The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-14

of the Gulf of Mexico, and seventeen degrees of
latitude in the Pacific, which cannot be defended
against fleet of armed steamers by any system Of
Notifications which the skill OF man could devise
the wealth of the nation establish; II becomes pro-
per to consider what course of policy will, at the
least expense, produce what we require La the
fret place, We must take into view the fact that at
least two years required to construct the ma
chinery of of the first class and place
it in the ship. II, therefore, we wait until war
shall actually have commenced before we prepare
the machinery for steam navy, we must expect to
suffer all the disasters which enterprisng enemy
may infiict upon us during the time required TO
enable US TO meet him with force similar to his
own. II We attempt to proceed now to the con-
strucnon OF steam navy as powerful as we should
require in a state of war the expenditure would be
much greater than Congress or the country would
permit.
But suppose the money should be appropriated
and the ships built, the probability is they would
decay, or require sum equal to their original
cost to keep them in repair, and their machinery
would be rendered valueless by new improvements
and inventions, before they would be required in
actual war The changes which constantly
taking place in steam machinery render it mex
pedicnt to waste money in preparing it until it is
required for actual use; it will be perceived that
there are such great and striking peculiarties at
tending the maintenance of a steam navy in time
of peace, that if a of policy be pursued
which will give us an ample supply of that de-
scripton of force at comparatively small cost, it
would seem wise to adopt it. Such believe to be
| the policy which has been extensively adopted by
Great Britain and, to limited extent, by our own
Government, Of combining government cxpendi-
ture with private enterprise in the establishment of
lines of mail steamers, constructed to be
available at all times for purposes; to be kept
in commission, and all Improvements in machinery
adopted, at the expense of the contractors, until
finally, in the progress of events it shall be able to
support itself.
am aware it has been urged that this system
should be left entirely to individual enterprise II
is possible that the skill and energy of our mer-
chants may have accomplished something in that
way, If they had only to contend against the capt.
tai and efforts Of individuals, but that is the
case; the government of Great Britain has come
forward in such spirit to leave doubt or
question that she has adopted the system being
vital to her commercial and naval supremacy, and
consequently it would be folly, if not madness, to
suppose that our merchants can compete, unaided,
with such antagonists. This system, as far as it
has been adopted by our Government, has worked
we'll The line tle Pacific from Panama to San
Francisco, most fortunately, went into operation
soon after the discovery of gold in California, and
| served most vaisabie purpose in keeping up
regular communication with that distant territory
| at most critical ard important PERIOD in convey
ing emigrants to it, and in afordng safe and
speedy means OF conveyance for large quantities of
gold to the Atlantic States
| The advantages thus derived to the country from
| the establishment Of this line, and the one from
New York TO New Orleans which connects with it
at the Isthmus, cannot well be estimated in dollars
and cents. The line from New York to New Or
leans has performed another important achieve
ment. 1t has accomplished what was designed in
kRe-establishfnena II has caused the withdrawal Of
III British West Indis'ine of fourteen steamers,
which received twelve hVlNlhd thousand dollars
year h0ptshe government lnpd wnseeund by
tract 70 Nodsarat HAVANA l~np&ts of Mexico
the gulf at New o-eans,N pbilc, Savannah, and
Charleston, and intended TO convey to and
from those ports passengers the mails and freight,
and form powerful fleet, in the event Of war, to
act our southern coast. The New York and
New Orleans line was intended to act as a guard
for southern coast, and TO cut off this British
line from our southern ports, by connecting with
| the European lines at New York, and afording
more speedy communication south than that
| through the West Indies. This has been effected,
and the British line has been Withdrawn. The
wharves and coal belonging to the British company
in Havana have been sold, and purchased by the
New York company.
II is beloved that the two lines which form
direct communication from our Atlantic and Cult
ports TO California and Oregon arc already paying
into the Treasury, in the form Of postage, an
amount quite equal to that which they receive, I'M
der their contracts, from the Government, 90 that
this branch of the system sustains itsAf. The New
York and Liverpool line has recently gone into OPP
Grafton, and has already achieved a brilliant
triumph over lite British competitor, which gives
the most perfect confidence of its future success
1t cannot be doubted therefore, that Congress and
the country have cause TO be satisfied with, and
proud of this system, fac IA has been adopted
II has accomplished more than its friends promised
| for II.
| The most important and interesting feature of
the measure presented by you. lie that which pro-
poses the colonization Of the free colored people Of
| the United States the coast Of Africa OF all
the plans which have heretofore from time TO time,
| been suggested TO effect this most important OBJ
| iect, no one has combined such clements of sue
coss Connecting itself with our naval preparations
| and the extension Of our commercial intercourse,
for the removal Of Acknowledged evI, one would
suppose IL must receive the support Of all patriotic
! men Of all sections, and Of all parties
SO much has been said aud written by the abest
men OF our country in favor Of coonization that il
would seem supernuous to attempt to add one word
TO the mass Of argument which has long since been
| laid before the public. We cannot however. shut
eyes TO tho progress Of an evil which threatens
the most serious consequences to our country, and
which, if not removed, must produce among us all
| w. degrading influences Of mixed race. 10 tho
slayeholdng States. this Is question Of the most
| vital Importance. have long since been Of opinion
that their welfare and salety imperiously demand
the removal Of all free negroes and coored persons
| from their borders, aud this policy. have reason
to believe, would have been adopted but for the diff
houlty Of providing for them a cheap and convent
ent mode OF removal, and comfortable home
Your plan obyiatcs these objections Most of the
difficulties which have arisen in slsveholding coun-
tries have been planned aud encouraged by free
colored people. Pertaking Of the intelligence Of
/ the white race, they arc compelled TO associate
with the black Being idle and vicious in their
habits, they desire 20 pUssess the comforts which
they have not tho honest industry to acquire, and
/ are AT al rcadv ted