Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-12-17


be laid before you.
The exploring expedition, ut the la'-
est date, was preparing 10 leave the Bay
of IsIands. New Zealand, in further pros
rculion Of objects which have, thus far,
been successfully accomplished. The
discovery o. u new continent. which was
frs, seen in latitude SO deg 2 min. south,
longitude i5i deg. ~ min. east, aud at.
forwards in latitude 66 deg.3l min. south,
longitude 1873 deg. 40 min. eusI, by lieu
tenant Wilkes aud Hudson, for an extent
of eighteen hundred miles, but on which
Ihoy were prevented from landing by vast
bodies Of ice which encompassed II, II
one ofthe honorable results of the enter.
prise Lieutenant Wilkes bears iesi;mo
ny 10 the zeal aud good conduct OF lis
officers aud men and it is but justice To
that officer To state That he appears Ia
have performed the duties assigned him
with an ardor. ability. and perseverance,
which give every assurance OF an honor
able issue to the undertaking.
The report Of the postmaster general
herewith transmitted, will exhibit the
service Of that department the last year
and its present condition. The trans
portaton has been maintained during the
year 10 the full extent authorised by tbs
existing laws some improvements hav,
been effected, which the public interest
seemed urgently 10 demand, but not in
volving any material additional expendi
ture (; the contractors. have generally per
formed their engagements with fidelity
the os,Maslers,w ith few exceptions, have
rendered their accounts, and paid their
quarterly balances with prompitude and
the whole service of The department has
maintained the efficiency for which il
has for several years been distinguished.
The acts OF Congress establishing new
mail routes, and requiring more cxpen
sivc services Of others, aud the increasing
wants Of the country, have, tor throe
years past carried the expenditures some.
thing beyond the accruing revenues the
excess having been met. until tho pas,
year, by surplus which had previously
accumulated. That surplus having been
exhausted, and the anticipated increase
in the revenue no, having been realized
wing to the deprc cssion Of the CONNER
cial business OF the country, the finances
Of the department eXhibi; small def.
cheney at the close OF the last fiscal ear.
Its resources. however, are umple anu
the reduced rates Of compensation for the
transportation service, which may be-cx
pee ted on the future lettings, from the
general reduction Of prizes, with the i,,.
crease Oirevenue that may rcasOnabl, be
anticipated from the revival of CONNER
ciai activity, must soon place the i'm ,nces
of the department III n prosperous condi
,ion.
Considering the unfavourablc circum.
stances which have existed during the
past year, il is a gratifying result that the
revenue has not declined, us compared
with the preceding year, but, on the con.
trary, exhibits small increase the CIR
cun,stances referred to having had no
other effect than to check the expec ted
i1coine.
II will be seen that the Postpast Ge-
neral suggests certain improvements il,
the establishment. designed to reduce the
weight Of the mails, cheaper The trans
portation, ensure greater regularity ia the
service, aud secure u considerable reduc
ton in the rates of letter. p' stage I'm OBJ.
Ject highly desirable. The subject is one
Uf general interest 10 the community, aud
Is respectfully recommended TO your
consideration.
The suppression of the African slave
Trade has received the continued attention
Of the Government. Tho brig Dolphin
aad sch'r Grainpu. have bccn employed
during tho last season OH the coast OF
Africa, for the purpose ofpreventing such
portions of that lruds as was said to be
prosecuted under the American flag. Af
ter cruising off those paris Of the coas'
most usually rcsoried to by slavers. until
The commencement of the rainy senson,
these vessels returned 10 the u. States Tor
supplies. and have since been despatched
on similar service.
From The reports Of the commanding
officers, 1t appears that the trade is nos
principally carried on under Portuguese
colois; and they express the opinion that
the apprehension Of their presence on the
slave coas, has, in a great degree, ,arres,
ed the prostitution ofthe A.nerican flag 70
this inhuman purpose.
It's hoped thai, by confirming to main.
tam this force in that quarter. aud by the
exerlions OF the officers in command,
much will be done TO put a stop to what.
ever portion ofihis traffic may have beer
carried Oh under the American flag, and
to prevcn, its use in trade, which while
It violates the laws, is equally an outrage
Oh the rights Of others. aud The feelings of
humanity The efforts of the several
governments who are anxiously seeking
10 suppress this traffic must, however be
directed against the facilities afforded b,
what are now recognized as legitimate
commercial pursu l., before tn It objcc,
Can bc fully accomplished.
Supplies oil provisions, wafer casks.
merch 'ndize aud articles connected with
the prosecution oithc slave trade, are, il
is und rstood, freely car led by vessels 1.
different, na,ious to the slave factories :;
aud tho effects Of the fociors ure trans
ported openly from enc slave station to