The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-22

world they levied contributions upon all nation
Tor their support, particularly upon America. TIT
United States, notwithstanding her twenty thou
sand merchant vessels, was indebted to the steam
ers oil ii foreign nation for the transmission OF he
letters 10 foreign countries. These british steam
ers were kept ehoat by the support given them by
the British government; and, as long this wa
the case, it was impossible for private enterpris,
unaided by the Government to compete with them
The subject vas brought before Congress, and, at
ter much controversy,a contract was made viii
MIR Collins and his associates for the construction
OF these ships, and for the transportation Of tn,
mails in them.
Much interest was felt in the success of the un-
dcraking by these gentlemen; for had they failed
IN any one respect, IN comparison with the yes
sells oi The Cunard line, il would have proved NOR
hying to the whole nation. No expense was
spared 10 make tho steamers worthy OF the ton;
and they have been tested, and have proved them
selves 10 be the finest models Of naval structure
shoat. To accomplish these results the contTar-
tors were obliged TO go to expenses and OUTLAWS OF
capital that with the present amount allowed them,
! they suffer heavy ioss each trip. The steamers
are greatly beyond the tonnage required by their
| contract with the Government.
| lie proceeded TO show that nothing had been
| pended from the treasury but W hat the establish
men, OF this line had been tho Cause Of restoring
The whole amount OF hostages received from the
two lines by the United States up to March 81,
| 1882, from the time when the postal treaty went
into operation was SS2S coo. OF this sum s 49,
| O01 was received before the Collins line COM
menced. The postage returns showed that
| there was large increase this year. Had ii not
been for the establishment OF this line OF steamers
by Coiiins, and the contract with him for the
! rying the mails the whole OF this vast sum OF
| Ss2' Geo would have gone into the hands OF the
| British government, to enable them TO support a
war fleet Of steamers, and enjoy monopoly of the
whole business.
liz looked upon this measure al comforting no
monopoly upon few individuals. There was a
! III al tn fGp Infin INV
American citizens. He looked upon it rather
measure which would break up the monopoly
! which has been held by foreign government Of
! carrying our mails, and which had already broken
down that monopoly in a manner which made il
impossible for Great Britain to regain it. If
for other reason this line ought to be sustained
in order TO enable them compete against the
British government, which, if this line be aban-
donCd, VIII have the monopoly.
lie thought that these individuals who had run
this hazard, which had 80 successfully established
the superiority OF American skill and added honor
and renown 10 the American name, should receive
the aid, support and encouragement of Congress.
1t was NOT QUESTION TO aiding Collins 1t was
a national question, and ought TO be considered
and treated as such. Ii was matter that recon-
nended itself TO the patriotism of every American
| citizen
| Mr.. HUNTER opposed the amendment He
OBJ ctcd 10 II because II was no deficiency. There
was no pretencc but what there had been APP
preparation 10 the full amount which Mr. Collins
was entitled 10 under his contract. Again, if Con-
gress should sanction this bordering up, as it
sly ed in the Post Office Department oil the number
OF trip. from twenty TO twcnty.six, the additional
compensation to which the contractors would be
entitled to under the rates would not amount to
the sum provided for in this amendment That
would only Increase the compensation s 90 600.
If the i 236, 500 provided for in this amendment
were ADDED 10 the regular allowance Of $3.50 900
per annum, the compensation for the year would
he over 5000 900; bu, if s SO 900 "trip were allow
ed, II would make the compensation for the year
$500 600
Congress fret advanced to these contractor
S5S5,UO0 TO enable them To complete their ships.
IL then agreed TO allow them 3s5 900 per anuum
for twenty trips, making something like s l. 900
TIP The English government did not give the
tunafd line more than was allowed the Collins line
by the United States. The Cunard line received
$50 GOO per year for ffty-two trips, which was
somewhat Ices than Sl4,0O0 trip. If
give the Collins line ) SO 900 trip, II Will be
allowance more than twice much is allowed by
the British government to the Cunard line.
lie then proceeded - show that the hostages de-
rived from the Collins line did not meet the
amount paid il as compensation.
From the 9th Of April, 1885, to March 81, 1852,
period of nearly two years, the amount of letter
| postagcs by the Collins line amounted to : $780,
616. OF this sum the Collins line was entitled TO
credit Of only two-thirds; for of the twenty four
cent? postage on letters, eight cents were to be de-
Quoted for the English and American inland post
age
The newspaper hostages forty-two thou
sapd dollars, and the posta ges the closed mails
IL
tain how much of this due to the Collins line,
But If one-hslf due 1t, together with the two
thirds OF the : 326 676, weuld not amount to one
hell Of what had been paid that line eompcnsa-
| ton.
Therefore, he maintained that il was not true
that the Collins line, by its pOstages, had repaid
the compensation IT received was il true that
the Cunafd line was better paid
Mr. H. said that he did not consider il as any
very great achievement, rejecting national credit
or renown, to-take money out Of the treasury 10
enable an American chip 10 sail the' ocean faster
ttv~r Engl sh one il tbis was done at the OK.
pense, injury, and perhaps sacrifice of another
interest, which, had not the Government interior
ed, would have bccn able TO sustain itself
This expenditure could not be justified on the
ground that, by this means, navy would be built
up, ready and prepared at any moment for the use
OF the country
lie read from the opinions Of several naval off.
ccra 10 show that these yessols not adapted
the general purposes Of war ycsscls.
II Congress was to give assistance and support To
these steamers To enable them 20 compete with
British vessels Why not for the came extend
| support and protection TO the iron men. There
/ was not argument that could be used in sup
port Of giving protection TO these vcsscs to enable
/ them 10 compete Nth British vessels, that could
not be used and applied in favor Of giving aid ard
protection 70 the iron men against The Introduction
/ OF British iron.
The navigating interest Of the United States
which YVES nov the pride and glory II the United
Statcs, had succeeded 10 that position without any
I
York line, other cities would demand the same.
The business OF carrying passengers and freight
WIS scli sustaining, not. If not. then the loss
would be by the British; and when IL became self
sustaining, the enterprise Of American citizens
would induce them 10 embark in IL and compete
successfuy with the world. lie said that, when
the amount Il pcsiages received from this line
ce'ded the amount Of compensation allowed it, be
would be willing 10 give 10 ts support the excess.
For the present., he was for standing upon the pre-
| sent arrangement.
Mr.. MILLER obtained the foor; and, on HE
notion
! The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr. MEADE, by Unanimous consent Of the
House presented the report and resolutions Of the
/ Lrgi-loture Of Virginia the subject Of Virginia
military land warrants; which were referred 10
The Committee on Public Lands
NAVAL DrsciPLtEE BILL.
! The II use resumed the consideration Of the bill
from the Senate 10 enforce discipline aud promote
| good conduct in the naval service Of the United
/ States when
Mr.. nILLSON replied 10 the remarks Of his col
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