REPORT
OF THE
NAVAL COMMITTEE
TO THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
August, 1850,
IN FAVOR OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LINE OF
MAIL STEAMSHIPS
TO
THE WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA,
AND THENCE VIA THE
MEDITERRANEAN TO LONDON;
DESIGNED
TO PROMOTE THE EMIGRATION OF FREE PERSONS OF COLOR
FROM THE UNITED STATES TO LIBERIA:
ALSO
TO INCREASE THE STEAM NAVY,
AND
TO EXTEND THE COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES.
WITH
AN APPENDIX
ADDED BY THE
AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY.
WASHINGTON:
PRINTED BY GIDEON AND CO.
1850.
The memorial of Judge Bryan was referred to the Committee on Naval
Affairs, composed of Representatives from the following States:
Fred. P. Stanton, Tenn.
Thos. S. Bocock, Va.
Robert C. Schenck, Ohio.
Emile La Sere, La.
Hugh White, N. Y.
Elbridge Gerry, Me.
E. Carrington Cabell, Fla.
John McQueen, S. C.
Lewis C. Levin, Pa.
The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the memorial of
Joseph Bryan, of Alabama, for himself and his associates, George Nicholas
Sanders and others, praying the establishment of a line of steamers
from the United States to the coast of Africa, designed to promote the
colonization of free persons of color, to suppress the African slave
trade, to carry the mails, and to extend the commerce of the United
States, beg leave to submit the following Report:
The proposition of the memorial involves an extension of that
system, recently commenced by Congress, which has for its
object the creation of a powerful steam navy, to be used in
time of peace in carrying the mails, and in effecting great
public objects, not to be attained by private enterprise
without the aid of Congress. How far it may be desirable to
extend this system will depend upon the double consideration of
the present condition of our naval force, and the importance
and feasibility of the ends to be accomplished by the measure.
As to the first of these, the committee will present a brief
statement of the facts material to a correct understanding of
the comparative extent of our present steam navy.
In the report of Mr. Secretary Bancroft, made to the Senate on the 2d
March, 1846, the total effective steam navy of Great Britain was stated,
at that time, to consist of one hundred and ninety-nine vessels, of all
classes; that of France numbered fifty-four; that of Russia, without the
Caspian fleet, thirty-two; while the steam navy of the United States
could boast of but six small vessels, and one in process of building; and
of these one was for harbor defence, and another a steam-tug.
Since that time, however, Congress has provided for the building of four
war steamers, and for the establishment of several lines of steamships
engaged in carrying the mails, consisting of seventeen large vessels,
suitable for war purposes, and at all times liable to be taken for the
public service. Of these latter, nine will run between New York and
European ports; five between New York and Chagres; and three between
Panama and San Francisco.
Notwithstanding this increase in our force, it has by no means kept
pace with that of other great commercial nations. The American Almanac
for the present year estimates the steam navy of France at sixty-four
steam vessels of war, besides a reserved force of ten steam frigates
now ready, and six corvettes and six small vessels nearly ready. The
French Government has also resolved to follow the example of England in
establishing lines of steamers, built so as to be easily converted into
ships of war, to be employed in commerce and for carrying mails, but
being at all times subject to the requisition of the Government.
England, also, has added largely to her steam navy, and has increased her
lines of mail steamers, giving evidence that she, at least, considers
this the best and cheapest mode of providing in time of peace for the
exigences of war. On this subject the committee refer to the following
facts, for which they are indebted to the remarks of the Hon. T. Butler
King, of Georgia, made in the House of Representatives, February 19, 1848.
