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

munitions of war, and naval for military and
naval stations the Pacific all of which. however great
the emergency, and whatever sacrifice OF time and
money! by The long aud hazardous voyage around
Cape Horn, or by the wild paths across the Rocky
ans, Tor bali the year covered with SHOWS and entirely
lmpracucabe. ....
The sthmus Panama is about fifty miles in breadth,
less than other part OF the continent of America
and from the falling of OF the great range OF Cordlefa
running from the Rocky mountains TO the Andes, II has
always been considered the region in which, If ever
an easy communication would be effected, either by canal
or road between the two seas The route over is pfoba
bly, worse now than In the early days OF Spanish domln
on when the gold OF Peru passed over H. 10 freight with
almost fabulous wealth, the AIgoses of SPAIN No wheel
carriage has ever attempted TO cross H. The present
mode of doing is by up the Chagres river,
for great part of the distance by poles against the
current and requiring wenyeight to ,hlrV hours to
Cruces Thence 10 Panama there is muleroad, difficult
at all times for women and chidren particularly with the
effects of moving emigrating party, and during the
rainy season almost mpassable,
Tue Pacific mail company charged with the uansporta'
on OF the mail from Panama TO California and 10 Oregon
comprising your memoualists, immediately upon assum
ns the obligations of their Contract saw the necessity for
their own Interest," of improving the road the 18TH
mus and alter consultation with several gentlemen In high
position at washington took upon themselves me burden
ana expense OF hng Out an expedition for the purpose OF
an examination and survey One OF their associates, to
whom the execution OF this work was nusIed passed the
as winter on the shmus attended by TWO engineers oil
high standing who, besides making general observations
of hgh-water mark the shore of the Pacific and carried
It across the Corderas down to the rst stream that enters
INTO the Atlantic where the further prosecution OF the work
was broken up by the setting in OF the rainy and
the party returned TO New York.
Inc scheme oil THIS company IN mourning the expense OF
this expedition plated, as your menoriass
desand some action on tue part OF the government IA the
wagon plank road but the result satisfied them that
from the broken character OF the country and the deuges
nitude than they had expected and, in the mean time,
aspect has been given ts matter by the important
action-oi the government itself
treaty has been negotiated with the government OF
New Grenada, by which the United States have Under
aken in consideration OF free aud uninterrupted right oil
way over the shmus OF Panama, by road or roads
then existing or thereafter to be made, TO guaranty 10
eregny of the republic of New Grenada it; that
il the shmus should be invaded by foreign power the
United States are bound 10 protect with their army and
navy This treaty SO new in It's character and so import
ant IN the oblsati it assumes was ratified by the Sen
ate, cmoralsts understand, without dissenting
voice. and your memoralists regard 1t as mantle lndi
cation on the part OF government OF the great national
importance OF free and uninterrupted passage AT all times
and forever the shmus of Panama lie closing
Of that policy which established the mail route 10 California
and Oregon by way of that lsthmus, and deyovius
upon the government the necessity OF lending its counte
nance towards the improvements of the road IT,
obligations OF the treaty will be attended with equlva
lent advantage and the right of thus wisely secured
lance OF this maer as involving the prosperity Caor
MIA and Oregon, and the welfare of all who are IN any
way connected with our citizens in those Territories and
regarding 1t vitality affecting the best interests OF
government in political and pecunary point of view,
and having under their control the maps drawings, and
other information procured by tho Pacific Mail Company,
your nemorlas have secured themselves exclusive
grant for % from the republic OF New Grenada for
constructing railroad the isthmus of Panama. and
they come before honorable body ask for the OPP
can work. They beg leave say mat its speedy compile
ton by private enterprise alone without The counenance OF
government cannot be expected Privilege after privilege,
similar to that which they hold, has been granted to
others and all have failed 1t does promise any mme-
date or certain returns, and for complete and early sue
Cess 1t requires engagement Tor employment and
compensation by the government an inducemsnt Tor
the necessary means.
Your memoriasts have believed that events have been
work aud that the appointed time has arrived that
the acquisition of California by the United States, and the
ritory OF Oregon, have fixed the period and the hands
by which 1t is be accom- pished; that it has become
the destiny OF this country for Its own interest, Tor
Tue benefit OF It's own people and the good OF the
world, alone, promptly and without delay to achieve
an enterprise which for than three centuries has,
under some aspect, been contemplated and proposed by
al the great powers of Europe It's under strong sense
that hey butspea the feelings of the great mass OF our
people, that they have ventured to embark in tue
great enterprise before them, and aim at becoming IN
when Nunez Balboa from the heights of Darien first saw
the great South sea, has occupied the minds OF all civil
terprse and which, by bringing into close relations the
most distant parts OF republic must add TO and enlarge
the sphere OF human happiness:
Your memorasts hope that these and other considera
tons of The like may have all proper influence up
on your honorable body but they AK corporation on
none OF these grounds they ask ony on the ground s
OF economy and pecuniay saving to the government in the
ranportaon OF men, munitions, and naval stores 10 oul
military aud naval stations in Oregon and, second, on
tho higher and important political ground OF
being able, on an emergency, and when occasion re-
qures to send renorcemens In less than 30 days instead
OF six months, as required to send them around Cape
Horn, the Rocky mountains. They ask adj
of money towards the construction of the road and
no compensation until services periormed but they
respectfully pray your honorable bodies empower and
direct the Secretary of the Navy enter into
with your memoriass for the transportation said road
for period of twenty years, OF naval and army supplies,
including troops, munitions OF war, provisions naval
stores the mails of the United States, and public agents.
exceeding the amount now specified by law
be paid for the transportation OF the mail alone from
New York to Liverpool provided that memoalists
shall within one year commence and within three years
complete, the construction of railroad the istnns
Pacific oceans WIN H. ASPINWALi
JOHN L. STEPHENS,
HENRY CHAUNCEY.
Mr. d., in presenting the memorial, gave brief sketch
of its general provisions.
This memorial sets forth the great Importance of rail-
road the lshmus of Panama in conneyion with the
mails established by this country with reference the
interests of commerce. and TO the military affairs of this
government 1t sets forth also that their association had
secured charter for the exclusive privilege of
ing this railroad for ninety nine years, which charter will
with the government of that country The memoralists
ask for appropriation OF money; they ask aid from
this government in the construction of the road They
propose to build the road with their own money, their
own means; and all they ask is that this government
will at reasonable prices, contract with them Tor carrying
road shall be nished money being paid for these
vices until the road goes into operation
Mr. BADGER presented the following memorial, which
was read, and ordered TO be printed
The ministers and delegates representing the churches
which compose the Kebukee Primitive Baptist Association
swamp Pitt county North Carolina the Saturday before
the first Sunday in October, 1873
To the Honorable The
Congress of the United States of america:
Viewing with distrust the rapid strides of prestcrat
being made these United States, and deadng them
and nf