The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-24
CONGRESSIONA
THE OCEANIC TELEGRAPH.
In SrsArn, Wednesday, January 81, 1857

|
In SENATE, Wednesday, January 81, 1857.
On motion by Mr. SEWARD the Senate proceeded, as
in committee of the whole TO consider the bill Is No.
in its foreign intercourse 1t provides that
the Secretary Of State in the discretion and under the di
recon Of the President of the United States may contract
with any competent person. PERSONS association Tor the
aid of the United States in laying down submarine
be TO connect existing teegraphs between the coast OF
Newfoundland and the Of Ireland and for the use OF
such submarine communication when established by the
government Of the United States such terms and con-
ditions shall the President just and reasonable
It's however, provided that the of Great Br-
tain SHALL before the tme enter into like con-
tract for those purposes with the person. per5ons or
association and upon terms OF exact equality with those
stipulated by the United States and that the tariff OF
prices for the OF such submarine communication by
the public shall be fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury
Of the United States and the of Great Britain
its authorized agent The United States is TO enjoy the
Of this submarine telegraph communication for pc
riod Of fifty years on the and conditions which
shall be stipulated in favor OF the government of Great
Britain, In kcontraot TO be entered into.
Mr.. COLLAMER / desire to have the papers accom-
panying the bill read
The Secretary read the following documents:
To the Senate Of the United States
In compliance with resolution of the Senate OF the 23d
instant requesting the President TO communicate to the
Senate, not Incompatible with the public interest," such
information he may have concerning the present cond
ton and prospects Of proposed plan for connecting by sub
marine wires the magnetic teegraphc lines this continent
and Europe transmit the accompanying report from the
Secretary Of State. al
wAsHISoroN, Dec 20, 1856.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, December 26 1856.
The Secretary of State whom was referred the
luton of the Senate Of the 23d Instant requesting the Pre
with the public interest," such information be may
concerning the condition and prospects of proposed
lines this continent and Europe has hs honor to
lay before the President Of letter of the 18th instant
him by the president and directors o the New York New
fOundiand, and London Telegraph Company. u.pcv
To the PREsIprsr of the United States.
OFFICE OF THE NEW YonK, NnwYovsDLAsD,
LONDON TELEGRAPH COMPANY,
New York, December l5, 1856.
Sin The undersigned, directors of the New York. New
oundand and London Telegraph Company have the honor
acture of the egraphc cable to connect the
Of Europe and America and that to
BY the 4h Of July, 1857. communication to this
effect having been laid before the Lords Commissioners Of her
have the honor submit to you official copy just
ceived by the United States mail steamship Atlantic from
work has been thus with American capital
aided by the efforts of administration to ascertain the
feasibility the enterprise 1t is the earnest desire of the d
rectors to to the of the United States
equal privileges with those stipulated for by the British gov
To this desire the Lords the Treas
ury have acceded in the most liberal spirit by providing
hat the British shall have priority in the
ton only Of the Of the United States in the event
of their entering into arrangement with the telegraph
company similar In principle to that of the British govern
men in which the of the two governments
shall have priority in the order in which they arrive at the
stations In view of the great international interests Of
this and the constant OF
tions solution of which time will be essential ele
men cannot doubt that the reservation made favor Of
the United States will be deemed Of great We
therefore, hasten communicate the facts you
request In view of the fact that the present Congress will
If accident prevents before the Congress
its session. that you will take such action in tho promises
you may deem the interests of this government to
quire.
men of the United States tho terms and conditions
has made with the British government such contract
will suppose, fall within the provisions of the constu
on regard to postal arrangements OF which this only
We have the honor ALSO call your attention to the Sec
ond provo the letter of the Lords COMMISSIONER
following effect
Her Mastys government engages to furnish the aid of
ships make what soundings may still be considered need
full verify those already taken, and ayorably to
slider any request that be made to furnish aid by their
vessels in laying down the CABLE"
We informed that private steamships now built are
adapted to laying cable of such dimensions proposed
to be but that the steamers recently finished
arranged to the best advantage for this
TO avoid failure in laying the CABLE it is desirable to use
every precauon therefore have the honor
you will make such Recommendation to Congress will
authority to detail steamship for this purpose,
that the glory Of accomplishing what has been justly styled
" the browning enterprise of the age may be divided be-
tween the greatest and eea governments tho face Of the
globe. sf
With great respect have the honor to be- sir your
80 '','0'' - PETER COOPER,
NJ 0. ROBERTS, ,''''n''
MOSES TAYLOR
WILSON G. HUNT,