The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-15
From The Richmond (Va.) Whig.
Mr. Saantonss Report.

sion ol all other OF public interest, with the
addresses OF candidates for the approaching State
convention, we have not room for publication an
tlfenso Of the very able and interesting report OF
MIR. +. y. Stanton, of Tennessee, from the Com
inittee ON Naval Affairs, with reference 70 me-
mortal for the establishment OF line OF Govern
uent steamers to Liberia. The subject however,
Is one full of interest To all classes of the commu
nifty, and the objects sought to be accomplished SO
important, especially III their bearing upon the
slavehodng States, that we cannot torbear max
Jag resume of the leading features of the scheme,
with such extracts from the report itself as may
conduce to an entire understanding of it.
''The proposition OF the memorial" says Mr.
Stanton, "involves an extension Of hatsystem,
Gently commenced by Congress, which has for its
object the creation OF powerful steam navy, TO be
used in time of peace in carrying the mails, and in
efiectng great public objects not to be attained by
private enterprise without the aid OF Congress. How
lar il may be desirable To extend this system will
depend upon the double consideration of the pres
ent condition of naval force, and the import
ance and feasibility of the ends to be accomplished
by the measure. IA to the first of these, the COM
ni,tee will present brief statement of the facts
material TO a correct understanding of the compar-
alive extent OF our present steam navy"
The report then Coca on to recount the steam ma
ves OF the European powers as contrasted with our
own, from which II appears that over and above the
war steamers of Great Britain exclusively employ
ed in the protection of her commerce, she has IL
steam vessels, in all respects fitted for purposes,
engaged i'll the transportation OF mails and passen
gers from continent and continent, and that the
smoke OF these huge painting monsters darken as
the sails OF her merchant marine whiten, every sea-
The report then proceeds to detail the means and
ends OF the undertaking.
''The committee do not propose that our govern
ment shall attempt to emulate tins vast net work oil
steam navi CATION, with which England has already
enconpassed the globe. But it ID believed that the
recent increase of our territory on the Pacific and
in the G uf of Mexico, form an additional reason
for considerable augmentation OF our steam navy,
whether by direct addition to the navy proper, or
than of IF
be established by private enterprise under the aus
pices of government. If the latter system should
be adopted already commenced, the ships will
be built under the inspection OF government Of
ficer, at the expense of private individuals they
will be commanded by officers in the navy, and
will be at all times available for the public service.
1t will be the interest of the contractors to adopt
from time to time, all the improvements which
may be made in machinery and in the means OF
propulsion, and the ships will be kept in good re-
pair. Besides being commanded by naval Of
ticer, each ship will carry sufficient number OF
midshipmen for watch officers; and thus very
considerable portion of the personnel OF the service
will be kept actively employed, with the opportu-
nifty Of acquiring the knowledge and skill requisite
to the proper management OF steam navy. A
corps of trained engineers and tremen will be at
tached TO each ship and no doubt these would gen
orally remain with her when the ship should be
called into the public service.
"The committee of opinion that 1t is highly
desirable to have ready for the public service
by the memorialists. They would have great ad-
vantages small Ships in their capacity to car
ry fuel sufficient for long voyages and to transport
large bodies OF troops, and place them rapidly, IN
fresh and vigorous condition, at any point where
they might be required.
''But 1t is chiefly for the great and benevolent
object of removing the free persons of color from
this country to the coast of Africa and of suppress
ing the slave trade, that the committee dis
posed TO recommend the adoption of the proposed
measure. The latter of these has been the subject
of treaties by our Government with other nations
with whom we have engaged to maintain a large
naval force on the coast of Africa assist in sup
pressing the inhuman traffic while the emigration
of the free blacks has long been an object OF grea
interest in all parts OF the country, and especially
insthe slaveholdlng States, where they are looked
upon by the whites with aversion and distrust. The
policy of all most Of these States has been to dis
courage manumission except on condition OF The
removal of the liberated slave. In no part of th,
Union do the free blacks enjoy an equality OF poht
cal and social privileges in all the States thei
presence is neither agreeable TO the whites, Ii
their condition advantageous TO themselves. IN
some Of the slave States stringent prohibitions have
| been adopted, and unpleasant controversies witt
free States have been thereby engendered. The
| emigration of this entire population beyond til,
limits of our country is the only efiectual mode o
| curing these evils, and of removing cause o
dangerous Irritation between the different sections
| of the Union.
! "The committee believe il is cxpedient to aid pri
vate enterprise in the colonization of the Western
|
| the only mode of extrpating the slave trade. Thu
success of this Will doubtless render the AT
rican squadron wholly unnecessary, thus re imbure
ing large portion OF the expense attending 1t, ane
| at the same time better accomplishing the obJec
for which that squadron is maintained. 1t may b,
expedient for of the great naval powers {,
keep a small force the coast of Africa 70 protec
Liberia for limited time against the slave traders
But the attempt to suppress this unlaNful trac by
blockading the coast has signally failed that ]
will probably soon be abandoned by the great Eu
ropcan powers.
''While the influence of the republic of Liberi;
has been shown in the complete suppression OF th'
trade along coast of several hundred mile
| in length, the combined squadrons of Europe ano
America have not been successful on other por
tions of that unhappy shore. In ls47 no less thar
! 81 $50 slaves exported from Africa 10 Cub
and Brazil. In the opinion Of the committee, it il
highly important TO prevent the further African
izing of the American continents. An opposit,
movement, so far as the Tree blacks arc concerned
is far in accordance with the spirit of the age
and with the best interests of all American govern
ments The people of the United States have shown
their strong TO the slave trade by the pro
vision in their Constitution against IT, and by thc
| unremitting and vigorous efforts to suppress IL
The success which has already crowned the infancy
of Liberia indicates the true mode of making thos
exertions efiectual, while it opens up the way fo
restoring the free blacks to the native land OF the
| fathers"
| Mr.. Stanton then introduces many interesting
! facts, gcogra phical and commercial, TO show tina
! the Colonization society etiecung great rcsult
along the arid region Of the African coast, and tina
the settlers at Liberia diausing around then
! the blessings OF civilization and enlightened lib
! erty, translated from our own shores From Thu
he argues that all encouragement should be giver
to their labors, which TO rebound to the bcnel
of the southern States, especially in sordIng then
place to which they may remove their wors
pcpuston-the free blacks. On this point the re
port states;
90 That the free negroes of the United States vii
be induced to 60 in large numbers to Liberia, If
quick and pleasant passage by steam vessels b
provided, and suitable preparation be made fo
them on their arrival by the Colonization Society
| cannot admit of any doubt.
"The funds of that society, augmented probably
twenty fold, will then be available, almost exclu
svely, for the comfortable establishment Of tht
emigrants in their homes, the expense o
transportation chargeable to the society being
merely nominal.
cit is estimated that there arc not Ices thar
100000 free colored people in the several States
and that the annual increase therein of the blac
! race lie 10000 per annum. With respect 20 slave
who may hereafter be manumtted, no doubt sucl
manumission will almost in every instance be up
on the condition that the parties shall avail them
selves OF the opportunity Of emigratng to Liberia
ha Il - A..