Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-23

and any thing about it, this road will be about fifty miles in
ngth, which, cost Of fifty thousand dollars per mile
1ould amount little than millions OF dollars
Ind now sir by this bill the Government proposes 10 pay 10
hem for twenty years six millions Of dollars ivr uanspo
ion OF all kinds, leaving profit OF four millions wuaout
bunting the tolls levied that portion Of the OF
he world that may pass over the route
The Senator have obtained the gn " across
he shmus by treaty with New Grenada and that that right
will be gone unless exercise it. What is that right desg-
mated by the 35h article of the treaty It is nothing more
han right of way guaranteed to us AMI not subject
I'd the condition Of constructing road in order to secure
The privileges guaranteed by this right of way.
hope the attention Of the Serate viii be called to this
natter and TO the vast of money proposed to be paid to
proposition much favorable will be presented to them
The Senate, therefore, should not act hastily upon this
subject but give all time to look into it, and to make up
our minds fully in regard TO II.
Mr.. HALE. Mr.. President, do not wish TO be under
Stood in the very few remarks which propose to make upon
this subject this time, indicating what vote shall give
this bill its final passage. confess however, at the out
set, that my impressions all against livery strongly
against and wish to be informed about IT, If under
stand the treaty between this country and New Grenada, to
the 35h article Of which reference has been made by the Sc
na,or from Illinois, mr. BREEsE, great and valuable pri-
vlege secured the Government and citizens of the
United States. WE'LL sir take it that when that treaty
ratified by the of New Grenada, their power,
far relates any railroad that to be built across the
sthu either by the United States her citizens, per-
formed and finished and that remains with the Gov
eminent of the United States prescribe the mode and
and upon which the citizens Of the United States
enjoy the privilege OF constructing railroad Or in
tue words of the treaty, " mode of communication which
may exist, which may hereafter be constructed.
SEVERAL SENATOR'S. Read It.
Mr.. HALE. The 35th article of the treaty follows
The Government of New Grenada guarantees the Go
the United States that the right transit
the Ihmus Of Panama upon modes of communca
ton that exist that may hereafter be constructed shall
be open and free 10 the Government and citizens OF the Unit
ed States for transportation articles of produce
nuactures merchandise and commerce belonging the c
OF the United States and that other tolls charges
shall be levied the United States or their
hande than are levied upon the citizens OF New Grenada
take it. sir, that, far that Government is concerned,
the right of this construction is vested by this treaty in the
Government OF the United States and is competent for
Of the citizens of the United States to and buy
with that Government, subsequent this treaty. and
pass snap statute and say the Government " Your hands
tied you cannot accomplish your object except by
tracing with U.s."
Again, sir this bill only authorizes but directs the Sc
cretay of the Navy to enter into contract with these three
individuals Now to me that though the wordhas
grown somewhat odous of late this in the stces
of the definition, monopoly. All the other citizens of the
United States except Mr.. VIM H. Aspinwal John L. Ste
vens and Mr. Chauncey, by this bill deprived, for
twenty years, OF the privileges which might to the
citizens and Government of the United States under the treaty
with New Grenada The Secretary is not liberty, after this
bill becomes law to receive proposals from any body else
matter how favorable may be the terms
If understood the honorable gentleman from Missouri,
r BESTos one of the reasons assigned in his ntroduco
gentlemen have already very contracts with the Govern
the other side of the sthmu where they have the
carrying Of the mails suppose that there is to be of
doctrine here that to those who have much
much shall be ven and that these gentlemen because they
have already secured very large and valuable contracts
TO have this privilege given to them for twenty years If
this bill lies over l. if other Senator does il, will propose
amendment nsrucng the Secretary of the Navy issue
proposals the whole people of the United States and
there cannot be three other gentlemen found that have
much Skill much knowledge, and as much capital too, to
construct this railroad as they have.
Il is new measures it is Of moment. II opens
in the history of the world connecting the sides
of this continent by this railroad and prepared
this moment say that this phase Of civilization and
commerce, which is exciting the interest of the whole
world the very first day that the light, is to be
tered TOR twenty years to Messrs Apnwa Stevens, and
Chauncey.
do not know, sir, but that may have mistaken altogether
the character Of this bill but this the way that strikes my
mind at present. open to conviction. II there any
arguments to be given mind willing hear them and to
be convinced by Them would be very happy hear them
stated II my convictions overcome, am as ready 10
vote for this any body else; but present my i'm
pressons decidedly against this bill than they have
been upon any act of legislation since have been member
of the Senate
Mr.. BENTON Mr. President, regret that | asked the
Senate make this bill the special order for day. All that
expected open the subject and bring before the SEN
ate and that after due elaboration and discussion, would
proceed upon it. did intend ask the Senate to
take any upon to-day Of any kind therefore, stand
far short time, until Senators have opportunity
examine il, and must repeat what then stated, that the
only way by which Senators understand this
leave the subject open and discuss it, That the only
way That there necessity for time for Senators under
stand the subject very clear from what the Senator from
Illinois, Mr BRELsL who sits upon my right has Just said
He supposes that by this bill twelve millions Of dollars to
be paid for transporting mails the Ihmus Of Panama
Mr.. BREESE. said SIX millions.
Mr.. BENTON. Well, then, sir millions. do not care
about the precise amount Why, this contract is already
10 the hands Of these gentlemen part Of the for
carrying The mails the other side OF the shmus When
the mail line OF steamers established by the Congress of
the United States for connecting these two parts Of America
stipulated in the contracts entered into between the
Government and the mail companies that the gentlemen who
have the contract this side should carry the mail far
Chages and that those who have the the other
side should carry them from Chages the shmus and
to the Pacific coast.
There is then, s In the hands Of these gentlemen, this
time, not merely the privilege, but the obligation carry the
mails from Chsges across the sthmus, and can say that
and above that contract they have already dispatched
small Chsgres for their advantage in
poaion and for the convenience Of passengers going that
direction And may say that for considerations Of humsni
N they have provided against the detention Of passengers
Chsgres, place in itself most contemplate and most acomo
dousy situated upon the coast and inhabited by people
with whom il cannot be desirable for any stay
nigh for believe there is not white among them and
as in Rome il is necessary TO do as Romans do
cessa do these people do when stopping among them
These gentlemen to provide sgsnst this Inconvenience have
already provided small for the purpose Of meeting
the that goes down from the American coast and
receiving persons the mouth the river and taking them