Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-15
MIR. RIDDLE, OF DELAWARE.-THE
GUANO TRADE.

The annexed remarks of the representative
from Delaware will be read with interest by
the agriculturists of the country. The guano
trade is of vast Importance, and the monopoly
which prevails with regard to it has been, and
is now, most onerous and oppressive to our
farmers and detrimental to the real interests
Of the Peruvian government.
All improvements in agriculture move slow
ly; and it is but recently that our agricultur-
lists have fully appreciated the wonderful fer
tilizing properties Of guano. From this cause
greatly increased demand for it has suddenly
arisen, and that demand has been greatly in.
creased by the facilities of communication
which have been effected within a few years
between our seaports and rural districts. II
Peru would further her interests in this regard
she would find that more aggregate profit would
be realized from reasonable profit on large
sales than by monopoly profits on contracted
sales, and would place the trade on liberal
footing as a mere movement to increase her
income. Mr.. Riddle deserves much credit for
bringing this important subject before Congress
in manner which affords reasonable hope
that some beneficial action will be had with
regard to it.
"Mr. RIDDLE. / have no report to make
from the committees, either upon roads and ca
mails or engraving, and presume there are but
few other reports to be made from the commit
tees remaining to be called l therefore take
advantage of the opportunity now afforded to
ask the indulgence of the House, and its unani-
nous consent, to present a memorial upon q
subject in which at least three-fourths of the
people Of the United States are interested,
which is Of great importance to my own con-
stituents, and in which / am certain every
member Of the House viii feel some interest.
1t relates, too, to a subject which has several
times been brought to the attention Of the
present Congress, both in the Senate and
House Of Representatives, but upon which, as
| YET no action has been taken. It is, sir, the
memorial OF the agricultural societies Of Della
ware, and OF two thousand citizens of that
otate, praying the government of the United
States 10 erect some arrangement with Peru
Dy Which, LOT just and proper equivalent, the
PERUVIAN government will either cede to the
United states one OF her guano islands, or, by
removing the existing restrictions unon a mar.
can vessels engaged in the guano trade. nlace
the trade in that article upon more lust and
liberal commercial basis.
"Mr. CoBB. That may all be very proper.
but let us get through with the call of commit.
/ tees first
Mr.. RIDDLE. Ny friend from Alabama
knows full well that If objection be made now,
| may never have such another opportunity
therefore call upon him to withdraw his OBJ
lection. The memorial could be presented nm.
der the rules Of the House, but in that event il
would necessarily 90 to either the Committee
on Agriculture or the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. Without intending any dsrespect 10
those committees, composed, as know they
are, OF able gentlemen, and friends to the OBJ
ject of the petitioners, must be permitted TO say
that tho subject is one Of such vast Importance