By act of Parliament, 7 William IV, chap. 3, all previous contracts
entered into for the conveyance of the mails by sea were transferred to
the Admiralty. In the year 1839, the idea was conceived that the vast
expenditures required in naval armaments might be made subservient to
the purposes of commerce in time of peace. Accordingly, a contract was
entered into with Mr. Cunard and his associates, for the conveyance of
the mails from Liverpool, via Halifax, to Boston, in five steamers of the
first class, for £85,000, or about $425,000 per annum. It was stipulated
that they should be built under the supervision of the Admiralty, should
be inspected on being received into the service, and certified to be
capable in all respects of being converted into ships of war, and of
carrying ordnance of the heaviest description. Various stipulations were
entered into in this and other contracts of a similar character, which
placed these ships under the control of the Government; thus, in fact,
making them, to all intents and purposes, at the same time a part of the
mercantile and military marine of the country.
In 1846, the Government enlarged the contract with Mr. Cunard and his
associates, by adding four ships to run from Liverpool to New York, and
increased the compensation to £145,000, or about $725,000 per annum.
In the year 1840, a contract was made by the Admiralty with the Royal
Mail Steamship Company, at £240,000 sterling, or $1,200,000 per annum,
for fourteen steamers to carry the mails from Southampton to the West
Indies, the ports of Mexico on the Gulf, and to New Orleans, Mobile,
Savannah, and Charleston. These ships are of the first class, and are to
conform in all respects, concerning size and adaptation to the purposes
of war, to the conditions prescribed in the Cunard contracts. They are
to make twenty-four voyages a year, leaving and returning to Southampton
semi-monthly. Another contract has lately been entered into for two ships
to run between Bermuda and New York. These lines employ twenty-five
steamers of the largest and most efficient description.
In addition to the above, a contract was made, 1st January, 1845, with
the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for a line of
similar steamers, seven in number, from England to the East Indies and
China, at £160,000 sterling, or $800,000 per annum. This line passes
from Southampton, via Gibraltar and Malta, to Alexandria, in Egypt;
thence the route continues overland to Suez, at the head of the Red Sea,
from whence the steamers again start, touching at Aden, Bombay, and at
Point de Galle, in the island of Ceylon, from whence they proceed to
Singapore and Hong Kong. There is a branch line connecting with this,
from Point de Galle to Calcutta, touching at Madras.
A contract was made, 1st July, 1846, for a Pacific line of British
steamers, four in number, running from Valparaiso to Panama, touching at
intermediate ports. This line connects overland, from Panama to Chagres,
with the West India line.
Besides these, there were, in 1848, twelve more lines of Government
steamers running between Great Britain and the continent of Europe;
making a grand aggregate of one hundred and fifteen ocean steamships
fitted for war purposes. Very recently the British Parliament has
resolved to extend the mail steamship system to Australia.
The committee do not propose that our Government shall attempt to emulate
this vast network of steam navigation, with which England has already
encompassed the globe. But it is believed that the recent increase of our
territory, on the Pacific and in the Gulf of Mexico, forms an additional
reason for a considerable augmentation of our steam navy, whether by a
direct addition to the navy proper, or by the encouragement of lines of
steam packets, to be established by private enterprise under the auspices
of Government. If the latter system should be adopted, as already
commenced, the ships will be built under the inspection of a Government
officer, at the expense of private individuals; they will be commanded by
officers in the navy, and will be at all times available for the public
service. It will be the interest of the contractors to adopt, from time
to time, all the improvements which may be made in machinery and in the
means of propulsion, and the ships will be kept in good repair. Besides
being commanded by a naval officer, each ship will carry a sufficient
number of midshipmen for watch officers, and thus a very considerable
portion of the _personnel_ of the service will be kept actively employed,
with the opportunity of acquiring the knowledge and skill requisite to
the proper management of a steam navy. A corps of trained engineers and
firemen will be attached to each ship, and no doubt these would generally
remain with her when the ship should be called into the public service.
The committee are of opinion that it is highly desirable to have ready
for the public service some very large steamships of the description
proposed by the memorialist. They would have great advantages over small
ships, in their capacity to carry fuel sufficient for long voyages, and
to transport large bodies of troops, and place them rapidly, in a fresh
and vigorous condition, at any point where they might be required.
