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Doc. No. 75. 



other, in aiding and assisting the negotiation of such treaty stipuratfons 

 and should any differences arise, as to Tight or property over the territory 

 through Avhich the said canal shall pass, between the States or govern- 

 ments of Central America, and such differences should in any way im- 

 pede or obstruct the execution of the said canal, the governments of the 

 United States and Great Britain Avill use their good offices to settle such 

 differences in the manner best suited to promote the interests of the said 

 canal, and to strengthen the bonds of friendship and alliance which exist 

 between the contracting parties. 



Art. 7. It being desirable that no time should be unnecessarity lost in 

 commencing and constructing the said canal, the governments of the 

 United States and Great Britam determine to give their support and en- 

 couragement to such persons or company as may first offer to commence 

 the same with the necessary capital, the consent of the local authorities; 

 and on such principles as accord with the spirit and intention of this con- 

 vention; and if any persons or company should already have with any 

 State through which the proposed ship canal may pass a contract for the 

 construction of such a canal as that specified in this convention, to the 

 stipulations of which contract neither of the contracting parlies in this 

 convention have any just cause to object; and the said persons or com- 

 pany shall, moreover, have made preparations, and expended time, 

 money, and trouble on the faith of such contract, it is hereby agreed that 

 such persons or company shall have a priority of claim over every other 

 person, persons, or company, to the protection of the governments of the 

 United States and Great Britain, and be allowed a year from the date of 

 the exchange of the ratifications of this convention for concluding their 

 arrangements and presenting evidence of sufficient capital subscribed to 

 accomplish the contemplated undertaking: it being understood that if, at 

 the expiration of the aforesaid period, such persons or company be not 

 able to commence and carry out the proposed enterprise, then the govern- 

 ments of the United States and Great Britain shall be free to afford their 

 protection to any other persons or company that shall be prepared to com- 

 mence and proceed with the construction of the canal in question. 



Art. 8. The governments of the United States and Great Britain hav- 

 ing not only desired, in entering into this convention, to accomphsh a 

 particular object, but also to es:ablish a general principle, they hereby 

 agree to extend their protection by treaty stipulations to any other practi- 

 cable commuuications, whether by canal or railwtiy, across the isthmus 

 which connects North and South America, and especially to the iuter- 

 oceanic communications, should the same prove to be practicable, whether 

 by canal or railway, which are now proposed to be established by the 

 wa)^ of Tehuantepec or Panama. In granting, however, their joint pro- 

 tection to any such canals or railways as are by this article specified, it is 

 always understood by the United States and Great Britain that the parties 

 constructing or owning the same shall impose no other charges or condi- 

 tions of tratfic thereupon than the aforesaid governments shall approve of 

 as just and equitable; and that the same canals or railways, being open 

 to the citizens and subjects of the United States and Great Britain on 

 equal terms, shall also be open on like terms to the citizens and subjects 

 of every other State which is willing to grant thereto such protection as 

 the United States and Great Britain engage to afford. 



Art. 9. The ratifications of this convention shall be exchanged at 

 Washington within six months from this day; or sooner if possible. 



