Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-12-24
VOL. 81, NO. 50.

fer.
1t is freely admitted that il would be inex-
pedient for this government to exercise the pow
er of constructing the Pacific railroad by its
own immediate agents. Such policy would
increase the patronage of the executive to 0
dangerous extent, and introduce q system Of
/ johbing and corruption, which no vigilance on
the part Of federal officials, could either pre-
vent or detect. This can only be done by tho
keen eye, and the active and careful superyis-
ion of individual and private interest.
The construction Of the road ought, there
fore, TO be committed to companies incorporated
by the States, or other agencies whose pecnDi-
airy interests would be directly involved. Coa-
gress night then assist them in the work By
grants Of land or Of noney, or both, under such
conditions and restriction as woald secure the
transportation of troops and munitions of war
free from any charge, and that Of the U. States
mail at fair and reasonable price.
The progress of events since the commence
ment of your last session, has shown how soon
difficulties disappear before a firm and deter
mined resotion. At that time, such road was
deemed by wise and patriotic men to be q VS.
ionary project. The great distance to be over
come, and the intervening mountains and des-
erts in the way, were obstacles which, in the
opinion of many, could not be surmounted.-
Now, after the lapse Of but single year, thsso
obstacles, it has been discovered, are far less
formidable than they were supposed to be; and
mail stages, with passengers, now pass and re-
pass regularly, twice IN each week, by COM
mon wagon road between San Francisco and
st. Louis and Memphis, In less than twenty-five
days. The service has been as regularly per-
formed, as ii was, in former years, between N.
York and this city.
Whilst disclaining all authority to appropri-
ate money for the construction of this road, ex-
cept that derived from the r-making power
of the constitution, there are important eollate
raj considerations urging us to undertake. the
work as speedily as possible.
The first and most momentous of these is,
that such road would be powerful bond of
union between the States east and west of the
Rocky mountains. This is 30 self-eTident as TO
require no illustration.
But again, in commercial point Of view.
| consider this the great question of the day.
With the eastern trout of eur republic sfreteh-
ing along the Atlantic, and its western front
along the Pacific, il all the parts should be
united by safe, easy, aud rapid iniercommuni-
cation, we must necessarily command very
large proportion 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 possession of
the trade with Eastern Asia, has always be-
come wealthy and powerful. The pecpliar ge-
ographical position of California and our Pa
cifc possessions invites American capital and
ont into 81. ~ G.Il IL.
rich harvest, however, it is an Indispensable
prerequisite, that we shall first have railroad
to convey and circulate its products throughout
every portion of the Union. Besides, such
railroad through our temperate latitude, which
would not be impcded by the frosts and SHOWS
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.
Or the 2lst of August last, Lieut.. j. N.
Mafht, of the U. S. brig Dolphin, captured the
SLAYER sEcho,' formerly the Putnam Of New
Orleans, near Kay Verde, on the coast Of Cuba,
with more than three hundred African negroes
on board. The prize, under The command of
Lieut.. Bradford of the United States navy,
arrived at Charleston on the 9th August;
when the negroes, three hundred and six in
number, were delivered into the custody of the
U. S. marshal for the district Of South Caro-
liua. They were placed in Castle Pinckney, and
afterwards in Fort Sumpter, for safe-keeping,
aud were detained there until the 18th Septem-
Der, when the survivors, two hundred and seven
ty-one in number, we've delivered on board the
u. 5. steamer Niagara, to bo transported to the
coast of Africa, under the charge of the agent
of the u. States, pursuant to the provisions of
the Sd March, 1919, sin addition TO the acts
prohibiting the slave trade Under the I'd SEQ.
tion of this act, the President is authorized to
make such regulations and arrangements as be
may deem expedient for the safe keeping, sup
port, and removal beyond the limit of the u.
States, of all such negroes, nulattoes or per-
sons of color, captured by vessels of the u.
States, as may be delivered to the marshal Of
the district into which they are brought; sand
TO appoint proper person or persons residing
upon the coas. Of Africa, as agent or agents
for receiving The negroes, mulat,oes or persons
of color, delivered from Oh board vessels seized
in the prosecution of the slave trade By COM
manders of the u S. armed vessels
\ doubt Immediately arose as to the true con-
strnciion of this act. 1t is quito clear from It's
terms that the President was authorized to pro-
vide sfor the safe-keepug, support, and reno
val' Of these negroes up till the time of their
delivery to the agent on the coast of Africa;
but no express provision was made for their
protection and support after they bad reached.
The place of their destination. Still, an agent
was TO be appointed to receive them in Africa;
and it could not have beer supposed that Con-
gress intended he shoaid desert them at the
moment they we're received, and turn them loose
on that inhospitable 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 re-
(ccntinucd on fourth puge.1