But it is chiefly for the great and beneficent objects of removing the
free persons of color from this country to the coast of Africa, and of
suppressing the slave trade, that the committee are disposed to recommend
the adoption of the proposed measure. The latter of these has been the
subject of treaties by our Government with other nations, with whom we
have engaged to maintain a large naval force on the coast of Africa to
assist in suppressing the inhuman traffic; while the emigration of the
free blacks has long been an object of great interest in all parts of the
country, and especially in the slaveholding States, where they are looked
upon by the whites with aversion and distrust. The policy of all or most
of these States has been to discourage manumission, except on condition
of the removal of the liberated slave. In no part of the Union do the
free blacks enjoy an equality of political and social privileges; and in
all the States their presence is neither agreeable to the whites, nor is
their condition advantageous to themselves. In some of the slave States
stringent prohibitions have been adopted, and unpleasant controversies
with free States have been thereby engendered. The emigration of this
entire population beyond the limits of our country is the only effectual
mode of curing these evils, and of removing one cause of dangerous
irritation between the different sections of the Union.
The committee believe it is expedient to aid private enterprize in the
colonization of the western coast of Africa, because it is the most
effectual, if not the only mode, of extirpating the slave trade. The
success of this measure will doubtless render the African squadron wholly
unnecessary, thus reimbursing a large portion of the expense attending
it, and at the same time better accomplishing the object for which that
squadron is maintained. It may be expedient for some one of the great
naval powers to keep a small force on the coast of Africa to protect
Liberia, for a limited time, against the slave traders. But the attempt
to suppress this unlawful traffic by blockading the coast has so signally
failed that it will probably soon be abandoned by the great European
powers. While the influence of the Republic of Liberia has been shown in
the complete suppression of the trade along a coast of several hundred
miles in length, the combined squadrons of Europe and America have not
been so successful on other portions of that unhappy shore. In 1847 no
less than 84,356 slaves were exported from Africa to Cuba and Brazil.
In the opinion of the committee, it is highly important to prevent the
further Africanizing of the American continents. An opposite movement,
so far as the free blacks are concerned, is far more in accordance with
the spirit of the age, and with the best interests of all American
Governments. The people of the United States have shown their strong
aversion to the slave trade by the provision in their Constitution
against it, and by their unremitting and vigorous efforts to suppress it.
The success which has already crowned the infancy of Liberia, indicates
the true mode of making those exertions effectual, while it opens up the
way for restoring the free blacks to the native land of their fathers.
The committee beg leave here to present some interesting facts which
satisfy them that the territory of Liberia is eminently adapted to
colored emigrants from the United States; that the establishment of this
line of steamships by the Government will be a powerful stimulus to the
cause of colonization, and will be the means of securing the emigration
of great numbers of free blacks; that the slave trade will be substituted
by a peaceful, legitimate, and valuable commerce, opening new sources
of enterprize and wealth to our people; and that the civilization and
christianization of the whole continent of Africa may be expected
eventually to follow. The facts presented are collected chiefly from the
publications of the Colonization Society.
That portion of the western coast of Africa, called Liberia, embraces a
tract of country included between the parallels of 4° 21´ and 7° north
latitude, extending about 400 miles along the coast. The first settlement
was made by free negroes from the United States, under the auspices of
the American Colonization Society, in the year 1820. The objects of that
society were—
“1st. To rescue the free colored people of the United States from their
political and social disadvantages.
“2d. To place them in a country where they may enjoy the benefits of free
government, with all the blessings which it brings in its train.
“3d. To spread civilization, sound morals, and true religion throughout
the continent of Africa.
“4th. To arrest and destroy the slave trade.
“5th. To afford slave owners, who wish, or are willing, to liberate their
slaves, an asylum for their reception.”
