Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-02-08
Proposed Atlantic and Pacific
aps ship Canal. .,.
GREAT INTERNATIONAL PROJECT

WADAB 1N 01NM ! uVNMD hAVoHVA
The following commune alton from
the Hon. Nathaniel Niles, latc Charge
l'ARairs Of the United States OF Turin,
relative 10 tho construction Of a ship
canal, connecting the Atlantic with the
Pacific Ocean, was presented to the Sen.
ate, in accordance with resolution oil
that body, by President Fillmore, on
the 10th OF Dec, ls5l:-
TURIN, June 30, 1s40.
Sir:-The extraordinary development
of commerce between tho Atlantic and
Pacific oceans, which is to be neccs'
sary and immediate consequence Of the
rapid settlement Of the northwest coas1
Of the American continent from Califor'
MIA to Vancouvcr's Island, by an active
and cntcrprising population, gives ON in
creasing and pressing interest TO the erea
subject Of "a ship channel between the
two oceans, not only to the U. States
but also to the whole commercial world
Were such channel TO be opened on Q
scale commens urate with its present and
prospective importance, it is probable
that before the lapse Of any great length
Of time, the amount ofcommcrcial trans
actions through it would be greater thar
has at any time been carried on lhrougl
the straits of Gibraltar.
The magnitude Of the commercial in
tercsts 10 be affected by this artifcia
medium of communication, through al
time to come, presents an unanswerabl'
reason why the work should be execut
cd upon most extensive scale.
1t is evident that such channel o
commercial communication should no
inure TO the exclusive advantage Of an,
one nation, or t., any limited number o
nations, or be subjected to the liabilit.
Of interruption by the eventualities Q
war. 1t should be q common interna
tional thoroushfarc, always open AM
always free on equal terms to the com
merce ofall nations, great and small
the weak as well as the powerful, thos
nations that are situated at remote dis
tances, as we'll as those in its immcdiat
vicinity.
To secure these objects, it is ncces
sary that it should be constructed b
means OF common fund, and effective
ly placed under the guardianship Of
universally acknowledged law Of n'
tiono.
As yet no plan has been presented
the public, which at the same time sus
gests a practical means for the accom-
plishment Of this great object, on a seal
that is likely to meet the wants Of til
commercial world, and secure to all MT
tions a common and perpetual benef
in its advantages when completed. No
withstanding the United States have q
especial interest in the early realizatio
Of this enterprise, and possess perhaF
the means Of executing it upon any dc
sirable scale, yet in view Of the implie
rights Of hers, and tho jcalousies an
ultimate hostility which could not fail
bo cngcndered among other nations
were it to be carried through as an e.
clusively national work, an elevate
sense Of international justice, as we'll (
a wise policy requires that it should nj
be taken in hand without previously e.
tending an invitation to all the CONNIE
cial nations Of the earth to become ioir
proprietors, and to participate in i
construction under such circumstance
of equitable contribution to the obje'
as will give it the character Of being
common property and common pa
sage open to all upon such condition
as shall forever prevent the work frol
becoming obstructed, or falling into Il
hands Of any ono government or comb
nation Of governments.
The only way 10 insure that par
mount object is to make the whole ma
ter Of this proposed canal the subject
an International treaty, in which the g
vernments Of all tho commercial coul
tries in the world shall be invited to b
come parties. -a.s
In view Of the foregoing consider
tions Of International equity, and in r
gard to the establishment Of practic
administration for the execution and pr
servation Of this work under the cor
mon authori,y-of nations. Ihave draw
up, after mature reflection, plan whi'
seems to me we'll calculated to meet
, the requirements Of the case. It is Ell
braced in the form Of a series ofpropo'
, tions, each resting on reasons that W
be apparent to every rejecting min
This plan I solicit the honor herewith