The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-21

In The House of Representatives, January 49, lsi9
Mr. T. BurLER KING from the Committee on Naval
Affairs made the following report:
The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred
the memorial of VIM. III Aspinwal, John L. Stephens,
and Henry Caauncey praying aid from The government OF
the United States railroad the sthmus
Of Panama" have examined the subject with much care,
and submit the following report:
The intention the memoriass is if suitably aided by
Panama from the Atlantic TO the pacc ocean. For his
purpose they have procured charter from the government
po grained Fseas
which secures to them very extensive privileges on the
eighteen months from the date Of The transfer Of the charter
them and completed within eight The original
nine years This has been reduced in the contrae,
with the memoriass 10 forty nine years. ana right has
chase the rairoad at the expiration ofiwenty years
The Of the road, and the expense OF lis management
than would be required in any work OF similar extent in
country, and The profits which may accrue on tile
government the memoriass will probably be compelled
as all others who have moved in this matter hitherto have
the uy of Congress TO consider Whether the
interests of commerce. agriculture and manufactures
the convenience Of governing and defending our widely
extended territories the shores OF the Pucc, and OF
grafton them objects of sufficient Importance when
taken in connexion win the proposed transport across the
sthmns troops munitions OF war, and the mails, just
y the government in giving such aid may secure the
completion OF this work within the time proposed
three yea-and place its future management in the hands
our citizens Our commerce with all the countries
bordering tho Pacific rapidly the increase,
and especially the South American republics and Mexico
and il is believed thar frequent and speedy commu-
ncaton with China and other countries OF the East ill
produce rich harvest -
Great Britain is principally indebted oer skill in
Tor her commercial ascendency
but she is also indebted in small degree her position
She only has the ports OF the continent of Europe
her neighbors; but she is ffsen hundred miles,
weeks than all the other ports the tco,d,
csy The Atlantic ports of the american coanent north of
equator the Wt Indies The OF this is that
all vessels bound from our ports to places south of the ne
beyond either OF the capes, the Atlantic the
Azores Western islands for the purpose of finding favor
able winds while vessels from British ports down
latitude and ngude without the necessity
crossing the avail themselves of the
ages This difference in favor of British commerce,
ming through entire existence nation has been
most serious obsace for merchants and navigators
contend with, and has, OF ITSELF been item favor
profits British capital Lieut. NJ F. Maury, super
ntendent Of the Observatory has within three
past, proposed direct route for vessels bound
ports ports the Atlantic side of the American
tnct south of the equator and beyond Cape Hon which
will about thousand miles of the distance those
places all vessels bound round the Cape of Good Hope
will be compelled to pursue the old route.
The TO oSing table stoes the sasg distances from Nep
York and the principal ports beyond around
Cape Horn AID the Cape Of Good Hope.