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

incurred in the construction of roads of this description,
OF the length II is stated that II VIII DC neces
sary TO construct pier on the PACING as well as on
the Atlantic side. Now. whenever propos'i2a
shall be offered to me for making raiiroaf or iof
assisting in making road across the sthmus oil Ishaan
tepec, shall give II favorable consideration nave
already stated that | prefer that route. ! do not know
but road may be made there earnestly hope lhat IL
may but not lnsen sble to many OF the dime uues
which will present themselves there. 1t is stated on
most respectable authority that railroad across that
ishmus must necessarily be hundred and hy miles
in length and that there is bar at the entrance to the
harbor which viii not admit vessels drawing more than
twelve feet another statement says fourteen, and even
eighteen feet; and have received information from
very respectable sources verifying both these opposing
statements | do not undertake to decide between them.
1t stated also that in rehuantepec the northers blow
during portion of the year with great violence, and that
violent storms prevail also the Pacific side. Sen
alors are aware that the Indian name Tehuantepec
is said to be literally, however coarsely translated
by the English words, ga hell of blow" Now
whether the winds are violent either side OF the
isthmus of Tehuantepec than elsewhere, do not know
We shall probably be informed upon that point. But II
feared that these nohers with bad harbors may pre-
the shnus of Panama Is undoubtedly practicable
whatever objections may be urged against H. ana shai
for the proposition to assist the contractors TO make
railroad there, desiring at the same time 10 guard the
country against any imposition.
Let something practicable be now done Let us nave
route across either the isthmus OF Tehuantepec or
Tehuantepec; but we have proposition i IN
favor of the other route We know that the lndi.
viduas applying TO have purchased the right OF
way at Panama, and we know that they will make some
kind of road there within years But think de.
srabe Gf be pactcabe) to have the road made IN two
years. and understand that il we give the assistance
which is asked for by the petitioners they can and Will
make the road IN two years SIR, is only question OF
repeat that from what can learn 1t is matter
of certainly that the road will be male whhin eisat
years for the contractors have boNnd themselves to DO
the work within that ne else 10 forfeit one hundred
and twenty five thousand dollars paid by them into the
treasury OF New Grenada 1t is merely question en.
hatla fho ahn ha ma
within two years s~
This is to be an American road 1t will have that cha
racter abroad, do what you may. American citizens
intristed with the construction of II. Well, II this
work is TO be, and be called an American work. l
desire that should be road worthy OF the American
name and in my opinion the American governm m, :,
individual enterprise in making road worthy OF
the American character. do not want a road attempt
ed there by individuals and carried by piecemea com
mencing with railroad of few miles. and perhaps
ending for some years to come with plank or mule
road. desire that the Improvement should go on con-
tinuousIy and in the shortest practicable time And now
allow me one general remark in regard tohe TO be
pended would aid, as far as the constitutional power OF
the government will enable to do it, in making road
fro the Mississippi to the Pacific, road across
the isthmus of Tehuanepec design to aid in the con-
sruction of the road proposed by this bill and whateve
the cost Of passage by canal railroad across to the
Pacific either ishmus may be- whehertwo millions, two
and half millions, six millions, twenty millions, or even
fifty millions say sir, that the wit Of man cannot find
any other mode Of expanding the same amount OF money
human family. And | repeat that do think that. IN
the middle of the nineteenth century,it is disgrace
10 the government that nothing has yet been attempt
ed with success to save our commerce the danger
navigation of nine thousand miles around the
cape | take the proposition now before us becaus
it is practicable; would not delay, the work from
year TO year and from day to day II we cam by ex-
pending the sum of two and hall millions OF dol
lars or less, accomplish great object say for one
tina, an wiling to anhoz the espeniqhF,i senator
from Delaware, [Mr. CLAYTON, ] in great many things
which he has said but differ very widely from him in
some. should think, il there was any ground of NOR
ticaton. would be that this government the mother
of republics on the Amecan continent dared not enter
tain the idea OF transporting her citizens and goods n.y.
iea Of constructing road through the great valley of
the United States, by the action of this government.
either through the agency OF corporations or by direct ap
preparations sh ould look to the commercial advantages
which would result from road thus constructed and to
the still higher political consideration, that our popation
flows with steady tide towards vast possessions
in the West the borders of the Pacific ocean, instead
OF passing-as by this proposition it must-through a
foreign country, finds itself in direct communication with
this country have that abiding confidence in the attach
ment of every man TO the government OF the United
States that am not prone to contemplate their breaking
off from our government, however widely they may be
separated from but il anything should require the
the United States, it would be to find themselves on the
shores of the Pacific, powerful people, with an extensive
co nmerce with Asia, without any communication with
the United States-with legislature sitting here to fix
the laws which thelr Intercourse, both domestic
and foreign If that people is to be bound permanently
te the States of this Unon it is to be their interest in
all future time to remain portion OF the United States
then. say, they must be coupled with us by a great
commercial route and the links mast be continued one
after another, through farms. villages towns, and ham
lets, until passing through the vast slope we stand upon
the shores of the Pacific
This then, will be the Interior object to which would
look, and all other measures consider emily temporary
txpedients. | not willing TO see this government
coupled with any work outside of the United States If
avail ourselves of the right of way the 18TH
OF Panama let it be temporarily and let it be dollars
paid for heads and tons and let the contract terminate
whenever we have an opportunity 10 change 1t. am
not willing TO pay any stipulated to this company
either in prospect after they have completed the road
stores of the United States not. 1t was therefore
that | proposed the amendment which | offered. By
adopting this amendment, aad passing the bill in this
torm we shall be equally ready to avail ourselves
of the road across Tehuantepec-f one shall be con
structed-which will be intimately connected with
the United States, and be protected from foreign In
reference.
But there considerations precedent to any which
belong to the ishmus OF Tehuantepec We have no
right OF way the difficulties OF constructing road
are known to be great and the fine must be remote
before will be completed unless the Senate proposes to
expend large sums out OF the treasury for the consiruc
ton of roads.
Notwithstanding the amusing definition which the gen.
tleman from Delaware gave TO the name Tehuantepec,
(Which suppose was given in est,) will tell him that
there are places something OF the kind he has described
all along the coast where the norhers prevail, and
drive the vessels the coast and hence the great dan
ger. AT the isthnus of Tehuanepec the entrance is
upon the east side; and gentlemen who live in nautical
regions will see that these norlhers blowing upon the
coast prevent vessels from entering the harbor,
count OF the heads lulhng out the north and
south far into the sea, leaving no possibility OF