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

10 ssndno il 10 committee which could bring in moth
ing but What il put in their hands Above all MT
President the committee make no inquiry al all INTO
the potica legal conditions OF any rsnI OF Way or
any system of crossing the lsthmus OF Iehuanepec
We would have to go to Mexico ior tnat PURPOSE we
have no means and time to go into any inquiry oil thai
% Mr. FOOTE The motion before the Senate has been
peferred by me most reluctantly, but with much debea
non after calm examination OF the facts connected
with the proposed tor our adophon-at least so
far as il has been in my power to explore them Ii is in
no spirit of hostility captlous opposition to the
scheme of Improvement recommended to our respectful
consideration and to favorable action by of the
committees of this body, nor yet of ill.w or even OF
beraliy to the worthy gentlemen whose names are
connected with it, that have though proper to the
reference sought But sir, from the FIRST have looked
upon this matter of much completely OF much i'm
poance, concerning which i presumabe that few OF
were fully nformed and have therefore thought that
bound to give 10 it calm, unparalleled, and
territorial, commercial military political, and even moral
if need be. look upon the question which we shall be
called upon TO decide in come ION with the bill before u.s.
of great magnitude, OF much difficulty, OF no little dignity
in of It's aspects and in The decision OF which, if
we should chance to err our error may DC attended with
consequences in the highest degree mschevous and dis
credta5e but the decision of which, II we shall decide
wisely, may result in the production of all those bene
fetal consequences goriously depicted in hearing
a few days since by the honorable senator from Mis-
souri,, [Mr. BENToNl | have Judged it prudent, there
tore, to refer the whole subject anew TO the com
mtee with which ii originated, with such nstruc-
tons might secure at its hands the development
of information deemed by me indispensable to dis
Greet and successful actiOn l nave chosen 10 move
reference of the bill or rather the amendment to
which has been introduced by the senator from Illinois,
LMr DouGLAsl and which now occupies the position of
the original bill, to the Committee Military Affairs,
from the unaffected respect W hch feel for that commit
tee, and because deemed il but courteous to its ndivd
ual members that this confidence in their capacity and
other high qualities should be manifested. wish to be
understood, though, as by means desiring to burden
that committee with labors which may prove at all IN
on ss %
coil from the execution OF the task which my motion
has marked out Tor them, am that have not the
least objection to the reference being made to other
committee OF the Senae-eher the Committee on Roads
and Canals, a special committee, if gentlemen deem ii
best.
Now, altogether dissent from the opinion expressed
by the honorable Senator from Missouri, that addi-
tiona investigation can, by possibility, result in the
tanment of additional material facts. am of
fact-that am at present. not extensively, perhaps
very accurately informed upon many points deemed by
at least material to be ascertaned previously
taking anything like defnive action. | wish | were
better informed on the subject; for were, should
most gladly imart my information 10 the Senate. instead
of being compelled, as am in some degree, to humate
myself before it, by formal confession OF ignorance. 1t
would be nsincere to do otherwise than confess
my want of such knowledge as desire to possess upon
my vote either for against it. Sir | am painfully
involved in darkness, and demand ight. | am CON
strained to acknowledge that after much Investigations
and not little thought mind YET in slate Of scri
Gus doubt and perpexy relative TO the course TO be
adopted in disposng of this bill. have been assured
thai there are materials of information to be found and
laid 0i ut conveniently now in This city; that CON-
mltee "a have ii in their power TO elicit facts new to
US, and important to the country by the devotion of
little time TO the further exploration of subject which,
must think, has been bur yet very p'ricaly exanin
ed BY us any Of us
among gentleman of high public standing, scholar,
and man OF very remarkable accomplishments of most
polished and digned bearing native of the republic OF
Mexico, but well and favorably known on both sides of
The Atlantic. who possesses large fund OF information
on the subject Of our present deiberaton, which he
would be quite willing, doubt not, lay before u.s. in
the forms OF maps, books, Official reports opinions OF
distinguished persons both in Europe and this country
touching The advantages of the across the is,hms
of neutrality-suspicious. OF such men as Humboldt
Amgo, and DINERS, the mention of whose names is suf-
hcen with all lovers OF science to awaken yrneration
and TO command homage This gentleman, though
all inclined to inude himself upon notice is polite
enough coaer with those who may choose to visit him.
and 10 mpart such information as he may have at his
command; know that there is also in this city large
mars OF documentary information of American origin,
with which We perhaps are not all yet familiar, which
might greatly aid the inquiries OF any committee which
we may RAISE at this tne and enable US to determine
manner Satisfactory to ourselves and the county,
whether shall act wisely in selecting railroad
the shmus of Panama instead of seeking transit,
across the stmus of Tehuantepec; or whether in fne
we would not act more wisely still declining any such
contract as that urged upon with any association OF
individuals whatsoever.
do know, Mr.. President, that the state of public
TO the measure now earnestly recommended to u.s. is
such as mperiousy TO require more thorough invest.
cation OF this whole subject than is possible should
have yet received. This equally evident from puhca
tons in leading newspapers, and from statements in lei
tiers received by members OF this body from gentlemen
OF the highest intelligence in every State of the Union
Why, them should precipitae our action? Why
should we "prefer darkness rather than lght," WIN
should we rush upon the adoption OF a measure which
may, for augh we know TO the contrary, produce conse
quences Infinitely more serious than any mere pecunary
loss? Can we not delay day or two more Are we
apprehensve that shall be more danger of acting
unwisely should decide with perfect circum
spection? Do any OF us fear additional developments of
fac' For my part, though committed to no scheme or
plan whatsoever having project of my own to bring
forward, nor under promise TO advocate here or else
where the project OF any other individual or association
OF individuals, am Willingness resolved--to look into
this whole subject calmly, patiently, astuely if possible
in order to understand what may be the true policy OF
the country, and, having ascerained it, to assist in car
ryiDg it into execution.
Mr.. BENTON. It is not the question on the part of
the Senate to the advantages disadvantages of the
Congress OF the United States having anything at all do
with route the isthmus Of Tchuantepec. 1t is
the POLITICAL and it the legal question, which pecedes
We all know, sir, that have no arrangement with
Mexico for the enjoyment of any right Of way
that isthmus. We all know something else beyond that
We all know that Mexico peremporIy refused to grant
us one particle of liberty We all know sir, from our
personal knowledge, that from the beginning the end
from the time that Mr. TIist had the negotiation in
his hands until it concuded-we know that
Mexico peremptory refused to grant one inch of the
right OF way to the United States TO cross that sthmus
ms belng the undertook to negotiate with New
utenaaa Tor the right OF way. She nego,iaed-she
tfealed-she signed the treaty The United States did
ne same and II was unanimously confirmed by this body
me quesuoh now is, to exercise the privilege which
gained under the treaty Ii is gained and il Is confirmed
III an Ohy IL.