The New York Herald Newspaper, June 16, 1853, Page 2

Louis. This wever, is su) St. cheme, Ss ‘and probably it will never Mr. Benton, ty Ree 7 in the convention, while on the other hand the Central has strong. supporters from nearly every State, and will be pushed forward by private fue we of polar ncaa on t and advan'ages bh sible te celoulste. It immediatel. arieston, Balin ent Danie the great ‘us (as one of its Datural consequan- sei caeectng one Pint Sheet of the South, which 4s to receive its & ‘of cemmerce at the expense of New York. By opening thé avenues of trads, it stimulates in @ustry and agricultsral ba-gsy emigration pours into our Western coma, and in less time than it takes to ‘construct this rows, Our nation will have doubled its ex- Ports, Commerce immediately wi'l open the gues which Row, on aceouat of Cistance, lock in the riches of the Indias; rom San Francisco ber hands will je most distant reas, her steaiers will line ‘he shores of the Pacific, creatiog a eontinual &mand for the coal of our Eastern States, and By this coisumption, turving those inexhaustible beds pany mines of gold. Mapufactories will spring in erry portion of our land. The thousand cataracts ‘new idly bound slovg our streams will be made the the more progressi 2p bern yy profitable agents of labor, and the noise of | their waters will be hushed in the hum of the spindle aud | ‘and the voices of industrious thonsaads. The | er raster hemisphere will be the consumer of our | proinctions. The waters of La Plata and the Amazon will | fic upon their bosoms our golden barvests, and yield, 4s retura, the jewels which stud their shores.’ The grand results to spring from a couneetion of our Eastern and Western shores, expand as we coatemolate them, and the many avenues of national ad prosperity sbieh continually open to us, while we thus refieet, wug- t the belief that, as a mation, in comparison to our ture destiny, we are yet young indeed. UNION. FIRST DAY. MORNING SESSION. The Southern and Western Commercial Convention, whieh adjourned from Baltimore in December last, to mew in this city, commenced its session on the moraing of the 6th inst., at 10 o’clock, in the great hall of the Ex- ebange Buildings. There were over one thousand delegates present, which jw only a small portion of the delegates and strangers mow in Memphis. ‘The following is a list of those who were in attead- ance on the first day — ARKANSAS—D. B. Groer, J. F. Fagan, E. H English. C. A. Cunningham, W. RK. Honter. A. H. Davin, Jesse a. Jack- gon, Geo. W. Underhill, R. W. Johnson, R on, MD. W. D. Ferguson, E. Worthington, W. Tump. Oswald Popo, 8. Mitchell, A. ©. Tappan, J.C, Duncan, J. A. Johnson, Sam. on, J. Thompson, R. : her. H. P A. H. Rutherford, J. S. ek. J’M. MeClandy, D. P. Hu hes, J. M- Rouken, Dr. Walsh, D.C. Cross, E. Joues, L. Lauler, J. MeGavock, HL A, Philips, Mr, Buckner, W. D. Jones, J. 1 Finley, ©: | ‘W. Campbell, C. C. Aiken, H. Griith, J’ B. Dewitt, a. J. | Dewitt. —James H. Yerger, H. C. Adams, C. L Ro- * ROH. Daltot A.B. Bradford, R. W. . Wm Finley, 8. L. Galloway, B. B. Wright, J.C. Jamison’ GH. Mitchell, J Hackleton, H. Williamson, H. Hare . Caruthers, Leroy Sims, B.A Tho G, Waite, Turner Bradley, J. 8. By y. C. Smet Viok, R. H. Cramp, B. F. Hendvrson, ND. © K. Marshall, Watts, H W. Bowen, ‘oleman, Wirt Adams, Geo. Fearn, A 4G. Carte! L McConnell, Thos. Righey, J. Lewis, A i, J. | Hudson, K. Prophet, fun. H.S. Foote J Hardeman, W Warren, W. | Davis, G. P. F ., Danfeld, ©. | ©. Clark, Wadi MT. Nash, 'P. Poindex: | CW. Rox Melos, J. J. Word. | bam, Jno. Kobe: M. White, F.Honder- | | son, Jno. Murdock, Mr. C! B. LC. Wales, W. F. Av W. H. McCargo. Missovni—James H. Lucas, L. M. Kennett, A, B. Cham- . F. B. Blair, Jr, 1. F. Perceli, H. Cobb, P. V. Valle, J. E. Elder, 7. B. Hodson, P. Biand, A. H. oaceewood, Mr. Day, EM Ryland: Ht. C Hodges. W. Konshaw, Jr, J.J. Harrell, John A. Kaveon, Jas, Woods, Alex Kayser, J. Cannon, F. W. Do Kertzon, ns Tennesser—M A. Haynes, J.M. Lea, S. L. Gannaway, Mr. Humphries, John W: Camps Chester, W. dchn W Boon J. R. Mosby,” H. J. awit Morreile, &. J. ‘anon, C. R. P. 8, Wo. Doverty, J. M. Alexander, J. iame TF. Pelton, ifon. John Bell, 8. J.B. Wolte. ‘ jaey D. B. Turner, Witliam H. | W f. Burr, C. Denby, A. E, Mills, Jas. R. MP. B.Y. Kiok, A. Cristy, ll. L. Sloan, J. Bridges. | Lovisiana- J. W." Breodlove, J.C. Goodrich, J. Craig | Martyn, S. Andrews, S. W. Oakey. Jolin Moors, V. Harman, | © R. Wheat, J orter msden, Alex. Walker, | J. 8, Thrasher, A Capt. Quaiew, Mr. Jordan, | J.B. Leck, J.B. Bemis, . Wilson, F. Walker, L. W: | Hnlivg, J. ' WP. MeG | } | | Pratt, Lewis J. Lenegan J. Lane, wil pax, W. C. Young. c. Daweon, K. A. S. Atkinson, &. G °c | etwick, A. J. Borders, E. P. Daniels, Jno, 2. Stell, Oeta- | Vins Cohen, A. R. Lawton, J. P. Scriven. | Kextucky—L. b. Robineo: Seymour, William L. Vance, Judge R. Apporson, W Watkins, Wiilism Lo- | n, Francis Roulhac, John joward, W. C. Ford. Georze ©. den. At the opening of the Convention, we noticed Senator Eel, of Tennessee; (oy. Foote, of Mississippi; Ex-Gov, Quitmen, of that State, Hon Robt, Johnson, of Arkan: Gen. Kemucan Hont, of Texas, and many others waose Bames are yell known throughout the leagth and breadth | of our Union. | Major Jas Pewx, of Tennessee. Chairman of the Con- mitiee of Arrangements eppomted by the President of | the late Baltimore Convention, in accordance #ith 2 reso- Jation adopted by that body, called the ussemblage to order, and after a few iotroduciory remarks, introduced the Rt. Rey. James H O:ey, who oflered up a prayer, ‘At the close of the prayer, Mr. Puww, the temporary President, introduced the Hon W. C. Dawson, of | Georgia. to the meetin ita presiding officer, with the | foliowing remarks in Decensber last this Convention | met in Baltimore, and to preside over the cehberatioas or ‘this body at that time was elected W.C. Dawson. Ac- cording to the rules whieh govern cases of this kind, Mr. Dawson is now the presiding officer of this Conyeution, and I now invire him to the chair.” Mr. Dawson rose. and, in reply io the invitation ex- tended io bim said:—‘The President of the late Baiti- more Convention elaims uo right to the chair to-day. This is a convention composed in the main of geutlemen | who did not attend or belong to the meeting at Baltimore, | and therefore I Lave no right to the position of acting as ‘the presiding officer of this body.” Gen. FouTe—I rise for the purposeof making a motion, whieh I know will meet with the approval of this meet: ing. It is that W. C. Dawson be elected by acclamation, the President of this convention. | This mojien was unanimously carried when Mr. Penn | appointed Messrs. Le Roy Pope, John Bell, and 3ishop James H. Otey a committee to conduct the President elect to the chair, The Presdent then delivered the | following ad¢res: Gentlemen of the Convention of the South and West— honored by this exhibition of your confidence and | | | attention, unexpecced as it isto me. As tha President | of this Convention, I will only say I will try to discharge the duties of this position faithfully and impartially, with the main object in view for which this Coavention has bewm = "4" As the Prevident of ths lave Bultiaore Convention, Ishouli say a few words before T enter vron | the duties of the chaic assigned me. I am a sestijaal | man. (Applauee.) Perhaps it may be my duty to say | to you, as i was one of the individuals who sided incall. | img the Baltimore Convention, that in making that call! | war governed by no motives inconsistent with the nar. movy of this great purpose I hsye seen for years thet | the land which gave me birth nad been deprived of her just rights, and bence it was that I became energetic in ‘Sceowplisiiing the purposes of this Convention, for the | benefit of my country. The wants of the Southwest, commercially, have long been the subject of converse: tion. and, in some of the States, disenselons ce the call of the Convention held in Baltimore in December lavt, and the Chamber of Commerce of that Monumestal City | should ever be remembered for the spirit nal energy with which rhe has claimed for the West aud South their je equal, and natural distribution of the exports acd ports of this great and glorious country—and here. we s.and to-day on the bank of the Great Father of Waters, | perbape on the _ which may become one of the great crossing pointe 0! jis magnificent river for the magoi- | fieent railroad which shall unite ths rs of the Pacitie avd the Atlentic, and which will harmonize and frater- nize the people of this mighty confederacy by iron bars, from ocean to ocean. On that spot we are now to hold eur ccuncil—to investigate and discuss the important interests of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, wneh of which has been pre-wuted to the world by the Baltimore Convention, in that admirable paper submitted the Chamber of Commerce of that city, and the pub- 16d proceedings of that convention. This convention is for no unjuat.unfair, sectarian or un- constitutional pur pose—in oppoxtion to no geogranbical interest —bot to examine into plain and admitted rights Hany reemirg sectional untagonistn appens, the reply ia, we are members of one family, children of the «ame mo. ther, only younger than our elders, by one statute of distribution—the constitution of the United States—ea titled to the «ame rights: an equal share af the same heritage. We claim nothing mere—scarcely thar ; ark notbing