The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-20 00:00:00

Under the present system the expense to the government
is greatly increased by requiring that the mall shall be
carried in such vehicles as will accommodate passengers.
This will be done without pay from the department over all
roads where the travel will remunerate the contractors.
" These recommendations deserve the grave considera-
tion of Congress.
" I would again call your attention to the construction of
a Pacific railroad. Time and reflection have but served to
confirm me in the truth and justice of the observations
which I made on this subject in my last annual message,to
which I beg leave respectfully to refer.
" It is freely admitted that it would be inexpedient for
this government to exercise the power of constructing the
Pacific railroad by its own immediate agents. Such a policy
would increase the patronage of the executive to a danger-
ous extent, and introduce a system of jobbing and corrup-
tion which no vigilance on the part of Federal officials could
either prevent or detect. This can only be done by the keen
eye and active and careful supervision of individual and
private interest. The construction of this road ought,
therefore, to be committed to companies incorporated by the
States, or other agencies whose pecuniary interests would
be directly involved. Congress might then assist them in
the work by grants of land or of money, or both, under
such conditions and restrictions as would secure the trans-
portation of troops and munitions of was free from any
charge, and that of the United States mail at a fair and
reasonable price.
" The progress of events since the commencement of
your last session has shown how soon difficulties disappear
before a firm and determined resolution At that time such
a road was deemed by wise and patriotic men to be a vision-
ary project. The great distance to be overcome, and the
intervening mountains and deserts in the way, were ob-
stacles which, in the opinion of many, could not be sur-
mounted. Now, after the lapse of but a single year, these
obstacles, it has been discovered, are far less formidable
than they were supposed to be ; and mail stages with pas-
senger, now pass and repass regularly twice in each week
by a common waggon road, between San Francisco and St.
Louis and Memphis in less than 25 days. The service has
been as regularly performed as it was in former years be-
tween New York and this city.
" Whilst disclaiming all authority to appropriate money
for the construction of this road, except that derived from
ile war-making power of the constitution, there arelm-
portant collateral considerations urging us to undertake the
work as speedily as possible.
" The first and most momentous of these is, that such a
road would be a powerful bond of union between the States
east and west of the Rocky Mountains. This is so self-evi-
dent as to require no illustration.
" But, again, in a commercial point of view, I consider
this the great question of the day. With the eastern front
of our Republic stretching along the Atlantic, and its west-
ern front along the Pacific if all the parts should be united
by a safe, easy, and rapid communication we must neces-
eerily command a 'very large proporkion of the trade both of
Europe and Asia. Our recent treaties with China and
Japan will open these rich and populous empires to our
commerce ; and the history of the world proves that the
nation which has gained possession of the trade with East-
ern Asia has always become wealthy and powerful. The
peculiar geographical position of California and our Pacific
possessions invites American capital and enterprise into
this fruitful field. To reap the rich harvest, however,
it is an indespensable pre-requisite that we shall first
have a railroad, to convey and circulate its products through-
out every portion of the Union. Besides such a rail-
road througout our temperate latitude, which would not
be impeded by the frosts and snows of winter, nor by the
tropical heats of summer, would attract to itself much .of
the- travel and the trade of all nations passing between
Europe and Asia.

