In modern times we take for granted the building of roads, and the like by the government, However, in the USA in particular this was not always the case.
The American Constitution did not provide for internal improvements, hence they became a party political question. Since 1789 money has been steadily appropriated by Congress for improvements lying strictly within Federal jurisdiction, as for light-houses, buoys, beacons and public piers. The first actual appropriation for other internal improvement was in 1806, when a sum was appropriated for the construction of the Cumberland Road, which was designed to penetrate the Western States and be the means of transmitting emigrants and mails in time of peace, and troops in time of war.
About the same time a road was begun through Georgia on the route to New Orleans. Congress passed a resolution in 1818, declaring its power to appropriate money for the construction of roads and canals, and for the improvement of water-courses. On March the 3rd, 1823, the first act for harbour improvement passed the US Congress. On April the 13th, 1824, $30,000 was appropriated for the survey of such roads and canals as the President should deem of national importance, and $300,000 was subscribed to the stock of the Chesapeake and DelawareCanal. In May, 1822, President Monroe vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill, declaring that Congress had no power under the Constitution to carry out a system of internal improvements at Federal expense. This, and Jackson's veto of the MaysvilleTurnpike Road Bill in 1830, threw the matter into the hands of the States. Research Internal Improvements, at Federal Expense
In modern times we take for granted the building of roads, and the like by the government, However, in the USA in particular this was not always the case.
The American Constitution did not provide for internal improvements, hence they became a party political question. Since 1789 money has been steadily appropriated by Congress for improvements lying strictly within Federal jurisdiction, as for light-houses, buoys, beacons and public piers. The first actual appropriation for other internal improvement was in 1806, when a sum was appropriated for the construction of the Cumberland Road, which was designed to penetrate the Western States and be the means of transmitting emigrants and mails in time of peace, and troops in time of war.
About the same time a road was begun through Georgia on the route to New Orleans. Congress passed a resolution in 1818, declaring its power to appropriate money for the construction of roads and canals, and for the improvement of water-courses. On March the 3rd, 1823, the first act for harbour improvement passed the US Congress. On April the 13th, 1824, $30,000 was appropriated for the survey of such roads and canals as the President should deem of national importance, and $300,000 was subscribed to the stock of the Chesapeake and DelawareCanal. In May, 1822, President Monroe vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill, declaring that Congress had no power under the Constitution to carry out a system of internal improvements at Federal expense. This, and Jackson's veto of the MaysvilleTurnpike Road Bill in 1830, threw the matter into the hands of the States. Research Internal Improvements, at Federal Expense
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Internal Improvements, at Federal Expense