more, and would not, if we could, take anytbing more. We know our blessings, as a | family, have been abundant, and that we have lived in plevty and prosperity upon what we have received bat now we are growing up—our wanta have increased, and posterity bas claims we should regard. In other words, we desire to improve our domain, to improve our wars, to reguiate our family intercourse, to transact our own business, snd not to trouble our sisters in manag- ing our own affairs, or strangers. We are here to» cer- in how we can best manage our heritage, to develope the resources and fulfil the duties iseunbdent apou us. Our sgricultural interests first demand our serious at- tention. How shall we develope best ite resources? Let us look at the great West, the Valley of the Mississippi draining at least 1,250,000 square niles, the Soath, and those lands bordering on the Atlantic and the Gulf ; let Us examine the present productions of these immense | territories. and capability when fully developed The centemplation is wonderful. What a surplus of productions is presented! And then the question arises, ntlemen, where shail this immense surpins of produce | cousumed? These questions are before you, and there questions murt be answered. What are we t» do? | We murt examine into our highways, and -o¢ what im- Provemerts are necessary; and if we find them not euffi- @ient to carry off our surplus protnctions, we murt pro- | vide artificial means for #0 doing Then we are next to | ascertain hewpest and best mean: carry our ur- productions to our eonsumers, at to necortain | points on the Atlantic, within our own sestion of @euntry, to whieh this should be directed. The qmestion then occurs, w: it not enoou o 4~ eulture if the planter tet of hie aw Productions? shonll be the expo-ter of his own And if po, should their exportations not | appe! | commitice contemplated in Colovel Oakley | dred millions of dollars? T ea) own ports? Could not the planter intermediate agency which heavily productions, and of course dimin- iahes his receipts? Many of you, gentlemen, are plaaters, and upderstacd your Own interest, and will no dor ursue it. . PYOur commercial, next to our agricultural intere will be the subject of your action The polley of » di trade is before ‘and was the main question of Baltimore Convent Would it not be wise to encou- rage Our commercial men to export our productions and import foreign supplies directly from aad to our own porte? I thik the laws of trade will regulate this, but ‘not until we improve the facilities for the transporta- tion of our products to our own ports and harbors, and cause those ports and harbors to be improved. And for this purpore our attention should be directed to the pro- priety of claiming of the general government such ap- propriations as way be necessary to remove all odstruc- tions at the moath of the Misslasippi—the great outlet of the West and Seuthweet—and in’ the other porte of the ‘Ailantic and the Gulf. To encoursge commerce. wail facilities, iromigration, lines of stewmers, should be os- tablished between our chief ports, South America, and Europe; and for this purpose the South and West should ark from the general governmest the same aid which bas been granted to certain companies in our Norther ports, The important subject of encouraging manufac- tures is legitimately before us, acd the proposidon will no doubt be considered, whet means shall be adopted as best calculated to stimulate our people to make invest ments tn this great source of rational prosperity, and thereby produce a division of labor, which will encourage agriculture and increase our population, and remove much of our dependence upon other States and nations. Can we not, gentlemen, increase our wealth aad inde- pendence by judicious organizations of the means which a kind Providence has placed possesion of? Shall slumber longer? Certainly not. Let ns develope our beautiful and unequalled inheri‘ance—devote oar energies to the expansica of our agriculture, oar com- merce, apd our manufactures—promote indust:y—ea- courage our people to the education of their children at home, with the wealth we now expend abroad—retain aad erect school houses, acaéemies, colleges, and churches, at home. suitable to all our cecessities—establish presses to sustain our interests and our policy, our t confe- deracy, and the cepstitutioual rights of the let as unite harmoniously to secure our own comm: ad industrial importance, avd patrioticaliy ead in construct- ing the gteat work of the age aud the world, the Pacifs and Atlautic Railroad, with sneb brancbes as commerce and agriculture ay demand. With no sectional feelings, but with a view to benefit our country and posterity, let us proceed to the consummation of the work which we have pow commenced. It was then moved and carried that the delegation from each State retire by themselves, and select their own Vice Presidents. On motion of H. G. Surm, Esq., J. P. Pryor was elect- 3 £ ed temporary Secretary. The delegations then reported aa follows upon the elec- tion of the Vice Presidents and Secretaries :—Marylani Henry Mankin, Vice President; W. Prescott Smith, Assia. tant Secretary. Arkansas--Flon. G. W. Underhill, Vice President, , Assivtant Secretary. Tennessee —Hon. John Bell, Vice’ President; Col. JT Trezevant, Assistant Secretary. Missouri—K. M_ Ryland, Vice Presi dent; H. Cobb, Asiistant Secretary. Mississippi—Gen J. A. Quitman, Vice President; J. 5. “Byrne, Assistan’ tary. Alsbana—Dr. J Shackelford. Vice Preside: McAJpin, Assistant Vice President; Charles Deady, Assis- taut Secretary. Texac—tien. M.’ Hunt, Vice President; Wm. W. Wheatley, Assistant Seeretary. Louisiana—Hon. John Moore, Vice President; J. B. Laefe, Assistant Secre- tary. Georgia—Dr James B. Seriven, Vice President; R, A. L. Atkinson, Assistant ecretary. South Carolina— Hon. Mr. Browning, Vice President; ——, Assis- tent Secretary. ‘The Rey. Mr. Marcyars of Miss., offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted :— Resolved, That the editors of the press, and reporters, who are present, and desire to report the proceedings of this Convention, be Invited to take their seats at the Secretary's able. ‘Ou motion, the Rev. C. K. Marshall, of Miss., was then vpanimously elected Chief Secretary of the Convention. After which, it was Moved by Gen. P. B. Srarxe, of Miss., that the rales of the House of Representatives of the United States govern this body in its deliberations. This was also unani- mously adopted. Gov. Foors then moved the following, which was car- ried:—That the Vice /’re: idents be appointed a committee to report how the vote of thie Convention shall be taken. On motion of Mr. Trezevayt, Col. C. D MeLean was unanimourly elected Marsbal of the Convention. On motion of Mr. Hanr, the Convention then adjourned till 4 o'clock P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. The Convertion was called to order in the afterncen at 4o0’clock, by the President, when the Hon. Joux Buti, on behalf of the Committee of Vice Presidents, who were in- structed in the forenoon to report as to the manner in ch the vote of the teres should be taken, offered the following resoluti Resolved, That on all Convention, the vote. sha sented casting one vote. There beirg no dissent, the report of the committee was declared accepted Col. Oakey, of Louisiana, then moved that a general committee be appointed from the delegates of euch State, for the purpose cf presenting to the Convention what subjects it shsii act upou, and the order in which euch subjects shall be taken up. After some little di-cassion, this matter was carried. J.S. Byane, Esq , of Mississippi, moved that the ehait ‘& commitice of three to 1ake coarge of the print ing of the Convention: which being carried, the chair announced that ruch committee would be appointed ie the morning. The Convention thea took a recess of five minutes, that the deleyates from the diferent States might elect resolution, estions which may arise in this 1 be by States, each State repre- ort of this committee was as fol L. Troost and GP Beirn bis—C. G Baylor. Kent -W. D. Vanee ocd L, L.Pobinson. Georgia—J. L. Steel and 4. R. Lawton, South Carolina—A. T. Browning and Kdward Sebring, Texar—Mr. Young and Sir. Peacock. Tecnessee: Topp and W. Williams. Virginia—Charles Ellis. Lonisi« ane—Mr, [emies and Mr. Douglass. Mississiippi—W. C. Smedes and J. W. Clapp. Missouri—L M Kennett and F. P. Biair, jr —Hamilton Swith, Arkansas— Colcrel 4, Fowler jon Mr. Mayson On motion, Mr, Hamilton Smith, of Indiana, was elect- €d ous of the Vice Presidents of the Conventien. L M. Kenverr, Feq., of St Louie, then suggested that inasmuch ay there was no important business before the Louse, and as he undersiood that Gov, Foot was then in the house, bu* intended soon to return home, that the Governor be invited, through the chair, to addrress the convention upon the general objects for which it was convened. This was oppored, on the ground that a com- mittee bad slresdy been appointed to declare what mat. ters could legitimately come before the house for dincus- sion. On motion of Mr. Bavior. of the District of Columbia, the committee on the preparation of busicess retired to deliberate After this committees had retired, there were loud calls frow: all parta of the hou e for Gov. Foote. ‘This distin- guisbed gen’ leman, by invitation, came upon the stand, and made the following apology for not complying with the wishes