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

this point am wholly unwilling to vote for tnc measure
urgently pressed upon US, unless am permitted
hand to inspect and scruinize the original contract.
Mr.. WESTCOTT. do not see any necessity for the
Introduction Of this contract II has been stated here in the
petition and that statement has been certified to in the letter
read to the Senate yesterday that this French contract has
been transferred to these parties The arrangement which
may have been made between these parties with which
we as Congress have nothing do. We have right to
legislate with reference arrangement of this character
The only questions have right to put concerning this
matter are whether these parties have the exclusive road and
whether they have the power and ability to perform the SER
vices they have engaged to perform upon certain conditions
Mr. FO0TE simply rise for the purpose OF saying, for the
benefit Of my friend the honorable Senator from Florida that
TO my mind obviously important that we should perfectly
understand the character and specific stpulalions OF the
contract between Messrs Aspnwa Co. with the Govern
OF New Grenada before we act upon the bill which is
based upon it. have decided and settled opinion touch
ing the expedency Of the proposed Tor our adoption
Certainly do feel lively interest for the great object expect
ed to be attained and am not without proper sympathy,
ALSO trust for the entepsng projectors Of the scheme be-
fore Surely intend to present no opposition to this
measure in advance Of formal and explicit exposition
Of it on the part of those who presumed best to under
stand it. But am DESTROYS Of having it distinctly under
stood that if certain which have reached me as TO the
provisions Of this contract shall not be met and neaved by
contract ITSELF submitted seasonably for inspection, shall
be very painfully constrained to vote against the bill Per-
haps ought 60 further and say that il has been ntmaed
to me that there are clauses in this contract which
not be carried into execution without serious demn TO ce
tain substantial interests Of portion the citizens OF this
republic do feel authorized at present to use language
of paner import, is it necessary at this stage OF the
proceeding certainly must be evident to the Sena-
for from Florida and others that the original contract should
be brought before us order avoid the commission OF
serious bunde and the possible production OF much mischief
to great public interests. sa:
Mr.. ALLEN. may well at once what will be my
position this subject. We told yesterday by my
friend from Illinois (Mr. BREEsE that there viii be rival
proposition brought into the Senate on this subject That
remark implied that he would be in favor Of one Of these pro-
positions. And for fear sir that may labor under the sus-
pielon OF entertaining the same opinion desire 10 say mat
shall oppose any form of proposition, come from what
quarter may, which has for its object confer on select
body of monopoly of the transit commerce OF the two
hempheres the Isthmus OF Panama If the gentle
whose in this bill any other gentlemen in
the United States have agreed with the Government OF New
Grenada for the right to construct road across the isthmus
of Panama, let them make it, They need legislation of
enable them 10 make and the only question with
me is, why they here We have acquired by treaty.
IN behalf of Governments and whole people, the right
of transit which implies notwithstanding the remarks Of yes
terday, the right to make the means OF transit across the
Isthmus of Panama This is vast right Viewed as ma
tiona right it is privilege worth to the people Of the
United States than the privilege Of passing equal dis
lance any where else the surface of the globe and would
think Of granting a company monopoly Of the
navigation of the globe monopoly OF the transit commerce
Of the Ishmus Of Panama-jus
This bill proposes that the Government of the United States
SHALL in advance with this company to pay them
for the transportation of troops arms munitions of war; and
the mails the shmus their railroad. Sir, this
transportation of the few troops of the Government and the
Few persons employed agents OF the Government will bear
proportion to the transportation OF the property Of
the people of the United States the shmus than the
sthmus itself the continent Of North America. Our
interest, Government, is the smallest concern IN all the
transaction The whole transportaons that 18TH
Government will not perhaps amount to ten thou
sand dollars worth ofreight yearly whilst our transportation
nation viii amount to perhaps the value OF hundred
millions annually, within, perhaps ten fifteen years from
this time. In this view Of it, locking upon this matter
affecting largely and lasngy the interests OF this great
people, shalt not vote for bill which deprves them OF the
full enjoyment Of this great privilege, by comforting on any
select body Of earth. will not establish Barbary
power levy tribute upon the commerce OF the two henri
spheres passing the shmus Of Panama We want that
for and the only way it is to keep out Of the
hands of monopos and keep this right OF under the
control of our Government that the whole people, they
choose construct roads and canals and use them
as they please have thought proper s to make this ex-
panaton lest should be misunderstood in the vote which
shall give upon the motion 10 print this paper
Mr.. F00rE. Will the honorable Senator from Ohio
M ALIEN permit to PROFOUND question to him, an
which strikes may become important IN con-
nexion with what has just fallen from him. Has the
Senator from Ohio maured any PLAN other than the one be-
fore u.s. Of connecting the Pacific and Atlantic seas either by
railway or otherwise!
Mr. ALLEN rose to reply but he gave way to
Mr. BENTON, who said The application of the Senator
from Pennsylvania is perfectly natural would say,
however, that the original contract the same in substance
with that which have offered Ibeleve that some additional
compensation is exacted from these New York gentlemen
but the original and all its privileges there-hs
same that expired in the hands Of the original boders
has presented according my promise yesterday and
ordered TO be translated and printed The Secretary, will
the prompude that is characteristic Of him, search
ing for translator This win show the whole contract
Mr. DOWNS. If recolect Alright, the honorable Senate
from Missouri in presenting the communication which hs
been ordered be printed stated that this company was in
vested with the privileges granted former company, and
that the former contract contained the spula,ons embraced
the contract.
Mr.. BENTON lin his seat) Yes, sir.
Mr.. DOWNS. II that be 50, il seems 10 me that we cal
form opinion of the present charter, unless see In
new contract. Unless them both, shall not know
what provisions have been modified think, therefore, IN
object in calling for this paper viii be entirely disspponte
unless the last be also furnished While am up,
will that differ entirely from the honorable Senator or
Ohio the Of this application He TO spea
Of charter be granted BY Congress which, IL the b
should pass might result in monopoly that would be nu
GUS the people Of the United States do not view Il i
that light ALL The Government Of the United States
the sovereign Of the territory which this contract ex
tends, and has right to establish monopoes there. Th
only right have has been established by treaty with Ne'
Grenada the effect that whatever road may be conruce
there the United States shall have the right Of anspo
taton as other nations We have nothing do wit
monopoies understand tina, the only object which make
ctae the emigration to California. They ask Of the Unite
States 10 give them this contract in order 10 encourage
assist them in object which acknowledged to be Of gres
importance There monopoly in this. The question
whether shall shall not have this work done
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