The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-17
THE IEHUANTEPEC ROUTE.

Two three days previous to the adjournment Of the
late session of Congress- the President transmitted to the
Senate of documents relating to this route to the
Pacific ocean, containing the instructions of Secretary
Cass to our minister to Mexico dated the 18th of July
1857 in which he says that the value and importance of
Ylroad across the Isthmus of Tcuantepec scarcely
be over estimated The prospect of the construction of
the road has become brighter because Mr.. Falcon
net the Tehuantepec Company and the owners of the
(aray grant have united their interests and seek
obtain from the Mexican government such notifications
in the Soo grant will the construction Of the
road Such notifications DO obtained, and 1t Ia
fdenty believed that sufficient capital energy and
tcrprse will BIO enlisted to accomplish the object Messrs
Benjamin and lie Scre viii proceed to Mexico for that
purpose The chief drawback is the controversy between
Mr. Soo and the present company, who, however, have
possession Of the sthms and have been prosecuting The
work at considerable expense t
It 10 hoped that tho controversy will be amcably adj
justed between the parties Mr. Forsyth ia instructed
the account Of Messr Benjamin and La Sere make
known to the Mexican government their mission and to
give them such aid in its accomplishment he may deem
advisable and elfectnal They may render themselves
useful to him Mr Fosy Thy In obtaining the ccssion of
territory from Mexico embraced by s instructions anl
if deemed necessary Mr. Forsyth il authorized to employ
their services Without intending to decide positively
what the rights of Mr. Falconnet which have been
recognised by the Mexican government he Is instructed
to insist that that government shall extend similar rec
ignition to any American citizen company who has
purchased may purchase, the from under Fail
comet. 1--WE cannot, Secretary Cass adds agree that
American citizens. Whatever may be the conflict
of claims the people of the United States demand that
permanent right Of way the sthmus shall be placed
the same treaty foundation"
Mr. Forsyth, in writing to Secretary Cass the 10Th
Of September 1851, says that in respect TO privileges
not much difficulty would have existed had he been
horized to purchase them He had previously sounded
the government, and ascertaned that he could for
consideration, obtain concessions ample than
those contemplated in his instruction, which would have
given the virtual proectorate and military occupation of
the transit to the United States Mr. Forsyth says that
1t will he perceived from copy of the contract which
Messrs Benjamin and La Sere concluded in the form of
grant to the Louisiana company that 1t is neither in the
shape conformity with the terms and conditions
set forth in this letter of instructions lie repeats that
the public negotiation has not had happy issue
the private with Messrs. Benjamin and la Sere
While they go bass with privilege, less
the government OF the United States gets nothing and
he fears loses something at all events, time.
Mr. Forsyth, addressing letter to the Mexican Min
lister for Foreign Affairs says that the Mexican govern
nlsnt has declined to enter into treaty basis Of
certain concessions to the United States He has, there
FORE nothing to do but to report to hsgovernmcnt He
could he says demonstrate that Mexico treat with
the United States in the spirit Of the Tchuantepec at
cles, without deprecating her rights Of sovereignty
correspondent Of the Newark Advertiser furnishes
f,aC foil oxyin ~ into