New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-08
The Ocean steamships-But and Freedom.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON Friday, March 5, 1852

A Dill making an appropriation Tor the
following steamers introduced into the Senate
on Wednesday and referred to the Committee on
Naval Affairs. The amount the Government now
pays annually to the various Steam lines is as fol-
lows:
Nsw-York to Bremen via Southamptoa-.o Ocean
Chniesion 10 HarsIaNto N G Mordeca...-. sSS COO
New York TO Chagres-to George Law 2s0,eO)
Panama to San FIancisco--to Howlaad i Aspia-
New.1oTi to Iv.iDcoi-io e Coilio: s sssSo
New-York TO Havala-to Ocean Steam Naviga-
ton 5000
Total 3i8,250
Here is near million and half OF dollars paid
annually out OF the Treasury in the shape Of bonus
to sustain various steam lines. Before the sum Is
increased think would be well to look little
at the principle upon which these bountles are asked
and given. Things were very different in the in.
fancy of all these enterprises from what they are
row. Then We had had no experience in sea steam
ing. Then We knew nothing Of the vsstness OF the
mineral riches OF California And then, OF course,
we could not foresee the stimulus that the aclusi-
ton of that country was to give TO every branch of
our mercantile marine. Now, ii has become plain
that no national encouragement is necessary to the
construction of tae finest and fastest ea-going
steamships in the world II is believed that il every
one of Collinss steamers were Withdrawn from the
Liverpool route o-day and pu. to carrying psssen-
gers from NewYork to San Francisco via the Issh-
mus, that they would all fnd profitable employment.
We know that in The face OF the advantage given to
the George Law and the Rowland and Asptawau
zines, between New-York and San Francisco, by
the enormous annual compensation OF $685. sso paid
by the Government for the transportation of the
mails that rival enterprise has been started and is
now in successful operation, between those two
points, on the Nicaragua route Mr.. Vanderbilt,
running his hook, il a formidable competitor
here sganst the lines sustained by this immense
Government bounty.
The end for which aid was originally granted to
our sea steamers, namely, to give them footing
on the ocean, and to establish successful compe-
tition with our great marasime riyal, may thus be
said to be In a great measure accomplished. Our
steamships cannot be driven from the ocean unless
it be by some such wise free trade move as that pro-
posed by Mr. BANCROFT to the British Government
10 throw open our coastipg trade. Continue to our
shipping the protection il now enjoys 10 which all
participate, and we have nothing to apprehend on
thus score It gives to u an impresnsble position
ard enables US to defy the rivalry Of the world Let
US adhere 20 this, and may fling boanties TO steam
lines and all ether lines to the winds Governments
protection and Government bounties DO good, but Is
only when they stimulate composition and lay open
the fields Of rivalry to all. special bounty given
to one man or one hn as in the case Of these boun
ties to steam lines, 70 purpose bot 10 create
a turgid monopoly, and to discourage all genuine
eoupesisiop. What chance has the individual ship
owner running his vessel side BY scc with the ship
which Is sustained by quar.sfly drafis upon the
upasd States Treasury This Is not sas policy 10
.urs The success and The triumphs Of our vast and
Ie5.e shifgis nis:ess. o. "a colxsry, is Is sae