of the meeting:— I re you, gentlemen, Tam truly grateful for this unexpected wanifestation of your esteem. I came here to witness your proceedings, and this call is something I had not lovked for. Iam engaged in duties across the liner, which new eecupy my astention, and which I deem important to the country: Were | to undertake to ad- diese you, I am sure I -hou'd disappoint you, and fall far below the dignity of the ceca-ion I nevertheless re turn to you wy mort sincere thanks for your kiadae-s, and ask you to allow me to decline the honor of accepting the izvitation to address this convention. The meeting then adjourned. SECOND DAY Mexrms, June 7, 18! MORNING SESSION. The great Convention assembled th's morming at 9 o'clock, axd immediately proceeded to busivers. The pre- fence of a great pumber of ladies to ay tended to en- bance vhe interest of the proceedings. The room was crowded to overflowing, and hundreds were unable to ob | tain admission, It appears that already somo hostile ex hibitions have been made between delogates from different rections, which filled some present with serious appre hension for the result of the convention. ‘The meeting was called to order by the President, when the Secretary read the mioutes of the previous meeting, which were adopted. ‘Tho Preemest then announced that in covformity with # resolution paseod yesterday, he bad appointed R. Topp, of Tenn., A 1, Bradford, of Miss., nnd A. Walker, of La. the Committee on Printing. As the next business in order, the Crarmaay called for the report of the committee appointed yosterday, to de cide upon the subjects w be brought before the convention. Mr. Punsert, of Miss., raid the committee had not yet accomplished anything, through their ignorasce of the powers Celegated to them, and therefore be moved that the delegates be called by States, to present the proposi tions snd iesolutiont which they intended to bring before | the houre. Col. Oxey said that as Mr. Pursell was not a member of the Generai Committee he had no righ to respond to the call made for the report of that committee, The com mittee was still in session, and wonid report as soon as they bad terminated their deliberations. The Hen Moons, of La., then offered the following resolutions -— Resolved, That the constenction of a railroad direct from the Miericeippi river to the Pacifie ocean will bo one of the | and practical means of promoting and socur- Southern and Wertern Stuter w due share ef tho ! 4 Stater #8 has the power to m to aid int t 53, stipulate like 1 transporting the tthe U OKE Spoke Ks follow ng these resol tions, I will be parmitied to ay a few words in expla tion.” [had the honer to be present at the convention held in Baliimore in December last, of which this is an adjourned meet og. I then felt, a8 I now feel, a deep terest in the welfare of my native South, and of tl great valley, iny residence, fo» more thn hall a ceatary. I listened with great stiention to the different means proposed for furthering the commerce of the South, Southwest and West I heard the beautiful and leecued address of Brantz Mever, Req,, and the remarks in tion to the value of the commerce of the South American States, by Lieut. Maury, one of the most learned and ractical wen of the age. and various other suggestions | master 1 I bave since thought much on the «ub. | ject, and feel convinced that ihe most effectual and prac- tical means of promoting and insuring to this great volley and the States of the South and Wes: o due rhare of the commerce of the United States, will be by the construction of a railroad direct from the Mississippi river to the Pacifie ocean, The question then arises, how ia so greata work to be aa | Hon. R. J. Walker Vice President, is now chartered, and complished? How are the ways and means to be raised; involving probably am expenditure of at least one hao Mr. President, mort anhe- sitaurgly, it must be effested in part by » grant or grants of the public lands. I main‘ain that the eonetitutionality of grants of the public lande by Congress, to aig in the construetion of railroads under certain conditions and Nimitations, can no ‘be considered an open question, afier tbe various and repeated grants heretofore made, Indeed, pants of public lands for public ure, of internal improvements, are almost coeval Uietedoyton of the constitution. Before the soquisition iapa, the lands held the general goverament eon ceded by several of States for specific pur- poses; yet grants have been made for public use. A grant for this great work would be much less liable to objections, because the lands to be granted were ob- tained by purchase, without condition, and the purpose to which they would be applied is of geveral aud national importance, wanted by the general government to carr; the mails, and for the transportation of armies and their supplies. The power expressly granted to dispore of and wake ail needful rules and regulations respecting the territory and other property of the United States, ia copnection with the power to establish post oilioes and post roads, to raise and support armies, and to provide for the common defense, covers the whole ground. Covgress clearly has the power to make contracts for the carrying of the and for the transportation of troops and their supplies; aad pay. went may be made in land as well as in money. Many objec were wade to the bills before the Senate at the last, vem Although some were opposed on constitu- tional grounds, yet the greater number of objections re- ferred rather tw the details than to the power to mako such grants. It is useless for me to attempt to lay before this evlightened arsembly the immense advantages to be derived from the construction of this great work; they must be Soresent to all. It would seem to me that every mt, cow petent, unbiassed man, who has studied the history of his country, of commerce, and of railroads, must come to the conelusion that it is the most important work, for the purposes indiexted, of the age. The next point is as to the most feasible and best route that can be travelled at all seasons. This question is one of great importance, aud nts rome difficulty, becaure of the claishtng of local ests aud local jealousies; but like other questions in- volving the welfare of all, it is hoped that it can and will be compromised. I peresive by the public prints, that under the appropriation made by Congréss at the last se8- rion, for the purpose, four parties have been organized to survey several routes, in order to ascertain the most prac- tical—one under Gov. Stephens, to examine the route from the headwaters of the Missouri, by the South Pass, to the Columbia river; second, under Lieut.Whirple, tosur- vey the route from Memphis and Vicksburg. by Fort Smith and Albuquerque. to Walker's Pass, in the Sierra Nevada; a third, to examine the Pacite side, and meet Lieut. Whipple at Waiker’s pase; the fourth, to exavaine the middie route. [wish that the survey of snother route could be made throngl the northern portion of Texas, deeause Iam of opinion, from the best information that Thave been able to collect, that it will prove to be the mest elegible. The intease cold sand deep snows present serioue objections to some of the more northern routes propoxed. i percieve, by an extract from a St. Louis aper of the 7th of May last, that Mr. Culbertson, of the Rouse of Plerre Chotesu & Co., had just retaraed from the upper Missouri, and reported that the cold was so intense in the widdie of April last that mules were frozeu dend upon their feet. The route from Fort Smith to Al- Duquerque is nearly the same pursued by Capt. Marcy, in his reconnoissance some years since, wiieh he de- cribes—in an able paper, lately read before the American Statistical and Geographical Society—as being broken, and passing throvgk thst grest North American desert called the “Llan> Estacado” or staked plain, extend- ing about 400 miles between the parallels of north lati- tude 82 80 and 36 20-~in some places 200 miles wide—em- braced within the meridians of 101 and 104 west longi- tnde; it is an ocean of pathless, trackless desert prairie, where the voice of man is seldom heard, and where no living being permanently resides, Tne almost total ab- Ii animals to shun it,—even the to cross it except at two places, where they find a few small ponds. The Arkausas, Cana: dian, Brazos, Colorado and Peron rivers have their sources on ‘the borders of these elevated table lands, where they make their exit from this plateau; their beda are confined to vast sluiees, or canons, the sides of which rise very abruptly to an the enermous height of eight hundred feet. He says that he has passed through it four differemt times. These features present obstacles of magnitude; but it is possible they anay be overcome, or a route found that wil! avoid most of them. The route for the main trunk, laid down in the map ac companying Senator Gwin’s bill, appears to me to he preferablei altbough I am of opinion that a far better route will be found tbrough the northern part of Texas, cross- ing the Red river at or near Fulton, and following pretty nearly the route followed by Capt. Marcy, on his retura counoinsapee. some years tince. which he describes as ba- ing ‘a smooth road, over gently undulsting country of rnirie and timber land, and abounding with clear spring ranches for two hundred miles, The soil cannot be sur- passed for fertility.” Agoin he says—"Our road passes over uniformly level ground, crossing no mountains or deep valleys, and for five hundred ratles, on the ea extremity, runs through the heart ef a country ing grest natural advantages. There are as few difficul- ties to encounter as any other route that can be found in our country: It would appear to have been desicued by the great Architect of the Universe fora railroad. From E] Vaso to Red river is about teven bundred miles. 