The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-31


Mr.. DOUGLAS If this motion to reccmmit, with the
inst uctions to the committee to investigate the posi-
bIity probability of qurng the fight Of way across
the sbmus of Tehuanepec had been made al an earlier
day. should not have been inclined to oppose H. IN
the contrary, should have supported it most cheerfuly
This measure has been before the Senate now Tor more
than monthrom the first week of the session. ~ was
desired by the friends of the at that time TO have
early acon in order that the proposed contractors might
know what they could rely upon, and whether they were
to so with the contract or not pprehend tnat une
matter of vast importance and tor one, having pre-
sented the memorial, should have urged immediate &C
ton them but for the fact that senators here urged the
necessity OF allowing time Tor its consideration, and
stated as reason that rival proposition was expected
We have heard much of this rival proposition We
have waited long for it to be submitted and alter delay
has been made we fad that they yet unprepared to
present their memorial setting forth The Claims Of that
rival proposition for one have been anxious 10 SEE
| it, and should be glad to see it now.
But told by the senator from Mississippi thai
the Mexican gentleman to whom he refers does not stand
nthe place OF rival contractor. Sir, wish him to
stand in that position not to stand here at all When
he comes here to attack this measure-when he comes
here to enlighen the Senate to our acon-when he
here TO protest against our adopting measure Tor
purpose because is going to interfere with his pro-
ect wish him TO stand forward rival competitor, and
wish him TO state what his plans are; wish him to
show what authority he has ! want y, TO know whether
whether the denial made by the senator from Florida is
true He rs here we are told he state whether it
is true or Shall he stand up and hear senator
Mr.. WESrCoTr I did no, understand the senator
from Mississippi Mr. FoorEl 10 deny the existence OF
Mr.. FOOrE Certainly not | only said knew moth
Mr. WEsTCorT. lido not wish to be misunderstood
as to the effect of what stated TO my
this bill am, as at present ADVISED, opposed TO this
BILL and to all similar prniscs put before Congress oy IN
in advance to effect their schemes in any foreign COIN
tries lam hostile to all these systems in toto hops to
see railroads from the Mississippi TO the Pa
chic, bind the people there and here. on the Atantic
together; and will not encourage any route that Will
tend to interfere with. or compete WITH or postpone
them But if is determined 10 Adopt some one az
temporary measure, | prefer Tehuanepec first Mica
ragua second, and Panama the last; and will advance
the reasons at the proper time am INCLINED to vote Tor
the senator's Mr. FoorEs resolution, he will amend il
include the railroad routes the continent
from the Mississippi and the Nicaragua route. The fact
with me as 10 that By proper arrangement with Mexico
obtain it. Il is now free ana unincumbered and
learn from good authority that Mexico is disposed
range with tor it, Ii the persons supposed 10 have had
control have fact such CONTROL and if we have
arrange with them, would not have anything 10 do
with it.
Mr. DOUGLAS. know this gentleman to whom ref
has frequently been made to be talented and
his business but | desire, when his name ana his
to be cited upon this floor argument
troll our legislation, tina. il shall in tangible and
responsible manner When he comes here 10 defeat
act OF the American Congress, deemed necessary to
y,
paper; desire that he shall bring his memorial for
ward state the facts, and then let examine whether
those facts reliable not. We have heard of this
mortal frequently From the first week of the session it
has been heraded upon this floor II to come, anu it
has not come There may be memorial; but | believe
firmly that the object OF the memorial is TO prevent any
action at all the matter; and If it be so think the
question then should be argued upon the merits OF the
Panama proposition entirely, nsca of dragging in this
other matter as II II were rva route and making COM
parison of the merits Of each, when the object de-
feat any action upon the subject whatever Sir why has
not the memorial been presented Has not this subject
been open for several weeksinonths, even' Has not
this gentleman been town several weeks Have not his
facts and plans been open to the inspection OF gentlemen
for several weeks; and might they in this time have
been examined over and over again. Sir, think it is due
to us, if this gentleman, through his friend going 10
interfere TO defeat legislation that he should have
come forward before. 1t is not a proper way of
proceeding, when he knew that this a special order
here knew that the time for the settlement of had
been fxed-knew that it postponed from yesterday
until to-day for final acon--new, at the last moment,
TO ask to have recommed when there is hardly sui
Gent time left for action at this session, and thus
defeat the measure by indirect means.
Sir, If we do not act this session. doubt whether we
shall act at all. | only want road across the 18th
mus as a temporary affair, until get the direc,
road believe the next session we shall! provide for
such a road and would be unwilling TO make a con
tract to last day longer than until could get such
route. But, SIR, am unwilling to have the matter
postponed upon the mere question of the merits of any
particular route for in that case we may be without
road Tor the next ten years, until get the direct
road
Mr. FO0TE feel bound to say, sir, that nv obiec,
was not TO provoke discussion upon the of the BILL
nor to do anything in opposition TO its final passage bu
was apprehensve that the final vote might be taken TO-
day. and Tor the reasons stated desired lis posponenen
and with that view made the motion 10 refer Az the
hour is so late that there probability OF the vote be-
ling taken to night, the object which had in view will
Dc accomplished, and am willing to withdraw my
uon WIN The understanding that the vote shall not be
taken before to In the mean time will endeavor
to procure the requisite information