The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-03-22
Among the few proceedings of CONGRESS. at

Among the few proceedings of Congress, at its
recent session, in which the citizens of Baltimore
have any especial interest, was Report from the
Committee of the Senate, on Foreign Relations,
confirming to our townsman, Captain EDWARD X.
COOPER the exclusive right of occupying the
Island or Key of Navassa, in the Caribbean Sea,
for the purpose of selling and removing guano
therefrom. We had occasion, last summer, to
notice some amusing comments of the European
press upon the occupation of Navassa by Captain
COOPER under the authority of the UNITED STATES
Government. Our readers will, perhaps, remem-
ber that the Partisan journals, especially, were
inclined to treat it as national movement, on
our part, to establish sort of Malta Gibraltar,
in what it is the habit of flibustering and annexa-
zionist orators so expansively to designate as
''our waters" We ventured at the time to doubt
the probability of any such gigantic undertaking,
in the then condition of Mr.. BUcHANANs ex-
chequer, and now that the Administration has
been left in so desolate condition of dependence
upon the Post-otfice revenues we presume there is
no reasonable ground for supposng that it con-
templates dislodging the sea-birds from the lonely
rock in question. Certainly, the action of the
Senate, confirming unanimously the Report to
which we have alluded, would seem to be pacific
and harmless enough to satisfy the most suspicious
critics of our national policy and conduct
1t appears that Captain COOPER as discoverer, or
representing the dscoverer, of the deposit of guano
upon Navassa Key, some fifty miles distant on the
West from the Island of St. Domingo, took pos
session of the same under the act of Congress of
August 18th, 1856, after having furnished the De-
partment of State with the proofs required by that
statute, and given bond for the performance of the
conditions which it imposes. The PRESIDENT
being convinced, from very satisfactory nvestiga-
ton and evidence, that the Key belonged to the
was altogether unnhabited, despatched a ma
tional vessel in that direction, last summer, to
relieve the agents of Captain COOPER from the
interference of a squadron sent by SouLoUoUE to
interrupt their proceedings. His sable Majesty
now sable only, and majestic no more-whose
ragged demonstration and empty claim of title
had been gotten up by some rival guano-hunters
from Observation-Disclosures the controversy as soon
as he perceived that our Government was in
earnest, and from that time Captain COOPER has
been actively engaged in removing the guano to
this country. DESTROYS of being fully secured in
the large outlay which such an enterprise demands,
he applied to Congress, for an Act ratifying his
title as conferred by the EXECUTIVE. The Com
mittee of Foreign Relations, however, through
their Chairman, Mr.. MASON, reported and the
Senate, without division, determined as we have
stated, that no further legislation was requisite
and that Captain COOPER under the Act of $50
and the proceedings of the PRESIDENT in conformity
with its provisions, stood vested already with the
exclusive right to occupy and use the Key for the
purposes which that Act was intended to guaranty
and serve The result of this authoritative and
conclusive action, will, of course, be to give
to the enterprise additional solidity and ex-
tension, and as the proprietor of the
Navassa deposit has made this port the
centre of his home operations, we cannot
but anticipate large benefits from it to the COM
mercal and general interests of Baltimore. The
guano itself is recognized we believe as one of the
most valuable of the phosphate manures and its
consumption is largely increasing throughout the
country-not only for the purpose of its applica-
ton TO the soil in its original condition. but from
the extensive use which is mad of it in combina-
ton with the Peruvian guano, and other import
ant fertizing agents. The number of vessels al
ready occupied in the trade is very considerable,
and is increasing rapidly. So, too, is the demand
for greater facilities in the pulverization of the
guano by machinery, and for additional labor in
the various departments of industry, which must
deal with it before it passes to its final destination
The deposit at Navassa is one of great extent, as
its exploration from day to day demonstrates, and
there is therefore, every reason to believe that the
benefits to be derived from it by our citizens will
be as lasting as they substantial and import
ant. So much intelligent energy and enterprise as
Captain CooPERhas already displayed, in connection
with the matter, cannot fail to inspire confidence
in his future efforts, and ensure their success May
we not hope that others, among our active mer-
chants and shipmasters, may be led to give their
efforts similar direction? There is no reason
why other deposits, perhaps equally important,
may not be discovered elsewhere, and the prompt
and efficient course Of the Administration, in
Captain CooPERs case, would seem to promise
ample security for all, who, under proper circum-
stances, may invoke its protection.