1 conceive this to be decidedly the best overlund wagon route to California, for several reasoun: It can be | trayelled at any ‘time The grass remains green | during the entire winter It would form a direct lize of communication with Cook’s road to the Pa- cific—shorter by several bundred miles than any other.’? By that route the main trunk to Memphis will be about the same as that laid down in the map, with Senator | Gwin’s bill, whiist the branches to St Louis aod Du- buque would be little if any longer, and the branches to | Vicksburg and New Orleans may’ possibly oe a little | shorter. This route will, however, be liable to the objec- tion that it runs through tha sovereign State of Texas, where the United States own noJand. But will not Texas give its serent, and make ex liberal a graut os the United States? ‘I think that such will be the case It so, it is undoubtedly the bert route, because it will traverse as fine ap agrisultural country as any in the United Stater, and the others must go ibrough 4 desert country in part. I can give the a-rurance that the branch ‘9 ew Orleans will be con:trneted by Louisiana. A slight extension of the New Criesns, Opelousss, and Great We-tern Railroad, now in ths course of construction, will forma junction. A ecmpany has been formed to con struct that road from New Orleans to the Texas live, a Gistarce of about 240 miles; about four millions six haw dred and sixty thousand dollars of stock, including one million two hundred thovsand dollars by the State, has been subscribed, about four hundred thousand of which bar been paidin; ten miles of the road is completed, forty miles is graded, sud the iron on the spot to be laid down that distanee; contracts have been made to grade and lay down the raile, 173 miles to Weshington, beyond | Ocelovras; ard the iron to lay down that distance, toge- ther with the cars and locomotives, has been ordered, and ix expected to ke finished in January, 1854, to that point, passing through a rich agricultural section of the State. e branch to Vicksburg will probably be made; and | should Congress be as liberal towards Louisiava for thet | branch as towards Arkansas and Missouri, that road also will most certainly be carried into operation. On looking | at a wap, it will be perceived that the very nearest point | frem the Mississippi to the Pacific is from Vicksburg. Ac- | cording tothe estimates on senator Gwin’s map, the | distance to fan Francisco is 1,925 miles; from Memphis, | 2 000 miles; frem New Orleans, 2,150 miles; and from St. | Louis, 1,260 miler. From tho main trunk et Falton the | distance to New Orleans will be 405 miles; to Vicxsburg, | 180 miles; to hiersphis, 265 miles. From all thies of thee points a direct communication by railroad with the South | Atlentie States will soon be in operation. Iinope and trast | that there sre those amongstfyou, here present, who will live to eee thie. great work accomplished, ani to see as | great changes in this valley as I have seen withina short | life, When I first descended the Mississippi, fifty-two | years ago, (and although then young, I Pave a viv recrllection of tbe seencry,) there waa not a white in- | babitent on its banks from‘above the mouth of the Ohio | to ksburg. then calied the Walnut Hills and New | Madzid and Little Prairie, ju:t below the site of this | beautiful city, were then occupied by savages. Them this whole valley contained but a few theusand souls; its whele productions were carried to market in a few fiat- | boats, and its forelgn commerce employed but a fewkeel | boats. Well do I recollect. the first steamboat that landed | 21 New Orleans; I bappened to be there, avd was among the qeseseaare on its first departure from the levee, Now lock at the change, rrou, hein great measure by the influence of steam power! You have thousands of float- ing, palaces moving ovér the bosom of this mighty stream, as if it were by mu gic; its borders are lined with rich plan- tations aud béautiful towns and cities. The population | of this gveat valley is now about ten millions of souls, ‘The commerce floating on the river was carefully esti wated, three years since, to be worth hundred and twenty millions of dollars, Ney Oyleans, the outlet, is | the second port in the Union for the exports to foreiga countries of domestic growth, and the fourth in point of imports of foreign productions. And all this bas been achieved by American enterprise and American industry. Who would not be proud to be a citizen of such a soun try, and of there United States? I. for ane, feel proud béyord expression. I thank the Convention for its kind attention to my deswitory remarks. Gen. M. Hext next addreseed the Convention. He said | that inasmuch as there was no subject properly before this Convention, he would move that a committee be a} pointed from the de’egates of the different States, to bring this gr q ion of the Pacific Railroad before this bedy ina proper manner. And while! am up—he con- tinued —I will remark that our government bas alceady provided for the construction of the road across our con- tivent to the Pacific, The Texas Central Railroad Com- pevy, of which I bave the honor to bs President, and the propores to run their road through to the Western Colo- rado. and there connect with a railroad to Colifornia, So the Texas Central hae already a connection with the cific Ocean, and this company are now ready t) make arrargemente with the various roads centerisg at Fulton, Avkaxeas, by whieb they shall take au interes ‘ion of our road, and sid us in accomplishiog thia shty work. I merely, at the present tiae, throw oot these remarks, that by unity of action we may pull the rane ropes from Si. Louie aad Galveston through to Cali- fornia. I think if apything can compromise all th teresta connected with the Pacific Railroad, the Texas utral read bas effected it, Mr. Carry of Missouri—I regret very much that thisdis cussion at this time bas arisen before the covveution, from the fact that the tvo gentlemen from the St. Louis delegation, who are most acquainted with this matter, are now ergaged in the deliberations of the General Com- mittee of Vice Presidents. I@berefore move that (he , and now before the house, be re- reral Committee appointed to take charge business of this convention. Hen, Mr. Moorr—Ii thank the gentleman from Missouri for the motion be bas made, and I intended to make tne fame motion when he rose. I merely offered the reslue tion, that there might be something before the conven: tion for its consideration while waiting for the General Committee I therefore second the motion of the gentie- man from Missour!. Judge A. Warker, of Louisiana—Mr. Presitent, I be- lieve the chair has decided that gentlemen should be per- mitted to bring thelr propositions and resolutions before the convention, and I think we might be entertaine? by | yersels cannot enter them. The low fiat eountry that | third division of South America in its grand ph | more of this division and’ its productions by and by. the discussion of these questions while the General Cou- inittee ip engeged in their business. The PReipENt—There is no intention to change the | order of the proceedings of thia convention decided ucon | yesterday morning. It is out of order to attempt to dis- | cuss ory of these quertions in their present state. Hence | it is, the Chair now gives notice that gentlemen presenting resolutions may accompany them with explanatory re may, but wil) not be permitted to enter into any general dirMissicn. The question now in order is to refer the re- solution of Mr. Moore to the General Com: The motion to refer was then pnt and carried. Col. OaKxy, of New Orleans, hoped that every gent man of this Convention then present, would present ¢ te ae; he it be mi referred to the General Committee. . Rev, some very ree0- lutions which be tooffer, he moved that the Rev- erend gentleman be permitted and invited to do so, ‘The Cum said that sueb a motion was unnecessary. and then invited the Bishop to the stand, when he offvred the follow 13 Te wns and remark: : Mr. President, and Gentlemen ef the Convention—I do not come forward on this oecasion of my own motion or accord, but I may say at the suggestion of a distinguished friend, in whose views 1 most fully gud heartily eoncur. I deem this explanation necevaary for thore who know that the business of this convention is not in my usual line of effort. And yet I must say, too, that there is no man under the «bining sun who takes a deeper intorest in the wateriel progress and improverent of our country, aud our section, than I do. resolutions, which I beg to oiler, reed as fellows:— Resolved, That the free navication of the Amazon is ons of the most important questions of the age, and ite aceon: plist ment worthy of the best efforts of American statesman. Kecclved That the naval expedition sont Ly this govern ment to explore the Amazon Was an act worthy of the lightened governweut of a free people: and this Convention bails with delight the enlarged and liberal views recently taken