Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-12-11

Neu Hon tbe WnF WnkinR power oi the eoneiiiu-
tion there ere Important collateral copsidernhopa
ureing Us 10 undertake the work ~ speedily ~
possible. The first and most mOmenioUs Of these
is, that such road would be powerful bond of
union between the States east and west Of The
Rocky Mountains. This is 80 self-evidcnt az TO
require no illusiraiion
But again in n commercial point Of view, con-
slider this tie greai question # The day. With
the eastern front Of our republic stretching slong
the Atlantic, aud itswestcfn front dong the Pa
eihc, It all the paris should he united by a safe,
easy, and rapid communication, We must ppoes-
sanly cumnapd a very large proportion Of the
trade both OF Europe and Asia. Our recent trea-
iies with China and Japan viii open ihese rich
ana pofulOus empires 10 our commerce; aud the
history ot the world proves that the nation which
has gained pOssetssiop oi the irpde with Eastern
ASIA las always become wealthy and powerful.
The peculiar geographical position of California
and our Fhcihc POSSESSIONS, invites American eap-
iial and enterprise into this fruitful field. To
reap the rich harvest, however. il il an indspeu-
sable prerequisite that shall first have n iai-
road, To convey aud circulate its products ibro-
out every portion of the Union Resides such
n railroad through our temperate hinude which
would not be imppded by The trusts and SHOWS of
winter, nor by the tropical heats Of sbmmer, VOID
attract 10 itself much of the travel and the trade
Of all nations passing between Europe and Asia.
On the 2lst Of August last, Lt j. w. Maflit,
Of the U. s. brig Dolphin, captured the SLAYER
Echo, (turnerly tie Putnam. Of New Orleans,)
stVar Kay Verde, on the coast Of Cuba, with more
than three hundred African negroes on hoard
The prize. uLdcr the command OF Lieut.. Bradford
Of tie U. s. Navy, and arrived at Charleston ON
the 9Th Of August when the negroes, three hun
dred and six in number, were delivered into the
custody Of the Unied States Marshal for the dis
itict of South Carolina. They were first placed
in Castle Pinckney, and afterwards in Fort Sum-
ter, TOR safe keeping. and were detained there un-
I'll The 18th day of September, when the survI-
yors. two hundred and scvtniy-oue in number,
were delivered Uh board The U. S steamer Mag
ara 10 be transported TO the cuast Of Africa, un-
der the charge Of the agent of he United States
pursuant O The provisions Of the act of tie Sd Of
March, 1879, "in addition TO tie acts prohibiting
the slave trade"
Under the second section Of this net, the pre-
sident is authorized to make such regulations
and arrangements as may be deemed e1pe-
dent, for the saie-k'rping. support and removal
beyond the limits Of ibe U. s. Of all such negroes
mulaitOes persons of color" captured by ves-
sells Of the U. s.. as may be delivered to the
shal of the district into which they are brought
'and to appoint proper person or persons resid-
ing upon the COAST OF A irica agent or agents
for receiving the negroes, mulatocs, or persons
OF color. delivered from on board vessels seized
in the prosecution of the slave trade by COM
manders Of the U. S. armed vessels"
doubt iuInediRtey TO the true con-
sruction Uf this act. 1t is qtfite Clear from It's
terms that the president was authorized to pro-
vide " for the sale keeping, support and removal
of these nelTues up til the time of their delivery
TO the agent the coast Of frca; hut no express
provision was made for their prott ction and sup
port after they had reached the place of their des-
tinaiOp. Sill, an agent was 10 be appointed TO
receive them in Africa; and it could not have been
supposed that Congress intended he should de-
sert them at the moment they were received, and
turn them loose on that inhospitable coast 10 per-
lsh for want of food. or 20 become again The VIC
Tins o the slave trade. Had this been the inten-
tion of Congress, the employ ment 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 any ywbere in Africa aud
left exposed to the sufferings and the fate which
would certainly wait them.
