boundary has been extended to the Pacific Ocean; the independence of the southern nations of this hemisphere has been recognized, and recommended by example and by counsel to the potentates of Europe; progress has been made in the defence of the country, by fortifications and the increase of the navy—­towards the effectual suppression of the African traffic in slaves—­in alluring the aboriginal hunters of our land to the cultivation of the soil and of the mind—­in exploring the interior regions of the Union, and in preparing, by scientific researches and surveys, for the further application of our national resources to the internal improvement of our country.

“In this brief outline of the promise and performance of my immediate predecessor, the line of duty, for his successor, is clearly delineated.  To pursue to their consummation those purposes of improvement in our common condition instituted or recommended by him, will embrace the whole sphere of my obligation.  To the topic of internal improvement, emphatically urged by him at his inauguration, I recur with peculiar satisfaction.  It is that from which I am convinced that the unborn millions of our posterity, who are in future ages to people this continent, will derive their most fervent gratitude to the founders of the Union—­that in which the beneficent action of its Government will be most deeply felt and acknowledged.  The magnificence and splendor of their public works are among the imperishable glories of the ancient republics.  The roads and aqueducts of Rome have been the admiration of all after ages, and have survived thousands of years after all her conquests have been swallowed up in despotism, or become the spoil of barbarians.  Some diversity of opinion has prevailed with regard to the powers of Congress for legislation upon objects of this nature.  The most respectful deference is due to doubts, originating in pure patriotism, and sustained by venerated authority.  But nearly twenty years have passed since the construction of the first national road was commenced.  The authority for its construction was then unquestioned.  To how many thousands of our countrymen has it proved a benefit?  To what single individual has it ever proved an injury?  Repeated, liberal and candid discussions in the Legislature have conciliated the sentiments, and approximated the opinions of enlightened minds, upon the question of constitutional power.  I cannot but hope that, by the same process of friendly, patient, and persevering deliberation, all constitutional objections will ultimately be removed.  The extent and limitation of the powers of the General Government, in relation to this transcendently important interest, will be settled and acknowledged to the common satisfaction of all; and every speculative scruple will be solved by a practical public blessing.