Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dickinson.
No. 82.]
Department of State,
Washington,
November 27, 1866.
I transmit a copy of a letter which has been received from William W.
Webb, esq., president of the Central American Transit Company, and of
the extract to which it refers, from the London News, which passage
seems to have given some uneasiness to the company.
The subject is commended to your vigilant attention.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
A. B. Dickinson, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Page 546]
Mr. W. W. Webb to Mr. Seward.
Office of the Central American
Transit Company, 56 Exchange
Place,
New York,
November 23, 1866.
Dear Sir: I beg leave to forward you a copy
of the London Times [News] of the 9th instant, with a passage marked
on page 5, to which I desire respectfully to call your attention,
concerning an interview between Captain Pim and certain other
parties, with Lord Stanley, on the subject of a projected railroad
(British) across Nicaragua. We have never regarded the project of
Captain Pim to build a railroad across Nicaragua as possible of
accomplishment on its merits as a mere commercial speculation; but
the question assumes a different Character if the British government
should support it on political grounds.
Our minister in Nicaragua, Hon. A. B. Dickinson, protested to that
government against the Pim scheme on the 14th March, 1855. It would
be of great injury to our interests if any such scheme should
acquire character and credit from the support which is said to be
given to it by Lord Stanley, if even it should ultimately be
abandoned.
The fact of such a scheme being in existence and so supported will
place more than ordinary difficulties in the way of our company to
carry on the improvement of the harbor or San Juan del Norte and
river San Juan, to which we are devoting our energy and means. The
opposition of the Panama Railroad and the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company to establish a monopoly has always to be encountered by
us.
We are necessary to California, to keep down the old monopoly prices
for transportation of passengers, freight, and government troops;
but we work to disadvantage and under much discouragement, if, in
addition thereto, we have to encounter the weight of the political
influence of the British government in this scheme of Captain Pim in
Nicaragua.
I have the honor to remain, dear sir, yours, very respectfully,
Hon William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
[From the
London News of November 9,
1866.]
A deputation on the subject of the Atlantic and Pacific junction
railway across Nicaragua was received by Lord Stanley, at the
Foreign Office, this afternoon. The project was explained to Lord
Stanley, in its various bearings, by Captain Pim, Captain Maury, and
Mr. Pollock. His lordship stated, in reply, that he considered the
matter one of great importance, and that he regarded it very
favorably, at the same time promising to give the documents laid
before him his careful attention, and to communicate fully with
Captain Pim on the subject, without delay.
A telegram just received by the Varner Railway Company announces that
the line has been accepted by the government, and was opened
yesterday to the public.