Mr.. Monroe in his special message of lTlh De-
cember, 1919, at the first session after the act
passed, announced TO Congress what, in his Opn-
ion, was its true construction. He believed it to
be his duty under IT, TO follow these unfortunates
into Africa, and make provision for them there,
until They should be able to provide for them
selves. To communicating this interpre;ati TO
the act of ongress. he stated that some doubt
had been entertained TO it's true nteLt and
meaning and he submitted the question to them,
80 that they might. "should it be deemed advis-
able amend the same before further proceedings
are had under it," Nothing was done by Con-
gress 10 explain the act, and Mr. Monroe proceed
ed TO carry 1t into execution according to his
Interpretation This, then. became the practical
construction. When the Africans from on board
the EchU were deliverd 10 the marshal at Charles
ton, it became my duty TO consider what dispO-
sltion ought to be made of them under the law
For many reasons it was expedent TO remove
Them from that locality speedily as possible.
Although the conduct Of the authorities and cifi-
zens of Charleston. in giving countenanee TO the
execution of lie law, was Just what might have
been expected from their high character, yet a
prolonged continuance OF three hundred Africans
in the immediate vicinity ot that city, could not
have failed to bee ONE snurce OF Inconvenience
nd anxiety 10 its inhafi ants. Where TO send
them, was the question. There was no portion
of the cOasl of Africa 10 which they could be re-
moved with any regard to humanity, except to
Liberia Under these crcumsi anees, an agree
mcnt was entered with the Colonization society
un the 9Th September last, q copy of which is
herewith transmitted, under which the society
engaged, for the consideration of tory-hve thou
sand dollars. 10 receive those Africans in Liberia
from the agent of the U. s.. and furnish them
during the period Of one year thereafter with
comfortable shelter, clothing, provisions and med
ical attendance, causing the children to receive
schooling; and all. whether children adults 10
be instructed in theart OF civilized life, suitable
to their condition.
The aggregate Of thousand dollars was based
upon allowance Of hundred and City dollars for
each ind dual and there had been considerable
tally among them and may be before they
Africa society have agreed, rqut.be spnt to
mase such deduction from the amount under the cir
appear just and reasonable. This
be 1Ted until shall ascertain the actual number which
beeoue charge 10 the society. II also distinct
y agreed that under oircumsta shah this govern
uirnt be called upon for aoy additional expenses,
The agents Of the soctty manifested audAhle dePire
10 conform the wishes Of tie government throughout
the transaction They ASSURED that after reul cal
cuttiOn theS would b. required Ia NIeud the Of
hundred and hftR dollars each individual IN
Plug with the grerment and they would have nothing
left ~ Ermun-laiH them for her trouble and respon
tbility. At all events could make better arrange
ent and there other Alternative During the pc
undertook the lAk o providing for captured negrs IN
Aic The cnst per head very much greater. There
having been oustan ing appropriation applicable TO
this purposI could not advance money the
I. therefore recommend that appropriation may
lie made, Of The amount necessary TO carry II into effect
Other captures of a similar character may and probably
will be mAHe by naval fnrces, and earnestly recon.
mend that Congress amend the second section OF the
act Of March, l~la to tree its construction from
the ambiguity which has long eXbted, and fender the
duty of the President plain executing its provisiona
recommend 10 your favorable regard the local inter-
ests the District nbiA As the residenes Con-
gress and the executive departments of the government
osnn0t fail tRf.elG de- concern inR welfare This
hightened by the high character and the peaceful and
orderly conduct of its resident Inhabitants. -r D. ~
cannot conclude without performing the agreeable du
y of expressing my qualification that Cont kind
y responded to the Recommendation Of my last annual
message by adording sufficient time before the close OF
te late session for the examination OF all the bills
Eented TO nv fer approval This change in the practice Of
Congress has proved to he wholesome reform. 1t
ted beneficial Induence the transactions Of legislative
business, and elected The general appreciation OF the
cOuarv. 1t erahIsd Congress adjourn with that dig