Page:Stryker's American Register and Magazine, Volume 6, 1851.djvu/528

522 this commerce at some point in the Bay of San Francisco, (where must necessarily be located the depot on the Pacific) and the extension of our intercourse with the Asiatic nations, would be to hasten the adoption of some practicable plan for connecting the two oceans by a railroad across the continent; thus binding together two widely separated members of our confederacy, not only by the moral influence of the same constitution and laws, but by another link in that vast system of improvement by which the common welfare is to be so greatly promoted, and by which alone, the remote State of California, and the co-terminous possessions of the United States can be brought into those easy and intimate relations, and that constant intercourse, which ought to subsist between all parts of the same Government. The Committee forbear to express in connection with this subject, any opinion upon the particular projects which have been submitted to Congress for an overland communication with the Pacific, regarding them all as calculated to advance an object second to no other in importance to this country, and intended to secure the completion of an enterprise, which besides affording extraordinary advantages to agricultural, and manufacturing, and other great pursuits, is destined also to contribute its mighty influence towards a revolution in the commerce of the world.

The presence of so large a number of armed ships, appearing in quick succession, though in the peaceful pursuits of commerce, will give constant and efficient protection to American rights and interests at all points on the Pacific, and on the coast of China. Serving in this respect all the purposes of cruisers, they will enable the Government to reduce the naval forces employed on that unhealthy section, and to use them more advantageously in other quarters of the globe.

The plan proposed seems to be recommended by economy and by the highest considerations of public policy.

The inducement offered the contractor by the Government, is, the issue of scrip to be applied to the construction of the vessels, and the privilege accorded him of securing such compensation for mail matter transported as would by law accrue to the Government as postage. This latter privilege to continue only so. long as the Government may permit. The agreement to issue scrip deserves, and it has received, the most careful examination.

By an existing law, it is provided, that when Congress shall direct an increase of the Navy, by the addition of Steamers, the President shall have authority in his discretion, to cause them to be built by contract with individuals, or at the public Navy Yards. In all cases of construction by contract with individuals, the responsibility of the contractor terminates when his work is finished, and the stipulated price has been received. The interest of the Government and that of the contractor are in conflict from the date of the contract.

The contracts for the transportation of the foreign mails heretofore made by the Government have all provided for the payment of an annual compensation to the contractors as mail carriers; but the principal object was, without doubt, to secure by this means, steamships for the navy in case of emergency. In all these contracts Congress has found it neces-