Mr. SUMNER. The Senfrom Maryland has called the attention of the Senate to the decisions of the Supreme court which, in his opinion, bear deciswely On this question; but, sir, with theingenuity of a practical lawyer he has omitted to call the attention of the senate to that decision which, perhaps, of all others, is the most applicable to thisquestion. With the permission of the Senate will make up for the deficiency of the learned Senator, or at least endeavor to do so, by calling attention to the case, which, unless I mistake, in its precise language is applicable to the sendingquestion. I refer to the case of the U.S. vs. Coombs, in the 12th volume of Peterss reports. There ou will find one of the able and well considers judgments of the late Mr. Justice Story, particularly treating of this question. By “this question” I mean the power of Congress under the clause of the Constitution givmg to Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States. I will read a passage from his judgment, page 78, as follows: 7 "The power to reirulate commerce includes the power to regulate navigation, as connectedwith the commercewith foreignnations and amongtheStates. It was so bold and decided by this court, after the most deliberateconsideration.in the caseof Gibbons va.Ogden, 9 Wheaten, 189to 198." All that the Senator will of course recognize; for indeed, he has already admitted it in what he has said and cited. The learned judge then proceeds: “Itdoes pot stop at the moreboundary State; line of a nor is it confinedto actsdoneon the water, or in the necessarycourseof the navigation thereof. It extendsto such acts. done on land, which interfere with, obstruct, or prevent the due exercise of the power to regulate commerce and navigation with orciin nations and among the States. Any offense which thusinterferes with, obstructs or preventssuch commerceand navigation, thoughdone on land, may be punishedby Congress.under its general authority to make I laws necessary and proper to execute their delegated constitutional powers." Those are the pointed words of Mr. Justicetory.