The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-19

of which they are now in possession will not expire in
eight years; but taking their interests into consd
eraton and their anxiety 10 comply with the universal
desire 10 facilitate the intercourse between the great
oceans, these petitioners are at thshme ready to make
iraodlnary eNeruons TO accomplish this work within
less than half The time which that government asked of
them This is desirable TO this country and to all who
have business on the Pacific coast as is to them Their
interest requires tour convenience for carving out
| our own business requires II also. The company,
| informed and acquainted, they are, with the
work TO be Understanding in capital, which is
cessary to accomplish IT. having already invested 100000
upon the line of steamers which is upon the other side
OF the ishmus deeply interested in returns upon the capt.
tai they themselves have laid out we have greater
human guarantee that these gentlemen will accomplish
The work within the time they have designated
Then, Mr. President, IT is object OF congratuation
that the United States OF America the first power of the
New World, shall be the first to carry out the great idea
OF Columbus-o going TO the West to get to the East
There is plan OF crossing the isthmus of rehuante-
pee by an English company Let il go on: let 1t sue
ceed Let there be many possible but when II is
| accomplished, II is sill British work-not own. tits
not guaranteed to US We have take our chance We
may also--ln a different way, perhaps-accomplsh the
great idea of Mr. Jefferson in sending an expedition the
Pacific coas-he great object of which was to look into
the practcaollty OF opening communication between
the two sides OF the continent We may yet sir, have
American road to the Pacific coast but that be
work of time. work the isthmus of Tehuan-
tepec may be called foreign work far us
ms, across the lshmus OF Darlen, may be called an
American road hope that this Senate will that all
interests aud all feelings should towards
the accomplishment of this work at all events, we
plish under auspices such will add to national
character and give additional position in the eyes OF
the world.
Mr. BREESE | do not rise Mr. President, to discuss
the merits OF this important enterprise. | shall leave
that, SIR, Tor some more suspicious opportunity SIN
ceely hope, however, that the senator from Missouri
viii not precpitae action upon this BILL attempt to get
vote OF the Senate upon it to-day, this week, but
that we may be allowed abundant opportunity to
slder II IN all ITS scope and details wish merely 10
that have received information upon which can rely,
that far more feasible plan than the under
siderauon has been matured, and will very be pre-
scented to the Senate Sir, this is vast undertaking
which these memorlalsts propose to attempt. If |
desland 1t, this line of communication the shmus
OF Daren is about go miles in length and will cost on
an average $4,000 per mile, making the entire cost
about S3,0O0O0O. Now, the bill under consideration
proposes give them for % years transportation of all
kinds, the sum OF $60O0,000, leaving profit OF
$30o9,ooo without counting the toll levied that por
ton OF the commerce OF the world that may pass
the route.
The senator from Missos.i has told us that we have
obtained rights by treaty with the government
Of New Grenada and that the right will be lost unless
IS exercised promptly What is that right! 1t is found
OF way which is guaranteed II any road is construct
ed, we have right OF way across it; and our citl
zens not 10 be taxed We are bound also to allow
the cItizens OF New Grenada the privilege hope
the attention of the Senate will be called the import
ance OF this matter-o the vast OF money which
Congress IS to guaranty in passing this bill hope,
therefore, the Senate will not hastily consider this mat
ter, but wall give ample tine 10 investigate 1t In all It's
bearings.
Mr. HALE. do not wish, sir, to be understood in
the very few remarks | shall make, as to what vote
intend TO give in regard to the passage of the bill con-
TESS at the outset that my impressions un'avoabe to
IT. and very strongly So but want to be informed in
ation TO IT. II understand the treaty which passed,
the 18th article of IL confers great and valuable prvj-
ege upon the government and citizens of the United
States take II that that treaty ratified by the gov
eminent OF New Grenada that their power, so far as re-
lates TO any railroad TO be constructed by the United
States, was done away and remains Tor the Unit
ted States prescribe the manner and the upon
which they enjoy the uryIleve of
railroad, Or in the words OF the treaty. "Any roads or
comm unlcatlon which may exist or hereafter be con-
struclei." The government OF New Grenada guarantees
to the government OF the United States that the right OF
way or transit the ishmus OF Panama by any
modes OF communication that now exist or may hereat-
ter be constructed shall be open and free TO the citizens
OF The United States for the transportation OF any articles
OF produce merchandise any other property for which
tolls or charges shall be made, &c. take IT., that
as lar as that government is concerned, the right OF
this construction rs vested, by this treaty, IN the gov
ernmen OF the United States and that il there any
privilege at all secured BY the treaty i Is to the whole
United States; and 1t not competent Tor any OF the cli-
OF the United States TO and by contract with
that government made subsequent to that treaty, pass
snap judgment upon the treaty That Is as understand
1t; but, as said, rise for information.
Again, sir this bill only authorizes but directs the
Secretary OF the Navy to enter INTO contract with
that the word has grown somewhat odlous OF late
this would be the srctest definition of monopoly that
could possibly be devised All other citizens OF the
United States, except the three named in the memorial,
! , =
le5es that might accrue 10 them, such, after the treaty
with New Grenada; and the Secretary not at liberty
listen to any other propositions for twenty years come,
except that OF these three gentlemen This company have
already vast contracts upon the other side OF the 18th
mus; and intend II possible to have great upon this
side, But suppose must be intended to apply to these
gentlemen that passage OF Scripture Sc To him that hath
shall be glven that is to say that because these cltl
have secured large contracts, they to have
this guarantee given them for twenty years to
Ii this bill lies over, sir, shall propose TO strike out
the clause instruct the Secretary of the Navy and sub
stitue clause directing that proposals be ISSUED to the
people OF the United States, to If other IndIvldu
edge, and capital too with which TO construct thus rail-
road, Messrs. Aspinwall & Co. 1t is measure,
sir. 1t is of vast moment 1t opens era in the
history of the western world. | am not prepared, sir
this moment to say that this phase OF civilization
and to be decided upon the first day
which it the light and monopoly guaranteed to
these three gentlemen for twenty years to come.
But, MIR President. do not know but may have mis-
taken the bid altogether open to conviction the
subject and If there arguments to show why the pub
lie interest requires the passage of this bill, have
private ends answer, and ready to vote for il
anybody. But my impressions at the present moment
decidedly against this bill than against any
measure that has been proposed since have been
member of this body
Mr. BENTON merely wished to make this the special
order for to-day, in order toopen the suhect-to bring
IT before the Senae-to make 1t subject OF consldera
ton then might proceed afterwards, perhaps, TO
ac! upon 1t had not the least expectation OF asking
the Senate to vote upon IT to-day to give vote OF
any kind respecting it, merely wished that should be
brought up and discussed from day to day. until senators
should be willing to act upon II. must repeat what
said before, that the only way which senators
derstand the subject by having before Them and under