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


Of view In which we can make an economical estimate OF
this matter, wenus all Think, that great, and avery
great am not prepared TO say how great-saVnS VIII
nure 10 the United States by thus shortening the passage
10 the Pacific will say, sir with respect to other modes
OF conveyance. that have doubt-and look upon II
now thing cerlan-that ere long shall have other
modes OF conveyance the isthmus from our own
territory on this SIDE 10 territory the other side
entertain as little doubt that there will be comnuni-
cation by the way OF Mexico over the nearer ishmus
entertain doubt at all that that is the fact; and do
think there is exigencyl do think there is present
want OF conveyance and that this is the reaiIest ana
the only ready mode oil obtaining IT. So IT strikes me
think there is prospect that if this project be favored
by the government OF the United States, as well as the
respectable gentlemen concerned in 1t, 1t is as sure TO
be accomplished any other enterprise undertaken by
respectable individuals
Now know it may be said by the honorable member
from OHIO, Mr. Allen that it will be time enough to
make the contract when the work is done In ordinary
cases, that may be very true but II is 10 be considered
that this will be very great undertaking It Is work
that IS to incur live millions OF expense and those VINO
embark their fortunes in it should, think, have
suance-some prospect--some encouragement that II
they are prompt in the execution OF the work, they VIII
meet the appreciation OF the government and receive
portion OF its patronage, at reasonable compensation
Now, with respect to the amount OF tonnage and passage
Others know, more about that than | do II 1t IS too
high, let be reduced that be the pleasure OF the
Senate and the other branch OF the national Legislature
do not look upon this sir, opportunity to crafty
any speculative undertaking of Individuals by furnish
ing means out of the treasury of the United States but
look upon the object as great and excellent one,
upon the whole. | think it ought to be commenced
ing that place il upon the ground where it was placed
BY the senator from Missouri, Mr. benton that APP
pears practicable L is before us, and think the object
is attanabe; and think it is atainahle at reasonable
expense Therefore | am decidedly IN favor OF the
measure. AT the same time, | shall concur most
readily III the amendments which may be substituted
either with view of reducing the expense, of limiting
the authority OF the Naval Department with respect TO
the which they would pledge the credit Of the
United States; indeed, anything else IN the nature OF
an amendment or new arrangement, which may be Iea-
sonabe. But | have a strong disposition to think the
measure is a proper one The extraordinary clrcum-
stances of the country call for it, There is nothing in
those circumstances likely to make them so shorlved
and temporary, that within year or two, or any nun
Der of years, we may justly apprehend and consider
that this work will not be necessary; and repeat again.
that if there proposition at the same time for the
other work, 1t were in as advanced state as ths' and
the Others and fully believe both to be accomplish
ed, and still other modes OF communication are to be es
tabshed across our own territory without any occasion
to enter the territories OF other countries
Mr.. BU TIER. This is but of the various projects
OF communication with the Pacific ocean ana however
great the object may be-and, sir approve OF 1t thus
can, by Its constitutional power. contribute its
money aid project of this kind. Now, sir, the bill
puts upon the narrow ground OF an execuory contract
1t puts upon higher ground so lar as regards the
language used than to make eXecuory contract, IN
advance. with common carriers who have, as suppose
acquired the right OF way over thus ls.hmus undes
charter from the government OF New Grenada Wen,
being put upon the ground OF contract and only
upon that ground, have right to ask the question
sum of two millions and half? Why have you agreed
TO give that for carrying the mails across the 18th
mus of Panama
Mr. WEBS FER (interposlng) Will the senator allow
call his attention 10 the fact that this authority
and not direction, for the Secretary OF the Navy to
make such a contract!
Mr. BUTLER The bill has been so amended substi-
tung the word "auhorizlng for 'directinS;" but In
my view the legal import of the words are the same
Nov, why two millions and half are to be given to
the company for carrying the mail, naval stores and
munitions OF war, am utterly at loss TO conceive FIR
certainly will be to their interest to take all the freight
offered and if they finish this road 4hey will, presume,
charge reasonable rates for their freight belonging to
the ieleral government as to individuals.
have doubt it enterprise OF great magnitude
and shall be very 10th to interpose anything to impede
defeat its purpose. But, Mr.. President, must say
that do not know TO what power shall refer this
bill except TO that for the regulation Of commerce That
power very broad 10 which 1t can readily
be referrel and, ndeel the only one to which can
be referred undertake to say now, that while en-
| terprses of this kind will spring up, asking the
aid of the federal government under such a broad
power as that-one utterly without lmitatlon-l shall
find great difficulty in giving my sanction to any am
United States should be altered, that, upon vote OF
two thirds, projects OF this kind be undertaken,
would be in favor OF it; but without some such aeIa-
ton, know limit at all 10 the expenditure OF the
counry-none at all Here, sir project the preext
of which bargain but the real object is to obtain
bounty of two and half millions of dollars so as 10
derive some advantage from and make us pay some
thing for the privilege OF crossing there.
1t is not my purpose TO discuss the relative merits of
huantepec route especially in political point of view
will only say that when these different projects come
up, shall them very narrowly before give my
sanction any of them The fact Of their object
being covered up under the OF bargain does not
at all relieve from my difficulty. II is bargain, il
is bad bargain, without any kind of lnvestigaion-a
mere arbitrary agreed to be paid.
Mr.. CLAYTON. have long had this object Of es
tabshng passage, either by railroad canal,
the 18th mas in view In 1895, had the honor to offer
to the Senate OF the United States resolution for inst
uting mission to the governments of Central America
and New Grenada for the purpose OF paving the way for
cutting canal across the sthnus. The resolution was
adopted, after considerable discussion by the Senate,
believe, without dissenting vote at least so II would
appear from the Journal The resolution was TO this ef
feet: f.......I
Rssoipci, That the President of the United States be
respectfully requested consider the expediency OF open
negotiations with the governments OF other nations and
particularly governments of Central America and New
Grenada the purpose of eccuay protecting, by
bic treaty pulaons with them, such individuals COM
panies may undertake to open accommodation between
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by the construction OF
ship canal the ishmus which connects North and
South America, and of securing forever by such spula
10 the free and equal right OF navigating such canal to
all nations, the payment of such reasonable tolls
may be established to compensate The capitalists who
may engage such ndertakns and complete the work
In pursuance of the suggestion herein contained, the
President OF the United States seat charge DAT
fares 10 the republics of Central America and New Gre
count of the acompeency Of the minister sent, and
nothing done in furherance OF my proposition, or
for the accomplishment of the different projects which
were suggested at the time for making either canal
railroad &C ross the isthmus.
We are now in the middle of the nineteenth century
and think with Difference to those gentlemen who have
expressed their views in regard to this subject that