Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-14


Mir. President--i am in favor of The re- !
solution in moral point OF view. We, /
sir. are a c6,tsttaa nation. The ti6ie is our
moral guide Are mol IT'S pIirciples Sa-
cred, lis precrpts saf,,tG'y, ond It's com
ma,rds obhgatorg2 Have not. the frovnS
of indisna,l; heaven, and tie ,iireaicn-
ingS of jehovah, rested on nations and
Giles fos their ingraiituds 10 their fellow
mortals. Dobyton-- Ba5gion the great Is
fallen! Wlal has brought her down p
Tie scene is viewed i'll prospect The
merchants Of the earth shall weep and
mourn over her" In ukaf did Der e. M
merce consist, " IN gold, aud silver, and
precious stones, ard pearls, and chart
OTIS, and sidreS, and the sogiS Of mcn." Ali
Mr.. President, Ills was The ci;Jaar of their
abominaiions They had Il irakic in sfcres
aud tie soRiS If MEN. This brought down
The judgments ofheaven. That they may
be averted from The world, let the inhu-
man traffic be abolished To the end of the
earth.
Mr.. KING observed that tie motion
Was 10 instruct committee 10 enquire
whether further measures can be devised
in concertwilb other powers, 10 put an
end 10 the traffic in slaves on the coast of
Africa. The debate, said Mr.. k. has la
ken a wider range ii,an from HE deti-
niie object of tile motion could lave been
anticipated. The advantages or disad-
vaniages OF alliances offensive and defeii-
siye, aad Tie policy or impo!icy OF such
treaties, as, with The view of acquiring
some complicated though important po-
liiicaI advantage, pledge the wealth aud
strength Of tile United States, are Qnssti-
ons OF most weigliy Importance tic dis
cussion Of which, however, Is not iequi-
site IN debating the motion before tine Sc
nate. Tie concert WliIc IL Is alluded 10 in
the motion, IL not lie I,ii .n Of arms, bu,
OF opinion, of example, and OF influence,
t"r The purpose OF prevailing on Spain and
Portugal TO accede to the compact alrea-
dy formed among Tie nations, Ia put an
end 10 the African slave trade. Equally
uIcal,ed for on this occasion, and more
In hc regretted, Is a discussion OF The JUS
tlcc and policy OF permitting theeAiSieTce
ni slavery. This topic is Que, SAID Mr.
X. that, from obvious considerations, has
at all times been alluded 10, even in the
senate, with great reserve; and al this
lime is without application 10 the motion
under consideration. since not OHly 10
Senator approves of lie traffic, The aboli-
ton OF wtiich IS desired, nut the whole
Senate condemn IT, aGd tie United S:aies
were the first among the nations who
restrained their people from engaging in
it,
By the treaty of Client, The u. States
stipulated with Great Britain TO use their
bes endeavors 30 effect the complete "a
BOLTON Of the traffic In slaves on the
coast ofAfrica. II committee be APP
pointed, they viii enquire what has been
done III pursuance OF this engagement
they will moreover consider what remains
10 be done, and whether any measures of
concert with other powers. or otherwise,
MAY he ca culated 10 promote The auda-
bic object of this stipulation. The S.
have ministers not Gully III England, Spain
and the Braziis. but likewise in Russia,
France, the Netherlands and, Sweden
These ministers may be reminded of tie
very great interest which the u. States
take IN the universal abolition of HE Az
rican slave trade they may be instruct
ed, II they are not so already, to avail
themselves OF every occasion io promote
this object; and The concurrng represeR-
tations and influence Of many may ac-
cOmplish what their separate endeayors
have hitherto failedto effect A long de-
pending negotiation with Spain still exists
1T we could prevail ola Spain TO add 10
the treaty settling our just claims, an ar
ticle whereby she should enage herself o
abolish the African slave trade, and to
cooperate with US III endeavoripg 10 pre-
vail on Portugal also to abolish the same
such an article would enhance tue vaue
OF the treaty In the opinion Of the Ame-
rican people, and would not fail to obtain
the applause of foreign nations. The OBJ
ieci Of the motion being OF such great I'M
portance, the Senate should neglect no
opportunity OF maniiestng tbeirsolcilude
Tor ITS accomplishment and The enquiry
which is proposed may fortunately disco
vei that there are means still in our pow
err, which have not yet been employed IN
this meritori0us service
But IT is objected, that this business
belongs exclusively 10 The President and
admitting lis Importance, and Tie expedi-
encY OF further eScrtiOns, that The Senate
have nothing TO do or say respecting the
same. THIS objection appears 10 be OF
most serious import, as il goes TO restrain
and Limit What is deemed TO be The con
siliulional power of the Senate. There is
some embarrassment IN the examination
OF tins objection, and it cannot he fully
and satisfactorily done without adveriing
10 tie proceedings Of the Senate IN lis cx
ecutlvc capacity; proceedings which take
place with closed doors, and the Journal
whereof is not published. The Observa-
tons OF this head will, therefore, be of a
general nature. Without adveriing 10 the
several branches Of the Executive power,
for the purpose Of distinguishing The ca
ses IN which il is exclusively vested ia the
President, from those in which it's vest
ed in him jointly with tie Senate, il will
suffice on This occasion TO observe, that,
ia respect to- foreign affairs, the President
has no exclusive binding power; except
that of tlie receiving of ambassadors and
foe