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

for commerce generally In order to illustrate
this, we must look back TO the commencement OF
the navigation of the ocean by steamships.
England commenced this system in the year
1888. 1t s true that rs far back as 1919 an
American ship called the " Savannah" had gone
from New York to Liverpool, partly by sail and
partly by steam, in twenty six days. If the Amc
rican Government at that time had taken up
this new enterprise with the same energy and
force with which the English government after
wards took II up in 1888, we should have had the
honor and the glory of being the first 10 establish
successfully the navigation of the ocean by steam.
ers. In 1888 the +" Great Britain" was built She
sailed on the Sh Of April of that year from Liver
pool, with, in the language OF the history Of that
time, "seven adventurous passengers" and she
arrived in New York after a passage Of fifteen
days. In 1889 the Cunard line was established by
contract made by the British government with Mr..
Cunard OF Halifax, In Nova Scotia. for carrying
the mails twice month from Liverpool via Halifax
10 Boston, for years. for Sos 200, s325,0O0
Afterwards the government increased the compen-
cation to Es5,OO0, or S425 900, the service to be
performed by ships Of twelve hundred tons and
four hundred and fifty horse power. Upon the
establishment of the Collins line in so, the
English government again increased the compen
sation to Mr. Cunard to El45, ,000, or $725,0Oo,
and not $ 697 900. as stated by the Senator from
Virginia yesterday.
Mr.. HUNTER. Does the Senator from New Jcr
sey refer to the statement which made as to what
is given by the British government TO the Cunard
ere?
Mr.. HUNTER. Then would cay to the gentle
man that that statement Obtained from the
Senator from Texas, (NIr. RusK,) the chairman OF
the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads
from statement which put into his hands by
the Postmaster General ! received letter from
the Postmaster General requesting me to examine
the statement but somebow it was lost. But this
memorandum was given to me by the Senator from
Texas, and it is presumed to be the most authentic
account we have of what is given by the British
government to the Cunard steamships. The ac-
coun: was made out, believe, by the Admiralty
itsef.
Mr. MILLER know there are different state
ments in regard to what the English government
now pay to Mr.. Cunard. l am inforIned-and
have confidence in the information--that the com
pcnsaton is higher than have stated, and that IT
is now actually over S 100000 year. But
have authority here for the amount which have
stated. II ID Chan'bers's Papers for the People-a
work of great authority, published IN Edinburgh
in 1851. IL contains chapter on the English
ocean mai-routes giving full history OF the rise,
progress, and present state of the English policy
upon this important subject 1t il full OF statistics,
which must have been taken from the most au
thentc sources. ! will read to the Seraie what 10
stated to be the compensation received by Mr.. Gu
nard in lS49, and the reason why II waA then IN
creased to the sum OF lI5 900:
"But with the exception of the voyage OF the Sa-
vannah, in 1919, the citizens of the United Statos
had not hitherto taken any part in conducting The
steam navigation of the Atlantic; and II was not
until after all but Cunard's ships had been with
drawn that American built steamers began 10 ply
between England and New York. The formation
Of several companies for this purpose made Mr.
Cunard anxious TO extend his contract, 80 as I,
carry the mails once a week, and thus render hlni
more able TO meet the expected competition Mr..
Cunard said before committee oi the House OF
Commons, in July, lS4q: Il most anxious 10
have il the extension of the con,racil done, tc
cause ] knew the consequences of having ihose
rival lines Of packets running against us. and tina
il would affect the go, ernmcn more than IL would
at Loot ma mn tnf he lFl In y
sengers; but the number of lcttefs would be con
sderably increased, doubled because II one per
son writes, tho whole must write? 4 ho propose
was agreed TO; the mails were to bc carried from
Liverpool every Saturday, and from Boston OF
New York every Wednesday, (except during four
winter months, when il wns to be iortpghtly,) ar
rangements being made toy which the detour tu
HALIFAX 10 be abandoned To effect this
vice, the vessels must steam altogether about
272,sOO miles every year, and br II Mr.. Cunard
was 90 receive Gl45 600 per annum. his IL the
contract now in force. Mr. Cuhard considered ~
not as a new srrang'mcnt, but as an extension ci
the old; and the service was doubled and as the
postage revenue OF the steamers had hitherto been
equal 10 the contract money. be naturally supposed
that the payment would now be coubled. Bot
Mr. Goulburn, then Chancellor of the ExchequCr,
would not give more than El45,0O0. which Mr..