The funds of this society have seldom exceeded $50,000 per year, but
they have purchased territory, enabled nearly 7,000 free people of
color to emigrate to Liberia, and have made provision, for such of them
as required it, for 6 months after their arrival. In July, 1847, an
independent Government was formed, which has been recognised by France,
England, and Prussia. Upwards of 80,000 of the natives have become
civilized, and enrolled themselves as citizens of the Republic. The
Liberians have a flourishing commerce. They have not only succeeded in
suppressing the slave trade along their own coast, but have also made
treaties with several tribes, numbering over 200,000 souls, for the
discontinuance of the traffic. They have purchased their territory from
time to time of the natives, and are gradually extending themselves up to
the British settlement of Sierra Leone and down to the Gold Coast.
The interior settlements of the purchased tracts usually extend from
about 10 to 30 miles from the coast, and can easily be enlarged by
purchase in that direction at a moderate amount. In no instance have the
natives from whom the land was purchased been required to remove their
residences. The land in the immediate vicinity of the ocean in Liberia
is generally low, and in some places marshy; but there are some elevated
spots. The land generally becomes more elevated towards the interior; and
in some places, within 50 miles of the coast, it is quite mountainous.
It is desirable for the colony to become possessed of this back country
as it is much healthier than the coast, and when the emigration from
the United States becomes extensive, the mountain region will soon be
occupied. The natives are a fine, healthy, athletic race; and even the
emigrants to the lands on the coast have enjoyed better health than
the emigrants to some of our western States in the first few years of
settlement.
Liberia is on the “grain coast,” and is protected from the scorching
winds of the north and east by ranges of mountains. The soil is fertile,
and produces an abundance of Indian corn, yams, plantains, coffee,
arrow-root, indigo, dyewoods, &c.
Every emigrant is welcomed to the colony, and receives a grant of 5 acres
of land, besides which he can purchase as much more as he pleases at 1
dollar per acre.
The climate is not suited to the whites. The president and all the
officials are colored men. There are flourishing towns, churches,
schools, and printing presses. According to the statement of the Rev. R.
R. Gurley, who has recently visited the colony, the people are highly
moral, well conducted, and prosperous, and the value of the exports of
the Republic is at present 500,000 dollars per annum, and is increasing
at the rate of 50 per cent. annually.
Not only will the slave trade be abolished by the establishment of
colonies of free colored people on the coast of Africa, but, as already
intimated, these colonies will be the means, at no distant period, of
disseminating civilization and Christianity throughout the whole of that
continent. Already, a great many of the natives have placed themselves
under the protection of the Liberians, whose knowledge of agriculture and
the arts inspires confidence and respect.
As a missionary enterprise, therefore, the colonization of Africa by the
descendants of Africans on this continent, deserves, and no doubt will
receive, the countenance and support of the whole Christian world.
Two points are now regarded, both in Europe and in this country, as
settled truths, viz: 1st. That the planting and building up of Christian
colonies on the coast of Africa, is the only practical remedy for the
slave trade. 2d. That colored men only can with safety settle upon the
African coast.
That the free negroes of the U. S. will be induced to go in large numbers
to Liberia, if a quick and pleasant passage by steam vessels be provided,
and suitable preparation be made for them on their arrival, by the
Colonization Society, cannot admit of any doubt.
The funds of that society, augmented probably twenty fold, will then be
available, almost exclusively, for the comfortable establishment of the
emigrants in their new homes—the expense of transportation chargeable to
the society being merely nominal.
It is estimated that there are no less than 500,000 free colored people
in the several States, and that the annual increase therein of the black
race is 70,000 per annum. With respect to slaves, who may hereafter be
manumitted, no doubt such manumission will, almost in every instance,
be upon the condition that the parties shall avail themselves of the
opportunity of emigrating to Liberia.
