Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-03-03

TnR ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH BILL.-Fhe follow
ing is the Atlantic Telegraph bill in the precise
form in whichit passed Congress and received
the Presidents signature:
an Act to expedite IelegTaphic communication
for tie uses Of the Government IN its Foreign
iaterc0uTse.
Be it enacted bp the Senate and House of Re-
personalities ofthe United States of America in
Congress assembled, That the Secretary ofState,
in the discretion and under the direction of the
President of the United States, may contract
with any competent person, persons or associa-
ton, for the aid of the United States, by fur
nishing not exceeding two ships, in laying down
a submarine cable to connect exiting telegraphs
between the coast of Newfoundland and the
coast of Ireland, and for the use of such subma=
rine communication when established, by the
government Of the United States on such terms
and conditions as shall seem to the President
Just and reasonable, not exceeding seventy thou
sand dollars per annum, until the net profit of
such person, persons association shall be equal
to dividend of six per cent. per annurD, and
then not exceeding fifty thousand dollars per
annum, for twenty-five years. Provided, That
the government of Great Britain SHALL before or
at the same time, enter into a like contract for
the same purposes with the samep person, persons
or association, and upon terms of exact equality
with those stipulated BY the United States; and
provided that the tariff of prices for the use OF
such submarine communication by the pub,
lie, shall be fixed By the Secretary of the
Treasury of the United States and the govern
ment of Great Britain, or its authorized agent:
Provided further, That the United States and the
citizens thereof shall enjoy the use of the said
submarine telegraph communication, for all
time, on the same terms and conditions which
shall be stipulated in favor of the government
lof Great Britain, and the subjects thereof, re-
cognising equally ofrights among the citizens
of the United States in the use of said submar-
inc communication, and the lines of telegraph
which may at any time connect with the same,
or its terminus, upon the coast of New Found-
land, and in the United States, in any contract
so to be entered into by such persons, or assoc
citation, with that government. Provided fur
Their, That the contract to be made by the Brit
ish government shall not be different from that
already proposed by the government to the
New York, New Foundland and London Tele-
graph Company, except such provisions as may
be necessary to secure each government the
transmission of its own messages by its own
agents. and provided further, that it shall be in
the power of Congress, after ten years, to termi-
nate said contract upon giving one years no.
tice to the parties to such contract
After the bill was returned from the House to
the Senate with amendments strong effort
was made to defcatit, and during the absence of
several senators friendly toits passage, it was
only saved from defeat by one majority.
In a full Senate, however, there was clear
majority of to 10, and the bill finally passed
by acclalnation, and has received the sigma
ture ofthe President.