The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-10

Proposed Atlantic and Pacific ship Canal.
GREAT INTERNATIONAL PROJECT.
The following ccmmunics tion from the Hon Nathaniel
Nile Charge dAairs Of the United States Of Turn
relative the construction Of ship canal connecting
the Att mite with the Pacific Ocean, presented to the
pate with resolution Of that body, by
Fillmore on the 18th Of December, 1851 -
TuaIS. June 80, lst9.
Sir The sxtrsoIdpary development OF commerce
between the Atlantic sud Pacific oceans which Is to be
esssry and immediate consequeuee OF tbs rapid set
or the northwest coast Of the American CONT
Csiorois TO Vsucouver's Island by Al sctiN
md entsrpriog p3pnlssion gives an increasing ana
bet The not only TO the United States,
bot also 70 the whole commercial world Were Suoh
pr,.ent and prospective importance probable thss
before the lapse Of at length OF time the smouns
commercial transactions through would be greater
than has at any time been carried on through the ra
Of Gibraltar.
The magnitude Of the commercial interests to be affect
cd by this artificial medium Of eommuoica ion through
ali time TO come presents an unans why
the should be exsuted upon most enstve scale
It If evident that such ehsnnel of commercial CON-
punicslon shouo mare the exclusive Advantage
OF any nation any limited number Of nations,
or be suhjected to the liability Of interruption by the
tionaI thorousbfare always open and always free
equal terms to the Of all nations great and
small the weak we'll the powerful those nations
that situated remote distances well IS those in
its immediate vicinity.
To these objects It Is necessary that 1t should
be constructed by means Of . common fund and sfec
lively placed unosr the guardianship OF universally
acknowledged law Of nations.
yet plan has been presented to tho public which
ut the time suggests practical means for the g.
conpsbmsnt OF this great object scale that is likely
to meet the wants Of tho mercis world and secure TO
t n.
States have especial interest in the early realization OF
this enterprise and perhaps the means OF exc
cutting any desirsbe scale yet In view OF the i'm
piled rights Of others and the jealouses and utmsts
hostility which could not fail to be- engendered among
other nations TO be carried through exclu
siv-y nations work, elevated Of international
justice we'll wise policy requires that 1t should
not be taken In hand without previously extending an
invitation to all the commercial nations OF the earth to
become JOINT proprefors and to participate in Its co.,
strsc ion under .uch circumstances OF equitable cout
button to The object will give to 1t the character OF
bspg common property and common passage open to
all upon tuch conditions shall forever prevent the
work from becoming obstructed or falling into the hands
Of one government combinaton OF goyernns nts
The only to insure that paramount object is to
make The whole matter Of this proposed canal the subject
eety in which the governments OF
all the commercial countries in tie world shall be invited
to become paroles.
In view OF the foregoing considerations Of interna
tiuna equity in regard to the establishment Of .
Practical administration for the execution and preserva
ton Of this work under the common authority Of nations
nave drawn up, nj mature reflection, plao which
well calculated all the requirements
Of the 1t is embraced in the form OF series OF
proportions each resting on reasons that will be appa-
rent 10 every rejecting mind This plan l roicit this
honor herewith to submit to the consideration OF the
President and trust it will net be found unworthy of his
1t appears to me- sic that the character Of the Ameri
MT cannot be exhibited 10 more aited
and honorable light by taking the lead in proposing
any practicable plan for vast ship communication be-
tween the two the advantages of which designs
shall become common sra perpetual to all countries
Such example Of abpegstion or selfish and exclusive
interests womb be the striking and admirable when
exhibited by great aud powerful country thus volun
sssy pIeierns 70 acseps Inc sovereign.s ns sses.
to work Of almost nsacuaby vast Importance rather
than attempt to secure those advantages to itself which
its geographical position and its power would perhaps
enable exclusively to possess
PRoJIcr UNirSa WARNS Tnz PAciTIe
AND ATLANTIC OcsAss Br SIR CHANNEL THaoucH
THE lsTHs,us OF PANAMA, OR AT soMs OTHER Poirr
l. 1t is proposed that the work shall be by
the united contributions the commercial nations Of the
world or such Of them - may agree in the undertaking
1t is proposed that the ratio Of contributions among
the parties shall be that Of tDeir respective OF
tonnage engaged in foreign commerce analogous
basis " equality that may be sgrecd on.
That the work sha DO executed under the direction
Of commissioner to be appointed by each Of
the seven powers paying the highest amounts Of contr
button.
That the said commissioners shall be empowered to
explore The several proposed localities proper for the
strUction OF the canal and fhs msjorty OF them shall
decide upon the points bert adapted for the execution OF
the work. - well the scale on which 1t Is to bs
made
g. That the contracting parties shall empower the said
t. treat With the state through the terri
tories Of which 1t to construct the canal
for the cesson OF the extent of territory With
the entire sovereignty thereof from say belt
Of six miles in wisth, reaching from shore to shore.
0. That the work ali be completed within fixed
number years say eight the ratification of
the treaty Of for that object by the contracting
psWsrs.
That each Of the contracting parties shall pay into
the hands Of banker to be selected them eighth
or tenth OF the estimated cost rad Of said work
each year. FOR tho eight ten successive years The
stnste TO Se mado by the said ssionss previous
to the commencement Of the work.
That account Of the detailed expenditures
ON the work shall be annuty made by the commission
to the OF each Of the contracting parties
That the vessels Of the country eeding the required
territory and sovereignty shalt have free passage
through raid canal for ever without any charge what
To- That the said canal shall be open to the
OF the vcree OF all nations upon the Of duty
according to the value Of ship and cargo other
equitable principle to incidental
OF administration keep the works in rspar aud uti-
natey repsy TO the contracting parties their respective
advances pro rata.
IL 1t ito be stipulated that any attempt Of any one
OF tbs contracting parties or OF other power 70 get
forcibe possession Of said canal shall bs consdsrsd
hsRrsn aggression upon the rights Of each and all the
other parties TO this convention.
IL II is to be stipulated that in times Of between
any Of the contracting parties seizures made Within
two hundred miles OF either mouth OF said oaua shall bs
considered Ian ful prizes
l3. That ships OF war shall not be pernttsd to ap-
proach or pass the canal with their guns mounted
IA That it shall be the duty Of the said ssoaers
to establish all Beeoful regulations touching the interests
81 the canal and that said regulations shall be binding
the oz subsc Of the several contracting par
ties. and on all other persons
10. hist forts or buildings OF any kind shall ba
constructed upon the coded territory but such may be
thought by the commissioners carry the
objects OF the proposed convention.
IL That crimes against persons committed within tia
coded territory shall be turned for punish nent to
the country sdng the territory; and that the hts Of
sxtsdiion be accorded to all governments In regard ia
their respective subjects Who may have sought to avoid
the Of dobs or to escape from criminal justice
at home, By tnkng refuge on the said territory
IL II IL preposse that the be commenced soon
convention to that effect shall have been concurrsd
IN By seven OF the principal governmentsoshcr paroles
bs'Hg permitted TO subscribe to the provisions OF said
convention ana to SHARE in the execution Of the work at
any period during It's progress
is That the contracting parties sgres to lend the aid
OF their individual friendly inftanccs, the govern
nent heIdDg the desired territory to induce to make
the requreo cession.
10 That II sha be the duty OF the Board OF Commits
piorers to take into consideration ali representation
made by either OF The contracting parties touching the
police regulA ions Of the cspal and that orty Of
them shall At oil times have power to change modify
tpch