The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-13
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS-
SECOND SESSION.
WEDNESDAY,, FEBRuARy IL, 1851.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate ooil ;n9 ~
cation from the War Department Accompanies ny
ooPit % ',l ornnIi8cation from the same Depart
ment Transmitting, in compliance with reso-
luton of the Senate the proceeulhgs % ~;
martial held at Little Rock Arkansas LOT 'he lflai
of a military storekeeper' , ~,
Also a communication from the Secretary OF the |
Interior, in reply to resolution OF the Senate
calling for report upon the capacity OF the pre-
sent Patent Office building for tho wants and ne
ccssities of the Patent Office.
CLERKS IN THE NEW ORLEANS POST OFFICE
Messrs. SOULE, UPHAM. and DAWSON pre- |
sented petitions from the clerks engaged In the post
Office in New Orleans, praying an increase oil com
pensation.
MODIFICATION OF THE TARIFF.
Mr.. COOPER presented ten petitions from citi-
zens of Pennsy lvania, praying that additional du-
ties may be levied on certain OF the staple produc-
tons OF that State.
STEAMERS TO AFRICA.
Mr.. SOULE presented the following memoria |
froin Joseph Bryan and George Nicholas Sanders, |
10 establish a line of steamers TO the western coast
of Africa and southern Europe; which was referred
TO the Committee on Commerce.
To the honorable the Senate OF the United States OF
America:
The undersigned, for themselves and their asso-
ciates had the honor to present to Congress, at It's
last session. a proposition for the establishment OF
line of steamships to Africa, southern Europe, and
England, which received favorable report from
Representatives.
AS this proposition has not been before the Sen
ate, TO the end that we may be enabled to present
it in the most comprehensive iorm we beg leave re-
spectfully to present herewith the bill reported by
the Committee Naval Affairs Of the House Of
Representatives. with the acquisitions of which Qf
passed) we ready TO comply, and ask for 1t the
favorable consideration of the Senate
JOSEPH BRYAN, of Alabama, and
GEO. NICHOLAS SANDERS,
of New York, for themselves
and their associates.
A BILL TO establish line of war steamers to the
coast of Africa, and southern Europe, to carry
the mails incidentally to aid colonization; and
To provide for the withdrawal OF the African
squadron.
BE II enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
senfatipes of the United States Of America IN Con
gress assembled, That it shall be the duty Of the Sc
cretary of the Navy, Immediately after the pas
sage Of this act to enter into contract with Joseph
Bryan, of Alabama, and George Nicholas Sanders,
of New York and their associates, for the building,
equipment, and maintenance Of three steamships,
to run between the United States and the coast Of
Africa upon the following terms and conditions, to
wit
The said ships to be each of not less than four
thousand tons burden, to be constructed TO be
convertible at the least possible expense, into
OF the first class and to be built and equip
ped in accordance with plans TO be submitted to
and approved by the Secretary OF the Navy, and
under the superintendent OF an oihcer to be ap.
pointed by him; two OF said ships to be finished
and ready for in two and half years. and the
other within three years after the date OF the con-
tract, and the whole to be kept up by alterations,
repairs additions, to be approved by the Score
tary of the Navy, to be fully equal TO the ext
gences Of the service and the faithful performance
Of this contract The said Secretary, at all times,
exercise such control over said ships as may not
be inconsistent with the provisions OF this act and
especially have the power to direct at the expense
of the Government, such changes in the machinery
and internal arrangements OF the ships as nc may
at any time deem advisable.
Each Of said ships to be commanded by an officer
of the navy, who, with four passed midshipmen to
act watch officers, and any mail agents who
may be sent by the Government, shall be accom-
modated and provided for, i'll manner suitable to
their rank, at the expense OF the contractors Each
of said ships, if required by the Secretary, shall re-
ceive two guns Of heavy calbre, and the men from
the United States navy necessary to serve them,
who shall be provided for as aforesaid. In the
event of war, the Government to have the right to
take any all of said ships for Its own exclusive
use, on payment of the value thereof; such value,
not exceeding the cost, to be ascertained by APP
praisers, chosen by the Secretary of the Navy and
the contractors.
Each of SAID ships to make four voyages per an
NUN: one shall leave New Orleans every three
months; shall leave Baltimore every three
months, touching at Norfolk and Charlcston; and
one shall leave New York every three months,
touching at Savannah; all having liberty to touch
at any of the West India Islands; and to proceed
therce to LIBERIA touching at any Of the islands
ports on the of Africa, (the Baltimore steamer
10 touch at the Maryland colony;) thence TO Glib
raar, carrying the Mediterranean mails; thence
TO Cadiz, some other Spanish port, TO be desig-
mated by the Secretary of the Navy; thence to Lis
bon thence to Brest, or some other French port to
be designated as above; and thence to London, Cor
such port in the English channel as the Secretary
of the Navy may deem preferable) and back to
the place of departure, bringing and carrying the
mails to and from said ports
The said contractors shall further agree to carry
to Liberia SO many emigrants, being free persons
of color, and not exceeding twenty five hundred
for each voyage, as the American Colonization So
ciety may require, upon the prepayment by said
Society Of ten dollars for each emigrant twelve
years of age, and five dollars for each one under
that age; these sums, respectively, to include all
charges for the baggage of emigrants and the daily
supply of sailors rations. The contractors ALSO to
carry, bring back, and accommodate, free from
charge, all necessary agents OF the said Society.
The Secretary of the Navy shall further stipulate
to advance TO said contractors as the building of
said ships shall progress, two-thrds Of the amount
expended thereon; such advances to be made In the
bonds of the United States, payable thirty years
after date, and bearing five per cent. interest, and
not TO exceed six hundred thousand dollars for each
ship And the said contractors shall stipulate to
repay the said advances in equal annual install
ments, with interest from the date OF the compile
ton of all said ships until the termination Of the
contract which shall continue fifteen years from
the commencement of the service. The Secrc-
tary of the Navy TO require ample security for the
faithful performance of the contract and to reserve
a lien upon the ships for the advanced. The
Government to pay the said contractors forty thou
sand dollars for each trip, not to exceed four hun
dred and eighty thousand dollars per annum.
SEC . And be ii further enacted That the Presi-
dent of the United States shall be issued the
bonds of the United States as the same may, from
time to time be required by the Secretary of the
Navy, to carry out the contract aforesaid.
SEC. 3. And be it. further enacted, That the Presi
dent of the United States is hereby authorized to
give such notice to the British government as Will
relieve the United States from all treaty obligation
20 keep a squadron on the African coast.
SLAVERY AND THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Mr.. CHASE presented petition from Ohio pray
ing the abolition of slavery in the District OF Co
luinbia.
Mr.. HAMLIN presented petition from citizens
of Bangor Maine praying the repeal Of the Fugi-
tive Slave law. Laid on the table.
or CHEF MoNTEuR.
Mr.. SoULE submitted the following resolution,
which considered and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Secretary Of War be request.
ed to inform the Senate whether or not il would be
10 tl,r