The committee do not propose that the emigrants should be landed in
Liberia and then left to their own resources. Liberia is at present
incapable of receiving and providing shelter, subsistence, and
employment for any great number of emigrants who may land there in a
state of destitution. It has been the practice, heretofore, for the
Colonization Society to provide for the colonists, whom they have sent
out, for 6 months after their arrival, and the cost of such provision has
averaged $30 per head, in addition to the cost of transportation.
A large amount of money will be required to settle the colonists in the
first instance comfortably in their new homes. But there is no doubt,
that if the Government establish the proposed line of steam ships, the
people of the different States, and the State Legislatures, will at once
turn their attention to the subject of colonization, and that large
appropriations will be voted, and liberal collections made, in aid of
that object. The State of Maryland has already appropriated and laid
out $200,000 in this work, and the Legislature of Virginia has lately
appropriated $40,000 per year for the same purpose. But these sums are
insignificant in comparison to what may be expected, if the Government
shall give its high sanction to the colonization of Africa, and provide
the means of transportation by a line of steam ships. In that event, the
whole mass of the people, north and south, who for the most part do not
appreciate the rapid progress, and the high capabilities of Liberia, will
quickly discover the vast importance of colonization, and will urge their
representatives to adopt measures adequate to the exigency of the case
and the magnitude of the enterprise.
There is good reason to anticipate, that important assistance will be
rendered to the emigrants, not only by the missionary societies of
Europe, but also by those governments which have taken an interest in
the suppression of the slave trade, and which are desirous of opening
channels for their commerce, and marts for their manufactures, on the
western coast of Africa.
It is estimated, that by the time when the first two ships are to be
finished and ready for sea, there will be a large body of emigrants
ready to take passage in them, and that for the next two years each ship
will take from 1000 to 1500 passengers on each voyage, or from 8,000
to 12,000 in each of those years. To furnish each family, intending
to devote themselves to agricultural pursuits, with a dwelling-house
suitably furnished, and a piece of land of sufficient extent cleared and
planted, together with the necessary agricultural implements and a stock
of provisions, will, it is calculated, cost the society a sum equal to
$30 or $40 per head for each emigrant, allowing each family to consist
of five persons. The cost of establishing families intending to follow
trading and mechanical pursuits, will be somewhat less than the above
estimate for agricultural families; but the average cost for the whole
of the emigrants may be estimated at $50 per head, including all the
expenses of transportation, making a total of from $400,000 to $600,000
per annum, _for the first two years_.
As the colony increases in population, and the interior of the country
becomes settled, any number of emigrants that may be sent out will be
readily absorbed, as there will be a demand for all kinds of laborers,
mechanics, and domestic servants, and it will be unnecessary to make that
provision for them which is now indispensable.
The Colonization Society will, as heretofore, so regulate the emigration
as to send out only suitable persons, and keep up a due proportion
between the two sexes.
By the compact between the Colonization Society and the Republic, made
when the society ceded its territory to the Republic, ample power is
reserved by the society for the protection of emigrants who may be sent
out by them. Moreover, the authorities invite emigration, and each
emigrant receives a donation of a tract of land.
The establishment of prosperous colonies on the western coast of Africa
will, doubtless, tend greatly, in the course of time, to the augmentation
of the commerce of this country. It appears that British commerce with
Africa amounts to no less than 5 millions sterling, or about $25,000,000
per annum. The belief is now confidently entertained in Great Britain,
that an immense commerce may be opened up with that continent, by
putting an end to the slave trade, and stimulating the natives to the
arts of peace.
The commerce of Africa is certainly capable of great extension, and it is
worthy of observation, that the proposed steamers will open entirely new
sources of trade.
On this subject, the committee beg leave to submit the following
particulars, from which the future resources of this vast undeveloped
region may be, to some extent, anticipated.
Palm oil is produced by the nut of the Palm tree, which grows in the
greatest abundance throughout Western Africa. The demand for it, both
in Europe and America, is daily increasing. The average import into
Liverpool of palm oil for some years past has been at least 15,000 tons,
valued at £400,000 sterling.
