RESOLUTIONS. 411

owned, by this State,) has proved amply suffi-
cient, even in this time of rebellion, to supply
to the government of the United States, to the
people of this State, and to the traveling public,
the fullest means of access to the Capital, of
military communication, and of facilities for
supplies, which could be desired; and whereas,
it is known, that in the event of a failure to ful-
fill these needs this State was always ready un-
der proper conditions and restrictions, to grant
such other charter as the public necessities
might require; and, whereas, notwithstanding
the known and well approved loyalty of the
State, and its perfect disposition to do whatever
was needful in the premises, no application has
been made to the Legislature of this State, for
the authority now sought to be exercised, but
only to the Congress of the United States, and
with no other purpose, as is believed, but to
evade the restrictions, which this State might
lawfully impose for the security of its own just
interests, and for the proper protection of its
inhabitants; and, whereas, the history of the
country affords no precedent, authorizing such an
attempt to supercede the proper exercise of the
Legislative powers of a loyal State; therefore,

Be it Resolved by the Senate and House of
Delegates of Maryland, That we do hereby, in the
name of, the State of Maryland, enter our solemn
protest against the authorization by Congress of
any railroad within the State of Maryland con-
necting with the Northern Central Railroad, and
extending to the limits of the District of Columbia,
declaring that in our judgment no necessity what-
ever can be successfully shown to exist for such
authorization.

Resolved, That the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States, in Congress assem-
bled, be earnestly requested not to sanction or au-
thorize the construction of any Railroad through
this State, without giving to the Legislature there-
of, and to all persons interested in such projected
road, the fullest opportunity of presenting their
views in relation, thereto, before committees of the
two Houses of Congress, duly charged with the
office of examining the same.