The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-08

any nave VIC any SloCk
since came to Washington. We despise all such in
situations; and in despite OF them lay the following
tcle before the public leaving them Judge for them
selves and, in the spirit Of free press, permitting others
to discuss the positions which il supports The article
full Of interesting Statistics whatever may be the char
acter Of the special plan which recommends to the
public.
| Communicated
MAIL STEAMSHIPS AND COLONIZATION
| Although we should not feel disposed to support
project for the establishment of line Of steamships be
sustained mainly at the expense OF the government and
10 be applied only to the conveyance OF the mails to and
from Liberia and the promotion OF the ration OF free
persons of color from The United States that republic
think the report Of the Naval Committee lately pre-
scented 10 the House OF representatives by Mr. Stanton,
the able representative from Tennessee recommending
the establishment of line of mail steamships to the
western coast OF Africa, and thence, the Meditera
10 London deserves the support of Congress and the
| appreciation OF the country at large
Various reasons are urged by the committee in support
oil their report which is avery able production Il is
shown in the first place, that addition is required to
our steam navy, and that, instead OF employing steam
to cruise about and do nothing, il is better to contract
with private individuals for the transportation Of the
mails in steamships built easily to be converted into
ships OF war whenever required by the government II
IS conceded that is necessary 10 have several steam
constantly in the service but is contended that The
available force OF the country should not be confined
to these they by far too expensive allow of
any considerable number being kept up. The CON-
mee quote at considerable length the remarks of the
honorable Thomas Butler King, OF Geagia, made
in the House of Representatives February 10, Is4s,
showing that England had established less than
hundred and fifteen war steamers to carry the mails TO
different parts OF the world. Since that time the British
government has extended the system Australia India
the Cape OF Good Hope the Brazs SC, and il is evident
that the naval predomnance Of the British empire is
heneeforth TO be secured by these As far
steamers in the regular navy concerned il appears
that the navy OF France is almost equal to that of Eng
land but the latter power having under control nearly
WAL he nail
still retains vast superiority over its great rival Many
OF the British lines OF steamships are much more ex-
pensve 10 the than the amount of the post
ages earned BY them for example, IT cannot for IN
slant be supposed that the postage letters TO and from
Brazil amounts to much, whereas the outlay will proba
bly, not fall far short OF half million. Eng land looks to
the extension of her commerce and influence, as well
TO the formation oil large reserved force OF war steam
e,s We learn BY the last advlees that new line is
about TO be established by the government OF that country
to the western coast OF Africa.
The steamers proposed by the committee TO be OF
larger size than any now afoai-say not less than 1000
tonsare to be built in accordance with plans 10 be SUBJ
mted TO, and approved by, the Secretary of the Navy
and under the supernendence Of officer to be appoint
ed by him; and they be constructed TO be
convertible, at the least possible expense into steam
OF the first class. Each ship is TO be commanded by
officer OF the navy, who with four passed midshpmen
to serve as watch officers, are to be accommodated in
suitable 10 their rank. without charge to the
eminent and the Secretary OF the Navy is TO have at
all times the right to place on board OF each ship two
guns OF heavy calbre. and the necessary TO
them, who to be accommodated and provided Tor by
the contractors. The government is to have right 10
take the ships, when required for the public service on
paying the value thereof, 10 be ascerxlned by ap-
| pralsers
The proposed line to consist of three shipsone to
leave New York every three months touching at Savannah
for freight and mails; to leave Baltimore every three
months, touching at Norfolk and Charleston Tor passen-
gers freight and mails and TO leave New Orleans
West West india india stands They will proceed directly Ivy 70 Se
ma with liberty 10 touch at any Of the islands ports OF
the OF Anca thence to Gibraltar carrying the Me-
dlerranean mails thence TO Csdz, other port OF
Spain. TO be designated by the government; thence 10
Lisbon; thence to Brest some other port OF France.
be designated as above and thence 10 Londonbrng
ing mails IRON ell those points TO the United States
The contractors further TO be required 10 carry emf
grants 10 LIBERIA being Tree persons OF color. under the
superintendent Of the American Colonization Society,
being paid by that society ten dollars Tor each emf
grant twelve years OF age and 1--WE dollars for each
under that agehese include the transporta
ton OF baggage, and the daily supply of sailors ra-
tons.
In consideration of the service to be performed, and
the other advantages to be enjoyed By government the
contractors are TO be paid per sam which
nation OF the items interest on the capital employed. de-
probation and repairs. insurance, and the cost of run
ming the shipe, the total OF which 10 estimated ri
sla2l,ooo per annum Against this sum Of eAso 900 per
annum mnst be gel the postage revenue which, IN the
course Of few years, will doubt amount to very
The African trade il already OF considerable impor-
lance, especially to France, Portugal, and England The
commerce OF the latter with Africa amoans to no less
/
rapid rate. Liberia EXPORTS to the amount OF half mil
lion annually the articles Of coffee, palm OIL ivory dye
woods, &c. The soil is very ferle and capable OF sus
tanning large populaon--especally there oh
saces to the colonization OF the interior, which 10
famous and healthy. The population of Liberia, nclu
ding natives civilized and admitted into the repabc.
amounts to nearly hundred thousand; and the coast
extends seven hundred miles, and includes Of the
most important points from which the slave trade used to
be carried on but from which II has been entirely abo
ished since the acquisition of the territory by the lbs
rane.
The report OF the committee sets out these and other
Interesting facts connected with the colony and contsnda
that the Tree colorcd people o this country will 20 great
numbers to Liberia II, IN addition brief and comfort
able passage, provision be made for them their arrival
by the Society according to the custom hith
erto pursued with emgrants who stood in need Of sup
port Upon this important point the committee speak -
Thassbe ss negroes of the United Stsss will be Unbiased
to 20 in large numbers Liberia II quick and pleasant
by steam vessels be provided and suitable preps-