The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-11


10 the Honorable tie Senate and House qf Represent
atiuss Of the United States "a Congress assembled.
| The undersigned, for himself and others
sideration Of Congress- the following propositions.
| to which they have given much reflection;
| First. The suppression Of the African slave trade
Second; The carrying q the mails between the
Third. To extend aud regulate trade between the
United States and Liberia.
The independence Of the republic of Liberia has
been acknowledged by the greatest powers Of Eu-
rope. II is an OF shoot from our own country, and
is peoped by emigrants from all the States Of this
Union. II already embraces within the action of
its government and laws many Of the natives and
Africa who seek its protection, trust in its bene6
cence, and offer their allegiance citizens.
| When the republic Of Liberia shall have com
pleted the purchase Of the Galinas, for which nego
tations now in progress, the seacoast will en-
| brace upwards Of seven hundred miles.
| The first settlement from this country was made
| in 1921; and the infant colony under incredible
embar rassments, against the combinations and eff
forts of an inhuman and mercenary spirit, and the
earlier and almost indomitable prejudice and hos
tty Of native tribes, has gradually and peacefully
Gated emigrants from the United States, and many
OF the natives; has triumphed over all obstacles,
and now presents TO the world free, vigorous, and
permanent Commonwealth.
Its destiny may be predicted.
Its extension on that heretofore desecrated coast
is ultimate influence over all that great division Of
only within the present limits Of the repub E but
shortly from Sierra Leone to Cape Palmas, and
eventually from the entire coast the great and in
creasing emigration from this country to the fer
tile regions OF the republic the diffusion Of know
ledge and civilization, Of christianity, of the arts
| and sciences, and Of extended and heretofore un-
known commerce. indicate that destiny.
Its forests it, minerals, its soil, its climate and
| the already various and exten,ive productions Of
the necessares and luxuries of life, form 30 many
| unfailing sources for our commerce.
The undersigned and his associates looking To the
preceding high public objects and also to their pri
objects results propose TO build four
steamships which shall combine, in higher degree
than has yet been attained, the necessary qualities
of speed, strength, space, and ventilation, each Of
which to be commanded by lieutenant of the
United States navy.
Each ship shall not be of less than four Mousand
and warranted to be ofsuperior quality in all re-
spects to any steamships now afoat or in progress
of construction, for war purposes or for the pro-
posed service, and capable DIGGING from New York
to Liverpool in eight days.
Each ship to make not less than -four trips per
annum, leaving New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore,
| and New York, or such other ports as may be rea-
sonably indicated by the United States.
The Government of the United States shall have
the power to take any and all of said ships, when
required for war purposes, by paying the cost of
| construction, and commission of ten per centum
and at all times the right to place board of each
ship too guns of heavy calbre, and the men neccs
sary to them, and also to send out on board of
any Of said vessels any agent agents of the Gov
eminent to Liberia free from cost for transportation
or subsistence.
The undersigned and his associates estimate the
cost of such ships, heretofore named at nine
hundred thousand dollars each, and they ask the
United States to advance to them ttp0- thirds of the
money in five per cent stocks, to be repaid into the
treasury with the interest in equal annual install
ments, during the existence of the contract which
contract they propose shall continue for f,centy
years, renewable at the pleasure of the Government
The sum Of six hundred thousand dollars to be
advanced in i've per cent. stocks, from time to time
ON each ship, as It shall progress in construction
and the Government to hold lien upon each ship
to secure the advance.
Tsoo of said ships shall be finished and ready for
sea on before the first day of October, 1852 and
the two others on or before the first day Of October
1854; that opportunity may be given to ascer-
tain the efficiency Of the ttpo first constructed and
make such improvements will best comply with
their obligations to the Government
Each ship shall be in readiness to convey the
mails to and from Liberia, and shall provide pas
sage and subsistence for such mail agent the Post
Office Department shall appoint.
In consideration of the above named services and
the creation of this powerful addition to the ef-
fectivc marine for public and national purposes,
ready whenever the emergency shall arise to
and for affording facilities for cheap and rapid emf
grafton to Liberia, the undersigned and his associ
ates shall be paid the sum of dollars for
each and every trip to and from Liberia during
said term of contract.
In further consideration of the mutual public ben
es TO the citizens of both countries they ask TO be
permitted TO introduce into the ports Of the United
States the products Of the republic of Liberia free
Of duty provided, that the productions of this
try be admitted into Liberia in like manner.
And on the further consideration, that the Ameri-
can Colonization Society shall have the right and
authority to send each of said four ships each
and every voyage they may respectively make not
exceeding four thousand eIngrants, being free per-
sons Of color from the United States 70 LIBERIA
prepayment of ten dollars for each emigrant over
twelve years Of age and of five dollars for each en-
igrant under twelve years Of age, which also in
cludes the transportation of the baggage, and the
daily supply Of sailors rations, and to convey and
bring back free from cost such agents they from
time to time choose TO send.
The public benefits to be derived from this enter
prise, 1t IL believed, alike practical philantbro-
pic, and obvious; and its advantages TO the emf
grants may be asccrtaincd from the fact that the
cost per head under the most untirpg and favors-
bic efforts Of the American Colonization Society, il
thirty dollars for adults, and half price for children
The undersigned and his associates believe that
small ships, either steamers sailvcsscs, cannot
be successfully employed in the transportation Of
emigrants at 80 low price ; but the rapdity Of
the voyage, and the number TO be transported, will
enable them to reduce the cost of passage by
| ing Of subsistence during the voyage.
Small steamers could not carry the necessary
| fuel to make any speed in voyage of four
thousand miles, and consequently they would not
be efficient in the suppression Of the slave trade.
Hence, therefore, the above projection Of service
considered effective for all practical purposes tho
suppression Of the slave trade by the continued
presence of such vessels; the encouragement and
object Of quick, cheap, SAFE and commodous trans
portation, which must necessarily lead to numerous
emigration.
JOSEPH BRYAN, of Alabama,
for himssy and his associates.
From the London Econonisf.