The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-25
fnom the Philadelphia Amer ican.
AFRICAN COMMERCE.


The public generally and particularly those interested
in the prosperity Of our commerce. will be glad learn
movement designed to promote and afford protection to
American trade with Africa We refer memorials nu-
nerously and most respectfully signed by the leading
mercantile firms and citizens of Philadelphia which have
been presented to the Senate and House Representatives
The memorialists recommend, promising 20 extend
African commerce with the United States-lst the sub
suton Of steamers in the place of sailing vessels in the
African squadron I'd the admission, free of duty of all
commodities of African growth and production directly
entering American ports 3D. the establishment of line
steam propeers, of not 1000 tons burden to carry
mails and passengers to the west coast of Africa
The enlightened policy of Great Britain foresaw and
provided measures similar 10 the above secure this field
or her commercial enterprise And her efforts have been
crowned with success for her portion of the trade with
he west coast alone during the year 1856 TWENTY-FIVE
millions of dollars while the interest of the United States
with the entire continent in the period, not quite
four millions of dollars Every year removing this val
liable aud rapidly augmentng further from
sach and the present favorable opportunity for
all our mercantile interests combine for the opening
such channels as will bear due proportion of it to our
shores
The naval force OF Great Britain now stationed on the
can coast is composed of wentyseven vessels mostly
steamers carrying hundred and seventy three guns
Inc American force consists of the soops jamestown and
Oh Louis and brig Dolphin, constituting total of three
ing vessels and fory-sx guns. England has line of
monthly steamers from Plymouth and Liverpool aided by
subsidy for transporting the mails of f22
O per annum and another line of several powerful steam
Us 70 the Cape Of Good Hope and South Africa America
w not single steamer of any size sort engaged in the
african trade and Congress has not appropriated cent
vi ne IONS OF mail matter constantly passing between the
countries including that to the officers of the govern
uen' and to those of her own ships
Inc elect OF these two Of policy may be readily
uaginsd but we prefer allowing some of our naval Off
VINO have served in national vessels that coast
u VINO may justly be considered as intelligent and i'm
ua witnesses, to testify Commander Rudd thus wrote
August 20, 1853;
enclose you paper giving the routes of the English
nefs on this They are dong frst-rae busi-
- running full of freight both ways and of cut
T up our trade very much. Steam is the only thing on
~" COAST sail vessels are far behind the age"
Commander W. r. Lynch in his official report Of Sep
o 1853 in relation to his mission to the coast Of
Nuicah page so, states
oae other thing feel impe ed to say from sense Of
- anu DO so most reluctantly. But if do not wish
% accused and perhaps justly accused of observing the
MIR ano neglecng the spirit of treaty stipulation
M gard 10 the slave trade, will substitute small
s, steamers for sailing vessels upon the African
|ar m sudgiog Of the future from the past 10
|snnr ne freae Constitution is of little in
mat trade than II she in the Bay Of Fun
|Rsu can scarce be otherwise From Goree to Cape
ranging from Fifty to eighty miles from the coast
10y region OF alternate Gains, light winds currents