The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-07

vested, and for the transportation of your mails alone
Now appeal TO my friend from Kentucky and appeal
to the Senate, whether, comparing these proposed rates
with those which the government has been IN the hab
oil paying they are not only moderate but exceedingly
moderate whether they not far below the amount
which has been allowed in time past
While upon this subject, the senator will pardon me
Tor saying that these contracts into which we entered
tor carrying the mail oregn countries-payng an
amour; certainly far beyond the OF postage likely
TO accrueare not only presidents with reference 10 the
amounts to be paid but presidents with reference to
the pncple TO wit: that the government Will, Tor
legitimate and tar purpose company by ad
yancng certain sum annually to induce them to go into
the business
submit. therefore, Mr. President that this is no gra
mity submit that Ia every respect in which this ques
ton can be considered is fair and right that thus gov
ernment, determining il has keep great highway
open between the two oceans, 10 keep up communca
ton between the eastern and the western coast should
encourage company Just about to hazard 50 heavy an
amount as this company will hazard because to
the heavy receipts and the heavy profits dder most
widely IN my Judgment from the Judgment OF the senator
from Kentucky | have not the slightest idea, sir that
the entre commerce OF Asia going to cross the 18th
mus That, think is one OF those wild speculatlons-
speak 1t with great respect-which the future will not
justify.
Mr. UNDERWOOD 1t was not my opinion that
gave upon that point
Mr. DAYTON. Then it was only the senator's specu-
aton, based upon the specuaions of Others and more
loose than had supposed. Then there argu-
meat based upon that and will be sufficient for 10
say that the sailing distance from our Atlantic ports or
from the European ports around Cape Horn, and the dis
lance by measurement from the same ports across the 18th
mus of Panama, will not show difference large enough
in favor of the ishmus, justify the idea that there will
be general decentralization and decentralization OF
the goods at this sthmus. To extent, 1t may be So
do not to deny that it will. But mean to say
that my poor judgment you will get the principal
route of trade between Asia and this country, between
Asia and Europe to be across that ishmus. But we
shall have own trade and the European trade, with
northwestern and with the souhwe coast,
upon the Pacific and perhaps the whale fishery and that
trade is immense IN It's amount and character.
One word, Mr.. President in reference to these routes
ohO s he mo
two AS stated before, IT seems to me that this Tehu-
antepec route is not an open question 1t Is not here
Why sir, who to build this Tehuantepec road 1t is
about 200 miles long 1t has elevation OF about 100
feet 1t will cost-even supposng it to cost no more,
mile for mile, than other rones-not less than thirteen
millions of dollars Who is to build it? 1t is acknowl
edged by all that have but temporary purpose to sub
the construction OF either OF these roads Be the
road where may one sthmus or the oher- to
be temporary, far the business OF this country
cerned Ultimately we are TO have a great route OF our
own upon our own SOIL from the Mississippi valley to
Pacific possessions Who then, is to build this road
across the shmus OF Tehuanepec, costing at the least
possible calculation $I3oOo,0o0? Within what time is
it to be bu' This engagement of ours lasts only ten
years and it will take longer time than that TO complete
the Tehuanepec road if there any to build it
But sir it seems to me-and say It with great respect
that that route is an "obsoete idea" ! sas-
pect that the senators had not looked into the
statements that have been given by OF engi-
hees and by other PERSONS or they never could have eX
pressed preference for the Tehuanepec route. II the
views Of COL Albert. Lieut. Morgan, and other American
engineers who have been upon the route and who have
surveyed part OF IT, be correct the route is not only I'M
practicable in ITSELF but you have the water either
upon this side upon the other sde enable you get
to the termini of the route. While the engineer upon
the Mexican map referred to the memorial here makes
upon the Atlantic coast channel of twenty feet,
the explorations OF American engineers made within the
last three years, upon the order OF Commodore
Perry state that although was tricd over and over
but twelve feet and half of water upon The bar in the
stream which brings you in upon the route
Mr.. FOOTE. This memorial only claims twelve feet.
| 8
only twelve feet OF water how your heavy shipping get
in upon that route So much for the Atlantic sde and as to
the other side, believe they have made no claim at all
Mr.. FOOTE. There is depth of seven eet upon that
side.
! Mr. DAYTON If that is So if there is depth OF but
twelve feet upon This sie and OF but feet upon the
other, that ends the question at to the practical
bty OF the route Well, what saved byit in distance
Gentlemen say that the route is something nearer the
country than the Panama route suspect, sir, there is
great mistake upon this subject and greater claims
made for that route than the facts Justify -,
! SENATOR made remark, which was lnaudbie.
MIR. DAYTON. | beg your pardon; the senator from
Massachusetts is right 1t is nearer to the ports of
the Atlantic On the contrary 1--WE Judge OF the dis
lance by the time taken in sailing it, it further from the
eastern States to the mouth OF river the terminus
Of the Tehuantepec route, than TO Panama From New
York Navy bay which the terminus of the Panama
route, it is 900 miles. From New York to the erm-
nus of the Tehuantepec route if you go through the
Florida pass is only 1880 miles, difference in favor Of
that route of 100 miles, hut, if to avoid the gulf stream
you take the route by which large portion of the bust
goes to the east and south of Cuba, which called
the outer rOute- you take that outer route, the DIS
lance is 1910 miles, greater distance by $50 miles Or
If you compare the two by reference to the time en-
poyed in reaching the different points, whether you take
the inner the outer route you go from any one OF
the eastern ports to the terminus OF the Panama route
sooner than you to that of the other route.
! Mr. DOWNS inquired whether the distance to the
Panama route by the steamers required by the contract to
touch at New Orleans would not be increased very
greatly
Mr. DAYTON. Surely the senator from Louisiana
cannot suppose that speaking OF the course OF trade,
intended to conne myself to the few ships that happen
to carry the mail If you confne yourself to those ships
only which carry the mall admit that the distance TO the
Panama route is something greaer--some 500 or 600
miles. But then the disadvantage more than made
up another way. AT the terminus OF the Panama route
there is harbor where the vessels of the world may ride
at ALL and for four months in the year, while the norhers
prevail vessels do not ordinarily approach within miles of
the river for they dare not Now sir upon the other side
OF the sthmus, upon the Pacific Shore 1t is true that
you some 500 miles nearer to Oregon but that is
your only advantage for you much farther
off from your trade upon the South American coast.
And in reference to the great whale fishery OF the
! Pacific, you lncOnvenlently situated, Tor
they do not near, and have nothing TO do with
Tehuanepec. So that, in any aspect in which this can
be consdered have the advantage in the first place.
as TO its practcabiy. The Panama route is practicable
while the other is not and. The second place, as to the
advantages, the Panama route has hundred, while the
other has but submit, therefore, MIR. President
that, look at this matter as you may-ether as to the
eminent, as TO the future interests of the coun-
try-a true policy requires that the government now
courage this company to open this line of communlca
ton between this side and the other side OF the continent
1t is legitimate, and fair and righteous appropriation of
the funds OF the government for the purpose of ncreas