Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-02-03
[PuBLio-No. I'LL

=
I'm continents.
Y hereas the Governments Of Russia and Great
bin have granted to Perry MaeDonough Col
citizen Of the Ulited States, the right to
1aptiHrnot and maintain line Of electric tele-
graph through their respective territories from
the mouth of.ihe Amoor river, in Asiato Russia,
BY way OF Behring's Strait aud along the Pacific
coast TO the northern boundary OF the United
States with view Of thereby uniting the tele-
graphc systems Of both continents and Of pro-
noting international and commercial inter
oaurse and where the Government Of Russia,
in iurtherance Of that object is now constructing
q line Of telegraph through its Asiatic territory
TO unite at the mouth Of the Amoor river with
the line projected by said Colhnsi and whereas
tho Government of the United States desires
cordially to cooperate with Russia and Great
Britain in the establishment and maintenance Of
such line Of communication; Now, there
fore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives Of the United States Of America
in Congress assembled, That Perry Marlborough
Collins, Of California, his associates and assign.
res, shall have the right to construct and main
tain line or lines Of telegraph from any point
or points on the line of the Pacific telegraph,
constructed in pursuance Of the acl Of Congress
approved June sixteen, eighteen hundred and
sixty, northerly through any Of the territories
OF the United States to the boundaries Of British
America, with such branch lines as may be need
ed to open communication with the various nil
ming districts and other settlements in said ter-
ritories. And for the purposes aforesaid, the
said Collins, his associates and assignees, shall
have permanent right Of way over any unap-
propriated public lands Of the United States,
together with the right to take any timber and
stone for construction purposes aud for the
purpose of establishing and maintaining said
haes and the stations necessary for therepair and
working thereof, there is hereby granted to said
parties the euse Of &c much unappropriated pub
lie nnds, not sold, granted, reserved, pre-enpted
nor occupied by homestead settlers, as may be
necessary for stations, not exceeding forty acres
tor each fifteen miles Of line constructed across
the public lands Of the United States, so long as
the same may be used for said purposes: Pro-
Vided, h0Weger, That so much Of section one Of
this act as authorizes the construction Of tele-
graph lines TO open communications with the
various mining districts and other settlements
in said territories shah be null and void unless
said branch lines shall be completed within five
years from the approval hereof
Sec. 2 And be it further enacted, That in
order to encourage and aid the construction OF
said line of telegraph beyond the limits Of the
United States. the Secretary Of the Navy is au-
thoriZed to detail for the use Of the surveys and
aonndinga along that portion Of the Pacific coast
both Of America and Asia, where it is proposed
co establish said telegraph, one steam or sailing
vessel, in his discretion, TO assist 10 surveys and
soundings, laying down submerged cable, and il
transporting materials connected Herewith, and
generally afford such assistance as may he deem
ed best calculated 10 secure q successful pro
motion Of the enterprise.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted That the
Government Of the United States shall, OF all
times, have priority in the use of the line or lines
80 far as the same are within it's territory, and
shall have the right, when authorized by Law
to connect said line or lines by telegraph with
nny military posts Of the United States and tC
use the same for Government purposes. And il
order to secure the same from injury by savagel
other evil disposed persons to the interruption
Of the public business the Secretary OF War il
authorized 10 direct the commanders of the mil.
itary dis ricts OF stations and other officers act
Jog under authority Of the United States in th
Territories travereOd by said telegraph, TO ns
any available force OF their command TO protec
the same. Subject to the right of prior use b.
the Government es aforesaid, said line or line
shall be at oil times open to the public and 1
any other telegraph company upon the paymen
OF the regular charges for transmission Of de
spatches, and all dispatches received shall b.
traF smtted over said line and lines in the orde
gf tigir reception at the telegraph ofiue and
the answers TO said dispatches shall be deliv
cred to euch parties as may be directed by tn
sender.
Sec 4. And be it further enacted, That th
better to accomplish the object of this act, name
ly, to promote the public interest and welfare
by facilitating International and commercial in
tercourse between the eastern and western con.
tinents in the construction of said telegraph, an,
keeping the same in working order, and to Sc
cure to the Government at al times, but partic
ularly in time Of war, the use and benefits Of th
same for diplomatic, naval, military, postal
commercial and other purposes, Congress- ma
at any time add to, alter, amend or repeal thi
act.
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That th
rate Of charges for public or private message
shall not exceed on said line the average usua
in Europe and America for the snme service, 0
such rates as shall be ascertained and 6xed b,
70 convention between the United States, Russ
aad Great Britain; Provided, That it shall no
he lawful for the owners OF officers Of said tele
graph line to make any contract, either direct
OF through any intervening party or parties, 70
the transmission Of dispatches for any newspa
per or newspaper association upon terms difer
ont from those open to the enjoyment Of ali othe
newspapers or newspaper associations.
Approved July l, 1864.