The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-05
FROM The London STANDARD
American Sea Steamers.

We do not take up journal received from the
United States that does not contain the account oil
some gigantic undertaking by that enterprlsing
people, Involving very grave considerations 10 the
interests of this country. Amongst the more prom
inent at the present moment IL, we perceive,
great steam mail communication between the
United States and different places IN the world,
supported and directed by the Government Of the
republic. Take the following: Early next year
they will have five steamers OF 200 horse power,
and 5000 tons burthen each, CONTRACTS AT the rate
Of 4 10 600 per ship, and los per mile,) 10 run be
tween New York and Liverpool Some more Of the
same description are nearly ready for the New
York and Havre, Southampton and Bremen line
A Government contract line Is nearly ready 10 run
regularly between New Orleans and Vera Cruz,
&C. Splendid steamers now run regularly and
frequently between New York and New Orleans,
calling at Havana, and making their passage each
way in seven days. Besides the splendid steamers
Of 600 horse power each, such the Crescent City,
two more still larger, the Ohio and the Georgia,
are nearly ready 10 ply twice each month between
New York and Chagres calling at Jamaica) with
in nine days each way, and arrangements have
Just been concluded 10 call regularly at Jamaica.
Five large steamers are now on the Pacific SIDE 10
run between Panama and Oregon, calling al San
Francisco, Mazatlan, Acapulco, &c. Large steam
20 be got ready 20 run between Panama ana
Valparaiso along the west coast Of South America.
American companies have obtained exclusive priv
ilegcs for navigating the MaranOn and the Orono-
co, and a short time will see hne American steam
ers running between the States and the whole east
AL the steamers ready preparing for the dit
ferent lines especially ior the New York and Liv.
erpool line are built, or building with great care,
and constructed in the best and strongest manner.
Two mercantile houses in this country alone hold
stock in these American Government contract com
panies 20 the extent Of $4,000 each.
With such steamers az those have alluded 20,
the fine and powerful British steamers which the
Cunard line - well meriting commentator and
support, have wisely and prudently constructed, Or
constructing, only hope 70 contend; but even
these will be closely In this race Of cOmpetitOn
and no other European steamers engaged in such
service In the Western World have the slightest
chance 10 compete with them. They will, we fear,
beat them hollow, and the whole traffic, and CORE
spondence and specie, and postage, between Eng
land and the Western world come through the
American and Cunard lines. Every thing from all
south America the Gulf Of Mexico, and all the
Western Tropical Archipelago, will, IN the future,
go and come by these American steamers and IN
stead Of British steamers carrying American mails
and passengers, a. might have been, and a. was,
we believe Intended " be the case, n will M future
be American steamers carrying all mails ana pas
sengers 10 and from England, and those portions Of
the world adverted %. Cunard's lne steamers
make the passage 10 snd from New York, via Hall
far in ~ days frequently IN less ume,) and the
voyage 10 and from Chsgres is Accomplished ma y
DAYS more; 20 20 II days " Chagrcs, 10 j 70 ia
uaica while the present West India steaflers take
80 from England % Chagres, and 80 " Jamaica,
even in good and regular passages. What mails
and passengers, we ask, will 60 by them IN tins
quarter, when they get forward IN y days by
way Of New York and Halifax, and with the great
advantage Of communicating At the same time reg
ulsrly between all tropical America; and tins, TOO,
twice each month, il not oftencr, instead Of only
once each month, as At present.
u ~ demOnstrable and now ascertained iact,
that with steamers, such a. Cunard and the
Americans have, will soon have, every mail
from every part ~ the West Indies and the Gulf
OF Mexico could be transported either way in
u days less time than the present; the course Of
post between England and every place within the
range mentioned b. reduced a. "a davs Ito ia
rnAica and Nassau, 40 days,) and this by simple
and proper union and Combination With al the
same time saving Of 4 100 90 per annurn % the
country These points worth tho attending TO-
aud 10 which the Government must attend we
learn with surprise therefore, that on the late Con
tract Packet Committee, (Henley's,) when a prsr.
teal witness wa asked, If by way q North Amer
lea. the West Indian, and Gulf &c, mails could
be conveyed quicker, and how much sooner, than
at present be replied, al least - days; that the
room was instantly cleared, and when the evidence
was again admitted, be was informed that both
questions and answers " the effect mentioned wer'
eYpuneed as irrelevant 10 the inquiry before th'
committee
But the inquiry and saving, and truth and ma
t;onal interests and advantages, cannot be thu
stided when the West India Company was frs
established the whole business Of that portion o
the world was embraced within their range, az
great national undertaking, aud one which ih