The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-22

vations which l made on this subject in
my last annual message, to which I beg
leave respectfully to refer.
1t is freely admitted that it would be
inexpedient for this Government to exer-
else the power of constructing the Pacific
railroad by its own immediate agents.
Such policy would increase the patron
age of the Executive to dangerous ex-
tent, and introduce system of jobbing
and corruption which no vigilance on the
part of Federal officials could either pre-
vent or detect. This can only be done by
the keen eye and active and careful super
vision of individual and private interest.
The construction of this road ought,
therefore, to be committed to companies
incorporated by the States, or other agen-
cies, whose pecaniary interests would be
directly involved. Congress might then
assist them in the work by grants of land
or Of money, or both, under such conditions
and restrictions as would secure the trans
portation of troops and munitions of war
free from any charge, and that Of the Uni
ted States mail at fair and reasonable
price.
The progress of events since the COM
mencement of your last session, has shown
how soon difficulties disappear before a
firm and determined resolution. At that
time such q road was deemed by wise and
patriotic men to be visionary project
The great distance to be overcome, and
the intervening mountains and deserts in
in the way, were obstacles which, in the
opinion of many, could not be surmount-
ed. Now, after the lapse of but single
year, these obstacles, it has been Giscov-
cred, are far less formidable than they were
supposed to be; and mail stages, with pas
sengers, now pass and repass regularly,
twice in each week, by common wagon
road, between San Francisco and st. Louis
and Memphis, in less than twenty five days.
The service has been as regularly perform
ed as it was, in former years, between
New York and this city.
Whilst disclaimiug all authority to ap-
propriate money for the construction of
this road, except that derived from the
war-making. power of the Constitution,
there are important collateral considera-
tiens urging US to undertake the work as
speedily as possible.
The first and most momentous of these
is, that such road would be a powerful
bond of union between the States east
and west of the Rocky Mountains. This
is so self-eyident as to require no illustra.
tion.
But again, in commercial point of
view, consider this the great question OF
the day. With the eastern front of our
Republic stretching along the Atlantic,
and its western front along the Pacific if all
the parts should be united by safe, easy,
and rapid intercommunication, we must
necessarily command very large proper
tion of the trade both in 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 become wealthy and pow
erful. The peculiar geographical position
of California and our Pacific possessions
invites American capital and enterprise
into this fruitful field. To reap the ricf
harvest, however, it is an indispensable
prerequisite that we shall first have rail
road to convey and circulate its products
throughout every portion of the Union
Besides, such railroad through our tenn
perate latitude, which would not be i'm
peded by the frosts and SHOWS of winter
nor by the tropical heats of summer, woul'
attract to itself much of the travel and tn
trade of all nations passing between Eu
rope and Asia.
On the 2lst of August last Lieutenan
J N. Mafit, of the United States bri
Dolphin, captured the SLAYER Echo, (form
erly the Putnam, of New Orleans nea
Kay Verde, on the coast of Cuba, wit
more than three hundred African negroe
on board. The prize, under the comman
of Lieutenant Bradford, of the Unite
States Navy, arrived at Charleston on th
, 9th August, when the negroes, thre
, hundred and six in number, were delivere
into the custody of the U s. marshal for th
district of South Carolina. They wei
first placed in Castle Penckney, and aftel
wards in Fort Sumpter, for afe-keepin.
f and we're detained there until the l9t
, September, when the survivors, two hui
dred and seventy-one in number, were d.
livered on board the United States steam
| er Niagara, to be transported to the Goa
/ of Africa, under the charge of the agel
. of the United States, pursuant to the pr
t visions of the act of the Sd March, 1S1:
"in addition to the acts prohibiting ii
slave trade" Under the second sectie
: of this act the President is "authorize
s to make such regulations and arrang
: ments as he may deem expedient, for tt
: safe-keeping, support, and the removal b.
= yond the limits of the United States, of 6
: snch negroes, mulattoes, or persons
y color" captured by vessels of the Uuitt
e States, as may be delivered to the ma
e shal of the district into which they a
: brought; "and to appoint proper pers'
# or persons residing upon the coast of A
= L