot see that anything is to be gained by recommitting the bill. I quite agree with what is said by the Senfrom Iowa and the Senfrom Ohio, that this being a national work is not to be built subject to the consent of the State of NewYork. If the nation has a right to construct the work as a means of national defense, has the right to make a canal around the falls for the passage of its vessels of war, the State of NewYork cannot stand in the way a moment, nor any other State, nor any private individual. The property of individuals and the territory of States may be entered upon by the Federal Government at any moment when it is necessaryto the defense of the nation, and the State of NewYork can no more interpose her authority to prevent this eat work when necessary for the national grefense than could the State of Kentucky some years ago interpose her authority to prevent the armies of the U.S. from passing over her territory to put down the wicked rebellion which was in augurated in 1861. I should not agree, I think it would be inconsistent for the nation to under take a work of this character if any State had authority to interpose and to stop it. It is only on the ground that it is a national work that I could vote for it at all a work necessary to the proper defense of the northern lakes, as well as a work required by the commercial interests of the country. With this view I am in favor of considerin this measure now. Every consideration should induce us to take it up and consider it. If the bill is not perfect, let us perfect it. If it is objectionable to place this work in the hands of a company, and it is best that it should be done directly by the nation, the p let us do it directly by the nation.