nal uniting the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific ans attracted much public attention. Its importance to commerce of the United States is obvious, affording à facilities to the East India and China trade, as would e it in a great measure at the command of the entere of their citizens. The long projected occupation of western coast at the mouth of the Columbia river would be no longer a matter of doubt or hazard. In the year 6, the congress of Central America, a small republic, racing the territory of the isthmus which had assumed name, passed a law that a canal should be opened to conthe navigation of the two oceans, and issued an adverment inviting the enterprising of all nations to offer posals for executing the work. Among a variety that e offered, those made by a company of American ens, principally from New York, were accepted, and 326 a contract for the purpose of effecting the object entered into, the leading points of which were,

hat the republic should indemnify its citizens for ages to their lands; that it should furnish every fay for accomplishing the object, by permitting the ing of timber, and procuring materials and workmen, supplying all the plans, charts, and levelings which had ady been taken, and facilitate the making of such rs as might be necessary, and be at the expense of ting and supporting such fortifications, and employsuch vessels of war, as might be necessary to prothe navigation. The company to be at all other exses, and to have two thirds of the tolls until reimbursed r capital and ten per cent. interest; the other third elong to the republic. The plan proposed was a ship nel from one ocean to the other, through the Nicaragua ; through which vessels were to be towed by steams. The company to have the exclusive right of naving the canal, and towing vessels by steam for twenty 's, with the right of fixing the amount of freight for oes and passengers in their boats, and the compensafor towing vessels. The navigation to be free for the els of all friendly and neutral nations on paying the 1 rate of tolls. The republic reserved the right for its ens to subscribe five per cent. of the capital stock.* instability of the government, the revolutions to which

they have been subject, and other causes, have hitherto prevented any progress in the undertaking. Such an examination has been had, however, as to induce a fixed belief that the object is practicable, and, in a more settled state of society in those republics, will be accomplished.

CHAPTER XXI.

Second session of the nineteenth congress-Message-Papers relating to the British colonial trade-Report of the committee of commerce-Value of the trade to the United States-Commercial spoliations-Report of a committee-French spoliations antecedent to Sept. 30th, 1800-Report of a committee of the senate in favor of their being paid by the American government-The woolens bill-Its discussion and passage in the housePostponed in the senate-Sectional divisions on the tariff question-Meeting and proceedings of the Harrisburgh convention-Columbia convention, and resolutions-Dr. Cooper's address-Vice president's appeal to the house in relation to a charge against him found in a newspaper-Report of a committe on the subject-A challenge-Baker's case-Northwestern boundary.

Second session of the nineteenth congress. The second session of the nineteenth congress commenced on the 4th of December, 1826. The message received on the 5th, contained a minute and flattering detail of the concerns of the nation, foreign and domestic, but nothing of peculiar interest. The new subjects of legislation suggested in the message of 1825, not having met the approbation of congress, were barely hinted at in this, and no others suggested. The second session being necessarily a short one, admits of little legislation, except the ordinary business of the government.

West India trade. Accompanying the message, were the papers relating to the negotiation with Great Britain on the subject of the colonial trade. Mr. King being obliged to return on account of ill health, Mr. Gallatin was appointed his successor, specially charged with this subject, and authorized to give up the point on which a former negotiation had been suspended, viz. that the produce of the United States should be admitted into the West Indies on the same terms with that of the Canadas. On communicating to Mr. Canning that his government were desirous of renewing the negotiation on more liberal terms, and would not insist on the contested point; he received a reply from the British minister, which after an elaborate defense of the claim to monopolize the colonial trade, concluded by informing Mr. Gallatin, in a sarcastic manner, that as the American government did not see fit to accept of the

boon at the time, and on the terms in which it had formerly been offered, the British government were not bound to continue the offer, or accept of any terms now; and that any further negotiations would be useless.

The importance of this commerce to the United States is every day diminishing. The whole white population of the British West Indies, amounts only to 71,350, with 626,800 slaves, and 78,350 free people of color.* Their great staple, without which the trade would be of no consequence, is the product of the sugar cane. The acquisition of Louisiana and the Floridas, and their rapid progress in the cultivation of this article, aided by a protecting duty, will very soon furnish an adequate domestic supply. What is now wanting is readily obtained, and on fair terms, from other sources. The rapid settlement and improved agricul ture of Upper Canada, aided by their great progress in inland navigation, enable them principally to supply the lumber, provisions, and live stock, necessary for the West India market; and should any be wanted from the United States, it is readily obtained from other islands, with the inconvenience of a double freight to the consumers. Should the United States be able to command the whole supply of this market, the demand would be too small to have any permanent or perceptible effect on the price of their produce. This government have appeared in the character of suppliants for this trade, denominated by the British government a boon, ever since the close of the late war, without success. It would seem to be long enough, and should the British be permitted to enjoy the monopoly, without further importunity, no serious inconvenience would result to the commerce of the United States.

Report in the house of representatives. In the house of representatives, the subject was referred to the committee on commerce, of which Mr. Tomlinson, of Connecticut, was chairman. His report contained a lucid view of the British monopolizing policy in relation to their colonial trade, the various propositions which had been made to place it upon a footing of reciprocity, and the manner in which they had been met. The report concluded with recommending a bili closing the United States ports against British vessels, coming from their colonies, with the exception of the East Indies and Upper Canada, and prohibiting British vessels from transporting American productions to these colonies.

* Baron Homboldt.