Gold is found at various points of the coast. It is obtained by the
natives by washing the sand which is brought down by the rivers from the
mountains. An exploration of the mountains will probably result in the
discovery of large quantities of the metal. It is calculated that England
has received, altogether, $200,000,000 of gold from Africa. Liberia is
adjacent to the “Gold Coast.”
Ivory is procurable at all points, and constitutes an important staple of
commerce.
Coffee, of a quality superior to the best Java or Mocha, is raised in
Liberia, and can be cultivated with great ease to any extent. The coffee
tree bears fruit from thirty to forty years, and yields an average of ten
pounds to the shrub yearly.
Cam wood and other dye woods are found in great quantities in many parts
of the country. About thirty miles east of Bassa Cove is the commencement
of a region of unknown extent, where scarcely any tree is seen except the
cam wood.
Gums of different kinds enter largely into commercial transactions.
Dyes of all shades and hues are abundant, and they have been proved to
resist both acids and light.
Pepper, ginger, arrow-root, indigo, tamarinds, oranges, lemons, limes,
and many other articles which are brought from tropical countries to
this, may be added to the list. Indeed, there is nothing in the fertile
countries of the East or West Indies which may not be produced in equal
excellence in Western Africa.
The soil is amazingly fertile. Two crops of corn, sweet potatoes, and
several other vegetables, can be raised in a year. It yields a larger
crop than the best soil in the United States. One acre of rich land well
tilled, says Governor Ashman, will produce three hundred dollars’ worth
of indigo. Half an acre may be made to grow half a ton of arrow-root.
“An immense market may be opened for the exchange and sale of the
innumerable products of the skill and manufactures of our people. Africa
is estimated to contain one hundred and sixty millions of inhabitants.
Liberia enjoys a favorable geographical position. She is protected by the
great Powers of Europe. The Liberians have constitutions adapted to the
climate, and a similarity of color with the natives. They will penetrate
the interior with safety, and prosecute their trade in the bays and
rivers of the coast, without suffering from the diseases which are so
fatal to the white man. Liberia is the door of Africa, and is destined
to develope the agricultural and commercial resources of that continent,
besides being the means of regenerating her benighted millions.”
The foregoing remarks have related entirely to the advantages of the
proposed measure. It is possible some scruples may be entertained in
regard to its constitutionality. This, the committee think, cannot be
reasonably doubted. The Government has already adopted this mode of
providing a powerful steam navy, at the same time giving incidental but
important encouragement to great commercial interests. In this instance,
the effectual suppression of the slave trade and the withdrawal of the
African squadron by the substitution of a number of mighty steamers
regularly plying to that coast, afford a motive and a justification which
do not exist in regard to any one of the lines already established.
It was the opinion of Mr. Jefferson that the United States had power to
establish colonies for the free blacks on the coast of Africa, and he
desired its exercise. Chief Justice Marshall and Mr Madison concurred in
this opinion. And it is to be observed that the first purchase in the
colony of Liberia was made by the Government of the United States. The
opinions of the leading jurists of our day do not appear to differ from
those of the great founders of the Constitution, who believed not only
that indirect aid to the cause of colonization may be given in accordance
with that instrument, but that the Government has power to establish the
colonies themselves. The proposition of the committee does not, by any
means, go to this extent. It goes no further than recently adopted and
still existing operations of the Government, while it is believed to rest
upon far higher and better grounds of support.
Nor does it involve any merely sectional considerations. The committee
have, therefore, refrained from expressing any views which might be
considered favorable to the peculiar interests either of the North
or of the South. The question of slavery, now the cause of so deep
an excitement, is not, to any extent, either directly or indirectly
involved. The Government of the United States, it is admitted on all
hands, has no power to interfere with that subject within the several
States. Neither does the proposition at all interfere with the question
of emancipation. This is wholly beyond the jurisdiction of the Federal
Government, and belongs exclusively to the people of the several States,
and the individual slaveholders themselves. But the removal of the free
blacks to the coast of Africa is a measure in which all sections, and all
interests, are believed to be equally concerned.
