The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-05

Report OF the Teh q antepsc Committee. :

ANOTHER ROUTE TO The PACIFIC,
Report OF the Tch santcpec Committee
TO THE CT rIZENs OF NEW ORLEANS.
The Permanent Committee, appointed by you a,
your public meeting on the 9TH of October, lS49
have the honor now to report TO you an account OF
their action in your behalf. This report has been
delayed, because the measures devised by the m had
not been brought to satisfactory conclusion. The
most important of these measures are now accom-
plished, and the time Of action has arrived.
On the organization Of the committee, Mr.. Con-
rey was chosen chairman, and Mr.. Bernard Fallon
made an offer of his services as secretary, which
was accepted. Our first efforts were, of course,
directed the obtaining of the privileges granted
by Mexico to Mr.. Garay These privileges con-
sisted -
l. OF the exclusive right of establishing CON-
munication by steam across the lsthmus of Tehu-
antepec by canals, railroads, or improvement of
natural water courses The right is granted for
sixty years.
q OF grant in fee simple of ten leagues of land
on each side of the line of communication, max
ing about five millions OF acres.
3. OF exemption from any contributions or taxes
on traveller or merchandise in transitu, for term
Of fifty years and exemption from trans sport dues,
freights ghterage, tonnage, or any other class of
dues.
A. OF the right to foreigners to acquire real pre-
perty and exercise any trade calling, even min
ing, within fifty leagues on either side Of the line
of transit
6 OF an exemption from all duty on agricultural
implements and implements for the arts, for TWEEN
ty years and on all articles of subsistence, cloth
ing, furniture, and other things useful for the
structon and establishment of houses, for six
years from the establishment of the colony.
6. OF making all works necessary for shelter and
use, fortresses and warehouses, in two ports, one
at each end of the line, to be selected by the gran
tee.
preciated by your committee, and their most ear
nest efforts were directed to the securing of its ad
vantages to New Orleans. Although the execution
Of such work, if made by the citizens of other
oar commerce, twas obvious that weighty motives
existed for endeavorng to the control of the
route in this city. The efforts of the citizens Of
New York to monopOlize the daily increasing trade
with the Pacific coast, by the passage across Pa
mama, had be EN- eminently successful, and could
not but be Notifying to our merchants. The whole
line Of Western travel, instead OF descending the
Mississippi, was borne on railroads to the Atlantic
sea. board, and the superior enterprise of our
Northern rivals had enabled them entirely to over
come the marked advantages that our natural posi-
ton, in relation to this commerce., ought to have
secured for US. The concentration in New Orleans
of the capital to be expended in the road and Of its
receipts when made, were by no means unworthy
Of consideration, and our local position was pecu-
lary favorable for the superintendent and manage
ment of the work to be done.
Two subjects of consideration were of primary
importance. 1t was necessary to ascertain the va
ldity of the grant, and to secure its transfer to
company, 10 De eStdOllSlc0 In LOulsldHd. i nc re-
puted grantee, Mr.. Hargous, had made himself
known at Washington by his jealous endeavors to
obtain assistance, in the shape OF mail contract,
to enable him to push on the construction OF the
road but had been unsuccessful. The route by
Panama had already secured the monopoly of New
York, and no disposition then existed amongst her
capitalists to build up rival enterprise The OPP
portunity was thought favorable for rendering to
Mr. Hargous the cooperation of our citizens but
some guarantee was required that the benefits Of
our exertons would enure to the advantage OF New
Orleans; that If our time, efforts and money, were
expended successfully in aid Of the enterprise, we
should reap its fruits. With this view, il was de-
termined to propose to Mr.. Hargous partnership,
and this determin alton was based on the motive
that the very great value of his grant was such as
would require for its purchase so large sum as to
render il doubtful if fund could be raised sufh-
Gent for the double purpose of making the purchase
and building the road; and also, because the COM
mitiee was not yet entirely satisfied as to the vail
dity of the title of Mr. Hargous, and was also des
Tous of retaining the aid and cooperation OF him.
self and his associates in the furtherance of the
project.
A cum of about ten thousand dollars having been
raised by subscription to defray the preliminary ex-
penses Of all kinds the committee appointed the late
Preston w. FarraT, Esq one OF their number, as
special delegate to visit New York, confer with Mr..
Hargous, ascertain as far possible the validity of
his title, and endeavor to enter into an arrangem en
coDformably TO the views above e7pressed. In.
structons were given 70 MIR. Farrar, and limit OF
three rniivrs doliars suggested by the COM
mittee as the extreme price they were disposed TO
allow for the grant, if placed by Mr. Hargous in the
company 10 be formed, in the shape Of stock, TO be
issued TO him In payment.
1 The mission Of MIR Farrar proved unsuccessful
the proprletors of the grant, although expressing
willingness TO join the citizens OF New Orleans, re-
quiring not only the price OF three millions, but IN
sispg that onethird of that sum should be paid TO
them in cash; that all the outlay for surveys, ma
teras on the Isihnus outfit, and expenses Of other
kinds, amounting to half million more, should
also be paid to them, and conserving TO take the
in he
plated company.
The committee were unable to accede TO these
terms, believing il impossible TO carry out the en-
tcrprise on this basis. Convinced Of the immense
value Of the land alone, independently Of the privi-
leges attached 10 the grant, they still feel ddent
Of success in obtaining the heavy subscription re-
CURED for building the road, il an additional outlay
of and halt millions Of dollars were required
TO be paid before dollar could be appropriated on
the lsthmus. The return OF Mr.. Farrar created
feeling OF encouragement OF all effort as hopeless.
BY fortunate concurrence OF circumstances,
however, Mr.. Fallon, the secretary OF the commit
tee, became acquainted with Mr.. Hargous In New
York, short time after Mr.. Farrar's return. In
conversation on the subject, Mr.. Faon, who was
thoroughly acquainted, from bis position, with the
feelings and views Of the committee, succeeded in
convincing MIR. Hargous OF the great assistance
that could be rendered to the grantees by the ct-
zens Of New Oreans-of the Importance OF their
services, aud that the advantages resulting from
blending 81 their common interests would more
than compensate for any supposed sacrihce the
grantees might make 10 the disposal Of their rights
Negotiations were resumed, and resulted in an
agreement with Mr.. Hargous, Of which the follow
ing In an outline -
!. Mr.. HarRous was 10 secure for the citizens OF
New Orleans preference in carrying out the en-
terprise, and give them two years within which TO
organize a company for tn psipose.
q To prevent the possibility of any different dis
posal Of the grant in the interval, Mr. Hargous was
to make a conveyance of IL to trustees, who were
authorised to convey II TO the contemplated COM
r. al. .s.lN lrrn cara
At the end Of that time the trustees were TO convey
il back 10 Mr.. Hargous, if there should be failure
OF organization.
3. Mr.. Hargous was TO choose for trustees per-
sons who were citizens Of New Orleans, and who
should be approved by the committee.
Mr.. Hargous was TO receive TOR his privileges,
lands, NC, one-third of the stock OF the conien-
plated company, not however to exceed three mn,
lions of dollars. For this purpose II was assumed
that IL would cost about six millions OF dollars 10
carry out the work. The capital Of the proposed