Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-12-24

pears To have performed tho duties assigned
him with al arder ability, and perseverance,
which gives every assurance of an honorable
issue 10 The undertaking.
The report ofthe Postmaster General here
with transmitted, will exhibit the service oi that
department the past year. and It's present COLI
dilon. The transI ,ortation has been maintain
ed during the year tu The full extent authorized
by the existing laws; some Improvements
have been etleried which the public interest
seemed urgently to demand but moi involving
any material additional expenditure; The COLI
tractors have generally performed their engage
menis with fidelity; the postnasters. with lew
exceptions, lav" rendered their accounts and
paid their quarterly balances with prompiltude;
and th. Whole service Of the department las
maintained the efficiency for which it has Tor
several years been distinguished.
The acts OF Congress establishing new mail
! routes. and requiring more expensive services
OH others aud the increasing wants OF The colin-
try, have, for three years past, carried the r2-
pend,urcs something beyond The accruing
revenues; the excess having been met until
the last year. by the surplus which had prev
ously accumulated. That surplus having
been exhausted, and the anticipated increase
in the revenue not having been realized. owing
TO the depression in the commercial business
! Of the country, the finances Of the department
exhibit a small deficiency al the close OF the
| fiscal year. lis resources, however. are am
pie; and the reduced rates Of compensa-
ton for the transportation service. Which may
be expected on the future lettings from the
general reduction Of prices, with the increase
OF revenue that may reasonably be anticipated
/. !.um the revival of Gu mercial activity, mnst
snum place the finances of tie department III u
prosperous condition.
Considering the uni;lvorahe circumstances
which have exiSte; during the past year. 1t Is
gratifying result that The revenue has not de-
cliued rs compared with the preceding year;
bu. OIL the contrary exhibits small Increase;
the circumstances referred 10 favins had no
other effect than 10 check the expected III
cUmio.
II will be seen that the Postmaster General
suggests certain improvements III the cstab'
lsiIlnent, designed to reduce the weight OF the
mails, cheapen the transportation. ensure e.
r, euIarity inthc service and secure cnns!dera
bic reduction in the rates Of letter nos'age-an
object highly desirable. The sll!!j:ct is one o
general interest 10 tie community. and Ia TG
spectfuIly recommended toyonr consideration
The suppression nfthe ifrican slave trade
Government The brig Dolphin and schooner
Grarupus have been employed during the lais
season on the coast Of Africa, for the purpose
of preventing such portions ofthat trade as wa:
said to he prosecuted under the American flag
After cruising off those parts Of the coast mos
usually rcsorted to Ly savers. until the com
meucement of the rainy seuson. these vessels
returned to the United States for supplies. ant
have since been despatched OIL u similar ser
vice.
From The reports of the commanding otti
GERS. it appears that the trade is nnw principal,
carried ON under Portuguese c0lnrs; and the,
express the opinion that tile apprehension o
their presence on the slave coast has in 4 grca
degree, arrested the prostitution Of the Amerl
can flag, to the inhurlane purpose. Ii Is to b
hoped that, by continuing 10 maintain TIN
force in that quarter, and by the excrtions o
the officers in command much will be donc L
put stop to whatever portion of this trath
may have been carried on under The Amercal
flag and to prevent its use III nadc whcl
il violates tie laws. is equally an Outrage ol
the rights ofo others and the feelings of human
Fly. .I'lIc Gfltut> " tiI' srroru envnrnmon mt
who are anxiolisly seeking t'snppress the traffic
must. however, he directed against the facili
ties afforded by what are now recognized n
|eS uIiliutG CpiiiiieiC"i Vhish"', f''oi" 'im' VIZ
icct can be fully accomplished. Supplies o
provisions. water casks merc handize and arii
clcs connected with the prosecution of the siav,
trade. III G. it is understood. freely carried by yes
sells ofditFcrcnt nations to the slave factories; ant
the effects nf the factors Are transmitted open
Is from one slave station 10 another without in
terr,lprio:. or punishment by either Of the M
iiuns tn which lhct hclons, engaged in the com
mrrce orthaI rruioli submit Ia yOlIr ind aInp mt
wlIelhe, This Government, having been the frs
10 prohibit by adequate penalties. the slave trad
the first to declare it piracy -slio,d not hr TN
first, also 10 forbid To thu cltizenSal trade with tl
slave factories on lhr coast Of Africa; giving al
example toalI nations in this respect, which i
Eaillv followed cannot fail to produce the mos
effective results in breaking mp those deus o
niuuitv. ". VAN buren,
Washington Dec. s. lsi0.
DISTRESSING MURDER.-A murder %
the mos, distressing kind was committee
on Friday night last, al Baily's Mills, JEFF