The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-13
INTENDED VISIT OF AN ENGLISH COMMISSIONER
From the Straits Times April Ill

INTENDED VISIT or AN ENGLISH COMMISSIONER.
from the Straits Times April IL.
Sir John Bowring arrived from England by the
overland maiisteamer and proceeded on to Hong
kong to assume the appointments, Superintendent
Of Trade and Governor OF Hong Kong, conferred up
on him by her Majesty. We understand that Sir
Siam and Cochin China, and to negotiate with these
nations treaties Of commerce and friendship.
Letter from Col. Benton
TO HIS CONSTITUENTS, AND THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI.
From the ST. Louis Democrat, June
WASHINGTON, May 80, 1854.
Citizens: Near thirty years ago, when was young
in the Senate and the Intercourse between Missouri
and New Mexico had just commenced, procured
the passage Of an act Of Congress to facilitate and
promote that intercourse and to make it permanent
and to the State The act provided (among
other things) for the appointment Of commissioners
TO mark out road from the frontier Of Missouri to
Santa N, and TO treat with the Indians along the
route for the right Of way, and for the unmolested
travel OF our citizens upon 1t. This was all done
about the year 1926 and since that time travel and
intercourse have been regular on the road marked
upon it, and IN stages, with more regularity than in
any other part of the United States.
1t was my intention, at the time was left out
OF the Senate, to have endeav0red to have pro-
cured similar act for the facility and protection
lost two years of time while was out, (and dur
ing which nothing was done for our California
traveD, it was'my intention to lose no time in re-
tvg ana I'm the object e ,S when was re-
cordingly 1t received my earliest attention at the
commencement Of Congress last December. Mr..
Miller and myself acted in concert in drawing up
bill for the establishment Of the Territory Of Kansas
such one as passed the House so easily the ses-
sion beforehand furnished few additional Sec
tons, to accomplish the object Of safe and regular
communication with California. The sections pro-
vided for commissioners to mark out and make
(wh ra. ROY frny1 oUpi n,
California, the nearest and best wayto treat with
the Indians for unmolested travel upon ito ex-
tnguish Indian titles along the route-to grant pre-
epton rights to the settlers wherever the title was
extinguished- to establish mails upon it-with
margin for telegraph wires, and for camping
ground.
We had no reason to doubt the speedy passage Of
that bill. What related to the organization Of the
Territory being comfortable to what had easily pass
ed the House the session before might be expected
to pass with equal again; and what related to
the road and protection upon it, being what was done
in the case Of Missouri and New Mexico, and be-
ing due to our inland trade and intercourse, upon
the same principle that ten millions are annually
expended In keeping up navy, and vast sum
In keeping up q diplomatic establishment for the
course, might also be expected to pass without oppo
sition. We had reason to believe that the bill so
drawn up. and introduced by Mr.. Miller, might pass
both houses of Congress early in the winter, and be
ready for execution with the first opening Of the
spring, and that our California emigration this sum-
mer would have had the benefit Of It.
How that bill was detained in the House Commit
tee on Territories to wait for another Of very diff
ferent kind from the Senate, need not inform you
nor how much time was consumed on that bill. /
pass by what Is well known, to come to something
which is less known, and which concerns your In
terests; and that Is, the manner in which was dis
appointed in getting transferred to the Senate bill
the road and treaty, and presumption, and mail sec
tions which had been added to Mr.. Milers bill. The
way Of that disappointment was this Tho House
has o five minute rule for amendments, a. well as
an hour rule for speeches; when the speeches ere
stopped, the amendments begin, and 60 through
the bill by sections; and then new sections may be
added to the bill had the sections all copied from
Mr. Aillers bill to offer at the proper time; but the
en- out Of Committee Of the Whole, to be rushed
through the House under the previous question, cut
ting on all amendments. This was done, and thus
lost the chance Of Offering these amendments, 80
essential to the safe intercourse between Missouri
and California and which, without Affecting In the
least the Senate's Nebraska bill, would have been
as suitable In It as In the other. was grieved ct
this loss and at that late period Of the session, ~
It win be difficult to get anything done to repair IT,
but shall make exertons to do SO, as deem it Of the
greatest moment to have common roar .. .,. =.
.s 70 accommodate and protect this ntercourse
which Is now 80 great, and which must become
greater; and to extnguish Indian titles all along
the route and grant preemptions to settlers from
The return Of Mr. Fremont lperfectly successful
in his winter expediton), emboldens all the friends
OF the Central route and shows that nature has pre-
ppssn 9i sg TSs n ss for the great
the Bay Of San Francisco. In the meantime, and
without waiting for the railroad, we want common
road Tor two OF them) on the main lines of travel
chatope and the South Pass, and by the Great and
the Little Salt Lake, 80 as to accommodate the two
great lines Of travel and emigration which depart
from different points on our western frontier, and
the road being confined to the territory between the
States Of Missouri and California, would be entirely
free from all constitutional objection.
] subjoin the sections which intended to offer,
that 1t may be that they were just a. suitable
to one bill a. the other, and might have been added
to the Senate bin without altering or affecting one
word in It, and would have been great and bensa.
'''' Improvement upon " sfs sSsss Il BENTON
SECTIONS FROM THE HRBRAsKA-HANsAs BILL.
Sec. Is. And be It further enacted, That the Pre-
sdent Of the United States be- and he Is hereby an
advice and consent Of the Senate, three commits
sioners. acquainted with the country TO be ira
versed to mark out, and make practicable for load
ed wagons. common travelling road, from the
western boundary Of the state OF Missouri. and the
eastern boundary Of the State Of California on the
the nearest and best route, and best calculated TO
accommodate business and travel, also, 70 treat wit
the Indiana inhsntns q f,au:nsipg aid route for
for the unmoested travel Of al persons on the road
70 made. And the said commissioners shall have
authority to employ the necessary guides and work
OF more surveyors and draughtmen to do said
work; and to employ hunters for their guard and
escort and TO XII game; and shall return to the De-
pertinent Of the Interior rplcate plats OF the road
80 made, done In the manner Of the road map made
by John Charles Fremont, from Missouri to the Co
lumbia river; and said road shall have marked out
breadth of ninety feet, (of which thirty feet shall
be prepared for loaded wagon tnveIlng.)
Sec. 10. And be II further enacted, That the sum
Of $250,000, including the balance Of the sum Of
$50 900 appropriated at the last session Of Congress
for treating with the tribes, shall be, and the same
hereby is appropriated for treating with the Indians
ing upon the western boundary Of Missouri and Iowa
for the extinguslment Of the title OF said Indians
In whole or in part 10 the lands claimed by them;
also, the OF $4,000 70 deffly all expenses I'M
ia "a -; sud NJ sv>x