The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-07-16
THE MISSION OF MONSIEUR BELLY

| iNhhiAlo w ~
day by the steamer Persia, having completed
his arrangements in Central America fol
constructing ship canal from ocean TO
ocean. Much mystery has surrounded the
career of NJ. Belly since his arrival on this
continent. He has been represented, on the
one hand, as a diplomatic envoy from the
French Government, clothed with extensive
: powers TO treat with the Central American
States regarding the Transit route, French
proectorate and uffhirs generally in that
country; and, on the other, as the agent of n
French company WHO designed to open the
route as private speculation. The latter
turns cut to be the tree state of the case,
and n. Bd~Aeaetstss home 10 day to report
the success of his mission 10 his employers.
After Joe White obtained for the "Atlan-
tic and Pacific Steamship Canal Company"
now represented BY White, Stebbins g. Co.,
their canal charter from Nicaragua, it was
represented by that company that the con
struction of canal was impracticable, and
they obtained permission TO substitute rail-
road from the lake to the Pacific, with the
provision that the route was to be opened
! this month, which time has since been ex-
tended to next November twelvemonth. But
it appears that NJ. Belly made personal sur
vey of this route, and has reported to the
governments Of Nicaragua and Costa Rca
that the construction of canal is quite
practicable, and that a French company are
ready and provided with capital to put it
into immediate operation. On these assu-
RANGES he has received charter from both
governments to construct an nteroceanic Gu
nal. Joe Whites charter may possibly be an
obstruction to NJ. Bclly's plans, if he has not
succeeded in making some arrangement with
him.
1t is not intended, however, to confne the
profits of the speculation TO France. NJ.
Belly proposes that third of the stock
should be taken in the United States and a
third in England, if it should be desired in
the respective countries. Dl. Belley has just
been 10 Washington and explained his plans
to the Cabinet, and doubtless to the Central
American Ministers.
1t is singular coincidence that when Joe
White obtained his charter he went to Eu-
rope to look for funds to carry on the enter
prise, while the French rpeculators rely to n
certain extent on American capital and ener-
gy for the same purpose
While our New York operators in the
transit busincES- Commodore Vanderbilt,
Commodore Morgan, Commodore Garrison,
Commodore Webster, Comm modoIe Harris,
Commodore White, Commodore Allen, aud
all other commodOres-have been intriguing
and squabbling among themselves, Monsieur
Felix Belly has very quietly stepped in, Oh
tanned a canal charter from Costa Rica and |
Nicaragua and put it in his breeches pock- |
ct, buttoned it up, and goes home, with |
a feather in his hat, TO his friends hlillaud |
81 Company, of Paris. So much fo' the
smarlness of our wrangng commodores.
Let us hear from Joe White and Commo-
dore Vanderbilt
NEWSPAPER CoEvENTlOS.-The Augusta
(Ga.) Dispatch says Convention of the pub
fishers of the newspapers of Maine, was
in session at Augusta last week, TO devise
for the pecuniary advancement of
the newspapers Of the State. Most of the
newspapers Of the State were rep
resented.
AT the afternoon session of the first day,
a report from the Business Committee was
accepted, and resolutions adopted to estab-
ish fixed rates of advertising, looking for
The concurrence of the entire press Of the
State in the measures agreed upon.
We look upon these Conventions, as we
10 the Great Southern Commercial Conven-
lon, that in its conception was intended to
10 good, but in its progress has not only done
iarm to the section it was intended to bene-
it, but has been source of expense TO those
who, in attending them were Octuated by
,ure and honest motives. But few days
attendance convinced such that they were
TO the aims of political Ospirants,
md spending their own time and money fool
shly--wi.hout profit SO with publishers
# newspapers. 1t is true their labors are
rduous, and the ray doubtful, but it would
,e much better for all to stay at home, and
ONE to firm resolve, which is all they could
10 in convention, to let no paper 90 out of
heir office unless paid for in advance, and no
advertisement of transient persons should
ppear in their columns unless the cash was
orthcoming before its insertion, or good
nd approved reference given. This ar
nngement could be made by different ed-
ors in our principal cities better than by
Convention, where various interests would
70 represented, and the publishers would
nd, in the end that if they had done moth ,
ng more, they had saved their travelling ex-
enses, board bills, &c, !
.1g- Bernhise, the Mormon Delegate
rom Utah. publishes n card in the New York
apers, IT, which he prOnounces the reports
hat the Mormons are still preparing TO resist
he government troops, TO be false, and asks I
suspensions Of public opinion in regard to
he conduct of the Saints. We appIehend
hat public opinion would freely grant him
"a tis trika n susnpnsion bv their shirt col |