The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-11


these mails also to the British, on tho ground that
they could carry them cheaper than the Americana
could. The principle OF free trade was correct or
was not correct; if applied in one particular, 1t
ought TO be applied in all
He thought there was no danger OF war with
England as long she was allowed to reap the
benefits which the free trade policy Of this country
afforded her So long by our policy she can en-
Joy the benefits which this policy on our part gave
30 her. che cared not if she beaten in this boat
race, or in any other trfng matter. She could not
be kicked into war while under such advantages
on her side; there was no probability Of war as
long she gave dinners 10 your Robert Walkers,
and other champions of free trade.
He considered that the ocean navigating interest
was nov, and had been for some time, amply pro-
tected. For one, as representative Of the West,
which for sixteen years had been neglected and
denied all relief to her commercial and navigating
interests. he would never vote one dollar to pro-
tect or build up the commerce OF the Atlantic
States, until some disposition to do justice to the
West had been manifested. When this done
he would be for liberal policy; he would take mo-
sectional view Of the subject, but would vote to en-
courage the interests OF commerce everywhere.
All kinds of Improvements and enterprises to
advance and promote the interests OF commerce on
the Atlantic had been made; dry docks and navy
yards, floating docks and marine railways on the
coasts Of both oceans had been established, and
all klnds OF expeditlons-even one to Japan-to nd-
vance foreign commerce, had been undertaken.
Nothing had been done for the West He repeated
his determination to vote against the amendment,
and of the importance Of appropriations for the
benefit of the inland commerce and navigation Of
the country.
Mr.. BAYARD followed in support of tho amend.
ment lie examined in detail the arguments
against the availability OF those vessels for pur-
poses of naval warfare and the relative amount OF
com pensation received by the Collins and Cunard
nes. He maintained the vast superiority OF the
Cons steamers over those of Cunard-their greater
strength, bulk, power, and sailing capacity either
with or without steam. lie contended they were
adapted for purposes Of naval warfare; that the
compensation TO be received by them if this amend
| ment were adopted, would not exceed that al
lowed to the Cunard line even without taking into
consideration the incidental allowances to their
benefit from the establishment of steamers from
tIavre and Antwerp, in which was brought freight
free provided it was sent to the United States by
the Cunard line.
He denied that this establishing any monop
oily; its establishment had broken down the monop-
oily then in the hands of the British line.
In conclusion, he said he did not agree with
other Senators who supposed the hostages received
from this line would, during the continuance OF
the contract, repay the amount OF compensation
allowed it. He thought it would hardly pay in
hostages average exceeding S500,00O year.
This would leave deficiency of $3.50 900 year.
This sum he would cheerfully vote to sustain the
vast advantages and facilities this line would afford
| for purposes OF commercial mail service.
In the land mail service all the States did not af
ford revenue equal 10 the amount expended for
mail service in their limits. The amount ex
pended fer mail service in the States Of Virginia,
Mississippi Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Tennes
see and Illinois, exceeded the amount Of revenue
collected in those States by some S627 900 year;
while in other States, New York particularly, the
excess of receipts over expenditures was very
great. Thus the people Of one part of the country
were taxed TO support and keep up the mail SER
vice in the other States. OF this he did not COM
plain, for it would be unjust in the highest degree
10 take from these States their mail facilities merely
because the receipts did not pay the expenses
In the game spirit, he thought the whole country
ought T. cheerfully bear this expense Of $350,OOO
a year to keep up and maintain these mail facili
ties for the advantage and convenience OF the
nerce Of the country.
He regarded this es national question, az one
involving the national honor of the country; and
he could not consent TO abandon, in the very hour
Of victory, the contest to a rival enemy,
Mr.. MALLORY offered an amendment, provid
ing for transfer Of the control for this service
from the Navy 10 the Post Office Department.
Pending which
The Senate adjourned.