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

complete upon the contingency OF their forming an
with this Government which will guaranty them the making
A the road This system OF connecting the public treasury
with lie interests Of private individuals is not altogether
10 me. II began in my State twenty years ago. 1t COM
meneed by the Stale guarantyng the interest of million Of
dollars Of stock for making the Union Canal and ended by
involving debt Of more than forty millions OF dollars
utterly opposed therefore, TO connecting the public tea-
sry with the interests of individuals We ought to endeavor
TO induce competition instead OF comforting exclusive pr-
veges Important this work is to the trade of the world
do consider il of sufficient magnitude to require the
ssance of the Government In my State we have overcome
the obstacle presented by the altitude of the Aeghanes the
formation of channel Of communication the Portage
Railroad with its expensive inclined planes and machinery,
exceeding two millions Of dollars and we are told
that this Panama road, which is but small affair in compa-
rson, will fifteen twenty millions II is work not
exceeding forty miles in extent in which there grades
exceeding twenty in the mile without the necessity for
inclined planes and altogether road Of cheaper construction
and yet it proposed that shall give TO these gentlemen
three hundred thousand dollars year for twenty years for
carrying our mail and munitions Of war; leaving to the
pany the profits of the whole trade that will pass that
route which in itself would be sufficient to induce OF
terprise and Of capital after the road had been surveyed
and its real difficulties UNDERSTOOD undertake the work.
It is said to be gigantic undertaking. and which has
been too great for the people nbattng that country to
complsh Why is it that 1t has never been undertaken
The why has not been attempted Isl that the people
of that country have been in state Of ignorance and sem
barbarity; but the is thrown open to Americans
who accustomed to works OF that description, will be
found easy enterprise and capitalists will be glad to under
take it for the sake Of the profits that to be derived from
it, would certainly be willing TO forego many scrupes that
have in order that the road be consructed for
that it will be of great advantage 10 the country In
commercial point of yiew The trade that would be carried
upon that route would be OF more importance than any
advantage which the Government might derive from any pr-
yeges regard transportation Of the mails or OF troops
and munitions of But desire to have contract so
framed if be entered into, to to people the
conveyance of their merchandise low rate the goods
Of the people Of that country may be transported Tor.
would have the tolls regulated by law as TO prevent any
mpostios being practsed upon citizens II is but rea
sonabe all events that should be put in possession OF
all the facts in relation to the agreement entered into by these
gentlemen What there TO prevent them so far as we are
present informed from selling the road after II shall have
been made Ought we not TO have guaranty against
this and ought not to have guaranty that the road shall
be constructed in proper manner and with all the guards
and securities which experience and science can furnish
desire that should have all the information which these
papers will afford u.s. and if it prove that these gentlemen
have only conditional contract will deserve mature refec
ton whether ought upon such representations as have
been made extend the aid Of this Government to them
have doubt that the work might be very easily accom-
psed by individual enterprise and doubt that this dis
crsson will have the effect OF bringing the matter TO the ne
ce of individuals who would be willing to undertake the
work without exactng from this Government great de-
gree of patronage. unwilling that should act upon
the subject until have before the proper data upon which
may be able to act understandngly.
Mr. FOOTE. rise for the purpose OF indicating myself
from mputaon which has been thrown out by the Senator
from Missouri That Senator manests dissatisfaction that
debate has been gotten up in regard the production Of
these papers He TO think il very unreasonable de-
bate and by way Of showing that such is the fact heoes
on TO say that upon the first ntmaon of desire on the
part of the Senator from Pennsylvania in regard to the paper
presented this morning. the document brought into the
Senate Now feel bound to say, simply in vndicaton OF
myself that did understand did any one in this nigh
borhood understand yesterday that there distinct in
maion that this document would be produced did we
he
part Of the debate had taken place Therefore, must sup
pose that the debate gotten up for want of the document
and not the Senator intmses from any capous spirit
from any desire OCCASION unnecessary delay in the code
ration Of the proposition which is now submitted 10
While am mp desire to repeat the inquiry which lpro
pounded some time ago the Senator from Ohio, for deem
il matter Of some importance. That Senator appears 70 be
opposed 10 this particular scheme for connecting the Pacific
with the Atlantic although he appreciate the i'm
porance Of such work and, speaking OF II as he does we
have right to take for granted that be has some distinct and
mature notion the subject Of the mode OF establishing This
communication. In addition TO this will mention that II has
struck mc-and only throw il very imperfect idea
one that have duly considered myself but hope that
others have investigated the thoroughly and that
will be calculated by those who capable OF throwing light
upon tit has appeared TO me, upon superficial view OF
the matter that II within the constitutional power Of this
Government establish railway from the Atlantic to the
Pacific upon the authority Of this treaty for military purposes
and 90 incidentally and merely incidentally, TO secure
itself all the peculiar advantages likely TO arise from the esta
hands the Of saving citizens from those injuries
which have been graphically portrayed this morning by the
Senator from Louisiana There would then be no tolls to bs
imposed by the company the Government would always have
il in its power that justice done to those who have
goods transport along this railway in their passage to the
remote shores Of California and Oregon.
do not myself advance opinion this subject, but
s the opinion Of who well qualified to decide that
competent for the Government to establish railway upor
that route. have elaborate opinions from high auho
rity to that effect. have not fully scrutni1ed the matte
myself but have imperfect idea that hereafter should
be ascertaned that Necessary for the defence Of California
ard New Mexico against foreign aggression, against do
nestle violence that military road should be constructed TO
the transportation Of troops and munitions OF war from tn
Atlantic TO the Pacific, Government has right to estab
sh such road by It's means and by establishing suci
road, incidentally the immense advantage
to be derived from its use With this view and with the de
ference have ever felt for the udgmen, Of the Senator from
Ohio in regard to such matters had hoped that he would
in the progress Of the debate have given eponse TO tn
inquiry which propoundcd that would be satisfactory
the Senate.
Mr.. ATCHIs0N rose for the purpose Of moving post
ponement OF the further consideration Of the subject
Mr.. ALLEN. II the Senator will allow me, will answe
the question Of the Senator from Mississippi When tina
Senator propounded his question would have replied TO hin
had another Senator obtained the foor have no hes
tston in stating what my views upon the subject II W
have right to acquire by treaty passage across the lshmu
of Panama, have right open the passage and TO en-
Joy all the fruits which sought by the negotiation Of To
treaty. And believe that not only have constitutions
right open passage, but believe il will become the impe
tve duty Of the Government Of the United States to accom-
plish that object.
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