The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-29


this enterprise. therefore submit that this amend
ment 10 not subject to the technical objection made
by the Senator from Arkansas, (Mr. BoRLANp)
We are not obliged TO confine our action to the
amount OF the estimate. The whole subject Is be
fore us.
These additional trips were to be performed in
the winter, with but few passengers, at an extra
ordinary expense; there mere pro rata al
owance would be no fair compensation. Collins
Co have submitted statement showing the
great losses which they have sustained in running
their ships under the present contract that state
ment has been verified by affidavit; and no Sena
tor who is acquainted with the character and high
honor OF the persons connected with the Collins
line would hardly require such verifcaton Of
their statements. At all events, the committee
were entirely satisfed that these Losses have been
sustained; and think l can satisfy the Senate
that unless the company receives this additional
compensation from the Government for carrying
on the enterprise il must fail.
will now state to the Senate what will he the
additional compensation proposed by the amend
ment Under the original contract, they were to
perform twenty trips year. and receive for them
1855 1000 or s 49, 50 per trip. The six additional
trips per year, under pro rate allowance, would
| be $ll5, 500-making for the year's service the
sum Of 5000. 500 under the present contract. The
amendment proposes to give them at the rate OF
| $4,000 per trip for twenty-six trps-Inaking
| $S5S,OOO year This increases the compensa-
ton on the fifty two trips 1857 500, or Sl3750 on
each trip; but from this increase should be deduct
cd the additional costs of running winter trips. In
the statement of losses TO which have referred,
| there ID given the coat of their Ships the actual
average cost of every voyage, and the amounto
| capital invested. The cash cost of the steamers
I ready for IL stated at So 94S 000-a little less
than $s3000000. The actual average cost Of each
voyage to England and bac is stated at ,2l5 Ga
| the average receipts for each voyage at $45,-
ESQ S5-making deficiency OF 3 1928 10 on each
| voyage; which, Tor twenty trips would amount to
| $33S,575 so, and on twenty elk trips $440.l4S
The Senate will perceive by this statement that
the Nnount proposed by the anne ndment falls a few
thousand dollars short of the loss which may be
sustained upon the twenty six trips to be run un-
| der the new arrangement.
| now wish to call the attention of the Senate &c
what consider to have been the causes of these
| great losses sustained by the company. 1t hat
been asserted that they are owing to extravagapce
that the ships arc larger and more splendid and
costly than the company were bound TO build by
the contract. 1t Is true that these ships are OF
superior character in style, size, and power to
those contempla ted by the contract; but ought we
| 10 complain of that? The company may, in their
\ laudable ambition TO surpass their foreign rlva
have expended more money than was required by
their contract; but surely we ought not to take ad
vantage Of this and object to their doing more for
the success OF this great enterprise than they were
| bound by law TO do. But, cir, the most of these
losses arose from other from circumstances
| over which they had no control. One great cause
| of extra expenditure on the part Of the company
was owing to the fact that the enterprise was an
entirely new one in this country-so new that wher
| they commenced building their first ship il wat
1
the construction of their powerful engines were no
| TO be found in the country. These implements o
| construction had to be either procured from Eng
| land made here at great expense; and large
| sumo of money were necessarily expended in OK
periments upon this preliminary machinery re
I CURED in the construction OF theShips.
But that's not the principal OF their losses By
the contract Collins Co. were not bound to builo
ships of the size and power of those they have ctn
siructed. They might have merely followed in th4
wake Of the Cunard line. taken their ships as mo
des, and initiate them in size and model, and beer
contented with their speed. But they felt as ever
| American citizen felt, that this was great under
| taking-,hat it was a national contest-and, II
competing with Great Britain upon this subject o
| ocean mail steamers, they desircd to produce Il
| the country and TO the world steamers n little su
| perior TO those built by Great Britain, and will
which che then commanded the trade of the world
In accomplishing that they have made great sacr
| fees but they have by so doing put efioat ships
! far superior TO those Of the Cunard line in poue
and speed. For this they have expended large
sums of money, and sustained great losses upon
their capital.
Another cause why they have lost money is, tina
| the moment their ships were put afioot, they me
| with a vigorous and active competition in Eng
! land, backed by the influence Of The English gov
eminent. 1t was not mere struggle between Mr.
| Collins and MIR. Cunard. II WAS not mere strug'
gle between the enterprise of an American citizen
and subject Of Queen Victoria, standing upon
| their individual capital, talent and enterprise
| No, sir; II was contest with the English govern
I
| lshcd il became national concern with the PEG
| pie and government Of En- gland TO put down the
] Collins line by extending encouragement To the
Cunard line. AT the same time, some Of the fret
trips made by our steamers were unfortunate, and
immcd iatcly the cry raised IN Europe, and es
pccay in Great Britain, that they were not sale;
consc quenty passengers refused TO go IN them,
and they msde many trips in which they sustained
great losecs account OF this alarm.
liz may be true, stated 10y the Senator from
Virginia. (Mr. HUSTrR,) that these gentlemen,
under such circumstances, expended more money
than they ought 10 have expended. But yet We all
know the feeling which exists in the mind If every
American for Brother Jonathan TO beat John Bull
in any enterprise of this character. Urged on by
that national feeling, and, perhaps. carried To an
extravogant extent, these gentlemen may have OK
DC nded more money than wac necessary TO fulhl
their contract; but surely they are not 10 be sacn
feed on that account.
In accounting for the losses sustained by the
Collins line, IL is necessary also TO compare the
ships of bic line with those Of the Cunard line. by
this comparison il will appear that this Govern.
ment is enjoying the service OF ships far superior
in size, tonnage, power, md speed 10 thoso of the
Cuna rd line, and at n lcss compensation upon their
relative costs and power of service. have pre-
pared comparative statement OF the two lines,
which here submit to the Senate:
COLLINS STEAMSHIPS
Names. Tonnage HCrso Capable Of L'gtn.
Ufkinr