THE SLAVER ECHO.
" On the 21st of August last, Lieutenant J, N. Maffit, of
the United States brig Dolphin, captured the slaver Echo
(formerly the Putnam, of New Orleans), near Kay Verde,
on the coast of Cuba, with more than 300 African negroes
on board. The prize, under the command of Lieutenant
Bradford, of the United StateS navy; arrived at Charleston
on the 27th of August, when fhe-negroes, 306 in number,,
were delivered into the custedyjof the United States mar-
shal for the district of South Carolina. Thay were first
placed in Castle Pinckney, and afterwards in Fort Sumter,
for safe keeping, and were detained there until the 19th of
September, when the survivors, 171 in number, were deli-
vered on board the United States steamer Niagara, to be
transported to the coast of Africa, under the charge of the
agent of the United States, pursuant to the provisions of
the act of the 3d of March, 1819, 'in addition to the acts
prohibiting the slave trade.' Under the secomd section of
this act the President is ' authorised to make such regula-
tions and arrangements as he may deem expedient, for the
safe keeping, support, and removal beyond the limits of
the United States, of all such negroes, mulattoes, or per-
sons of colour', captured by vessels of the United States, or
may be delivered to the marshal of the district into which
they are brought ; ' and to appoint a proper person or per-
sons residing upon the coast of Africa as agent or agents
for receiving the negroes, mulattoes, or persons of colour,
delivered from on board vessels seized in the prosecution of
the slave trade by commanders of the United States armed
vessels.'
" A doubt immediately arose as to the true construction
of this act. It is quite clear from its terms that the Presi-
dent was authorised to provide ' for the safe keeping, sup-
port, and removal' of these negroes•up till the time of their
delivery to the agent on the coast of Africa; but no express
provision was made for their protection and support, after
they had reached the place of their destination. Still, an
agent was to be appointed to receive them in Afriea ; and
it could not have been supposed that Congress intended
he should desert them at the moment they were received,
and turn them loose on that inhospitable coast to perish
for want of food, or to become again the victims of the slave
trade. Had this been the intention of Congress the em-
ployment of an agent to receive them, who is required to
reside on the coast, was unnecessary, and they might have
been landed by our vessels anywhere in Africa, and left ex-
posed to the sufferings and the fate which would certainly
await them.
"Mr. Monroe, in his special message of the 17th of De-
cember, 1819, at the first session after the act passed, an-
nounced to Congress what, in his opinion, was its true con-
struction. He believed it to be his duty under it to follow
these unfortunates into Africa, and make provision for them
there, until they should be able to provide for themselves.
In communicating this interpretation of the act to Congress
he stated that some doubt had been entertained as to its
true intent and meaning, and he submitted the question to
them, so that they might, ' should it be deemed advisable,
amend the same before further proceedings are had under
it.' Nothing was doneby Congress to explain the act, and
Mr. Monroe proceeded to carry it into execution according
to his own interpretation. This, then, became the practical
construction. When the Africans from on board the Echo
were delivered to the marshal at Charleston, it became
my duty to consider what disposition ought to be made of
them under the law. For many reasons it was expedient to
move them from that locality as speedily as possible.
Although the conduct of the authorities and • citizens of
Charleston, in giving countenance to the execution of the
law, was just what might be expected from their high cha-
racter, yet a prolonged continuance of three hundred Afri-
cans in the immediate vicinity of that city could not have
failed to become a source of inconvenience and anxiety to
its inhabitants. Where to send them was the question.
There was no portion of the coast of Africa to which they
could be removed with any regard to humanity, except
to Liberia. Under these circumstonces, an agreement was
entered into with the Colonisation Society on the 7th of
September last, a copy of which is herewith transmitted,
under which the a iciety engaged, for the consideration of
forty-five thousand dollars, to convey these Africans to
Liberia from the agent of the United States, and furnish
them during the period of, one year thereafter with comfort-
able shelter, clothing, provisions,. and medical attendance
causing the children:to receive schooling; and all, whether
childre or adults, to be instructed •in the arts of civilised
life, suitable to their .condition. This aggregate of 45,000
dots. was based on an allowance of 150 dots. for each indi-
vidual, and as there had been considerable mortality among
them, and may be more before they. reach Africa, the society
have agreed, in an equitable spirit, to make such a deduc-
tion from the amount as under the circumstances may ap-
pear just and reasonable. . This cannot' be fixed until we
shall ascertain the actual 'number which may become a
charge to the society.- '
" It was also distinctly agreed- that, under no circum-
stances, shall this government be.called upon for any addi-
tional expenses. • • •
" The agents of the society manifested a laudable desire
to conform to the wishes of the government throughout the
transaction. They assured me that .after a careful exami-
nation they would be required to expend the sum of 150 dole.
on each individual in.co plying- with the agreement, and
they would have nothin left• to remunerate them for their
care, trouble, and resp nsibility. At all events I could
make no better arrangement, and there• was no other alter-
native. During the'. period when the' government itself,
through its own agents, undertook die task-of providing for
captured negroes in Africa, the cost per head was very much
greater. . '

" There having been no outstanding• appropriation ap-
plicable to this purpose, I could not advance any money on
the agreement. I therefore recommend.that an appropria-
tion may be made of the amount necessary to carry it into
effect.

" Other captures of a similar character may, and proba-
bly will be, made by our naval forces ; and I earnestly re-
commend that Congre,ss,may amend the second section of
' the act of March 3, 1819, so as to free its construction from
the ambiguity which has so long existed, and render the
duty of the President plain in executing its provisions.
' I recommend to your favourable regard the local in-
terests of the district of Columbia. As the residence of
Congress and the executive departments of the government,
we cannot fail to feel a deep concern in its welfare. This
is heightened by the high character and the peaceful and
orderly conduct of its resident inhabitants.

" I cannot conclude withoutperforming the agreeable duty
of expressing my gratification that Congress so kindly. re-
spondbd to the recommendation ot my last annual message
by affording me sufficient time before the close of their late
session for the examination• of all the bills presented to me
for approval. This change in the practice of Congress has
proved to be a wholesome reform. It exerted a beneficial
influence on the transactions of legislative business, and
elicited the general approbation of the country. It enabled
Congress to adjourn with that dignity and deliberation so
becoming to the . representatives of this great Republic,
without having crowded into general appropriation bills pro-
visions foreign to their nature, and of doubtful constitu-
tionality and expediency. Let me warmly and strongly
commend this precedent, established by themselves, as a
guide to their proceedings during the present session.
" JAMES BUCHANAN.
" Washington. City, Dec. 6, 1858."

BIRTHS.
BIIIINSIDE.—On the 10th inst., at Malta, the wife of Capt
Burnside, H.M.'s nst Fusiliers, of a son.
DEPREE.—On the 17th inst.. at 12, Bloomsbury square,
Mrs. C. Templer. Depree, of a daughter.

MARRIAGES.
BARER—PENROSE—On the 16th inst., %It St. Pancras New
Church, Mr. William J. Baker, Brecknock-place, Cam-
den New Town, to Amelia, third daughter of Mr. Thos.
H. Penrose, 88, Camden-road Villas.
MACNAGHTEN—MARTIN.-011 the 18th inst., at St. Peter's
Church, Eaton-square, Edward Macnaghten, Esq., of
Lincoln's-inn, barrister-at-law, second son of Sir E.W.
Macnaghten, Bart. of Dundarave, county Antrim, Ire-
land, to Frances Arabella, only daughter of the lion. Sir
Samuel Martin, one of the Barons of her Majesty's Court
of Exchequer.