Smyrna times., 1865-09-06
Approved, July l, 1864.

Public No, I'LL
AN ACT TO encourage and facilitate telegraphc CON-
muncatlon between The eastern and western CONT.
nents
Whereas the Governments Of Russia and Great Bri-
tain having granted TO Perry MacDOn0ugh Collins a
citizen of the United SaIes The right and
MAINTAIN line OF electric Telegraph through their
Pecuve territories from the mouth Of the AmOOr river,
IN Asatle Russia by way of Behring's Strait and along
the Pacific coast 10 the northern boundary Of the UNI
ted STATES. with view OF thereby uniting the tele-
graphic systems Of roth continents and Of promoting
internal and commercial intercourse and whereas the
Government of Russia in lurherance Of that object
now constructing line OF telegraph AsiaIIc terri
tory to unite al the mouth of the AmOOr with the
line projected by said Collins; ana whereas the Gov
eminent OF the United Sisies desires cordially
operate with Russia and Great Britain in ihe establish
hOn; Now, therefore,
lie IL enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentdtiUes Of the United States of America Con-
gress assembled, That Perry MacDonough Collins,
Of California his associates and assgnees shall have
the right TO construct and MAINTAIN line Of lines Of
telegraph from any point points the line OF the
Pacific Telegraph. constructed in pursuance Of the
OF Congress approved June sixteen eighteen hundred
and sixty nOrhery, through any of the territories of
the United States 10 the boundaries Of British Amer
ca with such branch lines may be needed 10 open
communication with the various mining districts and
other settlements in said IertOres And for tho put
poses aforesaid the said Collins his associates and
signeers. shall have permanent right OF way any
unapprOprated lands Of the United States together
with the right to take any timber for
ton purposes and for the purpose OF establishing and
maintaining said lines aud the stations necessary for
the repair and working thereof there hereby grant
ed TO said parties the Of SO much unapprOpnaIed
pubic lands not sold, granted. reserved, pe-emped,
nor occupied by homestead settlers, may be
eny Tor stations, not exceeding forty for each
en miles OF line constructed the public lands
Co. e Cnued States so long The may be used
e.a, u purposes; Provided, however, That so much
OF section one Of this act as ,he
Vi eIegfaph lines 10 open communications with The
ning districts and other settlements in sal
territories shall be null and void unless said bTanch
lines shall be completed within live years from the o.
| prOval hereof. ~ F
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That in ordsr
to encourage and aid the construction of said line OF
telegraph beyond the limits Of the United States the
Secretary of The Navy is authorized detail for The
OF the surveys and sOunGings along that part of the
Pacific coast, both of America and Asia, where it il
proposed to establish said telegraph, one steam sail
ing vessel, IN his discretion, 10 assist in surveys and
sOnndlngs, laying down submerged cable and in trans
porting materials connected iherewiIh end generally
afford such assistance may be deemed hest calcu
lated 10 secure a successful promotion of The enIer
prise.
Sec. g. And be II further enacted. That the Govern
ment Of The United States shall at all times have prl
Ory in the of the line lines so far the sane
within lis territory, and shall have the right, wheT
authorized by law, to connect said line or lines BY
telegraph with any military posts OfIhe United States
and 10 the same for Government purposes. AnC
IN order to The same from injury by savages o
public business the Secretary OF War Is authorized II
direct the commanders Of the military districts or sta
tons and other officers acting under the authority o
the United aes IN the Territories traversed by sale
telegraph, to any available force al their comnant
to protect the Subject 10 the right OF prO use
by the Government, as aforesaid, said line or line
shall be at all times open the public and 10 any Olhe
telegraph company upon the payment OF the reguia
charges Tor transmission Ofdspa ches and all dispatch
es received shall be transmitted said line AM
lines IN the order Of their reception at the TELEGRAPH
ONCE and the answers to said dispatches shall be de
Nered TO such party may be directed by the sender
: Sec d. And be it further enacted, That the helte
TO accomplish the object OF this act namely, to pre-
j.. mote the public interest aud welfare by facaIin
international and commercial nterconrse between tn
A eastern and western continents the construction
said telegraph and keeping the same in working Ords
and secure 10 the Government at all times but pc
&c ticularly in nme Of war. the and benefits OF III
L same for diplomatic naval, military postal, CONNIE
cal and other purposes Congress may al any time I'D
(. 10, alter. amend or repeal lhIs act.
" Sec. s. And be IL further enacted, That the rate
charges for public private messages shall moi exces
- on said line the average usual rates in Europe ar
70 America for the service. such rates shall
i. nscerlaned and fxed by convention between Il
I'd limited States Russia and Great Britain: Provide
" THAT il shall not be lawful for the owners Office
v Of said telegraph line to make contract either dire.
ID y or through any intervening party or parties Tor