The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-14

resng subject, viz the right which this government msy
have 10 assess tonnage tax vessels entering the ports
Oh Aspnwai or Panama do not propose TO examine TINS
question al present in all It's bearings but shall remark
that the chief argument brought forward by the writer
oil the letter to show that this government has no such
right, Will not bear examination.
In 1885 law passed. by the Congress at Bogota
acting that for period OF twenty years there should be
tonnage dues claimed the ports situated n the Can
tons OF Panama ION the Pacic) and Portobeo Con the
Atlantic), and that this should take effect when
should exist communication by railway across the 18th
Hence the writer infers that since that law was
framed to induce capitalists to invest their money in
tabishlng railway communication from 10 ocean,
1t may be looked upon as part Of a contract
listing between the government Of New Granada and
the Panama Railroad Company, who have
Of the law viii not waste time in discussing this mat
ter under its different points of view The subject
upon which much might be said pro and con- but shall
content myself with quoting the nifty ninth article Of the
Panama Railroad contract
The controversies which may arise between the executive
especr Se ns or
or !nterprstason Of he Clauses which e@Sodss
o the laws OF the republic Of New. Granada. In no
fss s or sns s company aege privileges
il his contract nor shall the Be- admitted q any
he ssa A''e Legally
Thus you See upon what shallow grounds the argument
put forth rests since the Railroad Company claim
privilege which is not expressly conceded to them by
their contract with this government besidess Il
their right TO establish such claim admitted, the
matter would be decided upon by tho high tribunals Of
this country could the United States government in
tervene behalf of the Company
despatch of Mr. Perry, the British Consul at Panama,
that he also had taken the tonnage tax when in
1855 first established But the writer not TO
be that when Mr.. Perry referred the matter his
government to consult the bearing the of the law
1885 which considered by competent individuals
to have been then already abrogated he informed in
reply that the crown lawyers having been consulted on
the point their opinion tina! the Congress Of New
Granada could alone decide declare whether the
law of 1885 still in force in this republic need not
remark that between the opinion which the latter writer
endorses and that to which the lawyers Of England
have subscribed people in general will incline to the lat
ter Notwithstanding the didacc style which the former
when he quotes the author of the Commentaries
There is little of interest from the
South coast. The difficulties between Peru ana
Ecuador not YET settled. Guayaqun is under strict
blockade but the British mai. steamers allowed to
enter the river and TO land and receive passengers and
mails.
The valorous has been for than week San Juan
del Nore, with Sir William Ouseley and board.
Sir William was by the last news suffering from fever;
he is expected TO arrive at Aspnwal within day two,
by the British mail steamer and will proceed Nicara
qua from this port The Alert leaves to for the
Mexican coast The Vixen will probably receive orders
repair to Guayaqu it is, therefore, very likely that Sir
William Ouseley will avail himself Of the railroad steamer
Columbus 10 reach his destination.