The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-22
.FUT Hc UnId
steam between Shanghac and San Francisco

For the Union.
steam between sh.nghnc aud San Francisco
ambrose W. IHompSoa's Line endorsed by the Naval
Committee Of the late House:
To the Editor of The Union:
SIR From the deep interest your valuable journal has
always taken in the extension of ocean steam
am you will allow me to invite your attention, and
that OF your readers, to the proposition of Ambrose W.
Thompson, of Philadelphia for establishing line of six
going steamships between San Francisco and Shang-
hae, &c.
Mr.. Thompson memorialzed the last Congress on the
subject, and the Naval Committee of the House OF Rep
esenatives, through their distinguished and able chair.
man, Mr. Frederick p Stanton, OF Tennessee, submitted
report to the House in favor OF Mr. Thompson's propo
silion, accompanied bya bill, in conformity herewith
After mature consideration OF the various propositions
which had been submitted by several citizens, the com
mtee came TO the conclusion that the system which had
been adopted by the government for similar purposes
having been tested by experience, both at home and
abroad ought not 10 be departed from in the case before
them, but that the policy of encouraging and sustaining
private enterprise, in order TO effect great national objects,
ought TO be adhered to.
Proceeding upon this principle, the committee selected
the proposition Of Mr.. Thompson, as the most advanta
geous to the government, most likely to be successful
and at the time, just and fair in its terms and
submitted ii TO the consideration of the House, with
strong Recommendation that it should be adopted
Now, what is Mr. Thompson's propositionl
He proposes to build equip, and six steamships,
of not less than 5000 tons burdena size that experience
has determined to be feasible, and OF capacity for the
greatest possible speedunder the inspection and super
vision of the Navy Department, and in such manner
that they can be converted at moments warning into
war steamers of the first class
They to be under the command of officers detailed
for that purpose BY the Secretary Of the Navy to be
navgaed at the expense Of the memorials 10 be sub
ject 10 the inspection OF the Navy Department. to have
such repairs and improvements in machinery made at his
cost may be required TO efficiency and are
liable TO be taken by the for its own use a,
fair valuation at any time during the term of contract
which is TO be for ten years.
With these six ships Mr.. Thompson proposes 10 carry
the mails between San Francisco and the free ports of
China, Sanghae, &C., touching at the Sandwich islands
going returning, the may be and for this ser
vice the only compensation he asks is such postage on
the mail matter as may be established by law provided
the amount OF such postage shall exceed in proper
ton TO the number OF ships employed, the compensation
now allowed TO the Collins line.
But for the construction, equipment, and armament OF
these ships he asks that the Secretary OF the Treasury
shall be authorized TO issue six per cent stock redeem
able in years, the requison OF the Secretary of
the Navy and for the application OF the proceeds thereof
TO the objects for which the issue is asked he will give
the most ample security.
semi.annua dividends accruing said stock TO exc
cute mortgage the United States the ships TO Sc
cure the payment OF the interest well the ultimate
redemption OF the stock by him, either its maturity
when the government may take said ships TO lis own
TO pay into the treasury at the end Of five years
from the commencement OF the service of the vessels,
and annually thereafter 10 per cent the principal OF
the stock issued TO him, that at the expiration OF his
contract he will but half the original debt But he
asks that he may be allowed TO reduce the principal OF
said stock at any time SO as TO save the interest
The committee gave this proposition most careful
sideraton.
They compare the policy OF building up steam navy,
by the governments stimulating and encouraging private
enterprise for that object and OF sustaining and support
ing H. by the governments employing 1T in the foreign
mail service OF the country, with that OF the govern
menrs building and sustaining steam navy, to be kept
in service as shpsofwar only and the results obtained
declare largely in favor OF the former system on the
OF economy, efficiency development of the power
OF the country the the extension OF commercial
civilization, and the establishment OF intercourse be-
tween the people OF different nations by postal facilities,
and all without any detnment TO the public interest
The committee declare in favor OF the system on which
Mr.. Thompson's proposition is based, because OF its
benehcent tendencies; because il stimulates to ac-
tivity, and affords profit TO our mechanics, TO our
seamen, our commerce, and agriculture; because
il increases revenue, and. when the public wants
demand, can supply the government, al q moment .
warming with far efficient steam navy than the
itself could produce supposng the cost
in both cases were the same, which il is not.
In all contracts heretofore made for transporting foreign
mails, We government, with view TO encourage the
building OF steamships for the navy in case OF emergen-
cy, has advanced large OF money 10 aid the con-
tractors in constructing their vessels and provided for
paying them annual compensation as mail-carrers
But in the execution OF these contracts great difficulties
have been encountered tending in many instances TO de-
feat the very object had in view, and in every
dering the undertakings very onerous and dragging.
Now, Mr.. Thompson's plan is free, the committee
well remarks from all these difficulties and objections
The whole outlay for the construction, &c, of the
sells be met by the issue, in advance, of the stock
OF the government, redeemsbe after the whole service
has been performed No payment from the treasury, no
harassng Congress for appropriations, will be required
TO meet the accruing interest the stock thus issued
for Mr. Thompson offers, and will be required, TO give
satisfactory security to meet this liability semi-annually