Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-25

carried from The United States or landed
Immediately from the vessels in wIlici,
they. were taken, was supposed TO be
cunhned 10 that coast. No settlement or
station being specified, the whole coast
was thought 10 be left open for The selec-
ton OF proper place, at which tile
persons thus taken should be delivered.
The Executive is authorised TO appoint
one or more agents, residing there, 10
receive such persons, and one hundred
thousand dollars are appropriated Tor the
geaeral purposes of the law.
On due consideration Of The several
sections OF the act, and of its humane
policy, II was supposed 10 be the inten-
ton OF Congress, that all The persons
above described, who might be taken
under ii and landed in Africa, should be
aided III their return to their former
homes, or in their establishment at or
near the place where landed. Some
shelter and food would be necessary for
them there, as soon as landed, lei their
subsequent disposition be what il might.
Should they be landed without such pro-
vision having been previously made,
they must perish. 1t was supposed, by
The authority given to The Executive 10
appoint agents residing on that coast,
That they should provide such shelter
and food, and perform tie other benii.
cent and charitable offices, contemplated
by the act. The coast of Africa having
been little explored, and no persons
residing there who possessed the reqUi-
trust, being known to the Executive, 10
none such could II be committed. 1t was
Deliyed that citizens only, who would
nail -efx Il n
their government, and jealous to give
them effect, would be competent TO these
duties, and that il was not Tie intention
OF the law 10 preclude their appointment.
IL was obvious that the longer these
persons should be detained in the u. S.
IN the hands of the marshals, the greater
would lie the expense, and that for the
same term would the main purpose of the
law be suspended. II seemed therefore,
10 be Incumbent OIL me TO make the ne
cessary arrangements for carrying this
act INTO effect in Africa, In time TO meet
the delivery Of any persons who might
be taken by cur public vessels, aud land
ed there under it.
On this view of the policy and sane
tons of the law, il has been decided TO
send a public ship TO the coast Of Africa,
with two such agents, who will take With
them tools and other implements neees-
sary for the purposes above meniioned.-
70 each OF these agents a small salary
has beon allowed-l50O dollars TO the
principal, and 1900 10 the other. All our
public agents on the coast of Africa re.
celve salaries for ;heir services, and il
was understood that none of orr citizens.
possessing The requisite qualifications,
would accept these trusts, by which they
would be confined TO parts the least fire.
quented and civilized, without reasona-
bile compensation. .-.Such allowance,
therefore, seemed TO be indispensable to
the execution of the act.
II is intended also To- subject portion
of the sum appropriated, TO the order Of
the principal agent, for the special OBJ
Jects above slated, amounting in the
whole, including The salary of tie agents
for one year 10 rather less than oRe-thyd
Of the appropriation. Special instructions
will be given 10 these agents, defining.
in precise terms, their duties in regard 10
the persons thus delivered TO them the
disbursements Of the money by the
principal agent and his accountability
for the same. They will also have power
10 select the most suitable place on the
coast Of Africa. at which all persons who
may be taken under this act, shall be
delivered 10 them. with an express in.
junction TO exerciseno power founded on
the principle of colonization, or other
power than tliat OF performing the bene.
VIOLENT offices above recited, by the per
mission and sanction of the existing
government, under which they NAV
establish themselves. Orders will he
given 10 the commander of the public
ship, in which they will sail, 10 cruise
along the coast, 10 give The more com
plete effect TO the principal object Of the
act. JAMES MONROE.
Washington, Dec. I7ih, 1919.
The Message was read, and, on motion
Of Mr.. Liacohp, referred 10 the committee
on the slave trade, aud ordered TO be prin.
ted.
The following Message was also receiv.
ed from the President of the U. States:
T0tLe Sendteandthe House of Representatives.
ofthe Umted States:
In compliance iih resolution Of Con.
gress, of 27ili March, 1918, the journal
acts, and proceedings Of the Convention
which formed The present constitution OF
The United States, have been published.
Tie resolution directs thai one thousand
copies should he printed, Of which one CO.
rs should be furnished TO each member of
The Fifteenth Congress, and tie residue
To be subject 10 the future disposition oil
Congress. The number o copies sufficient
10 supply the members OF the late Con
gress having been reserved fOf that pur.
pose, the remainder are now deposited ri
The Department Of State, subject TO tn,
orders OF Congress. The other documents
mentioned in the resolution Of 27tli MarcL
1918, are in the process of qualifications.
JAMES MONROE.
| Which message was read and ordered
TO lie on the table.
Mr.. IrimJle, of Kentucky; submitted
| the following resolutions: