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

ais have secured the right of making road across the 18th
musthe exclusive highland that the Government of New
Grenada retains no right TO grant the privilege any others
or 10 authorize his Government to make it, II there is an,
monopoly therefore, lisa monopoly already invested in esss
Aspnwa Stevens & TO- II there be any monopoly, they
have il already and il Is which we cannot control
These individuals possessing this charter and these privileges
and being prepared go on AM construct the road come 10
US and say, if we have monopoly we propose 10 relieve
you from that monopoly; you appihensse that we VIII
charge you much will make conlsac with you now
in regard TO the which your freight shal be carried
The proposition which they make you one by which they
propose to relieve you from the monopoly which they possess
by offering to make contract with you And what is the
contract which they propose make They propose 10
with you by which your transportation shall be secured
by the payment OF certain amount. If the amount pro-
posed be considered great let be reduced was sorry
to see my colleague yesterday assuming that were 10 ps
six millions Of dollars We have not yet determined what
amount we willing to pay They proposing TO carry
such freight shall be agreed on, such rate Of charge
shall be agreed upon
Again it assumed that the contract is be for twenty
years whereas the bill is proposition to make contract for
period of years exceeding twenty leaving it discretion
airy with this Government whether it shall continue for
year, for five, for fifteen, for twenty years is not
proposition for the continuance of the contract for twenty
years absolutely and appehend that it is fair subject for
discussion with whether not the proposed the
limit beyond which we are not to go too high and whether
we should reduce it whether not the period is too long,
and, If SO, whether not should not fix shorter time
II will become question for to determine whether
should fix upon short period or long II Is certainly
evident that the amount of transportation that shall
have occasion for will increase every year.
In few years shall have large empire upon the
Pacific and it is reasonable suppose that shall have
cason for five or ten times much transportation have
and If make contract 10 last for twenty years.
il may be that shall amount Of trans
poation at very little cosat price far below what it
would be furnished for under the contract But these
subjects for discussion upon which not yet prepared
to express opinion My only object is to direct attention
IN fa,ff that ba Gxa1 br
served to be determined by Congress and the Secretary Of
War; whatever officer Of the Government may be auho
zed to form the contract that the time for the continuance
of the contract Is not fixed but reserved for the determination
Of the parties that granting power make
road but the contrary that the power is already granted
by New Grenada that refusing the application that is
made will not take from these individuals their pr
vege of constructing the road for is already secured TO
hem Ii is not in power take ii away, il in the
power of New Grenada TO take il away from hem If It be
odous monopoly, then il 10 me TO be why
should remove that monopoly from ourselves while we
have il in power do But apprehend not
odous monopoly, for the that treaty with New
Grenada puts American citizens in regard to the right way,
upon equality with her citizens and appehend that
that Government would be cautious how granted monopo
ly that would operate against her citizens to foreigners,
who seek nothing but how TO make much money posi-
bic out Of the enterprise in which they about to engage
1t therefore, that ought not to PREJUDICE this
before have examined all the facts Of the
have made these remarks for the purpose of inviting attention
the subject while the charter and the other documents
nected with it being procured, in order that may be
prepared to discuss the matter and arrive at proper con-
clusioa.
Mr. FooTE. Mr. President, have no desire to detain
the Senate any onger but notwithstanding the general i'm
patience get rid Of this subject, which manifested
feel bound say the Senator from Illinois M DoUGLAs)
that he have entirely forgotten the fact that it
provided in this bill that the Secretary Of the Navy shall be
directed to make contract with this company Directed,
sir-most imperious language.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. intended to remark that I thought
the word adireced" should be stricken out Of the bill.
Mr. FOOTE. That word being retained, the effect Ger.
tany will be throw the Government into the hands of this
company, who acting of that selfish part which such
corporations to act would charge the maximum
amount threeouhs Of what pay for the transporia
ton of the mails the Atlantic. This would certainly
amount stated yesterday by the Senator from Illinois, M
BREEsE,) to six millions Of dollars, paid to this
pany for the transportation of certain articles along this rail-
way, which is to cost, by estimation, only two millions five
hundred thousand dollars leaving this company greater
profits than made by any company the world.
II is fact, sir that it is deliberately proposed pay the
Of six millions Of dollars to this companysnd do not
doubt the responsibility the worth and intelligence Of those
who compose it Of whom has high reputation in the
literary wordfor the transportation Of munitions of war,
stores and other supplies Of the Government by this
railway, which is to cost that company only two millions and
hundred thousand dollars, by estimation. And yet
far has been minated by the friends Of this BILL this
pany not to be limited in the least in lis charges upon
citizens who may desire to travel upon this railway-and
many Of them doubtless will desire to visit California and
Oregon hereafte-or who may desire to have their effects
transported, either for the purpose OF carrying mercantile
operations for the purpose Of establishing themselves
residents in those fair regions No limitation, far have
heard from the friends of this measure Is TO be imposed
cep-wha Why, sir that this company Is not TO charge
the citizens Of the United States than they charge the
citizens Of New Grenada. So far present in
formed the citizens Of New Grenada will have but very little
for this railway all and il it should turn out that
arrangement should hereafter be made between
this company and the Government Of New Grenada in ea
ton this Affair." which may prove satisfactory that Gov
eminent and people, this company may obtain authority to
establish such rates will enable them charge for the
whole period Of ninety nine years whatever they please upon
the citizens Of the United States For oneI say IL in adj
vance, shall be in favor Of this measure, unless this
| company will submit q reasonable tariff Of rates.
We have all doubtless had experience in such matters for
il is fact well known in the history Of the different States,
that wherever company obtains the privilege Of establishing
road Of any kind without tariff Of rates being 10 the first
instance imposed competition being completely precuded,
the companies take upon themselves TO charge such
nous they may Judge TO be consistent with their
interests Their interest alone will be their guide Be
fore this Government then supplies to this company the means
Of establishing this railway, trust they will be required to
agree upon such tariff Of rates will citizens in all
time 10 come from that oppression and injustice mus
otherwise in my judgment, inevitably accrue from this trans
action.
One more remark and have done. We have, as Gov
enmen the right Of way across the lshmus OF Panama
And now the Government Of New Grenada have entered into
contract with this company which empowers il to establish
railway from the Atlantic the Pacific. That is not
of