Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-25
SPEECH OF BISHOP oTEY.

SPEECH OF BISHOP OTEY.
NJ Prdsiieat, and Gentlemen of the Convention:
d. come forward this occasion of my oTn mo-
ton accord but may say at the suggestion dis
tngushed friend in whose views fully aid hear
lily deem this explanation necessary br those
who know the business of the Convention not in
my usual line of effort And yet must say too that
there i ~ under the shining who akesa deeper
interest," tie material progress and improvement Of our
country, and section than | do. The resolutions
which beg e offer read
Resored faat the free navigation of the
of the in questions of the age and its accomplish
nent worthy &c fie best efforts of American statesmen.
Resotred, That the naval expedition sent by this Govern
ment to explore il Amazon worthy of the
hghtened Gov of free people, and this Convention
halls with del hit ne enlarged and liberal views recently
taken by r Republic of the South with regard their
Amazonan The free CATION the Amazon
IS theirs they right TO claim it let them go ahead and
Gear not
3. ResoIrd the interests commerce, the cause Of
STERILIZATION nna mandates of high heaven require the At
lantie slopes 3ah America be suJued and replehed
that the river and the free navigation of the Amazon
are the pEc ers by which that part of the world is to
be raised mp abode of great prosperous, and happy
people; ha IMPRESSED with the Importance of such
summation ally this country and TO all the States of
Christena the happy solution also of the great prob
lem Ct huma gess through the world therefore the
people ssssippi valley and Of the Atlantic slopes of
North Amer represented the Convention, think de-
clare that judgment the free navigation Of the Amazon
the ICON that commercial people claim Of the
boon obtained eaceaby at any price that it becomes great
aation to offer.
e. Rcolred That be appointed to invite, in the name
of this Convention, the attention Of the Government to this
subject and urge the importance of procuring the free
gaon q the Amazon and of opening commercial relations
by steam and otherwise with the mouth of the river and
through with the people inhabitng the banks of its m
butariss.
These resolutions based enlarged and liberal
views Of the interests of the people not only Of this
AIRY but of all nations The objects which they AIM
aJ
onlarge the sphere of human knowledge-to open new
of wealth to commercial enterprseto extend the
blessings of civilization cherish the spirit of free in
situations and by promoting the elevation of moral
character to subserve the great purposes Of his creation
The nature of Government and the spirit of action
industry and enterprise which distinguish our country
men, obviously suggest that they to most con-
speuous part in the future history of world and we
be allowed to say they destined, in the order Of
Dive Providence, TO do than any other people in
aeorapshing its merciful purposes towards our race
IT Is scarcely possible in the rapidly advancing pro-
ress OF this age, believe that the notions former
days respecting the rights of man. the objects of govern
nent and the of establishing those rights and at
tainng those objects will be resorted and recognised
ustfable principles of action except cases of urgent
Ind imperative necessity. This necessity be Judged
Of not in times past by considerations Of might mere
ly, but by the moral influence of public opinion But
however that may we are persuaded that Of
quest to crafty the lust of power and the pride Of am
bton will not longer be tolerated by enlightened ma
lions Enough Of the spirit Of christianity felt BY civil
LIKED Governments to make resort 10 arguments founded
and considerations Of mutual advantage and
general utility the imperative duty OF rulers Since these
principles have been recognised and the conduct Of ma
tions regulated practically in accordance with their &C
acknowledgement the condition Of man has every where been
ameliorated and human happiness increased The diu-
sion of intelligence, the extension Of IN the de-
yeopmen OF the natural Of various countries
and the cultivation of the arts of peace in conjunction with
the discoveries science the recognised and e-
climate Of individual improvement and national
glory in much that almost to have reached
that predicted and ardenty prayed for state when
kind shall beat their swords into poughsharcs and their
spears into pruning hooks; when nation shall lift up
sword against nation neither shall they have any
more"
The objects contemplated by these resolutions look to
these results and in this spirit they submitted to the
consideration and action Of this body.
That may act understandingly upon this subject
let take rigid survey Of that region the capabilities
Of which, for and the arts these
resolutions propose unfold and throw open to the in
dustra energies Of our own countrymen and Of the
world.
Biographies usually divide South America into Eve dis
tinct physical regions:
l. Amazon strip skrting the shores Of the Pacific
ocean from 30 $50 miles in breadth bounded on the
east BY the snowcad SUBMITS Of the Andes, and in its
whole extent possessing not nayigable river worth
naming The northern extremity Of this territory wind
ing around the Bay Of Panama like fringe, is also the
southern portion Of Chilli extending to the Gulf Of Guai
teca. The middle part is arid sandy desert.
2 The basin Of the 0rinoco, having the Andes the
west OF their spurs extending eastwardy; the
SOUTH dividing the waters of the Orinoco from those Of
the Amazon except perhaps in instance where their
tributaries interock, and IL is said occasionally unite.
rs to admit Of the passage Of boats from the other
This region goes under the general Of Colombia
consisting Of three confederate Republics Venezuela New
Grenada and Ecuador or Quito. The first two front
eerth on the Caribbean Sea- and watered by the
Cr1noco and the Magdaena. The last named, Ecuador
rests on the magnificent Amazon for its southern boun
dairy and Is drained by its tributaries fed by
the SHOWS OF the lofty Andes the equator With
the exception Of this little Republic Of Equador-lttle by
comparison In extent Of territory but large in the spirit
Of enterprisethe basin Of the Orinoco country con-
>istng, for the most part Of extensive plains called
usnos either destitute Of wood dotted with trees but
covered with rank heritage or coarse grass during
part ofthe year In the dry season the heat i intense
che soil becomes parchea and into cracks and 6s
sures in which muttudes OF serpent and REPTILES that
infest these terras caients find refuge To the ost
of Venezuela, and impinging the Atlantic ceast ex
tending far south Cape Orange four degrees north
latitude lies Guiana country possessed by the English
Dutch and French. We wish make an observation or
two respecting the physical character Of this region
owned by Of the most powerful commercial ma
lions in the world that il may be borne in mind when
to speak Of the Valley Of the Amazon The
Of Guiana is low, sirted by sand bank extending
or eight miles out to sea- making the watsr il said like
dirty puddle all along the coast The water becomes
shallow towards the shore, that vessels drawing
than twelve feet stick fast in the mud about three miles
from the land The appearance Of the for hundreds
OF miles IS 50 uniform, presenting nothing but the tops
trees Just seen above the sea- that ships which san
gers 70 the shore along the coast till they descry
house, andhen send to the shore through the mud
20 ascertain on what part Of the they may be- Thu
mouths Of the rivers may be discovered by the difference
Of the color Of the fresh