Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-08-22
Steamships for Liberia.

-cceived his report from the committee on Naval
Affairs on the subject of establishing line of steam
ships to the Coast of Africa, designed to promote
he colonization of free persons of color to suppress
he African Slave Trade to carry the Mails, and TO
extend the commerce Of the United States.
The Lafayette Journal says, I'VE take pleasure
in placing the material points of this Report before
our readers, and ask for them earnest considera
ton. The subject is a humane one; and one that
should command the warmest sympathies of our
race While the influence of the Republic of Libe-
ria has been shown in the complete suppression of
the trade along coast of several hundred miles in
length combined squadrons of Europe and America
have not been successful other portions of that
unhappy shore. In lS47, no less than "a 1856 slaves
were exported from Africa TO Cuba and Brazil In
the opinion Of the Committee it is highly important
to prevent the further Africanzng of the American
continent An opposite movement, so far the
free blacks are concerned, is far more in accordance
with the spirit of the age and with the best interests
of all American Governments.
sWe omit that part of the Report confirming the
Constiutonality of the project. 1t was the opinion
of Mr.. Jefferson that the United States had power TO
establish colonies for the free blacks on the coast of
Africa, and he desired its exercise. Chief Justice
Marshall and Mr. Madison concurred in this opinion.
And it is to be observed that the first purchase in the
Colony of Liberia made by the Government of
the United States. The opinions of the leading ju-
rists of our day do not appear to differ from those of
the great founders of the Constitution, who believed
may be given in accordance with that instrument,
but that the Government has power 10 establish the
colonies themselves
The report proceeds to say
Instead of four ships, proposed make the line
consist of three, which shall make monthly trips Lii
IBERIA, touching their return certain points in Spain
Portugal France and England thus one ship will leave
New York every three months touching Savannah for
freight and mails; will leave Baltimore every three
months, touching Norfolk and Charleston for passen
gers, freight and mails; and one will leave New Orleans
every three months with liberty touch any of the
West India Islands. They will proceed directly to Ii
IBERIA, with liberty to touch at of the islands ports
of the coast of Africa; thence Gibraltar carrying the
Mediterranean mails; thence to Cadz, some Other
port OF Spain, to be designated by the Government
thence to Lisbon; thence Brest, other por
of France, to be designated above; and thence &c
LOnd0n-brnglng mails from all those points to the
United States
ship to be of not less than 1000 tons burden an,
the cost OF each not to exceed $500 600. The Govern
ment to advance thirds of the Of construction
from time to time, the building progresses-the ad
vance to be made in hive per cent stocks payable at the
end oil 80 years-such advance to be repaid by the
tractors in equal annual nstaments beginning and end
ing with the service. The said ships to be built in
cOrdance with plans to be submitted to and approved b.
the Secretary the Navy and under the
OF an officer to be appointed by the Secretary of the Ma
Wy, and to he constructed to be convertible, at tn
least possible expense, into war steamers of the frs
class The ships he kept up 10y alterations repairs
or additions to be approved by the Secretary of tn
Navy to be at all times fully equal to the cxigen
nf IL,
contract
Each ship to be commanded by an officer Of the Navy
who with passed midshipmen TO watc
officers, shall be accommodated in suitable &
their rank, without charge to the Government Tn
Secretary of the Navy all times have the right
place board of each ship guns of heavy caibre
and the men necessary to Them to be accommo
dated and provided for by the contractors
f The Secretary of the Navy exercise at all time
such control ov'sr said ships may not be inconssten
with these TERMS and to have the right to take them
either OF them, of war, for the exclusive
service of the United States paying the value thereof
such value not exceeding the cost to be ascertaned
appraisers mutually chosen by the Secretary and tn
Contractors. The Secretary also to have power to d
rect at the expense of the Government such changes
the machinery and internal arrangements OF the sal
ships, any of them, he at any time, may deem ad
visable.
The contractors are further required to stipuate
carry, each and every voyage they may make, s
many emierants being free persons of color and
ceedng Z, 800 for each voyage, the American Colon
Zat0n Society send said Society In &C
$40 for each emigrant twelve years of age
and 50 for each under that age these sums to il
clude the transportation of baggage and the daily SUI
! ply of sailors rations.
necessary agents the vernment or the Coonzatio
Society may require, upon each one of said ships.
Two of said shiss to be finished and ready for Sc
within two and half years. and the other within thre
! years, after the execution of the contract
1 The Government to pay $4,000 for each and ever
trip; and to exact ample security for the faithful pei
Torrance of the contract, besides taking hen on t
ships for the repayment of the sums advanced. Th
contract TO continue 10 years from the completion OF
the ships.
The expense running the ships viz fuel wages Of til
provisions stores dock charges hnrbor dues plo
age, agents. lighthouse dues, &c. which be
mated less than $50 900 per voyage considering ths
the distance Liberia and thence home via Madeirs
Gibraltar, CadlZ Lisbon Brest, and London, is abol
600 mi es and that each voyage, with the necessar
delays in the various ports, will occupy about thre
: months
Thus it will be seen that the contractors will have
their probable expenses, than thirds of mi
lion, S57 900 each voyage, be made by commerce
and passengers independent of the Government pay
. the profit from the Colonization Society.
1t will be observed that, the Colonization Societ
pay for the transportation of cmgrants to Liber
sailing vessels not less than 30 per head the propose
arrangement will make the actual cost eventually lie:
than this, adding the amount to be paid by tl
United States for this service the amount TO be pal
by the said Society, without estimating the receipt ro
mails, which will probably be very large.
At the commencement of operations when it is est
mated that the first two ships will carry out 1000
500 emigrants for each voyage, the cost will he lit
> more than it is at present. while the passage will
quicker, peasaner and healthier, offering great induc
mens to cmigrants, and placing them upon the shore
of Liberia in sound and efficient condition.
As the capacity of the Colony receive large nun
Der of enigrans increases, the ratio of expense will
diminished
Appended letters from several distinguish
gentlemen approving of the object of the repor