New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-08-05
STEAMSHIPS TO AFRICA.
Report Of the Ndral Committee Of the House,
in faror Of the project.

Report Of the Naral Committee Of the Hoiasc,
in faror Of the project.
HOUSE or REPREsEsrArIvEs, Aug 1. 1859.
Mr.. T. P. STANTON of Tenn. from the
Committee on Naval Affairs, made the fol-
lowing Report, which was committed and
ordered to be printed
The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was
referred the memorial Of Joseph Bryan, Of Asbama,
for himself and his associates, George Nicholas
Sanders and others, praying the establishment Of Q
line of steamers from the United States to the
coast of Africa, designed 10 promote tho c)oniza-
ton of free persons OF color, to suppress the All
can s ave Trade, to carry the mails, and to extend
the commerce OF the UHted States, beg leave 20
submit the following Report:
The proposition Of the memorial involves an az
tension Of that system, recently commenced ~
Congress which has for ito object the creation Of q
powerful steam navy, TO be used In time OF peace
In carving the mails, and in efecting great public
objects not TO be attained by private enterprise
without the aid OF Congress. How far IL may be
desirable 10 extend this system will depend upon
the double consideration OF the present condition d
our naval force and the importance and feasibility
of the ends to be accomplished by the messure-
As 10 the first OF these, the Committee will present
brief statement Of the facts material to correct
understanding Of the comparative extent OF our
present steam navy.
In the report Of Mr. Secretary Bancroft, mads
10 the Senate on the "a March, 1896 the total
effective steam navy Of Great Britain was stated.
at that time 10 consist Of hundred and ninety
nine vessels, Of all classes that Of France mum
bered ifty.four that Of Russia, without the Css-
plan fleet thirtytwo while the steam navy OF the
United States could boast OF but six small yessela
and one in process Of building; and Of these one
was for harbor defence, ard another steam tug.
Since that time, however, Congress has provided
for the building Of four war steamers, and fof tho
Establishment Of several lines OF steamships en-
gaped in carving the mails, consisting OF seven
teen LARGE vessels suitable for war purposes, ana
q, I'll time. liable 10 be tax for the public service
Of these latter nine will run between New fork
ard European ports five between New ORR and
Chsgres and three between PANAMA ana oan
Francsco. l. - a.,
Notwithstanding this increase In our force, 10
10, Inv no means kept pace with that OF other great
Commercial nations The American Almanac for
the presept year estimates the steam navy OF
France at sixty four steam vessels Of war. besides
A reserved force Of ten steam fngates BOW ready,
and six coryettes and six small vessels nearly
ready The French Government has also resolved
10 follow the example of England in establishing
lines of steamers built as 10 be easily converted
into ships Of war, 20 be employed In commerce and
for carving mails, bat being at ali times subject %
the requsition OF the Government
England, also has added largely 10 her steam ma
". and mas increased Der lines OF mail steamers
giving evidence that she, at least, considers thus
the best and cheapest mode OF providing In time OF
pesce for the exigencies Of war On tbs subject
he Committee refer 10 the following facts for which
tb.v are indebted 10 the remarks Of Hon 7. Batter
King, OF Georgs, made in the House OF Represent
atives, Feb. 10, le4s.
By act Of Parliament, William Nv. chap 3. 81
prs youa contracts entered into for the conveys
Of the mails by sea were transferred TO the Adnt
ralty. 10 the year 1889, the idea was conceived
iLst he vast expenditures required in naval arma-
rpeuts might be made subserVient 10 the purposes
Of commerce in time Of peace. Accordingly. con-
tract was entered into with Mr.. Canard and bis A.
.ociates for the convey ance of the mails from Liv
erpooL via Halifax, TO Boston, In Eve steamers of
the frst class for $4,000, or about ei25 oo0 peg
anpun. twas stipulated that they should be bailt
under the supervision Of the Admiralty, should be
inspected on being received into the service, and
certified 10 be capab in all espects Of being con-
verted into ships OF war and Of carrying ordn sncs
Of the heaviest description Various atipulations
were entered into In this and other contracts Of q
similar character. which placed these ships under
the ooo.rol OF the Governnent-thus In TACT max