The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-02
CONGRESSIONAL.
DErEttnED DEBATE.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 81, 1852.



SENATE
The Senate proceeded as In committee OF the whole 10
hs consideration Of the bill to provide for trmonihly
mail from New Orleans TO Vera Cruz, via Tampico, and
hack D steam vessels
M SoULE said: This bill, rather bill very much
like this has already been before the Senate, and it's
merits are familiar 10 every member IN il. do not
know therefore, how far it is necessary that should
again state what on former occasion, deemed ii my
Intv 10 urge its consideration, in order 10 show the
,uSice aud the expedency of the for which
yproyidss Il will not. however. be out Of place. i'm
srpe that should refer TO OF the considerations
which secured lis passage when il FIRST came before us
The Senate will bear in mind that while vast and nu-
oerons appropriations have been made for steamships
plying between some port the north side of Mason and
Dxons line and foreign ports not one has as yet been
made for any communication that might Immediately
benefit port south Of that ne Yet sir, the act which
made provision for the transportation OF the United States
mails between the United States and foreign countries
had clearly in contemplation That line would be es-
,abshed between the points which this bill proposes to
supply with one Through miswording of the
bin, however, the provision to which ! allude was
deemed obscure, and remained dead letter The
quence has been that our intercourse with Mexico has
gradually diminshed and a commerce which, in 1885.
amounted in imports 10 upwards OF $4,000, 900, is now
,uced to something less than 2 900, 900 while our ex-
ports which were then OF more than 900 00O had fallen
in 1880 to something over I 500 900 Thus have the rea
tons which secured to us valuable sharen the inter-
change Of commodities. with our sister republic been
utterly annhlaed that our government has been obliged
TO resort OF its own steamers to carry dispatches
from one country 10 the other Thus has the bullion
which Mexico was in the habit oil exchanging with
own productions been diverted to other channels than
those in which il had natural tendency 10 flow The
British steamers now monopoZe what there is OF com
pece in Mexico, and subtract from it what OF The pre-
cous metals would have our ports had proper
communication been kept up between the two republics
and had the provisions OF the act OF S45 been compiled
with as their spirit clearly required. What we have
LOST n consequence Of 30 glang ancgect part 10
attend exGencies which pressed themselves upon
urgently could hardly be believed If were evidence it
figures. Sir lei us hasten to redress the past and do
something TO restore our relations with that country
10 a more natural and healthy condition. Nor are
the advantages which our commerce may derive from
closer and more frieadly connexion with Mexico the
only consideration that should prompt us to the adoption
Of the measure proposed There are other interests
Of no less grade and importance that will be subserved
by. Our intercourse with neshbors will and must
avodably awaken them 10 consciousness OF The im.
resources by which they surrounded and of
their ability by proper application and industry TO turn
them to the Improvement oi their physical social, and
political condition. II will have also tendency to
strengthen those kind and friendly relations which il
shoud be our WISH as 1t is our interest," that should
cultivate and extend Our postal department will not be
the last TO receive benefit from The contemplated mail ar
nngement. The quantity OF mailabe matter which is
being transferred every month from Mexico 10 the other
parts OF the woid will, through the facilities afforded,
increase and seek the and the cheapest
channel through which il can be distributed throughout
pensae the expenditure authorized BY The bill Sir com
vred with the allowance made to other lines, it will
Neioand that while the line from New York 10 Liver
pool paid al the rate OF three dollars and ten cents per
mile that proposed by this bill requires hut expendi
Iun OF one dollar ,hii,ytwo and half cents per mile,
10 whatever light, therefore, you consider the
Foposed II realizes but advantages 10 The couary while
II demands but comparatively small amount, from the
treasury to enable 10 go into operation hope, there
FORE that the bill will not encounter opposition, asd that
il will be suffered pass in the form in which has been
presented You will remark Mr. President, that no
sstance is demanded oil the government to build the
steamships their construction will remain entirely in the
charge OF the contractors Though the bill names
tractor with whom the Postmaster General may contract
hlmposes upon that officer absolute obligation treat
with him he is left to decide under his responsible
Wy who to have the contract not absolutely the person
named IN the bill, but, the contrary, whoever may
tender better propositions, and offer complete and sure
guarantees that the contract will be faithfully executed
ihe suggestion OF the measure came into this house
through the memorial OF the individual mentioned in the
bill and with the escort OF the recommendation made OF
the same 10 the attention OF Congress by the able officer
who holds the chair in the Post Office Department Your
committee TO whom the whole referred, could moi,
out mbody IN IFS bull the memorial on whose occasion the
measure which il provided for had been referred its
consideration The committee OF the oppos
uon which the insertion IN il OF named contractor would
excite and IL was with view 10 its avoidance that the
bill leaves il acultatve with the Postmaster General 10
treat with him, with such other persons may present
equal responsibility and equal ability 10 perform It's re-
quifements Thus sir. the main difficulty which might
have arisen out OF its specification OF the individual with
whom the contract should be entered into being removed
me bill remains without any OF those objectionable ea
WITS tDat mghl nave endangered It's success. hope,
therefore, that IL will pass.
Mr. CASS merely wish TO say one word | have
agreed with the statements made by the honorable sena
tor and am entirely in favor OF ns measures but for
one say. sir that think the should be stricken
out want Congress 10 lerlslate, but not 10 admins
tate want the responsibility 10 be thrown upon the
proper department want the stricken out OF this
bill and the Postmaster General required on due notice
10 enter into coDract-not exceeding a given sumto
carry out this matter and then lei him be responsible for
nexecuton. In that way can cheerfully give my vote
Mr. CLEMENS Mr.. President have prepared an
amendment which beg leave to offer 10 The bill In the
sixth line strike out with W. c. Templeton orr and in
The seventh line strike out sin his defau' and other"
and IN the ninth line add, after the words Uniied Sa,es
upon The best terms for the United States !" making
read IN This way "and for sum not exceeding one
hundred thousand dollars year, with such person as
may oher sufficient and satisfactory security for the
transportation o The mails Of the United States upon the
tou ,etms iot the United States three lines month
Hvn New Orleans, via Tampico," Sc
mf, GWlN. | would suggest to the senator 10 say
~ ILEMENS. accept that modification, sir.
a.; ~, JAWS would suggest another modification 10
oL am in favor Of the general plan OF the sena
-, nom louisiana, Mr. SovLE; bu, would like how
ee'H u meets with his approbaon--io see this whole
esuon OF contracts laid OPEN and not only TO have the
stricken out, and have it open 10 that respect. but
,.oad inquire whether there Is any particular advan
i ~ requiring that these steamers should be fitted up
, @ war purposes or that they should be built OF cer
s ~ lohhage: Would 1t not be as we--ths is the sug
sesuon wish 10 make-to leave this whole matter open
~ zee 70 the competition OF everybody and anybody
w can furnish suitable and proper means, in proper
malsi - "'e "an''o''''o' ~ ''e
would say again that am friendly, as the honorable
s saa'or himself very well knows, TO the general plan
I @ 20 not at present any necessity for making re
sments which the bill makes that the steamers shall