The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-02-24
COngressiOmaI.

W~AsHIK0ToE, February l8.-HoUsE.-
The President transmitted documents from
the Secretary Of State, in which he saws
that a recent communication had been made
to this department by the British Govern
ment, relative to the subject of the inter.
oceanic canal by the Nicaragua route.
The British Government has transmitted
to the State Department the fact, that in
formation has been received that the com
pany which had contracted 10 build a shin
canal across the lsthmus Of Nicaragua, hav-
ing found it impossible to carry out the plan
as originally contemplated, had resolved to
propose to the Government Of Nicaragua a
modification Of that plan, with a view Of
constructing a canal of smaller dimensions
than those specified in the contract; and the
British Minister has been instructed to init
mate that ifthat information should prove
correct, her Majesty's Government would
feel at liberty, under the tteaty of April
10Th, 1850, TO withdraw its protection from
that company, and to transfer it to uny other
company which should undertake a canal on
the original plant being deemed Of the
utmost importance by the British Govern
ment that the great conception of an inter-
oceanic canal, adapted to the accommoda-
ton Of vessals of the whole commercial
world, should not dwindle down to an ordin-
airy transit route for coasting vessels, which,
to distant nations, would be comparatively
worthless.
The British Minister has also been in
structed TO signify to the department, that
since Great Britain first assumed the protec-
ton and defence Of the Mosquito Indians
the position fall parties had changed.
Spain, instead Of exercising absolute
sovereignty over Central America and pro-
hibiting al commerce ON the coast under
sway, and entirely lost her dominion over
all parts OF this continent, in consequence Of
these changes.
The British government proposes that
San Juan, Del Norte or Greytown should
be a free and independent port, that mod
ifcations or advantages equiv alent to those
laid down in the project of the treaty of the
30th OF April, 1852, should be assured to
Misquito In return for its withdraw from
its present position in reference to SanJuan;
that the U. 8. and Great Britain without
formally guaranteeing San Juan Del Norte
should be free to act in concert, to defend
the Independence Of the free port or city in
whatever quarter it may be attacked. For
these purposes, the British Government rro-
poses to dispatch some person qualifed to
treat with the authorities of that city; and
in case the U. s. concur in these views,
the British government would recommend
that a new Convention in place of the un-
accepted agreement of the yl3th of April,
1859, should be proposed.
WAsHHeToK, Feb. 2l.-SEHArE.-A mo-
ton was made to take up the army appru-
priation, homestead and Pacific Railroad
bill. The latter came up as amended on
Saturday.
Mr.. Rush contended that the amendment
was equivalent to the defeat Of The bill.
Messrs. Shields and Douglas argued tina,
the amendment, by providing that none Of
the twenty millions appropriated should be
expended IN The States, removed only d con-
stitutional objection to the measure as orig
inally proposed; that there would now be as
much land and money appropriated for tina,
part of the territories as was before provided
for to construct the entire road.
The vote adopting Mr.. Shields amend
ment to the Pacific railroad bill was RECON.
sidered.
Mr. Weller moved to modify il, by leaving
out that part confding The work in the
States to the exclusive control Of the States.
Mr.. Grier took the same view. Mr. Gwin
opposed it as fatal to the bill. The qres-
ton was taken, and the amendment reject
ed.
Mr.. Brooke moved a substitute for the
whole bill, which was ordered to be printed,
and the Senate adjourned.