The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-01
The TRANSFORMATION

urgently TO demand, but not involving any
material additional expenditure the con-
tractors have generally performed their
engagements with fidelity; the postmas-
tiers, with few exceptions, have rendered
their accounts and paid their quarterly
balances with promptitude and the whole
service of the department has maintained
the efficiency for which it has, for several
years, been distinguished.
The acts Of congress establishing new
mail routes, and requiring more expen-
sive services on others, and the increas-
inc wants of the country, have, for three
wears past, carried the expenditures some
thing beyond the accrung revenues; the
excess having been met, until the past
year, by the surplus which had previous
" accumulated. That surplus having
been exhausted, and the anticipated i'll
crease in the revenue not having been re-
allied, owing to the depression in the
commercial business Of the country, the
finances of the department exhibit small
deficiency at the close of the last fiscal
year. Its resources, however, are ample;
and the reduced rates Of compensation for
the transportation service, which may be
expected ON the future lettings, from the
general reduction of prices, with the in
crease of revenue that may reasonably be
anticipated from the revival of commercial
activity, must soon place the finances Of
the department in a. prosperous condi-
ton.
Considering the unfarorable circum-
stances which have.eXisted during the past
year, it is gratifying result that the re-
venue has not declined, as compared with
the preceding year, but on the contrary it
exhibits a small increase the circumstan-
ces referred to having had no other effect
than to check the expected income.
Ii will be deem that the postmaster gen.
eral suggests certain Improvements III the
establishment, designed TO reduce the
weight of the mails, cheaper the trans
portatlOn, insure greater regularity in the
service, and n considerable reduction in
the rates ofletter-postage-an object high
ly desirable. The subject is one of gen
eral interest to the community and is re.
specially recommended to your consid-
Grafton.
The suppression of the African slave
trade has received the continued attention
of the government. The brig Dolphin
and schooner Grampus have been employ
ed during the last season on the coast of
Africa, for the purpose Of preventing such
portions Of that trade as was said to be
prosecuted under the American flag. AZ
ter cruising off those parts of the coast
most usually resorted to by. slavers, until
the commencement of the rainy season,
these vessels returned to the United States
for supplies, and have since been despatch
ed on similar service.
From the reports of the commanding
officers, it appears that the trade is now
principally carried OH under Portuguese
colors, and they express the opinion that
the apprehension of their presence on the
slave coast has, in great degree, arrested
the prostitution of the American flag to
this lnhuman purpose. 1t is hoped that,
by continuing to maintain this force in that
quarter, and by the cxertions of the Off
GERS IN command, much will be done to
put stop to whatever portion of this traf-
tic may have been carried on under the
American flag, and to prevent its use in a
trade which, while it violates the laws, is
equally an outrage on the rights of others
and the feelings Of humanity.-The eff
forts of the several governments who are
anXiously seeking to suppress this traffic,
must, however, be directed against the ia
cllitles afforded by what are now recog-
nized as legitimate commercial pursuits,
before that object can be freely accom-
plished.
Supplies of provisions, water-casks,
merchandise, aud articles connected with
the slave trade, are, it is understood, free
~ carried by vessels of different nations
to these slave factories and effects of the
factors are transported openly from one
slave station to another, Without Interrupt
ton or punishment by either of the nation.
to which they belong, engaged in the com
merce OF that region. | submit to your
judgments whether this government,
having been first to prohibit, by adequate
penalties, the slave trade-the first, to de
clare 1t piracy-should not be the first, al
so. to forbid to its citizens all trade will
the slave factories on the coast of Africa
giving an example TO all nations in thi
respect, which, if fairly followed, canno
fail to produce the most effective results