The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-25
Steamship s. --tnIted States Navy.
To the Editor of The Union.

To the Editor of the Union:
happened to be in the hall OF the House OF Represent
aves on Wednesday morning last, when the Hon. + +
Stanton reported bill from the Committee on Naval AT
tars, establish line OF steamships from the bay OF
San Francisco to China and from Philadelphia and Nor
folk 10 Antwerp The debate which then sprung up
called my attention particularly to the subject and have
since carefully read Mr.. Slantons report.
The project is vastly impoan, 10 the commercial inter
OF the United States, and should not ia at this
late Stage OF the session. to arres, the mind OF every
statesman. II presents plan by which, eventually
without single dollar OF actual expense 10 the United
States, the vast destined 10 exist between our
of the United States the algraspng hand OF Great Britain
will be rendered poweess and the ultimate results to this
nation will be immensely beneficial.
The proposition of Mr.. Thompson, the protector OF the
plan, to establish line OF steamers IRON point in
the bay OF San Francisco China, and line OF four
steamers from Philadelphia and Norfolk 10 Antwerp All
these vessels TO be OF the best material and construc
ton and to equipped and armed 10 be converted
without delay material alteration, into first class
steamers. To accomplish this, Mr. Tbompsons FIRST prop.
oslton was that the government should issue IS 900
OF six per stock, redeemabe in yearsthe inter
est said stock be paid by the contractor semi
ally and the entire sum to be reimbursed TO The United
States at the end Of ten yeasamse security 10 be given
for the faithful fulhlment OF the contract
Since the report was made Mr.. Thompson has ad-
dressed letter to Mr.. Stanton-a copy of which is ap
pended the repoia ,oeh he engages Advance one
,iiion OF dollars, isaUsg The government 10 but
- 100000 OF stock thus removing any possible risk TO
the government by the depreciation OF the value OF The
steamers.
II is proposed TO carry the mails in these steamers the
contractor receiving the legal postage upon the mail mat
ter. Should however the amount OF hostages received
exceed proportion TO The number OF ships employed,
the compensation allowed by law for mails
in steamers between New York and Liverpool snch eI.
cess IS 10 be ps,d into The treasury.
Here we nave presented great national, commercial
project, which, il carried into effect would place the city
of New York within less than sixty days distance OF
Macao One which would insure to the United States
the commercial trade of the Pacific and the steam
ers being armed. would afford constant protection
that ocean, and by performing the necessary naval
vice OF the Pacific would annually to the govern
ment mHon and half Of dollars! And all tins is 10
be done free of any actual expense TO the government OF
the United States.
II hardly seems possible that any having the
ess OF his coynry al heart hesitate Tor moment
accept this grea, and PRACTICAL offer of Mr. Thompson.
which has been thoroughly nvestigaied by one OF the
most enlightened and able committees OF The House OF
Representatives, and received not only Their favorable
action, but their and decided appreciation,
The results OF its acceptance no man can calculate
and not only the American statesman and American pa
tfIot should lend his aid TO its consummaon but the
phlanthrops whose desires Tor the benefit oil the human
race know national boundaries, but are Co extensive
with the world ITSELF should not suer this opportunity
Tor ameliorating the condition oil nation where gno
and opium exert their united sway over the minds
and faculties OF the immense people OF which II rs com
posed and experience has already shown, who only
want ready communication and intercourse with THIS
country TO enable them to their proper station
among the civilized nations OF the earth.
FULTON