The republic., 1851-02-17
From the Louisville Journal.

The EBONY LINE OF SrEAMERs-ArRIcAN Con-
MERGE, CoLoNIzArIoN, AND SLAVE TnADE.-We
greatly fear that the members Of Congress will
squander the remaining part of the present session
and take no time to consider the great subject OF
establishing line of steamers to run between the
United States and the western coast of Africa. The
proposition to establish such line introduced
during the last session, and, if properly consider
ed, it will SO take hold of the best conviction of
members as to induce them to give their votes for
the bill which has been introduced by Mr. Stanton,
Of Tennessee.
A few days ago we showed that the commerce
between England and Africa and between the Uni
ted States and Africa had been increasing for seve
raj years. until now it has become important.
More than three -fourths of this commerce 10 mo-
nopolzcd by England. To secure it to this coun-
try il is necessary that The facilities of intercourse
with Africa shall be increased in some way similar
to that now under consideration. The establish
ment Of the Ebony Line'' of steamers would cer-
tainly greatly enlarge our commercial relations
with Africa, and enable our merchants to compete
successfully with the skill and enterprise manifest
cd by the English merchants.
II is not only to secure extension of the trade
with Africa that it is proposed to establish line OF
steamers to that continent. The greatest object to
be attained by the establishment of such line ia
the impetus it will certainly give to the cause Of
African colonization. The vessels engaged in the
trade would be very useful in promoting coloniza-
ton. They would carry to Africa many OF the free
blacks, now whitening away ingloriously in this
country under the prejudices Of an adverse race,
and at the time provide facilities OF getting to
good market all the products Of the African coast.
These products would be greatly increased if the
proposed line were established The soil Of Africa
is exceedingly fertile, and any articles grown in
the East or West Indies be advantageously cul-
tivated there. Camwood and other dye woods are
found in inexhaustible quantities along the coast.
Two crops of corn and sweet potatoes, and other
vegetables, can be produced in year. Coffee 10
cultivated with ease, and is very profitable crop.
The quality is equal to the best Java or Mocha
coffee. 4
No one who has visited Africa doubts that indus
try will there meet with the most manifold returns
The labor which is bestowed in this country by
farmer to support his family would, If expended on
the soil of Africa produce results many times moro
valuable. The cmigrant from the United States
need only to be industrious TO provide literally for
himself and family. Perhaps in no part OF the
globe does nature yield more abundant ntrewards to
labor than she docs in Africa. The soil is rich be-
yond comparison. and the products are both very
large and very valuable. m
Ashburton treaty to keep up naval force of at least
eighty guns on the coast Of Africa to suppress the
infamous African slave trade. If the money which
is thus annually expended, to very little good pur-
pose thus far, were expended in the promotion Of
African colonization and African commerce, the in
terests of humanity would be far better promoted.
The proposition which has been fayorably report
cd in the House of Representatives by Mr.. STAN
ton, of Tennessee, chairman OF the Naval Commit
tee, is to build three steamships, which shall make
monthly trips to Liberia, touching, in their return
home, at certain ports in Spain, Portugal. France
and England. One ship will leave New YORK
every three month"; touching at Savannah for pas
sengers, freight, and mails another will leave
Baltimore every three months, and touch at NOT
folk and Charleston; and the third VIII leave New
Orleans every three months, with liberty 10 'oucn
at any of the West India islands. they Will pro-
coed directly to Liberia, and on tneir homewaro
voyages will touch at any OF the islands or ports on
the coast of Africa thence they will proceed to
Gibraltar with the Mediterranean mails; thence To
Cadix in Spain; Lisbon in Portugal; Brcst, or
some other port in France; and thence to London,
from which port they will proceed home with the
mails collected on the route
The bill as reported by the Naval Committee pro-
yidcs that each ship shall be of not less than four
thousand tons BURDEN and the cost shall not exceed
nine hundred thousand dollare. The Government
is TO advance twothirds of the cost of building the
ships in ivepcr cent stocks payable in thirty years
These advances to be repaid by the contractors
in equal annual instalmcnts. The ships are to be
built in accordance with plans approved by the
Secretary the Navy, and TO be SO constructed
as to be convertible at the least possible expense
into steamers Of the first class Each ship viii
.