From the foregoing considerations, the committee believe it to be wise
and politic to accept the proposition of the memorialists, with some
modifications which meet with their approval.
Instead of four ships, it is proposed to make the line consist of three,
which shall make monthly trips to Liberia, touching on their return at
certain points in Spain, Portugal, France, and England, thus: one ship
will leave New York every three months, touching at Savannah for freight
and mails; one will leave Baltimore every three months, touching at
Norfolk and Charleston for passengers, freight, and mails; and one will
leave New Orleans every three months, with liberty to touch at any of the
West India islands. They will proceed directly to Liberia, with liberty
to touch at any of the islands or ports of the coast of Africa; thence
to Gibraltar, carrying the Mediterranean mails; thence to Cadiz, or
some other port of Spain, to be designated by the Government; thence to
Lisbon; thence to Brest, or some other port of France, to be designated
as above; and thence to London—bringing mails from all those points to
the United States.
The measure proposed by the committee contains the following stipulations
and provisions, to wit:
Each ship to be of not less than 4,000 tons burden, and the cost of each
not to exceed $900,000. The Government to advance two-thirds of the
cost of construction, from time to time, as the building progresses—the
advance to be made in five per cent. stocks payable at the end of 30
years—such advances to be repaid by the contractors in equal annual
instalments, beginning and ending with the service. The said ships to
be built in accordance with plans to be submitted to and approved by
the Secretary of the Navy, and under the superintendence of an officer
to be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy, and to be so constructed
as to be convertible, at the least possible expense, into war steamers
of the first class. The ships to be kept up by alterations, repairs, or
additions, to be approved by the Secretary of the Navy, so as to be at
all times fully equal to the exigencies of the service, and the faithful
performance of the contract.
Each ship to be commanded by an officer of the Navy, who, with four
passed midshipmen to serve as watch officers, shall be accommodated in
a manner suitable to their rank, without charge to the Government. The
Secretary of the Navy at all times to have the right to place on board
of each ship two guns of heavy calibre, and the men necessary to serve
them, to be accommodated and provided for by the contractors.
The Secretary of the Navy to exercise at all times such control over
said ships as may not be inconsistent with these terms, and to have the
right to take them, or either of them, in case of war, for the exclusive
use and service of the United States, on paying the value thereof; such
value, not exceeding the cost, to be ascertained by appraisers mutually
chosen by the Secretary and the contractors. The Secretary also to have
power to direct, at the expense of the Government, such changes in the
machinery and the internal arrangements of the said ships, or any of
them, as he, at any time, may deem advisable.
The contractors are further required to stipulate to carry, on each
and every voyage they may make, so many emigrants, being free persons
of color, and not exceeding 2,500 for each voyage, as the American
Colonization Society may send; the said society paying in advance $10 for
each emigrant over twelve years of age, and $5 for each one under that
age; these sums to include the transportation of baggage, and the daily
supply of sailors’ rations.
The contractors also to convey, free from cost, such necessary agents as
the Government or the Colonization Society may require, upon each one of
said ships.
Two of said ships to be finished and ready for sea within two and a
half years, and the other within three years, after the execution of the
contract.
The Government to pay forty thousand dollars for each and every trip; and
to exact ample security for the faithful performance of the contract,
besides taking a lien on the ships for the repayment of the sums
advanced. The contract to continue 15 years from the completion of all
the ships.
To assist in forming a correct judgment as to the fairness of this
compensation, the committee present an estimate of the probable cost of
running the said ships.
The cost of the ships at $900,000 will be $2,700,000. Upon this amount,
interest should be calculated at 6 per cent.; for, although the
contractors will pay the Government but five per cent. on the portion
advanced, the balance supplied by the contractors, must be estimated at
the rates in New York and New Orleans, which are above six per cent. Six
per cent. will be a fair average for the whole.
