The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-20

Co., as it necessary know what arrangement
made between them and Mr. Henan
Mr.. KING; We cannot order the printing OF a paper
which IS not IN the possession OF the Senate.
Mr.. FOOTE. ] suppose that the limitations and sug-
geshons thrown out at various times in this discussion,
will induce the friends of the measure to bring forward
the original contract and allow it TO be printed feel
bound to say that am not prepared TO vote for the
ure until | the contract | wish to look at it
and si II 1t is printed we may all examine the more
Mr.. WESTCOTT 1t strikes me that there will be no
Tsh, this hsr contract to BE- printed WE have
reference % them. The only thing we have to inquire
into is, Have these the right and the power TO build
this road and have they the interest to fulfil their
tract?
Mr.. FOOTE. 1t is obviously important that we should
understand the true nature OF the original contract with
the New Grenadan government. and of every stipula.
ton thereof before undertake to act upon this bill,
which is avowedly founded upon it. have no settled
opaion in regard to the bill before certainly feel
the deepest interest in the great object which it purpors
to have in view-the connexiOn of the Atlantic and Pa
cifc oceans and trust that am not devoid of proper
sympathy for the worthy and entesprisng individuals
who have applied TO us TO aid them in the execution
of this project But feel authorized to say-indeed
gard as my duty to decare-hat information has reach
ed me (Which sincerely hope will turn out to be
ous) OF nature calculated to awaken susplclon
that there is something the frame OF this original
tract which would impose upon this company the per-
Torrance of acts altogether hostile to certain very sub
slantla interests OF portion OF our citizens do not
.
but believe that the senator from Florida will not
fail TO comprehend me. think it highly important that
the contract should be examined most thoroughly before
we adopt any legislation upon it and at any rate must
have the privilege OF scrutnzng the contract for myself
before can vote for the bill in its present form.
Mr. ALLEN. may as well state at once, what will
be my course in regard to this subject We were told
yesterday, by my friend from Illinois, that there would
be rva proposition brought TO the Senate on this sub
iect He implied that he would be in favor of one of
those propositions For fear that might labor under the
suspicion OF entertaining the same opinion desire 10 say
that shall oppose any form of proposition coming
from what quarter it may, which has for It's object to con-
fer upon any select body OF men a monopoly OF the
transit OF the of two hemspheres the
ishmus of Panama If the gentlemen whose names
are in this bill, or any other gentlemen in the United
States have acquired from the government of New Gren
ada right to make road across the sthmus OF Pana
ma, let them make it, They need legislation of ours
to enable them to make i And then The question IS
behalf OF our government and our own peoplehe right
OF transit-whlch implies Notwithstanding the remarks
made Yesterday the right to make the be, means OF
right, viewed as national right 1t is privilege, sir
which is worth 10 the people of the United States
than the privilege Of Passing oyer any equal distance
OF granting to company the monopoly of the navigation
of the globe, as | would think OF granting to any
company a monopoly of the transit OF the commerce
over the isthmus of Panama-us as soon, sir. This
bill proposes that the government OF the United
States should IN advance contract to pay for the
transportation of its troops and arms, munitions of
war and mails, with this company, upon that railroad
Sir the transportation of the few troops OF this govern
ment-the transportation OF the few men employed as
agents of this governmentwill bear proportion
to the transportation of the property OF the people of the
United States that sthmus than the shmus itself
bears 10 the continent OF North America Our interest
q government is the smallest concern involved in this
transaction. Our whole transportation there, as
government, would not amount, perhaps, to thousand
dollars year Our transportation across there,
nation, would amount, perhaps, TO a hundred millions
year IN ten years, or perhaps fifteen or twenty years
In this view of itlooking to this matter affecting
so largely and so lasngly the interest OF this great
people, shall not vote for any proposition which
deprives them OF the enjoyment OF this great prvl-
lege, by comforting 1t upon any select body OF men
upon earth. | will not establish Barbary power
to levy tribute upon the commerce OF Two hemls-
pheres crossing the ishmus of Panama. We want
that, sir, for all and the only way in which it be
kept out of the hands of monopoly is for it to be kept
the right of the nation, in the power of the government,
and under circumstances that will allow the whole peo-
pe if they think proper, to unite In the construction of
roads and canas-as many of them as they choose.
thought it proper, to state this advance, for fear
might be mistaken IN my vote upon the proposition
Mr. FOOTE Will the senator from Ohio permit me
plan for connecting the two not subject to the OBJ
Iectons which he has SO forcby stated to the one be-
fore us
Mr. ALLEN rose, but yielded to
Mr. BENTON, who said the desire of the senator
from Pennsylvania perfectly reasonable one The
contract nearly the in substance with that which
he (Mr b. had laid before the Senate, and the latter,
therefore, would give agood idea of the former That doc
umen had been ordered to be translated and printed and
the Secretary them with the promptilude which
characterized him, searching for translator.
Mr.. DOWNS. If recolIcct rightly, the communication
from Mr. Heran which has been made upon this subject,
and which has been ordered TO be printed stated that this
company vested with certain additional conditions
and sipuationS which embraced III the
contract 1t that be the case, we can form no opinion
OF the charter if is, from the old contract. We
do not know What portion OF that charter has been mod
fed-wha conditions have been imposed-or what
changes have been made in the nature of the contract
think, then, the object in calling for the contract will
be frustrated unless have the present contract
printed with the other documents.
would state aso Mr. President, that differ entirely
from the honorable senator from Ohio, upon the nature
OF BILL lie seems to speak OF as II charter was
to be granted by the United States government which
might result in monopoly; as if, should pass the
bill, it might result in monopoly very injurious the
country Now sir, do not look upon in this light at
all The government of the United States has right
TO grant charter there to create monopoly, or TO
prevent monopoly. The only right they have is, as
stipulated with the government OF New Grenada, that the
citizens of the United States shall have the right 10 travel
rate for the transportation of passengers and prop
erty the citizens OF New Grenada We have merely
the right of way, and have nothing TO do with
there The only object of the bill understand
beas is thought desirable at the present time, when
the migration to California is so rapld-o encourage and
assist in work of great Importance to the nation, by
granting them certain privileges of transportation OF
there will be monopoly but the question is whether
we shall have the work done promptly, and whether
the public interest will not be promoted by IT. think,
sir, that it Will; and should be glad TO it adopted.
At the same tme entirely concur with the senator
from MssIsspp; and should like TO know the nature
of the contract There may be IN 1t provisions which
we ought not TO approve. There may be provisions
~ ne