The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-09


the individual Shareholders themselves bul the
removal of the free blacks 10 the coast oil AFRICA Is
in which all sections, and all interests, are
believed To be equally concerned
From the 70 sgoing considerations, the commit
tee believe il a. be wise and polite TO accept the
proposition of the memorialists, with some modif-
cations which meet with their approval.
Instead Of four ships, II Is proposed To make the
line consist of three, which shall make monthly
trips 10 Liberia touching their return at certain
points in Spain, Portugal, France, and England,
thus one ship will leave New York every three
months, touching at Savannah for freight and
nails one will leave Baltimore every three months,
touching at Norfolk and Charleston for passengers,
freight, and malls; and one will leave New Orleans
every thu &c months, with liberty 10 touch at any OF
the West India islands. They will proceed dl-
rectly to Liberia, with liberty TO touch al any OF
the islands ports of the coast Of Africa thence
10 Gibraltar, carrying the Mediterranean male;
thence 10 Cadiz, some other port of Spain, to BE-
designated by the Government; thence TO Lisboni
thence 10 Brest some other port Of France TO be
designated as above; and thence TO London-brlng-
ing mails from all those points 10 the United
States.
The measure proposed by the committee con-
tains the following stpulations and provisions, to
wit.
Each ship TO be of not less than 1000 tons bur
den, and the cost OF each not TO exceed 900 900
The Government to advance two thirds a the cost
OF construction, from time TO time, the building
progresses--the advance to be made in five per
cent stocks payable at the end of thirty years
such advances TO be repaid b. the contractors in
equal annual lnstalments, beginning and ending
with the service. The said ships TO be built in ac.
cordance with plans TO be submitted TO and ap-
proved by the Secretary of the Navy, and under
the superintendence OF an officer TO be appointed
by the Secretary of the Navy, and TO be so con-
expense, into war steamers of the first class. The
ships to be kept up by alterations. repairs or add
tions, to be approved by the Secretary of the Navy,
50 be at all times fully equal To the exgencies
Df he ne If t,e
contract.
Each ship TO be commanded by an officer Of the
Navy, who, with four passed midshipmen TO serve
watch officers, sha II be accommodated in man
ner suitable 10 their rank, without charge TO the
Government. The Secretary of the Navy at all
times 10 have the right to place on board OF each
ship two guns of heavy calibre, and the men
cessary serve them, to be accommodated and
provided for by the contractors.
The Secretary OF the Navy to exercise at all
III. - such control over sad ships as may not be
inconsistent with these terms and to have the right
to take them, or either Of them in case Of war; for
the exclusive and service Of the United States
on paying the value thereof; such value not ex :
ceedIng the cost To be ascertained by appraisers
mutually chosen by the Secretary and the contract
The Secretary also to have power to direct
Mt the expense of the Government, such changes in
the machinery and the internal arrangements Of
the said ships, or any Of them, he, any time,
may deem advisable.
The contractors further required to stipulate
to carry on each and every voyage they may make,
so many emigrants, being free persons Of color,
and not exceeding , 800 for each voyage, as the
American Colonization Society may send; the said
society paying in advance ) 10 for each emigrant
over twelve years OF age, and > for each I'M
der that age; these sums 10 include the transpor-
tation Of baggage and the daily supply of sailors
rations.
The contractors also 10 convey, free from cost.
such necessary agents as the Government or the
Colonization Society may require, upon each one
of said ships.
Two OF said ships TO be finished and ready for sea
within TWO and half years, and the other within
three years, after the execution Of the contract
The Government TO pay forty thousand dollars
Tor each and every trip; and ~ exact ample secu-
ry for the faithful performance of the contract be-
sides taking lien on the ships for the repayment
OF the sums advanced. The contract 10 continue
fifteen years from the completion of all the ships
TO assist IN forming correct judgment ~ the
fairness Of this compensation, the committee pre-
sent an estimate OF the probable cost Of running the
said ships.
The cost Of the ships at S 900 900 will be 700,
600. Upon this amount interest should be calcu
lated at six per cent; for, although the contractor
will pay the Government but five per cent. on th,
portion advanced, the balance supplied by the con
tractors must Je estimated at the rates in New
York and New Orleans, which are above six pel
cent. Six per cent. Will be fair average for In,
whole
The depreciation Of this kind of property is esti
mated yariously, sometimes high as ten per ent
per annum the total cost but as these ships vii
be substantially built for purposes, il may b,
estimated at lower rate.
Besides this, an allowance must be made for re-
pairs. New boilers will be required every six years
and the substitution Of these for the old ones not
only causes lose OF time, but ALEC injury 10 the ships
involving much expense.
The rate Of insurance for this species Of property
- high. The committee are informed that Ia,
steamships OHIO and Georgia pay 81 per cent
Add the expense Of running the ships viz fuel,
wages Of the crew, provisions stOres dock charges
harbor dues, agents, pilotage, light house dues,
&c. which cannot be estimAted at lets than : 90 =.
900 per voyage, considering that the distance 10 Ii
IBERIA, and thence home, via Nadeira, Gibraltar
Cadiz Lisbon, Brest, and London, is about II 900
niles; and that each voyage, with the necessary de-
lays IN the various ports, will occupj about three
months.
Sioteacnf Of erpeHIss.
Interest on s2,7OO 900, at per cent. S1G2 900
Depreciation and repairs, 10 per cent. 27O,OOO
lnsurance,7 percent .................... ls9, 900
Cost Of running the ships, 5 20, 900 per
voyage, ~ voyages per annum ...... 6OO,OO
Total annual expense .......... 81 ,22I 900
Profit
Estimating 500 passengers for
each voyage, and ~ voyages
per annum, VIC have l. 900
passengers. Tbese, $40 for
adults and S for children,
may average profit Of 80
each, making ................ : 81 900
Government .............. $4,000
- : 534 900
Balance oferpensc over Government pay
and profit Of cmigrants. ............ S6s7 900
Thus il will be scen that the contractors will
49, - I'll. - H.