Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-06-25
The Tehuantepec Route.

Two or three days previous to the adournment 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 minister to Mexico, dated the 18th of July
1857 in which he says the value and importance of
railroad across the sthmus of Tehuantepcc can scarcely
be overlooked The prospect of the construction of the
road has now become brighter, because Mr. FalcOnnct
the ehuantcpCc Company, and the of the Garay
grant have united their interests and now seek to obtain
from the Mexican government such notifications in the
SOo grant as will the construction of the road
Such notifications be obtained and it is nfdenty
believed that sufficient capital energy, and enterprise
will be enlisted to accomplish the object. Messrs Ben
amn and Lie Sere will proceed to Mexico for that pur-
pose The chief drawback is the controversy between
Mr. SloO and the present company who, however, have
possession of the lsthhs and have been prosecuting the
work at considerable expense.
1t is hoped that the controversy will be amcabIy ad
uscd between the parties. Mr.. Forsyth instructed
on the account of Mcssrs. Benjamin and LIE Sere to
make known to the Mexican government their mission
and to give them such aid in its accomplishment hemay
deem advisable and cectua They may render themselves
useful to him (r Forsyth in obtaining the ceSsion of
territory from Mexico embraced by his Instructions and
if deemed necessary, Mr. Forsyth is authorised to en-
plOy their services Without intending td decide pos
tvey what are the rights of Mr. Falconnet which have
been recognised by the Mexican government he is in
struced to insist that the government shall extend
liar recognition to American citizen or company who
has purchased may purchase the same from or under
Faccnnet 1--WE cannot" Secretary Cass adds a
gree that any distinction shall be made in favor of Brit
sh subjects over American citizens Whatever may be
the conflict of claims, the people of the United States
demand that permanent right of way across the 18TH
mus shall be placed on the same treaty foundation"
Mr.. Forsyth, in writing to Secretary Cass the 9th
of September 1851 says that in respect to privileges
not much difficulty would have existed had he been
thorized to purchase them. He had previously soun-
ded the government and ascertaned that he could for
consideration, obtain concessions ample than
those contemplated in his Instruction. which would have
given the virtual protectorae and military occupation
of the transit to the United State. Mr. Forsyth says
that it will be perceived from copy OF the contract
which Messrs. Benjamin and LIE Sere concluded in the
form of grant to the Louisiana company that it is
neither in the shape nor in conformity with the terms
and conditions set forth in this letter of Instructions
He repeats that the public negotiation has not had so
happy issue as the private one with MesSrs. Bena
min and LIE Sere. While they go On basis with a
privilege more or less the government of the United
States gets nothing and lie fears loses somethngat all
events, time.
MIR. Forsyth addressing letter to the Mexican Min
lister for Foreign Affairs says that the Mexican govern
ment has declined to enter into treaty on basis o
certain concessions to the United States He has, there
ore nothing to do but to report to his government
He could he says demonstrate that Mexico can treat
with the United States in the spirit of the Tehuantepec
articles without depreciating her rights OF sovereignty