Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-12-22
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, lS48.
CHINA J'y

Mr.. Brccse introduced joint resolution 10 ex-
tend the ACT providing payment for horses lost 10
the service OF the United States.
Mr.. Brecsc also reported, withou, amendment,
from the Committee on Public Lands, The bills
granting The right of way and donations OF The
public lands 10 the State Of Illinois, for The con-
struclun thereon Of the proposed railroads.
Mr. Atchison, from the Committee on Indian
Affairs, reported bill, which was read three
times and passed. authorizing the secretary OF
War 10 pay 10 the e DIDO tribe OF Indians $500,
in PREPARATION for The death OF Caddo boy killed
last summer, by American volunteer troops, IN
Texas.
Some other bills of private character we're
introduced, when Mr.. Miiler's resolution calling
on The President Tor any correspondence with me
Spanish Government in relation 10 Inc purchase
Of Cuba, was taken up.
Mr.. B.rrien expressed the hope that the Sena-
Tor from New Jersey would withdraw the resou-
lion. as il was important 10 preserve the secresy
necessary to success in such a negotiation and
TO protect the Executive from exposure in rea-
lion thereto, if any such negotiation is in pro-
press until il shall have been completed
Mr. Miller SAID that in submitting The reSoln-
tion. he had no intention 10 interfere with The
rights OF The President. de did not presume that
the Executive had offered any such negotiation;
bu, the public had become excited with rumors OF
such negotiations, and it was win view 10 sat-
isy The public mind that the resolution had been
Introduced. tie thought this might be done with.
out encroachins upon the President, but ne wa
willing that The resolution should be passed over
for the present.
Mr. Benton then rose and remarked. that be-
fore proceeding 10 The consideration OF the specia
order-the bill aulhorisiRg the contract WIN
Messrs. Aspinwall and others for transporting
the mails, &c. acrosslh The islhmus OF Panama-he
desired 10 lay before the Senate certain papers III
Spanish relative to the previous contract by The
Government oil New Granada, Tor The construc-
tion OF road across The slhmus which ne moved
to have translated and printed, under Inc dlFec-
ton of the Secretary oil the Senate.
MIR. Cameron desired also 10 include the con.
tract made with the original grantee and assigned
by him to Messrs. Aspinwall, Stephens aud
Chauncey, ,ha! The precise character Of all the
arrangements might be understood.
MIR. King said that contract was not before
the Senate, and the printing would not be or
dered until i, was in their possession.
MIR. Foote supposed that the friends OF the
MEASURE would produce it. He was not pre-
pared TO vote until he had seen the document
Mr.. Westcott saw no necessity for ordering
the printing. The original French contract mad
been transferred to these memoriaisis, and the
Senate had nothing 10 do with their arrange
ments with the Government of New Granada.
The only questions are, have the memorlalisls
the right and ability TO make the road.
Mr.. Foote insisted that it was important they
should understand the whole subject. he had
been informed that there was something IN the
French contract, assigned to these memcrialisls
at war with American interests. And De
would not vote for this bill until that document
was placed before the Senate, or some expla-
nation, of a satisfactory nature, had been made
in relation thereto. The printing of tle con-
tract was the best way of giving that intorma'
ton.
MIR. Allen said that he should oppose any
proposition, come from what quarter 1t ma y,
having for its object the granting monopoly
for the transit of the commerce OF this CONT
nent across the Isthmus of Panama. We have
acquired, for the whole people, the right oil
transit across that isthmus vast right, OF more
importance than any grant for any similar as
lance on this continent.
He would as soon think of granting mono
poly of the commerce of the whole world, as
this exclusive right of transit across the sthmus
of Panama Our interests, as bare Govern
ment, were small matter in comparison win
the business of the whole country. The trans
portation of Government stores across the 18th
mus of Panama, would not probably amount
to more than thousand dollars per annum,
while The whole commerce of this country
across that isthmus would amount perhaps to
hundred millions.
MIR Benton remarked that the contract be-.