by our sister republics of the South with regard to their Amazonian water courses. The free navigation of the Amezon is theirs ; they are right to claim it ; let them go ahend, and fear not. Resolved, That the interests of commerce, tho cause of civilization, and the mandates of high heaven, require the Atlantic slopes of South America tobe subdued and replon- ished. ‘That tho river stesmer and the free mavigation of the Amazon are the principal lorers, by which that part of the Werld is to be raized up to the abode of @ great, prospe tt problem of human progress throughout the world, therefore, we, the people of the Migsissippi valley and of the'Atlantio slopes of North America, reprosented in this Convention, think fit to declare that, in our judgment, free navigation of the Amaron is the creates’ booa that a commerofal people ean elatm of the diplomacy of the age; that we would be glad to see such & boon obtained, peacea- i it any price that it becomes a rreat nation to offer. ay ‘be appointed to invite, in the ry of thi ention, the atteution of the government to tis subject, and to urge the importance of procuring the free navigation of the Amazon, and of opeving commercial relations hy steam a otherwise, with the mouth of that ‘and treveat it,with the people inhabiting the banks of Abataries. ‘There resolutions (continued the Rey. Bishop) are bared upon evlarged and liberal views of the interests of the people, not only of this country. but of all nations. The objects at which they sim, if accomplished, will contri- bute, in an eminent degree, to enlarge the sphere of bu- man knowledge, to open new sources of wealth to com- inercial enterprise, to extend the blessings of civilization, to cherish the spirit of free institutions, and by promot- ing the elevation of man’s moral character, to subserve the great purposes of his creation. The nature of our goverpment and the spirit of active industry and enter prise which distinguish our countrymen, obviously sug- gest that they are to act a most important part in the tiure bistery of our world: and we may be allowed to vay. they aré perbape destined, in the order of Divine Providence, to de more than any other people in accom- plirhing its merciful purposes towards our race. It ix scarcely possible, in the rapidly advaneing progress of this age, to believe that the notions of former days re- specting the rights of man, the objeets of goverament, and the means of establishing those rights and attaining those cbjects, will be resorted to and recognized as justi- fiuble principles of action, except in cases of urgent and taper tive necessity, This necessity must be judged of, not ag in times past, by considerations of miglt merely, but by the moral influence of public opinion, But how- ever that may be, we are persuaded that wars of con- quest, to gratify the Just of power and the pride of ambi- tion, will not longer be tolerated by enlightened nations. Enough of the spirit of Christianity is felt by civili- zed governments to make a resort to argumenta founded on reason, and considerations of mutual advantage and general utility, the imperative duty of rulers. Since these principles have been racognized, and the conduct of ni ions regulated practically in accordance with their a: knowledgment, the condition of man has everywhere been ameliorated and human happiness increased, The difu- sion of intelligence, the extension of commerce in the do- velopement of the natural resources of various countries, ‘and thecultivation of the arts of peace in conjunction with the discoveries of science. sre pow the recognized and legitimate means of individual improvement and na- tional Paty, insomuch that we seem almost to have reached that predicted and ardently prayed for state when mankind ‘shall beat their swords inte plough- ehares, ard their spears into pruning hooks; when nation sball not lift up the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.’ The objects antenna tod by there resolutions look to these results, and in this spirit they are submitted to the consideration and action ‘of this body. Tbat we may act understandingly upoa this sud ct. Jet us take # rapid survey of that region, the caps ities and resources of which, for commerce and tie arts, these zecolutions propose te unfold and throw open to the industrial energies of our own countrymen and of the world. Geographezs usualiy divide South America into five distinct physical regions:—1. A narrow strip skirting the shores of the Pacific ocean, from fifty to one hundred and fifty miles in breadth, bounded on the oa: by the snow clad summit of the Andes, and in its whele extent porsesting not one navigable river worth naming ‘The northern extremity of this territory, winding eround the bay of Panama like a fringe, is fertile, as is aleo the routhern portion of Chili, extending to the Gulf of Guaiteca, Tue middle part is au arid, sandy desert. 2. The basin of the Orinoco, haying the Andes on the west, some Of their spurs extending eastwardly, on tho Fouth, dividing the waters of the Orinoco from those of the Aimazon, except, perhaps, in one instance, where their tibutaries interlock, and it is said occacioually unite. £0 as to admit of the passage of vessels from ove 10 the other. This region goes under the general name of Columbia, consisting of three confederate republics— "Venezuela, New Grevada, and Ecuador, or Quito, The first two front north, on the Caribbean sea, and are watered by the Orinoco and the Magdalena. The last named, Ecuadcr, rests on the magnificent Atazon for its southern bountary, and is drained by its numercus tri- Lutaries, fed by the suows of the lofty Andes, near the equator. With the exception of this little republic of Ecuacor—little by cow parison in extent of territory, but large in the spixit of enterprise—the basin of the Oriaocco ountry consisting. for the most part, of extensive “Nanos,” either devtitutgof wood or dotted with trees, but covered with a ravk herbage, or coarse gan during @ pert of the year. In the dry season the heat ix intense: the soil becomes parched, and opens into cracks and firsures, in which multitudes of serpents and reptiles that infest these ‘ terras calieutes’’ find re- fuge. To the east of Venezuela, and fringing on the Atlantic coast, extending as far south as Cape Orange in four degrees north latitude, lies Guiana, a country po sersed by the English, butch, and French. We wish to male an observation or two respecting the physical character of this region, Gwned now by some of the most powerful commercial nations in the worl, that it may be borne in mind when we come tospeak of the valley of the Amazon. The sea coast of Guiana is low, skirted by a sand bank, ex- tending seven or eight miles out to sea, making the water, it is said, like a dirty puddle all along the const. The water becomes challow towards the shore, so that yersele drawing more than twelve feet, stick fast in the mod about three miles frem the land. Theappearancs of the coast for hundreds of miles is co usiform, presenting nothing but the tops of trees just seen above the sea, that slips which are strangers to the shore, run along the coast till they desery a house, and then send a boat ashore through the mud, to ascertaia on what part of the coast they may be. The mouths of rivers are discovered by the difference of the color of the fresh water, which is dis- cernible many miles ovt at sea. Mud and sand have ac- cumulated in jront of them to such an extent that largo st lies along the shore extends inland from forty to sixty milex, and is so nearly on a level with the sea tha! when it is cultivated, the ground becomes consclidated and sinks beneath the sea Jevel, so that continued attention is necessary to prevent by embankment its beiug over- flowed. Behind the flat country of the coast, the land rites by a succession of stepper, consisting of undulatin; plins, till it reaches the Sierra Acaray, on the west and @ Brazil, 3. The sical featuree, is the basin of the noble Amazon, the king of rivers. ‘It is a vast plain, extending from 4 deg. N. to 20 deg. S. latitude, and stretching almost entirely across the Tevinsula, possersing a soil exuberantly rich, anda humid climate, covered almost through its whole aad vast extent with dense forests, which harbor innu- able tribes of wild animals, and are thinly inhabited by the natives, who live by hunting avd fishing, But south, separating itfrom Colombia 4, The grent Seuthern plain, watered by the La Plata and its tributaries. éercencing from the eastern declivities of the Andes. The greater portion of this region is oceupied by immense plains, called Pampas. In some places they sre berven and destitute of water; but in general the are covered with a luxuriant growth of weed: and tall grave, which support prodigious herds of horses and cat tle, and afford shelter to a few animals of prey 5 To the east and north of the La Plate and Parana rivers, is found the bigh country of Brazil, presenting alternate ridger and velleys, thickly covered with wood on the side next to the Atlantic, and opening into plateaus, or broad table lands, in the interior. Of these five divisions of the phyrical geography of fouth America, the northern coast ef Colembie, stretching alony the Caribbean Sea, is most accessible to us im position; the valley of the Amazon is In poiot of resources, snd all the elements of arich avd succere’nl commerce, the last named stands preeminent. Lookiog at the