Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-22

here to the rule Of proposing to nv coisaanas ~
Parliament should be asked to increase the usual grants
Tor the civil establishments the west coast az Africa
and though was most anxious for the adonton 80 '
sures Of improvement which could not be
without considerable expense, thought it right IL M;
part OF the African continent well as in Natal IN -
coed with these only as their cost could -
yded for by means of local resources Hence Il va ~
object OF great Importance to raise revenue In the
.ry i'se ana Two modes OF SO doing suggested them.
selves: one was the imposition of very moderate duties
on the import OF certain articles and SHIRTS
the other to induce the people to consent to the
oh OF some sort OF direct taxation for objects of which
the beneht could be clearly explained to them The 6rst
oil these resources could not be made available in
quence OF the refusal Of the Dutch Government TO CON
cur IN the imposition OF any duties of the kind pro-
posed me Kingdom OF Holland possesses forts ON this
coast close to our through which part of the rode
OF the district Is carried 1t obvious therefore tbot
unless goods imported to those places should be subject
- lug same puruen' tne imposition Of duties goods
imported through the British forts would have no other
effect but that OF driving the trade away from the latter
TO places where no such charges importation would he
maze. II was consequently necessary to look to some
KIND OF direct taxation as the only mode of raising the
revenue which required and as being also one which
for the have fully stated in former lattars
possessed special advantages But the difficulty was
how to impose any such taxation in the absence IF
regularly constituted government for the whole territor
1t clearly could only be done by the general of
the chiefs and people; and had many conversations
with Sir William Wnnet the last time he was in Eng
land upon leave of absence and after his DEATH with his
successor, Major Hill as to the most likely means of OBJ
tanning this general assent. The subject was not one
which admitted Of precise instructions being given to the
governor to the he should take these IL
necessary to leave to be determined by his own ;udo
ment ON the spot after having explained the object in
view, ana the suggestions whah occurred to me-
90 The premature and lamented death of Sir Wiiiiuu
Winnett prevented him from taking any steps of import
in urherance OF the design of which the execution
had been entrusted to him but have learned with great
satisfaction since he retired from office that his successor
Major HILL has given proof both Of the ability which
did not doubt that he possessed and of how well he had
entered into the policy which he had been instructed
to act by inducing the chiefs of the Gold Coast agree
to the imposition of such tax had contemplated
Knowing the deep interest take in the subject Major
Hill was good enough to write private letter after
he had received an account Of the change Of Government
in February last in which he informed me that he had
succeeded in inducing the chiefs and people throughout
the countries under British protection agree poll
tax Of one shilling per head for each man. woman and
child by which he calculates that of e200 900
year will be obtained to be expended in extending the
judicial system educating the children affording in
creased medical aid to the population, opening and i'm
proving the internal communications and other
of utility Considering that the whole annual income
derived from the votes Of Parliament and from all other
applicable to measures of improvement and the
expenses of the civil government has hitherto fallen short
e6,00O it is obvious that the adoption Of by
which the fund available for these purposes will be
largely increased is calculated accelerate very much
the march Of improvement. cannot but regard with
great satisfaction the which in these different
countries widely removed from each other Ceylon,
Natal and the Gold Coast has thus far attended the
pertinent of imposing direct taxation uncvilized
population with view to their improvement. The ex-
pertinent is novel in modern colonial adminstra-
ton and is the practical realization of views which
was led to form than twenty years ago when Under
Secretary of State, and which that time
y but in vain recommended that the for the abo
lition of slavery should be founded.
- But the imposition have mentioned is of less
Importance and less full of promise for the future than
the steps which have been taken in order to obtain
thority for its collection which should be regarded by
the people binding upon them. For this purpose and
with view to future legislation the Governor thought it
advisable to form the native Chiefs with his council and
himself into legislative assembly reservng the power
to the Governor assemble prorogue apd dissolve this
meeting at pleasure. On the 10th Of April last Major
Hill informed that he had effected this object,
for though it conveyed to in q private let
ter the proceedings he describes were essentially of
public character and necessarily known every person
the coast must add that am much gratifed by
learning that design TINT had long entertained,
and in eecting which there difficulties has
been thus successfully accomplished by Major Hill
am persuaded do not overrate the Importance Of the
establishment of this rude negro parliament when say
that believe it has converted number of barbarous
tribes possessing nothing but the name of n govern
ment into nation with regularly organized authority
and institutions simple and unpretendng but suited
the actual state Of society, and containing within them
selves al that is necessary for their future development
and so that they may meet the growing Of adj
yancing civilization"
Of the other settlements on the western coast of
Africa similar encouraging reports given and there
is doubt that the time is far distant when
this country will the fruits OF the noble and
vering efforts it has made for rendering these stations
serviceable in dihusing christianity, civilization and
among the degraded inhabitants Of that great
continent The recently established line Of steam COM
muncaons between England and the various settlements
and trading ports the western viii hasten this
desired change On the Gambia river there already are
indications Of vast sprngng up, and if the
anticipGons to the Of the cultivation Of
in that district wefounded, the benefit will be
ncaiculable both to the Of England and the
prosperity and civilization Of Africa"
The recent departure Of Dr. ovERwEr for Central AZ
RIGA to carry forward the explorations noby made by
Mr. RICHARDSON and his associates and in which the for
lost his life, and the preparations in progress for
to countries far the Niger show that bold and
resoute spirit which has distinguished the English Gov
eminent in the examination Of unknown regions and the
opening Of new and fields for commercial enterprise
The people Of the United States should aim be
equal to those Of England in endeavors alleviate the
misfortunes and enlghen and bless with civilization and
our holy religion the population Of Africa.
Very respectfully and faithfully yours, R,R.G.
FROM AN EDIyBURGH PAPER.
BAPTISM EXTRAORDINARILY interesting, novel, and
romantic christening took place few days ago the
340h anniversary Of the Battle Of Fodden the battle
ground where King James Nv. fell September TO- 1913,
surrounded by his mobiles and the chyary Of Scotland
Captain G. Lindsay, Of the United States marine corps
who recently left the United States bearer Of des