Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-21

the free use of that river from its mouth nm natural
right It was the gift of Cod 10 Inc people. om, in
his wisdom he intended should inhabit its vaebe they
of one or of many nations. Money and ros we're
placed the disposal of the Executive of this ton to
enforce this right with regard to. the Missssip
Brazil herself has just come out of long I'D per-
picking war with Buenos Ayres; one of the tects of
which was this very question to the free nigaton
Of river owned by more nations than one The La
Plata that river. Brazil owned some Of trihu-
taries the Republic its mouth, and she fought open
and forced her way down with the high md and
strong
But upon the Amazon the Republics ownst upper
waters the Empire the lower and Brazil KEGS them
closed tight, notwithstanding of those lpublics
have thrown their ports open to the world ap invited
all nations to come Up and trade with them
Brazil knows that according all the pripples Of
right the navigation of the Amazon should be , Shall
we force itopen? No. Let us try diplomatic lasion
for it may be opened peaceaby, and desire all
things cultivate the relations Of peace and ndshp
with the nations of this continent The prope
of action therefore, for the Convention would sem be
to invite the attention of the Government to thssubect
of commanding interest among the diploma ques
tons of the day
We the best customers of Brazil for coee, her
great staple 1t would be well to remind herhat her
coffee is admitted into this country duty free nd that
this fact is commercial consideration which future
negotiations between the countries ought rot to be
forgotten
moreover the Mississippi and the Amazon are the two
largest rivers in the world Hundreds of millioas of
commerce annually pass up and down the former; not
than two millions down theatter. The
vgation of the former, therefore is Sorth many times
than that Of the latter Shall the free navigation
of the FEATHER of Waters" be oferel to Brazil in
change for the free navigation the King of Rivers
| if it cannot be had without !?
These questions as to witch, in my Judgment it is
desirable and important theonvention should express
its views.
The future of this countr, is magnificent. In casting
about for the elements ofprosperity which to en-
belish that future, many the of national
wealth. power, and grearss which loom up in the dis
lance like land falls sea- the outlines of which are
at first but dimy seen ye the land cloud above being dis
tinct, reckoning tells that rma is under it
and though cannot maxi out the contour thereof,
feel that it is there.
So, too with the sources human happiness and pros
perity that to make this country glorious though
cannot just make all the channels thereof,
their precise capacity and direction yet that they
in store for children. Most Of them inter-
nal, and therefore within ON keeping But many
of them external Among tese last we are accus-
toned to feast imagination With excursions
over, and about the Pacific Japn is to be opened to
commerce China is to be christuzed with her mil
lions our people are to buy, SELL aid get gain; Austria
lin is to be mighty nation, and agood customers and
all the islands Of the Pacific are attract our ships
hail flag the emblem of freedom and court friend
ly alliances with the champion by example Of the
rights Of man.
But in looking far into futurty and the mighty dis
lance it happens with our mental it ofentimes does
to the optical powers; looking great way-the
eye is adjusted for distant vision and the very thing
are seeking by being close escapes US.
And thus it is with the Amazon and the Atlantic slopes
Of South America. The area Of that country can
that Of British India tree times over and the
Amazon is the great artery Of ia yet gaze away
toward India and the East.
Now, suppose we had Aaddiu's lamp, the wand Of
powerful magician, by the touch of which India
and all the Isles of the East with their inhabitants,
merce productions, and wealth, could he lifted
up transported the and set down in the
valley Of the Amazon just they are What should we
have and what would be the effect upon the business
relations Of this country?
India would be doors, and al nations in trad
ing with her, would have to pass them for to ALL either
going coming, they occupy the position Of halfway
houses We should steamboats, tn, wharves of New
Orleans and st Louis Of Memphis, Louisville Cincinnati
Wheeling and Pittsburgh arriving daily and hourly FROM
and departing constantly to, this country.
We may imagine Of children standing the
last of the Chckasaw Bluffs, counting the Amazonsn
boats they pass and repass and telling their cargoes
There goes one" may suppose him to say, deeply
laden the Rocky Mountains She sto discharge her
cargo at the foot of the great falls where the Amazon
takes its last leap from the Andes She exchanges sau
tations with just coming up the river from Eastern
Peru Her cargo is assorted of great value fine
wool precious metals spices cocoa, Peruvian bark and
great variety Of tropical fruits both rich and rare make
! up the assortment.
There is one from Bolivia she has cargo of coffee
the coffee Of Brazil is to Jack Tar's best Scotch
THAT coming down the river there is from Pitts
burgh, with shipment OF glass, hardware, and fancy
articles She is bound for the markets Of Quito and is
going trading voyage with the provinces Of
Ecuador for gold dust cochinea indigo and other dyes
more brilliant by far than the Syrian.
"That that is passing her is from the diamond
region Of Brazil, where the rivers also roll down their
ewelcd sands bright with gold and precious stones
There is one just turning into the landing at Memphis
She is in the drug and dye-stuf trade. She has the
most brilliant of crimsons, scarlet and purple, with the
richest assortment Of spices and gums that ever crossed
| the seas"
New Orleans and Para, Tabatinga and wheeling, St.
Louis and Eauta would each and all be in connection by
regular lines Of steamboats, The upper countries Of the
Amazon and the people the headwaters OF the Msss-
sppi, the Missouri and their tributaries would be in
closer and more easy communication than the people