1817 James Monroe - The National Road

In 1817, James Monroe became president, the country was enjoying a time of peace and prosperity, with national unity.  It was known as the "Era of Good Feelings".   It was a time to rebuild America after the war of 1812.   With national unity in mind, Congress had taken action to pass what known as the "Bonus Bill of 1817" to provide funding for improvements of roads and canals.   In his first annual address, Monroe shared that he understood the need and value of such public works.   He stated that the county "can not fail to entertain a high sense of the advantage to be derived from the facility which may be afforded in the intercourse between them by means of good roads and canals".   

"When we consider the vast extent of territory within the United States, the great amount and value of its productions, the connection of its parts, and other circumstances on which their prosperity and happiness depend, we can not fail to entertain a high sense of the advantage to be derived from the facility which may be afforded in the intercourse between them by means of good roads and canals. Never did a country of such vast extent offer equal inducements to improvements of this kind, nor ever were consequences of such magnitude involved in them."

One such project, was The National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, was the first great turnpike to run across the Appalachian Mountains and into the territory that was known as the Old Northwest (the modern states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin). It was the first major road to be built with federal funds and the largest single road-building project until the construction of the modern interstate highway system after World War II (1939–1945).  On James Madison's last day of office, he vetoed the Bonus Bill of 1817 that was to provide funding for internal improvements of roads and Canals. This put projects like the "National Road" in jeopardy, and was in opposition to the direction that congress was taking. Thus in 1818, Congress and the nation looked to the new president for his opinion on the constitutionality of such internal improvements. Would he work with congress? Or, would he veto their resolutions like his predecessor Madison had done?

In his first annual address to Congress, James Monroe answered:

"As this subject was acted on by Congress at the last session, and there may be a disposition to revive it at the present, I have brought it into view for the purpose of communicating my sentiments on a very important circumstance connected with it with that freedom and candor which a regard for the public interest and a proper respect for Congress require.

A difference of opinion has existed from the first formation of our Constitution to the present time among our most enlightened and virtuous citizens respecting the right of Congress to establish such a system of improvement. Taking into view the trust with which I am now honored, it would be improper after what has passed that this discussion should be revived with an uncertainty of my opinion respecting the right. Disregarding early impressions I have bestowed on the subject all the deliberation which its great importance and a just sense of my duty required, and the result is a settled conviction in my mind that Congress do not possess the right. It is not contained in any of the specified powers granted to Congress, nor can I consider it incidental to or a necessary means, viewed on the most liberal scale, for carrying into effect any of the powers which are specifically granted."

James Monroe, would not budge. If congress wanted the power to authorize the building of a national road, they would need to amend the constitution.  It's not that Monroe was against the funding of roads and canals, moreover he wanted to have it be delegated powers defined in the constitution, not just implied.  Monroe, told Congress that if the need is there, then an amendment could be ratified by the states.

"In communicating this result I can not resist the obligation which I feel to suggest to Congress the propriety of recommending to the States the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution which shall give to Congress the right in question. In cases of doubtful construction, especially of such vital interest, it comports with the nature and origin of our institutions, and will contribute much to preserve them, to apply to our constituents for an explicit grant of the power. We may confidently rely that if it appears to their satisfaction that the power is necessary, it will always be granted."

Nevertheless, on March 14, 1818, the House of Representatives chose not to seek a constitutional amendment and instead passed a resolution that Congress had the power to appropriate money of the construction of roads and canals. Building of the road would continue. Despite these powerful words, congress had won this battle over the constitution. The next big battle would be in 1822 over the collection of tolls.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29459
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3406400627.html
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/hwyhist03.cfm
http://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/teachers/assets/images/ner/park/fone/BF9078F5-155D-451F-6702CDB371CB71CD/BF9078F5-155D-451F-6702CDB371CB71CD.jpg

11 years earlier

11 years earlier, Thomas Jefferson also pointed out that the constitution did not give congress power to fund internal improvements. In 1806, Thomas Jefferson suggested that the constitution needed to be amended.

"The question, therefore, now comes forward, -- to what other objects shall these surpluses be appropriated, and the whole surplus of impost, after the entire discharge of the public debt, and during those intervals when the purposes of war shall not call for them? ...Their patriotism would certainly prefer its continuance and application to the great purposes of the public education, roads, rivers, canals, and such other objects of public improvement as it may be thought proper to add to the constitutional enumeration of federal powers."

Why do you think our founding fathers did not enumerate the powers of internal improvement? Was it oversight? Was it to limit government?

Here is some more interesting, although advanced reading material on this topic. http://www.thenewatlantis.com/.../infrastructure-policy...