The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-12-17

union between the States east and west OF the
Rocky Mountains. Thus 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 front OF our Republic stretching along
the Atlantic, and its western front along the
Pacific, If all the parts should be united by a
safe, easy, and rapid communication, we must
necessarily command a very large proportion
OF the trade both of Europe auI Asia. Our re-
cent treaties with China and Japan, will open
these rich and populous empires 10 our com
merce 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 peculiar geographical position Of
California and our Pacific possessions, invites
American capital and enterprise into this fruit
ful field. Ie reap the rich harvest, however,
/: Is indispensable prerequisite, that we shall
first have a railroad, to convey and circulate lis
products throughout every portion OF the Union.
Besides, such a railroad through our temperate
latitpje, which would not be impeded by
the iIoStS 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.
On the lSt Of August last, Lieut.. J. \. Maj
6ll, ofthe United States brig Dolphin. captured
Echo, 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
al Charleston on the 9th of August when the
negroes, three hundred and SIX in number,
were delivered into the custody of The United
States Ma shal for The District Of South Carolina.
They were first placed in Castle Pincknay,
and afterwards in Fort Sumter, for safe keeping,
and were detained there unii The 18th OF
September, when the survivors, 27l il M nber,
were delivered on board Of the Uaitrd States
steamer Niagara, to be transported 10 the coast
of Africa, under the charge It The agent Of the
United States, in pursuance ol the act ol the
81 of Msrch, 1919, & in addition TO the acts
prohibiting the slave trade"
Under the 2d section of this act the Presi-
dent is ''authorised 10 make such regulations
aud arrangements as he may deem EXP kedient
for the safe keeping, support, and removal be-
yond the limits OF the United States, OF all such
negroes, mulatoeS, or persons Of color" caPtu-
red by vessels OF The Unlted States, as may be
delivered to the marshal of The district into
which they are brought sand 10 appoint a
proper person or persons residing on the coast
OF Africa, as agent or agents for receiving the
negroes, muattoeS, or persons OF color, deliver
ed from on board vessels seized in the prosecu-
tion Of the slave trade by commanders Of the
United States armed vessels"
A doubt Immediately arose as to the true coH-
stiucton Of this act. 1t IS quite clear from its
terms that the Prpsidpn: was authorised TO pre-
vide ''ior the Salr-kpaping, support and reno
yaI' OF these negroes up tlIi the time OF Their
delivery 10 The agent on the coast nf Africa; but
no express provision was made Tor their protec-
ton and support after they had reached the
place Of their destnaIan. Still, an agent was
ID be appointed to receive th"m IN Africa and
1t couli not have been supposed that Congress
intended he should desrIt them al the moment
they were received aud turn tli,m loose on that
inhospitable coast to-rrFisll ioF wont of food,
10 become again the victims OF the slave trade.
Had this been the InteulUn of Congress, the
employment of an agent 10 receive them, who
Is required TO reside on the coast, was unnecessa-
ry, and they might have been landed BY our
vessels anywhere IN Africa, aud irtt exposed
TO the suGeripgs and the fate which would
certainly await them.
Mr. Monroe, in his special message of 17lh
December, 1919, at the Grst ion after the
act passed, announced 10 Congress what,
10 his opinion, was It's true construction He
believed 1t 10 be his duty under 1t to follow
these untortunars into Africa, and rake pro-
vision Tor them there, until they should be able
TO provide for themselves. in communicating
this Interpretation Of the act to Congress-, be
stated that some doubt had been entertained as
TO It's true intent and meaning, and he admitted
the question TO them, 50 that they might,
''shouIG it be deemed advisable, amend the
same before further proceedings are had under
it," Nothing was done by Congress to explain
the act, and Mr.. Monroe .pFocerded 10 carry
ii into execution according to his own rnterpre-
iation. This, then, became the practical con-
strucion.
When the Africans from on board the Echo
were delivered to the Marshal al Charleston, il
became my duty to consider what disposition
ought 10 BE- made OF them under the law. For
many reason sit was thought eXPedient % remove
them from that locality as speedily as possible.
Althou.htbe conduct o! the authorities and citI
zens OF Charleston, in giving counlenance to
the execution of the law, was just what might
have been expected from their high character,
yet prolonged continuance of three hundred
Africans in the immediate vicinity of that CITY,
could not have failed 10 become a source Of in
convenience and anxiety to It's nhabnants.-
Where 10 send them Nsas the question.
There was no portion Of the Coast OF A Africa,
to which they could be removed with any re-
gard TO humanity, except Liberia. Under these
circumstances, all agreement was entered into
with the Colonization Society on the 7th of
September last, copy of which is herewith
transmitted, under which the Society engaged
Ter the consideration Of iorty-ive thousand doll
lars, TO receive these Africans in Liberia from
the agent Of the United States, and furnish