Chapter XCV. to expedite Telegraphic Communication for the Uses of the Government in its Foreign intercourse
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Chap. XCV.— An Act to expedite Telegraphic Communication for the Uses of the Government in its Foreign intercourse. March 3, 1857. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Stales of America in Congress assembled*, That the Secretary of State, in188THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Sess. III. Ch. 95, 96. 1857. Contract for Atlantic telegraph authorized.the discretion, and under the direction of the President of the United States, may contract with any competent person, persons, or association, for the aid of the United States, by furnishing not exceeding two ships in laying down a submarine cable, to connect existing telegraphs between the coast of Newfoundland and the coast of Ireland, and for the use of such submarine communication when established by the government of the United States, on such terms and conditions as shall seem to the President just and reasonable, not exceeding seventy thousand dollars per annum until the nett profits of such person, or persons, or association, shall be equal to a dividend of six per cent, per annum, and then not exceeding fifty thousand dollars per annum for twenty-five years: *Provided*, Provided Great Britain make a like contract.That the government of Great Britain shall, before or at the same time, enter into a like contract for those purposes with the same person, persons, or association, and upon terms of exact equality with those stipulated Tariff for messages.by the United States: *And provided*, That the tariff of prices for the use of such submarine communication by the public shall be fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States and the government Equality of rights to be secured.of Great Britain, or its authorized agent: *Provided further*, That the United States and the citizens thereof shall enjoy the use of the said submarine telegraph communication tor all time on the same terms and conditions which shall be stipulated in favor of the government of Great Britain, and the subjects thereof, recognising equality of rights among the citizens of the United States in the use of said submarine communication and the lines of telegraph which may at any time connect with the same at its terminus on the coast of New Foundland and in the United States, in any contract so to be entered into by such person, persons, or association, Proviso as to terms of British contract.with that government: *Provided further*, That the contract to be made by the British government shall not be different from that already proposed by that government to the New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company except such provisions as may be necessary to secure to each government the transmission of its own messages by its Contract may be terminated after ten years by one year’s notice.own agents: *And provided further*, That it shall be in the power of Congress, after ten years, to terminate said contract upon giving one year’s notice to the parties to such contract.
Approved, March 3, 1857.