Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-08-31
STEAMSHIPS FOR AFRICA.

STEAMSHIPS FOR AFRICA.
We are so well known as friends of African
Colonization that we cannot imagine that any will
impute recent silence on this subject to indier-
ence. During the sessions of Congress much mat
ter Of general interest is necessarily excluded from
our columns. Therefore we have not before now
been able TO notice the important Report of Mr..
STANTON, Chairman of the Naval Committee of the
House of Representatives, recommending the es-
tablishment of a line Of Steamers to the Western
Coast Of africa, and thence By the ,oay of the
Mediterranean to London. For the notice of it
which we now take, we are indebted to gentleman
better qualified than we to judge of its merits.
The establishment of this line is urged for the twood pur-
pose of strengthening the naval force Of the United States
and augmenng the for the colonization and cvza-
ton of Africa Both England and France have recently
greatly increased their naval forces by the construction Of
steamships and while the committee do propose that we
should attempt equal these nations the number Of vessels
war; they Of opinion that few large steamers will prove
great advantage the public SERVICE and shouldb always
at the command Of the Government.
But in the view of the Committee, the chief ends to be
sought by the establishment Of this line the facilities
which will afford for the emigration Of free coored po-
puation to the coast Of Acahe suppression of the African
slave rade-and the increase Of legitimate with
that country, one Of the principal most sure. and certain
means of its civilization.
Surely the establishment by private benevoence, of
publican and independent State Of emnncpated blacks from
this country the African coast is among the marvels of
this age and the favor with which il is regarded by the great
Powers Of the world and the ample possessed by the
General Government Of this Union to aid its progress
bes stability and unlimited moral and political influence,
alike indications of duty and Of the benign purposes Of
Providence towards that vast and great extent uncivi
lned and unexpored region Of the world. The power Of
steam will enable the free and instructed descendants Africa
her with blessings that they may cultivate her
fields develop her unbounded resources trace her rivers
their sources and make them the channels of valuable
reclaim her people from barbarsm, and teach them
to exchange their rude huts for christian villages and to adon
that cheeress coast with schools churches and cities
We know that large numbers Of intelligent fellow citizens
highly approved the determination Of the late President
inquiries be made into the condition and prospects Of
Liberia and they anxious have the results Of those
inquiries communicated to the country.
The Committee recommend the construction of three steam
ships each be Of less than four thousand BURDEN
and the cost of each not exceed hundred thousand dol
lars these ships make monthly trips to Liberia touching
on their return, at certain points Spain Portugal France
and England, thus One leave New York every three
leave Baltimore every three months, touching Norfolk and
Charleston for passengers freight and mails and to leave
New Orleans every three mons with liberty to touch at any
of the West India islands They will proceed directly Lii
bea with liberty touch any Of the islands ports of the
coast of Aca thence to Gibraltar carrying the Mediea
mails thence to Cadiz, other port of Spain,
be designated by the Government thence Lisbon thence
Brest other port of France to be designated
above and thence to London-bngng mails from all those
points to the United States"
These ships be built under the direction of the Secre
ay of the Navy and each them to be commanded by
officer Of the Navy, with four passed mdshpmen and they
all times to be in condition to be easily transferred to the
naval service The Committee recommend that the Govern
ent advance twohds of the cost of the construction of
these ships, and for the mail service pay forty thousand dol
lars for each voyage the advances for the construction be
repaid by the contractors in equal annual nstamens begin
ming and ending with the service. The contractors
qured to stpulate to carry, each and every VOYAGE
many emgants being free persons Of color and exceed
ing thousand FIVE hundred persons for each voyage
the American Colonization Society may send said society to
pay advance dollars for each adult emgan and half
that for children under twelve years Of age these
to include the transportation of baggage and the daily
supply of sailors raons. Two Of these ships be finish
ed in two and half years. and the other within three years.
from the time OF the execution OF the contract.
Without going further into the details of this scheme
pressing any opinion in regard to hem certainly hail the
Of this Report of the signs Of sentiments in
Congress full Of benefcence towards Africa and of hope
her dispersed and neglected children less Of agacious
regard exceedingly valuable commerce which must due
me enrich those who Icy open the Of Africa. The
expenditure Of all the money required carry this design
effect without any pecunary return, would be amply
pensated in the moral and intellectual renovation of Africa
and the growth Of those amabe virtues and sympathes be-
tween men Of distant and different lands, which frequent in
tercouse and friendly commercial transactions fail TO
produce.
We by no means confident the Committee appear
be- that the establishment of this line will render naval
squadron unnecessary and well assured that be
ria has powerfully aided in the suppression Of the slave trade
il is but Just award high praise for most effective and
ensve agency in it's suppression to the naval squadron of
Great Britain More than six hundred vessels either engaged
the slave trade equipped fer that traffic. have been cap
tuyed by the English squadron during the last ten years.
few small armed steamers placed under the control Of the
Lbesn authorities would be employed the greatest poss
BILE advantage sganst this trade. while they might otherwise
advance the interests and enlarge the influence of that repub
c God speed, then, these African seamsrs-not destined
be "feighted with curses" but with the gifts and good
will Of the American people TO Africa!
EXECUTION OF PROFESSOR WEBSTER
Bosros, AUeusr 80, A. M.-It is now eight o'clock