The depreciation of this kind of property is estimated variously,
sometimes as high as ten per cent. per annum on the total cost; but as
these ships will be substantially built for war purposes, it may be
estimated at a lower rate.
Besides this, an allowance must be made for repairs. New boilers will be
required every six years, and the substitution of these for the old ones
not only causes loss of time, but also injury to the ships involving
much expense.
The rate of insurance for this species of property is high. The committee
are informed, that the steamships Ohio and Georgia pay 8½ per cent.
Add the expense of running the ships, viz., fuel, wages of the crew,
provisions, stores, dock charges, harbor dues, agents, pilotage,
light-house dues, &c., which cannot be estimated at less than $50,000 per
voyage, considering that the distance to Liberia, and thence home, via
Madeira, Gibraltar, Cadiz, Lisbon, Brest, and London, is about 12,000
miles; and that each voyage, with the necessary delays in the various
ports, will occupy about three months.
_Statement of expenses._
Interest on $2,700,000, at 6 per cent. $162,000
Depreciation and repairs, 10 per cent. 270,000
Insurance 7 per cent. 189,000
Cost of running the ships, $50,000 per voyage,
12 voyages per annum, 600,000
----------
Total annual expense—$1,221,000
_Profits._
Estimating 1500 passengers for each voyage, and 12
voyages per annum, we have 18,000 passengers. These,
$10 for adults and $5 for children, may average a
profit of $3 each, making $54,000
Government pay 480,000
-------- 534,000
--------
Balance of expense over Government pay and profit
of emigrants $687,000
Thus it will be seen that the contractors will have, of their probable
expenses, more than two-thirds of a million, or $57,250 each voyage, to
be made by commerce and passengers, independent of the Government pay and
the profit from the Colonization Society. It is quite evident that any
further profit, beyond the ordinary rate of interest at 6 per cent., will
be contingent upon the success of the enterprise in stimulating commerce
with the United States at the points regularly touched by these steamers.
The contractors have confidence in this, and the committee do not doubt
that their confidence will be rewarded to a reasonable extent.
It will be observed, that as the Colonization Society now pay for the
transportation of emigrants to Liberia, in sailing vessels, no less
than $30 per head, the proposed arrangement will make the actual cost
eventually less than this, even adding the amount to be paid by the
United States for this service, to the amount to be paid by the said
society, without estimating the receipt from mails, which will probably
be large.
At the commencement of operations, when it is estimated that the first
two ships will carry out 1000 or 1500 emigrants for each voyage, the
cost will be little more than it is at present, while the passage will
be quicker, pleasanter, and healthier, offering great inducements to
emigrants, and placing them upon the shores of Liberia in a sound and
efficient condition.
As the capacity of the colony to receive a large number of emigrants
increases, the ratio of expense will be diminished; and it cannot be
doubted, that eventually, as the number of emigrants will increase, the
cost of transportation will relatively diminish.
The committee do not recommend the acceptance of the proposition of the
memorialists, that they shall be permitted to import the produce of
Liberia into this country free of duty; on the contrary, it is believed
to be better, for obvious reasons, to enter into no such stipulations,
but to confine the remuneration, whatever it may be, to a direct payment
of money.
In the above estimates, the committee have endeavored, as far as
possible, to arrive at just conclusions; while at the same time, in
view of the great public objects to be attained by the establishment of
the proposed line of steamships, they have not deemed it inconsistent
with the just liberality of the Government, that those who have had the
sagacity to conceive, and who have the ability faithfully to carry out
this noble project, should have at least a contingent opportunity of
deriving a handsome profit from their enterprise. Considering the hazards
involved in it, the committee believe their estimates to be fair and just
to both parties.
The committee report a bill accordingly, to which they ask the favorable
consideration of the House.