Amazon, it will be found that it has turned its mouth, one hundred and fi'ty or ove hundred and eighty miles wide, “right towards us,” an Lieutenant Mauryfobserver, ‘‘as though it were ready to pour cut its abundance into our commercial lap’ —the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico forming, ax he says, “the magnificent Mediterranean Sea of America.” This river, at the distance of one thousand five hundred miles from its mouth, is found to be from thirty to forty fathoms deep, and by actual exploration is ns- certained to be easily navigated to the cataracts, which it forme in making its leap: from the terraces of the Andes, On the south, it receives the Araguay, one thou- snd eight hundred miles long, penetrating to the very heart of Brazil. and finding its sources in the moun- teins so celebrated for their geld and precious stores, ‘Then eumes the Xingu, 1,200 roiles in length, and tho Taj aja, ef equel extent, lea¢ing through fifteen degrees f latitute, and by the difference of altitude affording climates adapted to productions of every hind, from the luscious fruits of the tropicayto the farinaceous seeds of the temperate zones, that furnish to men the ‘‘steff of life.” Next to these succeeds the Madeira, a very giant in its ample proportions, pushing its head into the eter- nal nove of the Borate ond ilimane, in Bolivia, up- wards of 26 000 feet high, acd Isving with its pure waters he very base of tne far-famed hill of Potosi. Atter these are seen the Rio Purns, the Jurua, the Julay. the Javary, ard the Zucale, besides many others less known to fame, but any one of which is ef dimensions ample enough to drain a kingdom of which many a king of historie note roight be proud. all there rise up to the declivities of the Andes, avd after permenting the fertile vales of Boli- via and Peru, hasten on to pour their full tribute inte the ample bosom of the monarch of streams—the mighty Amexon. On the north rushes down from the icy rom- | mits of Chimborazo and the burning crown of Cetopaxi, tLe Rio Napo: tken follow the Putamayo, the Japura, an the Apapuris, al! pouring their floods from the rich and teen irg plateaus of Eeuudor; and, Inetly, the Rio Negro, dividing ite waters, it would seem, between the Amazon and the Orinoco, as though it would teach man the lersons of making. with his fellow men, an equal dist: bution of the blessings of Divine Providence, Tae basin drained by this vast river, with its numerous tributaries, embraces an ares 2,840 000 square miles, or 1,497,¢00,000 serer—more than one-third of it is yet co- vered with primeval forests. The sound of the setiler’s axe bas as yet seldom broken the silenge of these deep solituder,"cor have they been often disturbed by the rharp report of the hardy hunter’s rifle. But, sir, sure as the waters ate from the snow eapped ‘ks of the Andes, and efter to map, as they have past, the most clorious opportunity of Fich bounties of pature, spread with lavish lore him. the bosom of this mighty river shall yet be ploughed by the magnificent steamer, freighted ‘with the produc os of our own land, and laden in return with the rich its of the “silvas of the Maranon,” or with the pre- Aen cores imbedded in the mountains which skirt the no- blest valley on which the sun has ever yet shone. The natura! products of this region, ruitable for the of trade, are as abundant as avarice itself could cra All the different varieties of wood usual ia tropical re- gions, are here to be wet with, from the bread-fiuit to the milk or tallow tree, supplying man with convenient food, almost without labor. Here are palms, bananas, plantains,' yams, ond potatoes, the spontaneout yw th of the conutry. Pine apples prow wild in the wi and travellers tell us of their being pelted in their lonely jour- ney by monkeys, with oranges and cocoa nuts. Here are roduced the mahogany ard logwood trees, the tamarind, ignumvite, and ebony, of so much value in commerce, ‘The quacsiabitter and the tonga bean, so celebrated in per- fuming snuff, are not the mort rare and valuable pro- docts in there regions; while the lofty grandeur of the trees and superb beauty of the flowers are unspeakably magnificent. The medicinal plants are numerous, rare, ant ceesecis valuable. To menticn only two—the famous chinchova tree from whieh the Jesuit’s bark or quinine is obtained aud wmanufuctured, and the ipecacuanha, are here indigenous. Among the vegetable rodi adapted to the avd climate, and which bave been more or less cultivated, may be mentioned sugar, cotton, ¢ flee, cocoa, rice, tobac co, maize, wheat, wandice, brany, cassava”root, ginger, oranges, yams, figs, pomegranates, and, in short, all the fruits aud edible vegetables in use in the United States and in Europe, here attain, according to the reports of avellers, their highest perfection. If, sir, half that is told us be true, it is more than enough to stimulate the enterprise and excite the cupidity of the “ universal Yankee nation.” If we turn from the vegetable to the animal productions of this vast and teeming region, there appears to be not less cause for wonder and admir- ation, and oue cannot help wishing that its resources might be developed, in order to add to our knowledge of natural histery. Awong the rapacious animals are seen the tiger-cut, hyena, jeugar, saratu, very ferocious, and the curce, also the puma and spectacled bear ; the wilé hog and the tapir are common; the lama, the chinchilla, with its admired and beautiful far, and many species of the monkey tribe. The variety of birds ano the richness of their plumage ‘are am: Mere than five bundred epecios have discovered, and yet the field of observation bas not yet been fully’ ebplored or its riches exhausted, The insects sre equilly numerous, and some of the butterflies and beetles are of unrivalled beauty and splendor. The quantity of fish found in the Amazon and its tribu- tariee are, according to report, almost incredible. Tra- yellers te’ us, ‘ooking down from the steppes of the Andes eastwardly, there is spread out before the eye s scene of mognificent grandeur and beauty. atretch- ing away far beyond the reach of the eye, such axis uo where else seen in our world. That isthe yalley of the Amazon. Many of the deep recesses of its aged ard tangled forests have never been trodden by the footsteps of civilized man. The Anglo-Saxon has heard of that geodly laud, and already the desire has been forincd, and the initiative, to go over and possess it, we with to take this day. The question is, ean we do it? Is the porsession worth the jabor? Is the proposition a lawful one? I do not propose to enter into discussion of there topics. My object has been to lay before this body some statements which I hope may Jead to inquiry, and awaken interest in this, as it seems to me, and I will udd, as it appears to wiser men than mycelf, most impor- | tant subject. It will be remembered that ths object at which these rerolutions sim is not to acquire territory. It ie not proposed to obtain a settlement in the valley of the Amazon, either by treaty or conquest. The report of its great fertility and of ite abupdant and varied pro- Guctions bas not in: pired the desire 10 lead armies thither to porsess its riches—as Aluxander of Macedon was prompted t subdue Persia and India—Alaric to rush upor Italy—Tamexlaue to desolate the fairest proviness of the Fast, or Napoleon, in modern times, to fell upon Fgy pt and endeavor to lay the foundations of an empire as lasting as ita time-cefy ying pyramids. No sir, we live in a better age. ‘’ golden’ it may be called, from the im- mense quautities of the precious metals which these days bave unfolued; but ‘golden’ I trust it may also be deno- minated in the realized orisons of the poet—“ Vergo Astrea reéi’’—when the national sense of justice impores @ salutary check upon nations, and restrains la wloss and upprovohed ugaressions. We wish te subdue forests, not mep—we wish to open channels for commerce, not roads to subjugate kisgdoms—to confer blessings, not to wrest privileges from our fellow-men—to elevate man in his social, political and moral state, not to de- race him. “Ours are the fair desigus of pence, to live ike brethren.”