The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-18
CANAL TOLLS.


Extracts From Two Messages OF Presi
| dent Zachary Taylor.
To THE EDITOR OF THE suN-str: Fol-
the consideration of Sun readers looking
up matter relating to the Congressiona
debate over the Panama Canal tolls. the
| following extracts from the message Of
President Zachary Taylor to the Senate
OF the United States. April 20, 1850, are
offered:
To the Senate Of the United States;
| I herewith transmit to the senate. fos
| their advice with regard to Its ratification. q
| convention Between the United states and
Great Brj'a'n. concluded at washington on
! the 18th instant by John NJ Clayton. Sec
rotary OF State. on the part OF the United
States, and by the Right Hon. Sir Henry
Lytton Bulwer. on the part OF Great Britain.
This treaty has been negotiated IN accord
ance with the general Views Expressed In my
message to Congress in December last. It's
object IL to establish q commercial alliance
with all great maritime states for tho pro.
lection Of q contemplated ship canal through
the territory Of Nicaragua to connect the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. and at the
same time to insure the same protection to
the contemplated railways or canals by the
Tehuantepec and Panama routes a. we'll
m to every other interoceanic communica-
tion which may be adopted to shorten the
transit to from our territories on the
fed. 1t will secure in future the liberation
OF all Central America from any kind Of
foreign aggression. The principles
by which ] have been regulated In the nsGo-
tiation OF this treaty are in accordance with
the sentiments we'll expressed by my imme-
dists predecessor on the 10th Of February.
1887. when he communicated to the Senate
the treaty with New Granada for the pro.
lection OF the railroad at Panama. II II
In accordance with the whole spirit Of the
resolution of the Senate Of the "a of
March, 1885. referred to by President Polk.
and with the policy adopted BY Presi-
dent jackson Immediately after the passage
OF that resolution. who despatched an
agent to Central America and New Granada
ITO open negotiation with those Govern
ments for the purpose OF enectually pro-
tecting. by suitable treaty s;ipulations with
them. such individuals or companies ss
might undertake to open communicat ion
between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
by the construction Of q ship canal across
the !sthmus which connects North and
South America. and OF securing forever by
such rtipulations the free and equal right
OF navigating such canal to all such ma
tons on the payment OF such reasonable
tolls as might be established to compensate
the capitalists who should engage In such
undertaking and complete the work" . .
i also communicate herewith "A CODY OF
tho correspondence between the American
Secretary OF State and the British pienipo-
Tertiary at the time of concluding the treaty.
Whatever honor may be due to the party
first proposing such a treaty justly belongs
to the United States.
The message ito Congress in December
last referred to by President Taylor IL
dated December 4. 1Si9. and from II the
following is quoted
A contract having been concluded with
the state of Nicaragua by a company COM
posed of American citizens for the purpose
OF constructing ship canal through the
territory OF that State to connect the Allan
tic and Pacific Oceans. I have directed the
negotiation Of treaty with Nicaragua
pledging both Governments to protect those
who shall engage In and perfec, the work
All other nations are invited by the state
or Nicaragua TO enter into the same treaty
stipulations with her; and the benent to be
derived by each from such an arrangement
will be the protection of this great inter
oceanic communication against any Power
which might seek to obstruct IL or to mo-
nopolize Its advantages All States entering
Into such "A treaty will enjoy the right of
passage through the canal payment OF
the same tolls The work. II constructed
under these guarantees will become a bond
Of peace instead OF subject of contention
ana strife between tho nations OF the earth.
Should the great maritime States OF Europe
consent TO this arrangement. and we have
no reason to suppose that proposition so
fair and honorable will be opposed by any
the energies OF their people and ours will
cooperate In promoting tho success Of the
enterprise.
Should such a work be constructed under
the common protection OF all nations. for
equal benefits to all, 1t would be neither
Just nor expedient that any great maritime
State should command the communication.
The territory through which the canal may
he aI
OF any foreign Power. No such Power
should occupy n position that would enable
II hereafter TO exercise so controlling an In
fuence over the commerce of the world or
to obstruct highway which ought to be
dedicated to the common uses OF mankind.
The routes across the Is,hmus OF Tehuan-
tepec and Panama are also worthy OF our
serious consideration. They did not fai, TO
engage the attention OF my predecessor The
negotiator or the treaty OF Guadalupe HI
dalgo was instructed 90 offer very large
sum OF money for the right OF transit across
the lsthmus Of Tehuantepec. The Mexican
Government did not accede TO the PROPOSE
tion for tho purchase OF the right OF way
probably because II had already contracted
with private individuals for the construc-
tion Of passage from the Guasacualco
River to Tehuantepec. shall not renew
any proposition to purchase for money a
right which ought TO be equally secured to
all nations on payment OF a reasonable toll
TO the owners OF the Improvement.
Under the varied conditions surrounding
the proposition of interoceanic canals dur
Ing the administrations OF President Tay-
Tor and his predecessors. does II not APP
pear that one purpose stands out clearly.
namely that in all events an equality In
tolls should exist; that the builders, who
ever they might be, were TO build under
such provisions? J.
NEW YoRK AorIl ~
The Parcel Post and the Railroads.