The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-09
COMMUNICATION.
THE CENTRAL AFRICAN COMPANY.

MEsSRs. EDIToRs:-From your editorial remarks
on Saturday | noticed that my previous communi-
cation had elected reply, which you declined pub
ilshng on account Of the personalities it contained
on are, of course, the sole and exclusive udees of
! what you may choose to admit into YOUR columns:
out allow me to say that, so far as am concerned
should make no objection to your publishing any
thing that those who take an interest in the project
condemned might think properly called for to de-
lend or justify it, Allow me to return nv acknowl-
edgements for the terms in which Won have been
pleased to speak of me; and to remark that whilst
do not feel myself entitled to Law claim to the nos
session of the high qualifications which your kind
regard attributes to me, you have done me but sim
pie justice in your statement that my communica
ton to you could have been prompted by no unwor-
thy motives
In your paper of this morning, (Monday) appears
communication from General Duff Green. intend.
ed, presume as vindication of the proprietv of
the measure he advocates. After reading vour edi
torlal comments thereon, should have deemed if
unnecessary to trouble you further on the subject
were 1t not for the terms applied by him to nv com
munication, and its author. Of the latter he saws
put 1t Is apparent Hat he has grossly
the purpose and the scope Of the Bill and in so doino
has grossly assaiied me- ,cho am responsible for the
B'H, although in noioise interested in A. further
than, citizen of the United States am Interested
an any and all ,ohich ,oM increase our conn
rerce or 'chich aoW all in riddinq as of free HocL
Whether has representations be ignoraitly or olie;ous
ty made, de-, Gc.' meet the above charoe of mis-
representation with fat denial and cballenga
him who makes it, or any other, to show Wherein
my communication misrepresented in the sliobtes+
degree the purpose and scope of the Bill, What
there may have been in the view of its autbor T
know not; but do assert that the abstract which
L gave of the provisions of the Bill was full and
fair one, nothing being added to them, and no ma
terial point omitted as may be easily seen bv
comparison of the communication with the printad
Bill ITSELF and am content to leave it to the com
mon sense of any intelligent man in the community
whether in my comment ever stated or exaooerat
ed the enormity of the powers which the Bill pro-
posed to vest in the directors of the Central fri
can Company"
For the information of those who NAV not have
seen the Bill, or my first communication, briefly
repeat, that the Bill authorizes the incorporation of
Mr.. Thomas j. Bowen, and those who NAV snb
cribe to the Stock of the Company, so soon as
10000 are subscribed, and $4,000 paid in. That
hive or more Directors citizens of the United States
may then be elected, whose "mode of election
term OF service, powers and duties, are to be pre-
scribed by the Bylaws" That said Directors are
to be vested with all the rights powers, privileges.
and immunities, necessary and proper for the pur-
poses of purchasing and owning lands in Africa,
and for aiding and promoting civilization, COM
merce, agriculture, manufactures, good govern
ment and christianity in Africa: and that thev are
also expressly authorized ''to carry on commerce
from any port orports in the United States or else
where to any port or ports in Africa or elsechere
For the accomplishment of these stupendous OBJ
jects, the Directors are authorized from time to
time, they may deem it expedient to increase their
Capital Stock to an amount not exceeding ten mil
lions of dollars and beyond the sums which If
may be deemed expedent to invest in Africa, in
furtherance of their efforts for the promotion of
colonization, civilization, christianity agriculture
commerce and manufactures in Africa Finally
the only other restrictions on the Company. should
the above clauses be thought to contain anv, of
practical force that they shall not exercise the
privilege of Banking, and shall not purchase and
hold in this State more land than may be required
for the convenient transaction of their business.
am very sure that | entertain no malice against
Gen. Green or Mr.. Bowen, the only parties whom
have ever yet heard of as connected with this
Bill; and if have ignoranty made any Incorrect
representation of its scope and purpose, however
apparent this may be to Gen. Green he has not vet
enlightened the public on this point
The greater part of Gen. Green's reply consists
in showing that according to Webster's definition.
the Bill if passed, would not create monopoly, as
which he says your correspondent, as we'll as your
selves, have denounced it. mus t here take leave
to correct him, and say that neither used the word
monopoly, nor did in any manner denounce the Bill
creating one. But if had used the term, think
it would not be difficult to show that an incorpora
ted Company, welding a capital of ten millions
might practically drive out of competition with
them, individual traders to any African port or
ports, which they might select as the fields for their
operations, and thus practically WELD all the pow
ers of monopolsts, although their charter might
not profess to give them exclusive privileges.
Finally, as do not expect to have again to tres
pass upon you or your readers, would add, that
neither |, any one else so far as | know, have
"unjusty assailed Mr.. Bowen, during his ABSENCE"
nor cast upon him any 'imputation that he has for
himself any other purpose than to promote the
cause of missions in Central Africa" Whatever NAV
be his views, trust that the Legislature of Mary
land will scarcely be made to believe that the pas
sage of the Bill in question: is wise and judicous
mode of providing for the promotion of Christian
missions C.