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

SENATE.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate communi-
cation from the War Department, accompanied by
copies of the Army Register.
Also a communication from the same depart
meut transmitting, In compliance with reso-
luton of the Senate, the proceedings OF court
martial held at Little Rock, Arkansas, for the trial
of 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 the wants and ne
cessities Of the Patent Office.
CLERKS THE NEW ORLEANS POST OFFICE.
Messrs. SOULE, UPHAM, and DAWSON. pre-
scented petitions from the clerks engaged in the post
Office in New Orleans, praying increase OF COM
pensation.
MODIFICATION OF THE TARIFF.
MIR. COOPER presented ten petitions from citi-
zens of Pennsylvania, praying that additional gu
ties may be levied certain Of the staple produc'
tions OF that State.
srEAmEns TO AFRICA.
Mr.. SOULE presented the following memoria
from Joseph Bryan and George Nicholas Sanders,
TO establish 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 its
last session, proposition for the establishment OF
line Of steamships to Africa, southern Europe, and
England, which received favorable report from
the Committee on Naval Affairs Of the House Of
Representatives.
AS this proposition has not been before the Sem
ate, to the end that we may be enabled to present
it in the most comprehensive form, we beg leavere
spectfully to present herewith the bill reported by
the Committee on Naval Affairs of the House Of
Representatives, with the regulations OF which lif
passed) are 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 RIII, 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.
senatipss Of the United States Of america IN Con-
eress 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 war
steamers of the frat Glass; 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 superintcndencc of an officer to bcnp-
pointed by him.; two of said ships to be finished
and ready for sea 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, SO as to be fully equal TO the ext
gencies of the service and the faithful performance
Of this contract. The said Secretary, at all times,
to exercise such control over said ships may not
be inconsistent with the provisions Of this act, and
especially have the power to direct at the expense
a. .lS
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 as watch officers, and any mail agents who
may be sent by the Government, shall Be accom-
mouated and provided for, in manner suitable to
their rank at the expense OF the contractors Each
of said ships, if required by the Secretary, shall
the United States navy necessary to them,
who shall be provided for 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 asccrtained by ap-
praisers, chosen by the Secretary of the Navy and
the contractors.
Each OF said ships to make four voyages per an
mum: one shall leave New Orleans every three
months; one shall leave Baltimore every three
months. touching at Norfolk and Charleston; 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
thence to Liberia touching at any of the islands
ports the coast of Africa, 1.-THE Baltimore steamer
TO touch at the Maryland colony;) thence to Glib
raltar. carrying the Mediterranean mails; thence
to Cadiz, or some other Spanish port, to be dcsig
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 preferabe,) 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 cmgrant over twelve
years Of age, and five dollars for each one under
that age; these sums, respectively, to include all
charges for the baggage of emgrants and the daily
supply of sailors ratons 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 stpuate
to advance to said contractors, the building Of
eaid chips shall progress, twothirds 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 stpulate 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 Score
faithful performance of the contract, and to
lien upon the ships for the sums 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. 2. And be 1t further enacted, That the Prcs-
dent of the United States shall TO 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. g. And be it, further enacted, That the Presi-
dent of the United States ia hereby authorized to
give such notice to the British government will
relieve the United States from all treaty obligation
TO keep squadron on the African coast.
SLAVERY AND THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
MIR. CHASE presented petition from Ohio pray
ing the abolition of slavery in the District Of Co
luInba.
Mr. HAMLIN presented petition from citizens
of Bangor. Maine praying the repeal OF the Fugi-
tive Slave law. Laid on the table.
FORT CHEF MoNTEuR.
Mr.. SoULE submitted the following resolution,
which was considered and agreed to:
Resolusd That the Secretary Of War be request
ed to inform the Senate whether or not it would be
expedient to surrender up the fort of Chef Moneur