Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-12-31

iostilties have been renewed throughout the
whole Of the Territory. That tins contest
has endured so long, is TO be attributed TO
causes beyond the control of the GovernmeU.
Experienced Generals have had the command
ofthe troops; officers and soldiers have ailhe
DISTINGUISHED themselves for Their activity, pa
tence, and enduring courage; the army has
been constantly furnished WITH supplies OF oVe-
nv description and we must look for the eau
ses which have so long procrastlnated The IS
sue of the contest, IN tie vast extent q me
theatre of hostilities, tho almost insurmopnta-
bic obstacles presented by the nature o. the
country, the climate, and the WHY character
of the sayages.
The sites for marine hospitals on the rivers |
and lakes, which was authorised to select
and caused to be purchased, have all been de-
sionated; but, the appropriation not proving |
sufficient, conditional arrangements only have
been made for their acquisition. 1t IS for Con-
gress TO decide whether those conditional
purchases shall be sanctioned, and the hui
name intentions Of the law carried INTO lull
effect.
The Navy, as will appear from the accom-
panyinr report Of the Secretary has been use
fully and honorably employed IN the protec-
ton of our commerce and citizens IN The we'd
iterranean, The Pacific, on the coast OF Brazil
and in the Gufof Mexico. A small squadron,
consisting ofthe frigate Constellation, and the
| sloop OF war Boston, under Commodore Rear
ney, is now onits way 10 the China and indi-
an seas, for the purpose OF attending TO our ~
! terests in that quarter: and Commodore Au-
! lick, in the soop of war Yoaktown, has been
instructed to visit the Sandwich, and society
Islands, the coasts of New Zealand and Japan,
together with otherpods and islaEds frequent
ed by our whale ships, for the purpose oil CIV
INC them countenance and protection, should
they be required. Other smaller vessels have
been, ard still are, employed in prosecuting
the surveys Of the coast OF the United States,
directed by various acts of Congress, and those
which have been been completed will shortly
be laid before you.
The exploring expedition. at the latest date
was preparing TO leave the Bay oflsands, New
zealand, in further prosecution of objects winch
have thus far been successfully accomplished.
The discovery of new continent, which was
! first seen in latitude 66 deg, 2min- south, lon
citude l53 DEG. 10 min. east, by lieutenants
Wilkes and Hudson, for an extent of eighteen
hundred miles, but on which they were pre-
vented f omlanding by vast bodies oficeswhlcf
comprised it, is one of the honorable results
|
testimony to the zeal and good conduct OF IN:
officers and men and it IS but Justice 10 :ha
! officer to state that he appears to have perlor
! med the duties assigned him with an order, an'
perseverance, which gave every assurance 0
} an honorable issue to the undertaking.
7 The report ofthe Postmaster General, here
with transmitted, wall exhibit the service c
7 that department the past year. and IFS presen
z fbf,4
T. tanned during the year to the full extent au
5 lhorized by the existing laws; somo improve
u ments have been effected, which the public in
d | terest seemed urgently to demand, bat not ii
S volving any materially additional expenditur
d the contractors have generally performed lhel
a engagements with fidelity; the postmaster
T with few exceptions, have rendered their az
S counts and paid their quarterly balances wit
: promptiiude: and the whole service Of the De
e partment has maintained the efficiency f
Ii whchit has FOR several years been designatet
II The acts of congress establishing new ma
e routes, and requiring more expensive service
e on others, and the increasing wants Of III
y country, have for three years past, carried Ii
expenditures something beyond the accrun
: revenues; the excess having been met, uni
IL the last rear, by the surplus which had prev
d ousy accumulated. That surplus having bee
exhausted, and the anticipated increase IN Il
lie revenue not having been realized, owing
y the depression IN the commercial business
IN the country, the finances Of the department e.
IL hibited a small deficiency at the close Of q
q fiscal year. rs resources, however, are az
or ME: and the reduced rates Of compensation
&c the transportation service, which may be e.
d' pected on the future lettings, from the geEer
81 4,
&c nue. that may reasonably be anticipated fro
tTl the revival OF commercial activity, must scs
ne place :he finances OF the department in pro
ny peroas condition.
ey The suppression Of the African slave trat
Sc has received the continued attention Of Il
I'm Government. The brig Dolphin and the sc. o.
eu err Grampus have been employed during 4
as late season on the coast of Africa, for the pu
.es pose ofpreventing such portions of that ira,
iCt as was said to be prosecuted under the Anne
nd can flag. After cruising of these pats oft
am coast most usually resorted 10 by slavers un
I'VE the commencement ofthe rainy season, the
NY vessels returned to the United States for su
D" plies, and have since been despatched on
zen similar service.
Us From the reports Of the commanding Of
1lc GERS, it appears that the trade is now princp
ms " carried on under Portuguese colors; a
, nc they express the opinion that the apprehensi
ids of their presence on the slave coast has, IL
Ca great degree, arrested the prostitution of t
= ON American flag, TO the inhumane purpose. Il
! 1lIg to be hoped that. by continuing to mants
Ieu this course in that quarter, ard by the eXt
nd tons of the officers IN command, much will
&c done to put stop to whatever portion OF Il
y nun ktraffic may have been carried on under the
ui9 merican flag, and prevent its use IN a .ra
'eu which while it violates the laws, IS equally
~ outrage on the rights Of others and the teelm
-ns of humanity. The efforts of the several GC
10" ernments who are anXlously seeking TO 81
sd press this traffic must, however, be directed
VI gainst the facilities afforded by what are n
so' recognized as legitimate commercial pursui
un- before the object can be fully accomplished,
w Supplies of PROVISIONS water casks. mercht
ecu die, and articles connected with the prcset
ar tine of the slave trade, are 1t is understo
Stis fretycaIred by vessels of different nations
ol' the slave factories; and the effects of the Fl
I'D tors are transported only from one slave stat
ia TO another without interruption or punshmt
va by either of lhe nations to which they belo
+-I9' engaged in the commerce Of that region.
= submit to your judgments, whether this q
ueu eminent, having been the irss to prohibit,
OPs adequate penalties, the slave trade-the fl
"a to declare it piracy--should not be the first
. .eu so to forbid to its citizens all trade with
ele slave factories on the coast Of Africa; Civ
up an example to all nations in thisrespect. VIII
Tue uei if fairly followed, cannot fail to produce
WI Wi most effective results in breaking I'D tht
~ dens of iniqu;ty.
~ MARTIN VAN BUREl
arn Washington, Dec 5, 1910.
a