? In short to carry out and fulfil the com- mand of God toman, when he raid to our first pareats, “Be fruitful, and multiply, end replenish the earth, and subdue it” 'It has been found by experience that what- ever draws into healiby action the paysical, late al and moral feculties of man, texds to his elevation in the conditions of life. This is a proposition which I prepune none will deny. It is exemplified in the whole istory of our race, taken indiv'dually or collectively. It was not without a wise and merciful purpose that man was doomed, after the fall, toeat bread by the sweat of his brow—that the ground was cursed for his sake and that in yielding briers and thistles, to be removed by his industry urd care, his physical powers #hovld be iavigo- rated by exercire, and 1 skill and knowledge should be quickeued and strength- ened by providing remedies to meet the difliculties of his situation, by obliging him to cultivate the virtues of prudence and economy, cr by compelling him to look abrced and establish relations of intescourse with his fel- lows. It is remarkable how these principles have re- ceived their jMustration in the past and present condition of the people of England and other foreign lands, and how they are being verified every day, beforevour eyes, in the rapid and unexampled improvements of our own where the productions of the earth; necessary for animal rubeistence, are spontaneous and’ abundant, requiricg little or no labor, and presenting few stiwuiants to rouse into setion human evergies, there we find man most de- bared, and the worst passions of his nature mani- fested. Now, it so heppens in the wise arrange. ments of Divine Providenee, as we must consider them, tbat the territories watered by Am#zon and its thousand streams present just 2 field for the operations ot commerce and all the busi- ness of life, #8 best adapted to the enterprising charac- ter of our country men, best calculated to call into healthy action their energies, and by developing the watural re- sources of that vast region through the wecium of trade, to stimulate the industry of itn inhabitants, to infuse ito them enlarged and liberal views in regard to govera- ment, Jaws, aud religion, end thus confer on them ineal- culable benefite, Does any one doubt the practicability of allthis? Let us look at the condition of things in the valley of the Mississippi thirty yearw »go, and contrast it with ite prevent apect. Let us call to mind the period when old Raper, the celebrated bargeman, used to make a voyage in xix monthe, going and returning, between Nashville and New Orleans, and brought back sugar, eof- fee, tea. and molasses to supply allthe middle portion of the State with these articles. “There was no town here then, where a growing city is nos rising intu importance. The red man of the wilderness stoud on this wooded buff. and in tke pride of conscious independence felt that he ‘was monarch of all he surveyed. ‘The trade of Nashville, the first city in Teauessee, was then, so far as import? by the river, were concerned, Raper’s barge. What has wsought the amazing diifer- ence here, then, everywhere perceptibie in all this vast region lying between the base of the Rocky Mountains and the wocdy sides of the Alleghan'es? What has reared cities on all Our chief rivers, avd yjanted villages along all our thoroughfares, and filled all our valleys with a teea- ing ‘Yopulation, sud crowned the rummits of our hills with houses of worship—so that over all the lund rises the bury hum of industry, while the morning aad evening are velcomed with praise toGod? What hae caused “our wilderness and solitary places to be glad”? end “in the stead of the bier ed thorn has planted tha cedar and the oil tree,”’ and made our land as the garden of Eden, for fruitfulness ? It is the blessing of God aiding the diligent hand—the plough and the anvil and the loom, directed by skill and tntelligence—the mighty forea of steam lending its hundred arms to the controlling yower of mind. ‘These are tie agencies that are accom plishing more for the extension of the blessings of civ li- zation, the diffusion of light, and liberty and fearning, the influerce of law, order, and peace, and for the true eleva. tion of human character, than the combined strength of orined feets and dixciplived armies. These are the agents that we desire to see employed in the valley of the Ama- zon, and all we ask is that our goverument procure for us the’ privilege of going thither with our steamers, with our capital invested in the industry, skill, and enterprise of our countrymen. I enter into no esleviation of the retnrn profits to our mercbanis, trede:s, monufacturers, and dgricultwists. Only unlock the gates which Brazil has closed with the key given by the Pope in the 16th cere tury. ord let ux have free ingress and egress at the doors which God bas appointed, and there interests will take care of themselves. We will awaken the voice of industry throughout her azple domains. ‘The deep silence of her aged forests shail be broken by the sound of the wood men's xe: the shrill whistle of the steamer shall ring along her mighty rivers, freighted with cargoes rich as the treasurer of Ophir, and rouse to industrial puceuits ané the rewards of honest Iabor her now duil, listless, and Iserard population. These are a few of the benefits which we will give in yeturn for the ure of Wessiogs and privi- leger which God intended to be common to the human fomily, and which, when withhelé, never fail to turn into a curke to thore who exciurively appropriate them. But ifeel that I'am trepacsing upon the patience as well ag the time of this body, I have but gliaced ata subject thet expance its dimensions and deepens the impression Of its importance, the iore it is contemplated. F Bishop Otey, ov concluding his renarks, asked of the Convention the prisilege of having certain statements and statistics which had been prepared at his request, by his friend Dr. Quintard, read to the Convention; when, leave Veing granted— Dr, QUINTARD rove and said—It is tire that I attempt to address this sifords m6 however, profound sati-faction to consider coine reasons why the subjects contemplated in the reso- jutions rbouid be considered by the Coavention. At the Lage of the Andes there is a sheet of water called the Lake of Lauricocho, whense arires a river stretching a distance varionvly estimated at, from 8,000 to 4,000 geographical miles, and which, after winding through wocd-fringed shores, empties into the Atlantic ocean, The physical characteristics of the countsy throngh which this aod tributary streams run, the variety of climate, and the extent ‘and variety of picduetions, all’ eombine to designate it as the abode of am great ogri cultural avd commercial people, At prevent it ie a terra incognito, To the north, between the mountains of Venevuela and the Caribbean sea, aro commercial cities, neat villages, and cultivated fells, Towards the south, forests, the growth of thousands of years, fll, with impenetrable fasinesces, the humid regions between tie Orinoco and the Amazon. Massive granite rocks confine the bed of the foaming rivers, and the forests echo with the thunders of falling waters, In the midst of this grand and savage nature dwell ‘4 tribes, seperated from each other by the marvellous di- versity of their languages. The venerable geographer, Hurnboldt, bas divi¢ed South Aroerica into three basins— those of the lower Orinoco, of the Amazon, and of the Rio de Is Pinis—the first and last of which are steppes or prairies; the middle baain, that of the Amazon, between the Sierra Parime ard the Brozilian group of mountains ik a forest covered plain, watered by over two hundred rivers, and producing, in prodigal abundance, eocos, cinna- mon, vauilla, pines, coffee, sugar canes, maire, plantains, rubber, and many other artigles of great value, P at in the stirility of the coil his | the | glance acrors she bro«d bosom of the river to see a very Iimived to the freight of | | | | | wood of the ftinest quality, and of many varieties | thei country. On the other hand, it will be observed that | of where are found huge speeimens of the most val ees. There Cad one kind affording a substi tute for bread and yeast, another wine, a third oil fifth reat and = m — reventh weapons and cordage, an eight vr Inga rinth be bitations and’ furnitures: Wich as ia | fauna acd flora, it is not less so in its minerals. Th Andes are the storehouses of silver for the world. e too, for mediciner—for our sarza, our cinebé medica. During two weeks ending the 25th of last March, there were received at one of oor from sixteen articies of the materia medica, than one hundred thousand dollar. Of the one artic! of medicinal baska there were received during this tims thirty-rix thousand dollar. Put to estimate the im. portance of the commerce of that rigion, let us take th statisticn of one article, viz, coffee. se statistics find in De Bow’s Review:— {The consumption ot the United States for ten years, pro vious to 1831, amounted to i OF an aver 25, £00,000 Ibs Tp 1831 "bout 60 per cent o ported into the Ur {te ending the 30th June 1845, th United Etates amounted to 108,18, lo Pounds. Pounds. Danish West Indies 93,320 Fs 85G Holland... 58) 193,81 Duteh F Ind: 3,925,716 9,450, 58: Dutch West Indi 1; rt British Guiana. Afri South Sea & Pacific Brasil... * Imp. fuitplaces oth- er than growth,, seteeeceueeereeeees oo 4 108 133,164 The value of the coffee tmported from Brazil wi $4,401 269. In one of the leading publications in th United States, giving a statistical view of the coffee trade, there is astatement of this character :— 1,157,794 171,410 200 18,090,859 ‘ow. statistics prove that the production of coffee 1 Brazil doubled every Give years, up to 1840, when i amounted to 170 208.800; since when it has increased eighty per cent, The increase stoce 1835 has been 200, 000,000 pounds, and of that increase the United Sta! have taker one half; and what is a significant fact, nearly the whole increaso in the import ef Bravil cofte wan, it appears, at Now Orleans. to supply the Weaterd fade. ‘The imports of coffer from Brazil in 1844 ataount, ed to nearly half the whole product of that country. The United States in T844,with, @ ponulation of 17,000,000 consumed 149 711 820 pounds of codiee; and the ‘effect of “he increased consumption is as follows :— 1843, 1851. Import of coffee from Bra- : ail, Ibs 26,571,258 49,515,666 107 578, 2% Valve......... $2,819,028 $3,392,960 831,109 Export ‘of ‘United States produce to Brazil... ... $1,586,097 2,409 419 8,128, Such, then, is the value of this trade under presen’ circumstances, and since, from 1820 to 1840, the Brazilia roduct increased 1100 per cent, what