Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-12-22
he work as snaad;ly Noc poes;bla

R icky mountains. This is so self-evident as to require no illustration.
 but again, Tn commercial point of view, l consider thls the great question of the day. WHh the eastern front of our republic stretch !, ing along the Atlantic, and its western front along the Pacific, if all the parts should be united by safe, easy, and rapid intercommu- nication, we must necessarily command very large portion of the trade both of Europe and Asia. Our recent treaties with China and Japan, will open these rich and populous empires to | our commerce; and the history of the world | proves, that the nation which has gained DOS | session of the trade with eastern Asia, has al- | ways become wealthy and powerful. The De- l culiar geographical position of California and | our Pacific possessions, invites American capital l and enterprise into this fruitful field To reap the rich harvest, however, it is an indispensable | prerequisite, that we shall first have a railroad to convey and circulate it's products throughout every portion of the Union. Besides, such railroad through our temperate latitude, which would not be impeded by the frosts and snows of winter nor by the tropical heats of summer, would attract to itself much of the travel and the trade of all nations passing between Europe and Asia.
 On the 21st of August last, Lieut.. J. N. Maffit, of the United States brig Dolphin, cap- tured the shaver Echo, Qormery the Putnam of New Orleans) near Key Verde, on the coast of Cuba, with more than three hundred African negroes on board. The prize, under the con- mand of Lieut.. Bradford of the United States navy, arrived at Charleston on the 2Ith of Au- gust; when the negroes, three hundred and SIX in number. were delivered into the custody of the United States marshal for the district of South Carolina. They were first placed in Gas tie Pinckney, and afterwards in Fort Sumter, for safe keeping and were detained there until the 18th of September, when the survivors, two hundred and seventy-one in number, were delivered on board the United States steamer Niagara, to be transported to the coast of Africa, under the charge of the agent of the United States, pursuant to the provisions of the act of the 3d of March, 1919, in addition to the act prohibiting the slave trade." Under the 2d section of this act, the President Is authorized to make such regulations and arrangements as he may deem expedient for the safe-keeping, support and removal beyond the limits ol the United States, of all such negroes mulattoes, or persons of color," captured by vessels of the United States, as may be delivered to the mar shal of the district into which they are brought; "and to appoint proper person or persons re- siding upon the coast of Africa, as agent or agents IUI IeCoi'iuS IHe HcSiUeS, UT persons of color, delivered from on board of vessels seized in the prosecution of the slave trade by commanders of the United States arm- ed vessels"
 doubt immediately arose as to the true construction of this act. It is quite clear from its terms that the President was authorized to provide for the safe-keeping, support, and re- moval," of these negroes up to the time of their delivery to the agent the coast of trica; but no express provision Was made for their protection and support after they had reached the place of their destination. Still, all agent was to be appointed to receive them in Africa; and 1t could not have been supposed that Con- gress intended he should desert them at the moment they were receved, and turn them loose on that inhospltable coast to perish for want of food, or to become again the victims of the slave trade. Had this been the intention of Congress, the employment of an agent to receive them who is required to reside on the coast was unnecessary and they might have been landed by our vessels anywhere in Afnca, and left exposed to the sufferings and the fate which would certainly await them.
 Mr Monroe, in his special message of 17th of December, 1919 at the first session after the act was passed announced to Congress what, in his opinion, was its true construction. He be- lieved 1t to be his duty under 1t, to follow these uniorunates into Africa, and make provisions for them there, until they should be able to provide for themselves. In communicating this interpretation of the act of Congress, he stated that some doubt had been entertained as to its true intent and meaning, and he submit ted the question to them, so that they might "should 1t be deemed advisable amend the same before further proceedings are had under it." Nothing was done by Congress to explain the act. and MT. Monroe proceeded to carry it into execution according to his own interpreta- tion. This then, became the practical consIruc- ton. When the Africans from on board the Echo were delivered to the marshal at Charles ton, 1t became my duty to consider what dis position ought to be made of them under the law. For many reasons, it was expedient to remove them from that locality as speedily as possible Although the conduct of the autho- rites and citizens of Charleston, in giving eouu- tenanee to the execution of the law, was just what might have been expected from their high character, yet a prolonged continuance of three hundred Africans in the immediate vicinity of that city, could not have failed to become a source of inconvenience and anxiety to its in- habitants. W here to send them was the ques- tlon.
 There was no portion of the coast of A frca, to which they could be removed with any re- gard to humanity, except to Liberia. Under these circumstances, an agreement was entered into with the colonization society on the 7th of September last copy of whcn Is herewith transmitted under which the society engaged for the consideration of iouy-tive thousand dol lars, to receive these Alricaus in Liberia from the agent of the Unted States, and furnish them during the period of one year, thereafter, with comfortable shelter, clothing, provisions, and medical attendance, causing the child ren to receive schooling, and all whether child ren or adults, to be instructed in the arts of ci- vized life, suitable to their condition. This aggregate of lorty-fve thousand dollars was based upon an allowance of one hundred and fifty dollars for each individual, and as there has been considerable mortality among them and may be more before they reach Africa, the society have agreed, Ill an equitable spirit to make such a deduction from the amount, as under the circumstances may appear just and reasonable This cannot be fixed until we shall ascertain the actual number which may become a charge to the society.
 It was also distinctly agreed, that, under no circumstances, shall this government be called upon for any additional expenses
 The agents of the society manifested laud-
 
 vernment, throughout the transaction. They assured me that, after careful calculation, they would be required to expend the sum of one hundred aud fifty-sx dollars on each indivi- dual in complying with the agreement, and they would have nothing left to remunerate them for their care, trouble and responsibility. At all events could make no better arrangement, and there was no other alternative During the period when the government itself, through its own agents undertook the task of movdny for captured negroes in Africa, the cost per head was very much greater.
 There having been no outstanding appropri- ation applicable to this purpose, l could not advance any money on the agreement there- fore recommend that all appropriation may be made, of the amount necessary to carry it into effect
 Other captures of a, similar character may, and probably will be made by. our naval forces; and earnestly recommend that Congress may amend the second section of the act of March 3d, 1el9, as to free its construction from the ambiguity which has so long existed, and ren- der the duty of the President plain in execut- ing it's provisions.
 recommend to your favorable regard the local interests of the District of Columbia-