Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1841-01-02

! fXlenJIlsr. he caninc,ofs have generally per-
+ formed their engagement wllu hdell,, The posi-
mastsrs,aiih Tea exceptions, have rendered! her
accounts and paid their quarterly balances wHb T
prnmpuude; aud The ah.le service Of the depart
meDt has maintained The efficiency for which q
has ioI sew raj years been distinguished.
The acts Of Congress establishing new mail
routes, aud requiring more expensive services VI
others and the increasing wants OF the country,
have, Cor three years past, carried the rxpsndl-
lures something beyond the accruing revenues;
/ the excess having been met, until the past year,
by the surplus which had previously accumulated.
| That surplus having been exhausted, and The
anticipated increase IN the revenue not having
been realized owing to the depression in the corr
mefcla business OF the country, tue finances OF
the department exhibit a small efficiency at the
close OF the last fiscal year Its resources, how
ever, are ample and the reduced rates of com
| pehsaton for the transportation service, which
may be expected on the uluie lelIings, from the
general reduction of prices, With The increase of
revenue that may reasonably be anticipated from
the revival Of commercial activity, must soon
place the finances Of the department IN prosper
Gus condition.
Considering the unlasorable Circumstance
which have existed during the past year, Il Is Il
gratifying result that The revenue has act declined
az compaIed With the preceding yea, but on the
contrary, exhibits u small increase the crcum-
stances referred to having had no other effect than
to check the expected income.
Ii will be- seen ihl, tue Postmaster General
suggests certain improvements IN the establish
mem, designed TO reduce the weight vi tho mahs,
chrapen The transportation, ensure greater regu-
lary IN the service, and secure a considerable re-
duclion IN the rates Of letter posldge-an object
highly desirable. The subject Is one Of general
interest 10 the community, aud is respectfully re-
commended 10 your consideration.
The Suppression Of the African slave trade
has received the continued attention OF the Gov.
, ernment, The big Dolphin aud schooner
5 Giumpus have been employed DUNG The last
t season on the coast Of Area, for the purpose Of
preventing such portions Of that trade was SAID
d to be prosecuted under the American flag Az.
q iet cruising off those parts of the coast most
Q sually resolled 10 by slaves. until the comlnenc
= ment OF the rainy season, these vessels returret
o 10 The United States or supplies, aud have sine,
:, been despatched on u slmllar service.
II From the reports Of the commanding officers
d il appears that The trade Is now principally carrie,
70 thu opinion Aai the apprehension o their presence
10 on he slave coast has, IN great degree,uuestet
Q the prostitution Of the American flag to tins mhu
IN man purpose. 1t Is hoped thst, by continuing Il
10 maintain this force IN that quarter and by the eX
l. crtions oil the officers IN command, much will b
al done To put stop 10 whatever portion OF this trail
II, fic may have been carried on under the America
r. llg and to prevent It's Use IN trade which, Will
ct It violates The laws, Is equally an outrage til
OF rights Of others aud the feelings OF humanity
e, The efforts oil tho several Governments who ar
ms anxlolsly seeking to suppress this traffic mus
" however, be directed against the facilities aliort
nd ed by what are now recognised MS legltlmst
- commercial pursuits, before that object can b
u FULLY accomplished. Supplies of provisions, va
be ter- casks, merchandise, and articles connecte
a. with the prosecution Of the slave trade, arc, II
d, understood, freely carried by vessels oi dlersl
~ nations to the slave factories; aud the eilcc
IN of the factors transported openly ilom OF
81 slave station to another, without interruption
~. punl.hneni by either OF the nations To which the
os belong, engaged in the commerce OF that region
us | submit to your judgment whether This Cover
nj meni, having been The first TO prohbn, by ud'
al oun,e peualI,as, the slaye.,radc - tho first 10 d.
III clare II pnocy--should not be the first, also,
Isl forbid to Its citizens all trade with tn" slave IA
es tories on the coas. Of Africa; giving an examp
e. 10 all nations IN this respect, which, II fairly tc
he lowed, cannot laIl to produce the most Ciiecu
Ia result, IN breaking up those dens Of lnlqu,y.
ice NJ. VAN BUREN,.
,n. WARRINGTON, December 10, 1910.
In-