The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-03-13
The Collins steamers.

Messrs Collins & Co., propretors of the Collins
line Of Ocean mail steamers, plying between this
country and Europe, some time since petiiioned
Congress fora contribution from the United SStes
Government of $500 600 to enable them to cont!n'
their line alleging that without this contrbu-
ton they would be obliged to abandon the enter
prise, as the Co. had already lost over 100000
We believe they succeeded in getting resolution
making the asked donation, through the house 4
short time SINCE but it was lost in the senate, but
their efforts have Rot been abandoned-the COM
pany have a large deputation still in the lobbies
toiling with the members Of both louses, and it is
quite hkel, they may yet succeed.
We notice that the merchants aud shippers Of
New York, and other ports, have memoralLcd
Congress antagonistical to the petition ef Nessrs.
Collins & Co. Tie memorial iswritten in strong
language, forcibly setting forth the injustice Of the
donation asked for, and details series Of disasters
which has arisen to private enterprise from this
system Of patronage 10 companies, from the gov
eminent. u he following extract from the memo
rial shows plainly the grounds upon which private
shippers object to government giving to the Col
Inns line preference over all other ship masters,
IN the carrying trade between this country and
the continent OF Europe:
at is thus manifest, that If the present system
of steam contracts Is pursued and enlarged, the
effect upon tie existing lines Of sailing vessels,
will not only be disastrous in the extreme, but
there will be no incentive and no opportunity for
any private activity effort in the department of
ocean steam navigation. This avenue to wealth
and success, both individual and national, will be
closed at once and entirely, except TO those who
can command the subsidies Of the government
and thus secure It's undivided monopoly. IT, on
the contrary the contracts were thrown open to
lcompetiion, and the opportunity were thus aifur
ded TO private individuals or associations, to en-
gage on equal terms in the service, the grievous
injustice Of government patronage TO parties
whose superior facilities in procuring government
influence and al or the priority of whose app-
cations in the point Of time, are the only grounds
emitting them to such uernirin"H r'-f'~"nrn.
mght be avoided, ami the system placed on a
footing of greater equality and justice. But MS
now managed, and upon the principle ofgranting
contracts upon applications made to Congress, it
is impossible TO secure any fair or just action, ha
wing reference to interests of all concerned in this
department of national legislation. MANY persons
who might be willing to enter upon the business,
if it were left entirely free to private effort, or
were only interfered with by the government,
fer the purpUe Of inviting equal competition,
are unable or unwilling TO engage in applications
to Congress, with their attendant expense delay
and trouble. The system is also capable Of great
abuse on the part of those vino solicit the grant
Ing Of such contracts and who, while appearing
before congress as contractors for the government
service, may have no other end IN view than a
private speculation, in the sale or assignment Of
the contracts for which they apply. Even when
made in good faith. your memonalsts submit
that such applications have a tendency, which
ought to be discouraged BY your honorable body,
to depreciate and lower the standard Of the ma
tional trade and commerce, by diminishing the
independence and self-reiance which have al
ways characterized them, and substituting in their
place, tmid and unworthy dependence upon
| the government"
The democratic doctrine upon all subjects OF
trade is free competition 1t recognizes no other
aiG from government than that which arises
from perfect freedom. All monopolies are anti
democratic. Should the request Of Messrs. Col
Inns d Co. be granted, it would tend to give them
monopoly Of the carrying trade between this
country and Europe; and as their line woult.
thrive under the protection Of government, private
shipping would dwnde away, struggling against
such legislative pets.