The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-23
From the Richmond Enquirer.
Important Enterprise.

The accomplished chairman of the Committee ON
Naval Affairs of the House of Representative, +.
i. Stanton, esq, of Tennessee, has lately presented
to the House very able report in favor of the es
Enlistment of a line of mail steamers to the west
crn coast of Africa, and thence RIA the Meditcrra-
mean TO London. The report Of the committee is
in response TO n memorial of certain gentlemen,
amongst whom, we learn, is our esteemed friend,
Beverley Tucker, esq. formerly of this city, pray
ing the establishment Of this line, designed 10 pro-
mote the colonization Of free persons of color, to
suppress the African slave trade to carry the mails,
and to extend the commerce OF the United States.
Mr.. Stanton, after giving summary Of the action
of tho governments Of the United States and Great
Britain, in relation TO the employment of mail
steamers fitted for war purposes, and built under
the inspection of Government officers, Of which
ocean steamers Great Britain has already an ag-
gregatc number of one hundred and fifteen, states
that the committee believe "that the recent increase
OF our territory, on the Pacific and in the Gulf Of
Mexico, forms an additional reason for n consider
able augmentation of our steam navy, whether by
direct addition 10 the navy proper, by the en-
couragement Of lines of steam packets, TO be es-
tablished by private enterprise, under the auspices
OF Government" Inasmuch az the idea has already
been adopted by the General Government, that the
vast expenditures required in naval armamcnts
might be made subseryicnt TO the purposes Of com
mcrcc in time Of peace the report dcvotcs but a
small space TO its enforcement.
II Is chiefly in view of the important bearing
that this movement has upon the removal of free
persons of color from this country to the coast of
africa, hnd OF Supprtssng t1e slave trade, that inc
committee recommend it 10 the favorable attention
oil Congress. The committee propose "to make
the line consist of three ships, which shall make
monthly trips 60 Liberia, touching their return
at certain points in Spain, Portugal, France, and
England; thus one ship will leave New York every
three months, touching at Savannah for freight
and mails one will leave Baltimore every three
months, touching at Norfolk and Charleston for
passengers, freight, and mails; and one will leave
New Orleans every three months, with liberty to
touch at any of the West India islands They will
proceed directly TO Liberia, with liberty to touch
at any OF the islands ports OF the coast OF Arica
thence to Gibraltar, carrying the Mediterranean
mails; thence 10 Cadiz, some other port OF
Spain, TO be designated by the government thence
10 Lisbon; thence TO Brcst, some other port of
France, to be designated above; and thence to
London, bringing mails from all these points TO
the United States" Each ship is to be Of not less
than 1000 tons burden, be built under the super
vision Of the Navy Department, TO be commanded
by an officer of the navy, and to be constructed
ms to be easily converted into war steamers. The
Colonization Society Is to pay ten dollars for each
cmigrant over twelve years Of age and the Govern
mont compensation is 3 40 900 for each and every
trip. The committee estimate the expense Of the
three steamers at 3 ,22l 900 per annum, Of which
S4SO,OOO will be paid by the Government for the
transmission of mails, &c; 4 81, 900 by the Coohi
cation Society, estimating 800 cmgrants for each
voyage, and s 3 as the nett profit on each, thus
leaving x657 900 TO be made by commerce and the
transportation Of passengers other than einigrauts
We think the merits Of this measure are sufh-
cicntly wcighty TO command the favor OF the whole
country. While II commends itself TO our iudg
ment by the commercial advantages arising from