may we not give of the capsbilities of the land? ia but one of the many products. There are grains, hides, tallow. wool, borne and hair, which form an inex: haustible supply of commercial resources. There i: tobacco, pearaba for cables, honey and mol dried aweetmeats, cottons, gums, raisins, lime, wines, brandy, minerals of gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin, sulphur, alum and vitriol, ox hides, borse hides, skina, otter and chinchilla skins, dried and salted meats,| ‘The vast empire of Brazil compares with Chive and Rus. tia in its extent. With an Atlantic co aC A ND miller an area of nearly 3,000,000 of square miles, the climate is, of course, various. Mr. Von Langsdorf says of it:—''! this country winter resembles summer in tke north o Europe. summer appears one continuous spring, while spring and autumn are unconsciously lost in winter an: surmmer.?? Stern winter smiles on this auspicious elime— om The ey are Hoeid ty eternal ay hivioh tt e speaker gave a rapid curvey of the geograpl e rivers, islands and seas, the creo wutsaies which te the probable ccurse of trade, the tides which bring the waters of Amazonian valley into the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, und there, mingling with the waters’ of North America, are borne to the Atlantic by the Gulf| Stream, and raid— In view of all the facts we have so inadequately ted, | Lean but reiterate the words ofan eloquent writer: Let} the South look to the South for trace and commerce—let. her, in the peaceful, Christian spirit of the day, cultivate with Brazil the relations of friends and neighbors; let her foster, by all means in her power, liberal cemmersial re- lations with a regon which has’ such vast possessions: and such countless treasures, such infinite resources, to! make valuable its future commerce—rich and great the Feople whoere to enjoy it. There is no colonizer, civili- zer, nor Christianizer like commerce.’? And suppose we do thir—suvpose we do cultivate such relations—what | will be the result? It is portrayed in the letter of Lieut. Maurey. is letter we published a hort time ago.] But. sir, there are other consideratious which at frst sight appear lees worthy of regard; and yet they are not. I refer 10 the eflecte which must arice out of our com- hes relations with the valley of the Amazons and rinoco. ‘The speaker glanced at the effeet of commercial inter- in apreading civilization, in developing the energy and resources of a people, and continued as follows:— Jf, sir, the man is a great benefactor who causes two blades of grass to grow where one grew before. what shall we say of thore who bring iuto action physical and moral energy; who make not two citizens, but counties thou- sar ds, to live and tv prosper in regions which, but for their achievements, would have remaiged for ages unset- tled, aud to evjoy those rights of men, which, but for institutions would bave continued the iuheritance he fow. Thivk you, sir, the wise and great of free and sovereign States would this day be essembled in coun- cil to debate on subject: of commerce, and ciylization generally, here, on the banks of the Mississippi—here, where, but a few rhort years ago, the wild whoop of the savage startled the ha:dy pioneer from his slumber, and where now the meebanic arts haye, as God always wills it, followed fest upon ihe tread of moral and intellectual elevation—Lere, where now you have only to turn your Caraan—think you all this would have been accom- plirhed without that energy that so nobly declared, and so nebly gained, a recognition of human individual mghts? And, seeing whot hes been accomplished—that the wild- ernewa bas been made literally to biossomfas the rose; that the baunts of prowliug beasts have become large cities ond fair vilisger; that the forests bave fallen before the strong strokes of the pioneer—may we not reason- ably expect that the poetry of prophecy will soon become the gospel of ity, and that the time is not far distant when ‘one day later from Chi- ne,” and the prospeeta of the crops in the valley of the 4mazons, shall be iteme of interest on our daily bulletins? Let it be remembered. sir, that the resolutions do not look to conquest at all, much less to conquest by foreeof arms. It isa strouger force than ia that of a1 that will render the religion of which wo speak productive of all that can minister to man’s necessity or ia oncwtont. It is & force that will bless generations with moral influ- erces, and men—ressoning, thinking men—shall then as- semble to discuss the progress of society in that yet discovered Isnd—the far West. It is the mighty moral force that streams from the stars of our baoner. It is the force of our example. How it has shaken the thrones of Furope ! bowit hos made tyrants tremble! Let the | Siarsshiveon. let the banver wave, and the Western World will glory in the establishment of human rights— and empires, abd thrones, and constitutions in the Old Wold way yet feel the mighty uprearing of popular | power, Sir, I may be told that it is not time to take any action on this subject. And why not time? Why is to- morrow better than today? Whatis today? It is the eternity of yesterday—the elernity of all that the great ond good of ovr lana have accomplished for us, “And what is to-morrow, but the eternity of to-day: Let us then to-day move forward on this important matter, that the future may be alike glorious and full of high and holy achievements. ‘At the conclusion of the remarks of Dr. Quintard, the Generel Committee of the Vice Presidents announced mselves ready to report through their chairman, IIon. ton Smith, of Indiana. The report was as follows:— The committee charged with the duty of recommending to the Convention suitacle subjects for its deliberation and action, respectfully reprosent— Hat That they h under consideration the questions of direct tra truction ofa railway from the Missis- sippi river ilie ove; commerce with 5 gtatee id the valley of the Amazon; the removal of obstructions im- peding tle navication of the Mississippi river and the im- provement of harbors; the consurataation of the negotia- ions with reference to the Tehuautepce route across the Tethmus; the evcovragement of manufactures and mecha: nic arts, andthe kindred guesiiony tending to develope the rerources of the Sonth avd West. TI have as yet matured no resolutions with reference to the imiporsawe gpertivas, except thore in regard to improvement of the Mississippr river and cen’ herbors, The: ‘ther timo for ‘ction upon tho various oljeets mentioned. important qaestions of ene the chan- of the Missienippi, and the improvement id river, ke the Desmoin y attracted the attention ot ations made by it, eompetent en- sand reports, showing that said feobie, and as these works havo « nd Con- of the rapide Reck river, bare improvements are pract ment important bearing upon the interests of all the States lying wpon the great river and its affluents, and the appro- priations made by Congress are manifestly inadequate for Te purpores deiced, unt dieproportioned to the objecve and rernits to be attained, be it Resolved. That t! gly urge wpon Con- promrt and liters! action upom these subjects and earnestly request that all the Senators and Representatives in Congres trom the States represented in this conventi vse their best efforts to prosure, at an early day, the neo sary appropriations fer the Ard, wherenr, similar re o inoers, a y Riater whieh atdw the entire. practicability of tmpeovin the harbors of Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, Baltimore ani Richmond, and the estimates hy them prepared for these purposes do not involve any vory large outlay of money, peretore tre colved, That this convention also urge upon Congress rpeedy attcption to these eminontly meritorious claims upon the Ubited States. Arentleconn from Missouri suggested that the subjects contained in the report be referred toa apecial commit- tec, ard be taken up sepa: He thought that the qvestion of improving ths Desmoines river was the ques tion of the most importance, Gen. Quituan.—I come here asa plain, practical man, desirous tbat] may assist in promoting the pract work which this Convention has in view. Ithink there is come difficulty and a little heeitation about approach- < ing the subjects for which we have assembied; and, for one, Ithink we should sli show our hands, and i + ately come to questions which are submitted for our con- siderstion. I think, then, that tk’s report should be re. ferred back to the general committee, with the instrue- tion that they report to us separately the subjects for us to direus#, which will bave a tendency to prepare the way for freedom cf speech and f:eedom of bape, pment for a Jarge body Jike this. While I have lool uy the beenties of cur country, acd those in our vicinity, I admit that I could not belp thinkin that the besutifal island in our gulf should some day contribute to the grandeur and wealth of our nation. (Loud applause) Our hearts are full of the many duties and projects before us. re to decide how we shall improve what we now possess, and then, perhaps, we will see if there are any other werids to conquer. Mr. Hupsox, of Missouri—I am as much in favor of interests as any man in this house, rashes I go for the Ia Plate, the Amazon, ‘all which will advance the interests of this our eountry; and! think, when the season Kouth be benefitted 7 the State of plau other au pertion arises how shell the