The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-01

Ioi Wuch receive SDlu uust III
return, will not be very considerable 1t will be very
unimportant affair for all their for clothing and
ucles OF merchandise must be very inconsderable, In
addition to this there perhaps be trade with the
islands OF the Pacific But without going further into
thus matter think that the value OF this passage is mag
nhed and that We are to pay large sum Tor compare,
lively small recompense Perhaps the whole amount OF
business through this route will not be twice the amount
which il is provided by this bill that shall pay TO ia
clitae the trade Ft| I...If .t
Now, sir il there is any correctness in these views,
the objects not at all adequate to the expenditure pro
posed-not at all adequate But it may be said that pc
liiical and other considerations require that should
do something facilitate intercourse between these
States the Atlantic and settlements upon the Pa
cfc coast, and this is offered a temporary
and in no other light than temporary | adj
NIT that there is force in this suggestion We are
right IN being willing to make some sacrifice 10 concate
the feelings of western brethren, AMI attach them
TO the Unlon and readiness to do what can to
facilitate the intercourse they wish have with the
United States But is this particular necessary
Tor this plpose Is not sacrifice much greater than
It's advantage in that point OF view would Justify
This communication by railroad is not the only practical
BILE mode There can be communication by vessels OF
course, from our seaports with that coast except by
way OF Cape Horn and the only object OF the road to
facilitate intercourse. Still there will be necessity oil
making double voyage to reach that coast and the
route must be very expensive There must be a
voyage lpon the Atlantic from seaboard here to
Chagres and then, after crossing the ishmus, there Is
another voyage to be undertaken for some thousand
miles upon the Pacific. This will make it very ex-
pensve route undoubtedly and probably in that respect
II will fall little short of the expense OF going round
Cape Horn. There will be, however saving of time,
| and II may be more convenient on that account.
But what advantages there may be all to be tempo
ray. This not intended per nanent route for this
country It is not recommended as such to the confl-
dence of this country for intercourse with cur own
possessions upon that coast.
1t is well known that The harbos on both sides are
defective-on one side extremely So and probably the
worst the whole continent. Then the harbor and
terminus of the road upon the gulf directly IN the way
OF the British Islands, and throw in the way of that
maritime power But will not detiin The Senate by
flrth Intpth Ia matt mn
dent, that have great doubts whether The benefit we
shall derive from this will be very unlmpotant,
whereas the expense is very great
But do not like the principle of such bill this,
| have already minated 1t looks little too much like
going back to the plan upon which we started and
from which we had to back out-the plan of connecting
the government with works of improvement, by sub
scribng to the stock of corporations and companies
That is the way began, sir, and had to back out
from it after spending some millions upon IT,
MIR. N. then proceeded TO speak OF the losses upon
the various plans OF internal improvement which had
been adopted by the government which had been, with
but exception, of little value to the public, and no
income Whatever to the government Although this
in the form of contract, it intended TO draw
money from the treasury for the benefit of this route
The only way TO get round the constitution would he
to consider this exercise OF the power given in the
constitution to regulate commerce This was not directly
indirectly what they had not the power to do directly.
AS the bill stood, this appropratlon--and little
than that-to aid in this work lie therefore could
not give it his vote If amended give moderate
|
do so.
Mr. ALLEN, It's very obvious sir, that if it be the
will OF the SeIate TO pass this bill embracing does
an object of such magnitude. and promising to bring
with il many consequences the Senate should go into
critical examination, not only OF the general principle
upon which is based but OF the itself in all its
details That, sir, will be matter OF some labor, and
will consume muth of the time of the Senate because
many inquiries relating TO the details of this thing must
be made upon the various propositions TO amend. We
are now, sir, past the middle OF this short session
and although am not aware that we have any very ex
traordnary business, demanding for any extraordi-
nary reason, our very prompt attention now, still,
sir think it would be useless of time TO
enter upon discussion of all the questions arising from
the details OF this measure, until we know something
about the temper of the Senate towards the it.
senator from Mississippi tMr bAvsI is founded in solid
the government OF the United States shall pay
for the transportation OF its and property across that
lsihmns than their people pay Tor the transportation OF
their bodies and their property. The defect in the pro-
position is, tina, expects the OF this road, and enga
ges the government 10 employ the road to transport It's
men and armies, and munitions of war, when it will be
quite time to do after the road is compleel-quite
time. But sir, | do not intend TO enter into
this matter will not enter into the details of the dis
cusson. will not for instance, go to that part OF this
bill in which the rate of transportation is fixed at IS per
ton road TO be thirty odd miles long, while
at the same time vessels are reished in Boston for Can
ton, to line OF eighteen thousand miles, for
$l5 ton do not choose Ia go into those details; but
in order try the temper of the Senate in regard to this
measure, and let us see whether is worth our while to
1
move, sir that this bill be indefinitely postponed.
| Upon this motion the yeas and nays demanded,
and ordered.
| Mr. WEBSTER Mr.. President, am sorry sir, that
this measure. which regard exceedingly important.
should be disposed of by indefinite posponement. |
had hoped sir, that the measure would be allowed 10
proceed, until the details should be arranged that it
might be satisfactory to the Senate in that respect de-
sire merely to express opinion in relation the
general measure, concurng in the measure essentially,
as do, for the reasons assigned by The gentleman from
Missouri, Mr. BENTON think that the circumstances
OF the country call for this measureor the adoption of
this particular measure. do mean say, Sir that
there might not be better modes of getting from East
West: | am willing to say the other hand, that |
have regarded the project OF a communication across
from the Atlantic to the Pacific by the way OF Tehuan
epec preferable, because it is in higher latitude and
nearer to ports upon the gu and will add that
If proposition for railroad across that point, to
meet the two oceans by that road before u.s.
and that proposition advanced and apparently
as practicable state the present, would give ii my
entire appreciation.
do take the view, sir, which has been adopted
by the honorable member from Connecticut Mr. NILGsl
entirely-that the present exgency is very shott
one. do not apprehend that there will cease TO
be occasion for great deal of intercourse between the
Atlantic and the Pacific, and between ter
rtories side, and those of the Rocky noun
tans the other. think the progress OF these things
is onward and let the speculaions operations in
gold dust gold mines go forward more or less rapid
ly. think Intercourse Is now, necessarily, to be
opened for the general purposes of trade and
between the Atlantic and The Pacific. Now, sir | have
not devoted myself to the particular provisions the
details of this am not in possession of such
estimates as would enable say whether the lima-
ton in the bill 1t is your table, the lma-
ton which will be>in the bill OF the motion of the
49,, fr,,n ant Tho haat