The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-14

OF CONNECTICUT.

OF
On ls Ssno.ss amendment 10 he Deficiency BM apprO.
pr ting additional compensation 10 the Collins Line 81
Seomsrsi Lpsrsd in The House Of Representatives., july
o, 1852.
Mr.. INGERS0LL said that be should vote for the ap
preparation for the Collins line, and did not with The
lights now before him. any constitutional difficulties
10 me way The powers conferred ON Congress by the
Contribution 70 regulate commerce authorized us To place
the commercial marine OF the country footing that
would enable Il 10 compete successfully with that OF any
other nation II IS from thisbe commercial power OF
Tue conetuhonthai the early navigation lawsake their
origin, passed soon after the adoption OF the constitution,
and when many OF those who assisted IN framing that
instrument members of this House and the other
and voted Tor hem-aws which gave preference TO
our own ships in the foreign trade. aud which up 10 the
present time have excluded the flag OF foreigners IRON
coaslng trade, we'll the trade from coast 10
coast, Atlantic and Pacific, since the acquisition OF Cali
lorDia and the settlements OF Oregon II these acts
within The pale OF the constitution, what binders
from backing up the Collins line in iS struggle with
The British government This contest Is not be-
tween individual capitalists OF the two nations ;
but The British government itself, with all It's pow
erfu means. Is upon the other side Disguised as
il may be. il has become contest Of flags, and we
cannot remain indifferent. 10 il Mr. l. said in such a
struggle, if bis vote could contribute turning the
in our favor, he could not withhold it, Unless our own
citizens nerved in this audabe enterprise il is clear
that they must retire from the contest He also thought
that the powers conferred Congress by the constitution
to provide navy enabled aid these steamers, that
could be at any time hereafter turned into ships owar
should occasion require il
Ii was in reference to the naval service that the con-
suuction OF these steamers and the for their
ployment in the foreign mail service, recommended
by President Polka statesman always regarded strict
conslructonisl, and who carefully considered the cons-
lulonol bearing OF every which he adopted, or
recommended TO the favorable notice OF Congress The
endorsement oil any measure by such statesman much
in lis favor. Why not, under This clause OF the Con-
stuution secure for future use should the
public service require it, these part of
naval marine, well as 10 provide materials for ship
building to be kept till wanted in navy yards In
both instances they are but materials provided for the
naval service.
These ships were originally constructed under the
superintendent OF officer of the government, with
special reference 10 their adaptation TO service ships
otwar should they at any time be required by gov
eminent.
Suppose the British government instead OF placing its
means at The disposal OF The Cunad line, had put their
war steamers on The same service would any doubt
the right the duty OF government 10 put in
mission naval steamers (f had them al command)
Tor similar service? Would there be any difference in
principle between that case ard this
But Is asked, why increase the appropriation beyond
The original sum contemplated The question is
facts be these When the Collins contract was origi-
naly made, the Cunard steamers were OF much smaller
cass OF vessel than those afterwards built and put upon
that line 1t was, doubtless, in view OF the movement
made this side that the friends Of the Cunard line
sruced and put service the large and fast gong ships
that are now employed.
To this unexpected state OF things the propetors
OF the Collins ne though not required by their contract,
constructed the large and noble ships which have done
such honor TO the country and which, for model perfec-
ton OF machinery and speed superior TO any vessels
aoa This could not be done without largely increased
expenditures, and without which they could have
competed successfully with their opponents
He could not, under such circumstances deny them
the necessary aid and although contract did not e
galy bind to this appropriation, yet he thought it
honorably due to those who had done much Tor the
Interests of their country and The honor OF The American
name at home and abroad. Had he been member OF
Congress when the original assenled 10 by
this body he might not al that time have gone for ii; but
the contract for service had been entered into will
inue till the year 1861 and he cend not consent TO
abandon this ihs pioneer line OF country, and thus
crafty foreign rivals who are looking TO the result
OF proceedings this subject with intense interest
He believed that the feeling he expressed was general
especially throughout the Atlantic seaboard, and that
the majority OF the people OF the district he represented
participated in it
He alluded the opinion of Moses H. Grinnell, for.
merly representative in Congress from New York, who
although largely interested in navigation otherwise than
by steam and whose interests therefore be supposed
TO be adverse 10 the Collins line. but tho had neverhe
less distinctly declared that this appropriation would
interfere with the other navigating interests OF the
country Tor be said that If the Collins line were with.
drawn from the ocean, the passengers freight, and cores
pondence accommodated by 1t, would not tall back
upon sailing ships, but would be al trans
frfrsd 10 the Cunard or British line.
There is another consideration which certainly has
great weight Ii is this that though Europe is al
peace and shows tranquil exterior, ye, The rumbling
beneath the surface, which statesman should dlse.
gard, foreies explosion that will probably bring the
great powers into general war, in which Great Britain
aust take prominent part. Whenever that event does
come-and IL must, or laerhe Cunard line
may be Withdrawn from lis present service and without
OF always reliable, our commercial interests
would be subjected 10 Inconvenience that could not
be measured by any appropriation oil money which we
may now make.