Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-12-22
Of the Rocky Mountains This is SO self

evident as to require no illustration.
But again, in a commercial point OF view'
] consider this the great question of the day
With the eastern from: of our Republic
stretching along the Atlantic, and Its west
ern front along the Pacific, if all the parts
should be united by safe, easy and rapio
INSTRUMENTATION. we must necessarily
command a very large proportion OF the TRADE
both of Europe and Asia. Our recent treaties
with China and Japan will open these rlch
and populous empires to our commerce; aud
the history of the world proves, that the na,
ton which has gained possession of the trade
with Eastern Asia has always become veal
thy and powerful. The peculiar geographl-
cal position of California and our Paclhc
possessions invite American capital and en-
tarpriso into this fruitful field. To reap the
rich harvest, however, it is an indispensable
prerequisite, that we shall first have rail
road, TO convey and circulate it's products
throughout every portion ct the Union. Be
sides. such railroad through our temperate
latitude, which would not be impeded by the
frosts and SHOWS Of winter, nor by the tropi-
cal heats of summer, would attract to itself
much of the travel and the trade of all nations
passing between Europe and Asia.
On the 2lst Of August last. Lieut.. j.
Mafft, of the United States brig Dolphin,
captured the SLAYER Echo, Formerly the Put
nam, Of New Orleans, near Key Verde, on
the coast of Cuba, with more than three
hundred Africans negroes on board. The
prize, under the command Of Lieut. Brad
ford of the United States navy, arrived at
Charleston on the 9th August. when the
negroes, three hundred and six in number,
we're delivered into the custody of tie United
States marshal for the district of South Caro-
lima. They were first placed in Castle Pinck-
ney. and afterwards in Fort Sumter, for safe
keeping, and were detained there until the
18th 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, pursuant TO the provisions OF the act
Of Sd March, 1919, ''in addition to the acts
prohibiting tie slave trade" Under the 2d
section of tLis act, the President IS "au;hor-
2ed to make such regulations and arrange
ments as he may deem expedient. for the safe
keeping. support, and removal beyond t @
limits Of the United States, OF all such ne
groes. mulattoes, or persons Of color" captu-
red by vessels OF the United States, as may
ID delivered to the marshal of the district to
which they are brought; land to appoint .
proper person or persons residing upon the
coast Of Africa, ss agent or agents for. .recelv-
ing the negroes, mulattoes, or persons OF
color, delivered from on board vessels III the
prosecution Of the slave trade by commanders
IF the United States armed vessels"
A doubt Immediately arose as to the true
construction o. .u.s a.. :. - qut,e c4u-.
from its terms that the President Was author
!sea TO provide for the safe-keeping. sup
port, and removal of these negroes Up till
ibe time OF their delivery to the agent on the
Sos.t of Africa; but no ezpress provision was
made for their protection and support alter
,hey had reached the place oftheir destination.
a:ill sn agent WAS to be appointed 20 receive
them in Africa, and it could not have been
supposed that Congress intended he should
desert them st the moment they were receiv-
ed, snd turn them loose on that iuhospits bic
ssa,t to perish from want of food or to be-
cone again the victims Of the slave trade
Had this been the intention OF Congress-. the
employment Of an agent to receive them, hc
is required to reside on the coast, was unnCc
erssry, aud they might have been landed by
our vessels anywhere in Africa and left eH-
posed to the suiferings and the fate which
would certainly await them.
Mr. Monroe, in his speca! message Of j. Il
December, 1919, at the first session after
she act was passed announced to Congress
what, io his opinion, was its true construc
zion. He believed it to be his duty under it
10 follow these unfortunatcs into Africa, and
make provision for them there, until they
should be able to provide for themselves. -
In communicating this Interpretation of the
act to Congress. he stated that some doub
had been entertained as to its intent anC
meaning, and he submitted the question t
them, SO that they might, should it be deem
cd advisable, amend the same before an,
further proceedings are had under it" Moth
ing was done by Congress TO explain the act
and Mr.. Monroe proceeded to carry 1t int
execution according to his own Interpretation
This, then, became the pi actical construction
When the Africans from on board the Eek
we're delivered to the marshal at Charleston
it became my duty to consider what disposi
lion ought to be made of them under the law
For many reasons, it was expedieut to re
move them from that locality IS speedily G
possible. Althouh the conduct of the au
thorlties and citizens OF Charleston, in Civ
Ing countenance to the execution Of tbs laws
was Just what Nj ghs have been expected froa
their high character, yet prolonged contin
nance Of three hundred Africans iu the i'm
mediate vicinity Of that city, could not hav
failed to become source Of iLconyenicrc
and anxiety to its inhabitants. Where I
send them, was he question. There was n
portion of the coast of Africa, to which the.
eonld be removed With any regard to human
ity. excep. to Liberia. Under these circum
stances, an agreement vas entered into viii
the Colonization Society on the 7th of Sept
last. copy Of which is herewith transmitted
under which the Society engaged, for th
consideration of forty FIVE thousand dollars
TO receive these Africans in Liberia from til
agents ofthe United States, and furnish then
during the period Of one year thereafter, Wit
comfortable shelter clothing, provisions, an
medical attendance, causing the children I
receive schooling; and all, wether cbildre
or adults, to be instructed in the arts OF civ