The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-15

gess grant the permission 10 the contractors to deyae
from the direct route. Leaving the colonization part Of
the project entirely out OF yew II is conceived that Com
gress would act wisely in authorizing contract for three
four mammoth steamers TO 10 Gibraltar and thence
10 Cadiz sbon, Hayre, and London. not because the
postage will al once pay the expenses, but because, in
the hist place, we want large number OF steamers
carrying mails and could not find better roue than
lbis-none calculated to afford greater facilities to com
merce-none which would interfere little with private
enterprise Besides, in all mail contracts there other
considerations than the question OF Tevenue other
Wise, hundreds OF districts would have no mail at all
The convenience OF the public has to be regarded and
legitimate object in contracts for the conveyance oil
mails by TO secure incidentally facilities for passengers
and commerce.
With respect to the amount demanded by the con
tractors for the proposed service it will be observed that
according TO the estimates Of the Naval Committee, the
sides the mail pay and the receipts from the Colonization
Society," TO realize even as much as per cent interest
their capital Most of the masteamer contracts
are under the management OF the Navy Departments so
that may presume that the committee understand this
part OF the subject We may infer from these figures that
responsible persons would be willing TO perform the
service at lower rate, and il would to that the
government ought not 10 wish 10 screw down the par
lies who to the words of the committee, shave had
the sagacity to conceive and who have the ability faith
fully TO carry out this noble project" 10 terms which
would leave them little chance of deriving
sonable profit from the enterprise.
The advantages OF this line numerous and so
vast that in my opinion, nothing is required but discus
sion the subject 10 awaken public attention the more
the matter is examined. the more The project will
mend Itself 10 the business men oil New Orleans, and
to all intelligent minds No serious objection, il
to me- presented TO the recommendations of the
committee, whilst the publication of such remarks as
those you have presented affords the friends Of the
desirable opportunity Of discussion Of this they
always ready TO avail themselves, aud have no fear
OF the result.
trust that alto further investigation, your sagacity
will perceive that New Orleans will be benefited
by the proposed measure more than any other city
in the Union. She cannot have direct communica-
ton 10 Europe by steamships in any other way.
She will be the principal port for the export OF goods 10
the African market She will receive thousands OF we'll
conditioned emigrants from Europe, and she will be
greatly benefited by the emigration OF free colored per
Aud, in this connection, may beproper to observe
that The interests OF the coored emgrants have been
carefully guardei by the committees in restraining the
company from charging them than ten dollars for
each adult and five dollars tor each child rations and
transportation of baggage being included In this par
cnar the project differs from other contracts, as they con-
tain such limitation; and this difference apprephend,
will not render the scheme Objectionable but,
the contrary, make more acceptable to all persons
every section of country; though, no doubt, the
company would prefer to be without restriction in this
particular.
sNor are the citizens of New Oseans Indifferent to the
great national considerations involved in this subject
the creation of efficient steam navy in reserve, the
abolition OF the sav trade by the colonization OF the
African coast and the diffusion OF Christianity and civil
Zaon over that continent
THOMAS J. DURANT,
OF New Orleans.