The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-06

contractlike the policy of doing self-injury for the
osi,on we have Appropriated at first for his as for the
other service the full amount The last year there
unexpended balance hand and the necessary bal
ance to make the appropriation full only authorized
The House Of Representatives have appropriated this year
the estimated amount necessary including the unexpend-
ed balance remaining on hand. The Committee on FL
nance have less to do with this question as measure
of policy than the Committee Commerce, Foreign Re-
ations, Post Offices. The contractors have not full.
filled their contract but they have been paid for just what
they have done; but the department wish them fulfil
it, and ask for appropriation to enable them to carry
It out if the service is rendered.
| MIR. DAWSON. Mr.. President as | understand this
proposition, It is this: In the year ls45 arrangements
were made for the transportation OF the mails by steam
ships, and certain proposals were made 10 certain
panes to form contract between that company and the
United States. There limited time, at the expira-
ton OF which the contract was TO expire, which was in
the year 1850 Now, the senator from Florida alleges
fact, and desire TO know whether really exists,
understand it, not-that il is doubtful, under the act,
whether the Postmaster General had the right to extend
this contract OF the company II he had right to extend
IL, wish to know whether that extension should not
have been made by presenting the contract for COMPETE
ton to the whole country, and not by extending the org
nal contract OF the company upon the original terms
understand that position true and taking the fact that
the Postmaster General was authorized by law to extend
this contract the contract ought not now to be considered
as extended because forfeiture has taken place upon
them to be While a be
the Postmaster General had the right to extend the time
ten years. there can be doubt thahe ought not to
ORDER much possible to decrease the amount the
government is to pay. Now, understand the senator
from Florida TO say that composition would reduce this,
perhaps, one-half and three fourihs have no
doubt that true, fact The contract upon the part of
the government OF the United States being forfeited, it
was void; and moral obligation whatever rests upon
the government now to place those men in position TO
take this advantage OF the country and to deny to the
citizens south OF New York the right of competition.
Assuredly not Then, say, Mr.. President, it is obi
CATION upon to hold these gentlemen 10 strict
pance with the contract, under the circumstances in
which this contract has been extended By doing do
not nue them, because, when the contract is advertised
for again TO the whole natlon they will have the
right to bid, and they Twill also have the advantage of
having part of the vessels required already under
way, If not finished. Hence il is that say, in either
view, whether we deny the power OF the Postmaster
General to extend this contract without submitting to
competition. OF put upon the ground the senator from
Florida has taken we ought to reject IT, and compel the
Postmaster General again to submit this to the country
and then we shall see il we cannot make better terms
The only way to do it is to strike this appropriation from
the bill, and lei the matter be considered separate
bill, or lie over to another session
Mr. RUSK obtained the floor, but gave way to
Mr.. DICKINSON. Will the senator allow me TO say
single word with regard to the law The act
titled AN act to provide for the transportation OF the
mail between the United States and foreign countries,
and for other purposes passed March 3. ls45, and
terred power upon the Postmaster General to make the
contract.
Mr., YULEE, (interposing) viii the senator allow
The PRESIDENT The senator from New York is
MIR: YULEE. wish to correct an error, if the sena'
Mr. DICKINSON. prefer no, TO give way a, thi.
moment
Mr.. YULEE only wish to correct
The PRESIDENT. Order The senator from Florida
Mr.. YULEE. 1t is an error OF my own that wish to
lcouect
Mr.. DICKINSON If tina, is the case. / will give way
Mr.. YULEE. was under the impression that the law
required advertising and for proposals to be received,
which find was mistake, and the limitation upon the
Postmaster General was this that il shall be his duty
report to the next ensuing Congress a copy Of such
tracts, with statement OF the amount OF postage derived
from The same so far the returns OF the Department
would enable him TO do it, That was the limitation.
Mr.. DICKINSON resumed. The contract was made
under act OF March 3, ls45 entitled act to authorize
the carrying OF the mail TO foreign countries by steam,
&c, and gave him all the necessary powers. There is no
doubt about the question OF law, any further than any
one chooses to raise il os the sake of doubling for
his own amusement There can be no doubt on the sub
Iect by any one who knows anything about IT, But 1t is
said others will carry Tor less. Well, since the
egg has been end, every knows how to do il
and perhaps as suggested BY the senator from Georgia
more favorable terms could now be obtained. But the
question fairly ia, whether they could have been obtained
then. We know they could not because the Postmaster
General advertised, and put the contract IN the market
under circumstances of great publicity, and, alter all the
best terms that could be obtained let ~ and then, under
authority conferred upon him, in order to make the ser
vice more advantageous to the public extended that con-
tract Now, the only question that arises rs, whether,
because these contractors, whoever they may be- q do
not know the name OF n single individual OF hem,) have
failed fulfil their whole contract, the government will
take advxniage of it. fthey will then so be it, ftis de-
srable TO put end TO this II be done upon
proper consideration in any manner Congress may desire
We add nothing TO its obligation, and nothing to the sane
ton OF this contract that has not been added number
OF tines because has heretofore made appropriation Tor
this service under similar circumstances.
| Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts,. / am not sorry, Mr..
President to hear this discussion upon this subject
think the question in regard to the subject generally so
far as embraces appropriations made by Congress to
support these various lines pretty important one The
Sums which we pay rather large, and engage
ments should not be made without due consideration.
am therefore, sorry that the attention Of the Senate
has been drawn to the subject.
But, sir think there Is great force in the remarks OF
the gentleman who has just taken his seat This is
pioneer line They put the first ship afloat which has
gone from the United States into service OF this descp
| ion. And. sir ] think gentlemen well remember foT
what has occurred here, that this company tell into very
considerable embanassments and so far from the con
tract being no desirable represented by the chairman OF
The Committee on Naval Affairs, the money to construct
ships on these lines could not be raised by the United
Sates and when the thing undertaken the money was
furnished by the little government OF Bremen anu by IN
dvduas connected with this enterprise on the other sde
of the Atlantic, and pretty largely furnished, 100 they
were pretty largely interested IN the ne ana Tor the reason
that the money could not be raised here on contract
they furnished Il themselves. That is tact pretty noo
/ rous, believe.
Now, what was the object OF Congress in favorng this
nei one OF the great objects TO open line OF com
muncaton directly with the continent OF Europe Well
rs Tact very notorious that could no, command
direct trade with the Germans. That trade ordinarily
came through England, and taxed with all the