Cunard saih was "a very unjust thing, and quairt
ly added beg 20 cay this not with any DIE
respect 10 Mr. GOulburn. be did IL 60 save the mo-
noy TO the country; but he took G25,000 year
from me for the good Of the country"
This s the last contract that ! hnve any certain
information Of, although am informed that the
compensation has been increased, in order TO pay
for the additional trips in winter. Mr.. Cunard's
"quaipr reply 10 the Chancellor Of the Exchequcr
ought 10 be noticed. II might, with prOprcty, bo
uscd by Mr.. Colns IN answer TO the Senator from
Virginia. (Mr. HUSTsR) Mr.. Goulburn, tie
Chancellor Of the EKch,qucr, acting IN pretty much
the same capacity in which my iricnd ifom Nir-
GINA acts, cut down the compensation to 4 ls5 OJO-
on which Mr.. Cunard said, "he did 70 ~ save tbc
money to the country, but be took G25,OJO year
from INC for the good of thc country" have
shown, therefore, upon what considered good aU-
thoriy, that the Cunsrd line is now receiving
s725, ,00J year, instead Of S696, 900; or 10000
a TIP, instead of : 900, as stated yesterday by
my friend from Virginia.
Mr.. RoRLArD | wish TO undorFtand fully the
authority upon which the Senator from New Jcr.
sey relies in this cbse ! would ask hiin n oil the
iniormn ton tbis subject, far rs II relates 20
the action Of the British. government. is not TO be
found in the official records Of the proceedings Oi
that government, and whether they ARE not 60 bs
had In thls cityr understand that W. interchange
official records with tho Brtish government, sud
apprchcnd that all their official action IN regard 20
this matter is 20 BE- found in these records, which
must necessarily be more reliable than popular
publication, made, DO not know whether in this
country or in England. and thrown into general
circulation--o sOrt OF Newspaper publication. ]
think in a matter Of this importance. involving
hcts VIII ch lie at the bottom of this question, VIC
should have authority official Information.
which ! apprchcnd our Post Office Department
has, and Which is probably ia the L.br1ry Of Con
gross, or ia sone Oi The departments ol the Govern
mcnt ! would prefer, iur that rcnsOn, 60 rely ou
official authority rather than on this popular pub
liostion.
MIR HUSTER. 1be statement Of S 600 900 year.
which derived from the chairman II the Com.
mittec on the Post Office and Post Roads, uscd
be ausc I suppOscd he had the most authentic in
formation. he derived IL from that document, 60
which my attention was directed by the Postmaster
General Iconcfs that bad suppOs,d before that the
amount given the Cunafd line was about Gli0 01O
sterling per snnum. IL would not, however, vary
It much " you wcrc TO take that amount; Tor the
difference between S725,0OJ aud S696,OOO is no,
very great.
Mr.. MlLLER will answer tho question Of the
honorable senator from Arksnsns. have no
ledge AZ al OF their being any official iuior
nation ia tie Departments here such az be apcaks
Of lihink there is none. The author lhavc quoted
may be relied upon; his statements appear to be
taken from the official documents m Great Britain;
AMI II the gentleman will take the trouble II read
ing the article think be will be s-ttfcd Of is
thentciy.
Mr.. BOaLAND. The Senator misunderstood me
II hc supposed qu,s STONED at all the authority.
simply called attention 10 the character Of the
work said that ! would prefer, IN the formation
OF my opinions, 10 have Official Information. The
senator says would find that it contained good
deal of authentic Information. lmieht hnd great