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

OF the county, III every respect
Now Mr. President there is great political objection
to this roue,hat Great Britain has port in thai quar-
ter, and that all the which pass by this
route necessarily pass almost within the range OF
British guns in Jamaica. 1t will be almost necessary,
by this route that our steamers should touch there
There II stands in view OF the very harbor at the
Atlantic terminus Of the route right the line by which
every steamer goes to New York Now, Mr. President,
do know need TO have any great dread OF the
power OF Eng land but must confess, sir that upon
great thorou shiare OF this kind, where much Is
at stake-when it is not beyond the range OF possibility
that may have difficulties with that great nalon-i
must confess, sir, that ii would be better TO have
for the transportation OF our munitions oil war to
ourPacihc settlements, little more open, and not quite
so much in the power of that great nation
But even supposng that we continue on terms OF
amity with that nation commercial point OF view 1t
is of great importance. Establish this route, and IN my
opinion, you will make the British port, jamaica, the
great port of the gulf the great depot Of communication
OF this route Ii has good harbors and Compare
lively healthy 1t will be the place. then, where our goods
will be deposited, rather than IN that pesenli climate
of Chagres where the inhabitants not only afflicted
with the ordinary diseases which attend southern chimes,
bat with peculiar diseases--with the eprosy, for IN
sancelhat loa,hsome disease, much Id be avoided,
and so much dreaded in all parts of the world. II this
established, repeat, Jamaica would be the great
port and the English would the great Vantage OF
the across the slhmus. These of the
reasons. sir why doubt upon this subject, and why
want further information before act upon il.
Again. Mr.. President, should like to know The si,na-
ton the capacity and the safety OF the harbors IN this
mode of communication. Are they suitable, or can they
be made suitable or practicable In some of the nior
nation which has come to my knowledge upon this sub
ect, unless am very much misntormed learn that one
OF the abest engineers no has examined this SUBJECT has
reported that it ineypeien for such purpose, that
the present arbor OF Chagres should be used mat there
great difficulties in the way that there dangerous
rock that ha Dor, and that such is the difficulty from
the winds that celebrated French engineer had selected
and pointed out dltieron place OF landing altogether.
These ae points upon which admit have not much
formation ought to have IN order to act upon the
subject but which worthy OF consideration and re-
iection and upon which ought to be Informed be-
fore act finally.
Again. Mr. President. how is it on the other side of
the continents! Is there, the Pacific sde harbor TO
be made Is ii not fact thai vessels would have 10
go out eight miles to islands in the vicn-
y because they cannot ride at anchor IN the harbor Of
Panama! How are they 10 obvate thati understand
also, that there great difficulty there regard to
sailing vessels, IN leaving the port when the winds are
from the northwest which is the prevailing wind a, that
Placehere IS great difficulty on account OF the parlcu
lar conformation Of the coast which creates lee shore
to the south OF Panama. | am informed that vessels
have been detained there this account for weeks To-
geher. To be sure this objection does not obtain with
regard to stcun vessels but should secoeot that
large proportion OF the business must Tor the present be
carried in sailing vessels considers them this delay
OF sailing vessels for Weeks together to be an important
| Consideration ID, .s
Again, Mr. President find it has been suggested in
report which have seen made upon this subject else
where, that ii is very important have communication
across here, somewhere, In consequence OF the lni-
RES which certain classes Of goods and produce Undergo
by crossing NE equator, to go round the cape and then
apply with equal force this route, for it Is the
equator, it damp and scky, tna the climate IS OF
nature CALCULATED to produce inry'oFe even than sea
voyage. think, therefore, that this argument, though
produced in favor OF the louie, is strong argument
against It.
If we have route further NORTH where it is not
so sckiy where il is safer, where there advantages
superior TO these, think should avail ourselves OF It,
concur with all the arguments in favor nI communlca
ton with the Pacific That is not The question.
The question Is whether shall now, with the lnlor
maon we have at present upon the subject, act upon IT,
without calling Tor some nformatonl Why should
we be in such hurryl The settler may want his log,
as the gentleman says but donot know that the govern
ment wants a log to walk upon We have got INTO the
Pacific heretofore without this passage, and think we
can do the same for few years longer Why, sir what
IS the pressing want OF quick passage to California
We shall never want any soldiers there's shall
have as many soldiers and volunteers there as we want
In very short time. Nor shall want 10 send sup
plies; there may be scarcity present, but venture to
say that before the roa is built shall cease Il have
occasion to send barrel OF pork barrel OF -four to
MIA to supply all armies there. This road cannot be
built in day; it will take time. When the necessary
tune has elapsed the demand for transportation across
the isthmus upon the part of the government any
rae Will not be so great as the gentleman seems to sup
pose.
There is another question: Mr. President connected
with tins subject, which think is fl, subject for con-
sderaiIon thought that the policy OF oar government
had heen turned against internal improvements. thought
that al the present tne not dispose TO 20 INTO
much expense tor internal improvements II has ceased
to be the general opnonor, at any rate ihis has been
the course OF action Tor the last few years. Now, Mr.
President, whatever objection may have been entertain
ell upon that subject as to affairs, is not well TO
ask, reference to this new scheme OF terna! improve
meats, whether shall sanction II Shall we say that
can make improvements at home THAT we will not
clear bar the Ohio. requiting appropriation OF
80, 40 so 900 dollars but that will give lions at
once for improvements in the ishmus OF Panama. Not
only this, sir but we must give 1t hastily; We must not
stop 10 pause and consider, but must swallow itdown
Just as IS, right or wrong should like 10 see how
gentlemen who vote for OF this kind, at the
rate OF two and half millions refuse to vote for
some petty Improvement Tor the clearing out OF bar,
the removal OF snag or the Improvement OF Il habor,
when our own people need it, and suffer for the
OF it every day in the year. [ do not know, sir, as
we have such plenty OF money do not know
as we are SO particularly out OF deh--hal
that make railroads for the whole world
across that isthmus do hope, SIR, that this measure
will not be so hastily carried through the gentleman
seems to wish. think it requires serious reflection.
Why should we pass it at this moment by the next
session OF Congress have all the information
best route there is danger that it will not be selected
then. II be not, we shall have time TO find it oat.
Bat so into it, sign the bond, and nen if you find it
to be lmpr cticabe not advisable, it VIII be too late to
eceje All ask is, that may have the necessary IN
formation; and If we cannot obtaa it at this session.
would better delay the whole until the session OF
Congress, when can undoubtedly obtain all the in
formation which may be necessary for full understand
ing and intelligent action upon this important subject
Mr. FOOTE, Mr.. President, regret exceedingly that
this poor motion OF mine, brought forward with the best
Intentions and surely most respectful both IN form and
substance should have found little favor in the eyes
of the honorable senator from Missouri, and have pro-
voled him TO decided exhibition OF fierce ADD We
hement opposition. That senator is much more fortunate
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