Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-08-24

framed, 10 IN period at winch by COM
mon consent, the trade in negroes might be
abolished: This period was the year I3O3.--
Accordingly the congress true to the cons.i,u-
tional provision, by an act passed on the Cd
ofNiarch, 1907, prohibited the importation of
any negro, mulatto, or person of color, with
intent To hold them to slavery, from and at-
ter the LIST CT Jantlary, 500. In the terrific
'ieS, over which the United States had SUI
preme control, the traffic was rcpressed ~ an
earlier day. BY an act of the eth of April,
1898, the introduction of slaves from foreign
parts into the Mississippi territory was pro-
hibited, under apenalty of 500 dollars for each
one, and the slaves imported were entitled
to their freedoni.-Ten thousand dolars
were appropriated for carrying that act into
execution. As far back as the God Match,
1894, congress enacted that no person re-
siding within the United States shoald build
or fit out vessels to carry on the slave trade
TO foreign countries the vessels fitted out for
that purpose were forfeited, and every per-
son engaged in fitting them out was subject
ed TO penalty of 1000 dollars, with Il forfeit
of 200 dollars, for every individual received
on board Tor the purpose of being sold AS Il
slave. BY an act ofthe 9th of May, 1900,
further restrictions were imposed citizens
or residents were prohibited from holding
any right or property in vessels employed IN
transporting slaves from one country 10 an
other, on pain of forfeiture: They were also
prohibited from serving on board vessels OF
the United States employed in the ira ispor-
tation OF slaves from one foreign country ta
another, on pain of fine ard Imprisonment
Commissioned vessels OF the United States
were authorised TO seize vessels caught in
the violation Of this act. The American gp-
verninent, III fact, even Hvaiied itself of state
regulations 10 crush the slave trade. By an
act passed Pm the 28tli of February, 1903, mas
ters of vessels We're prevented by a penalty OF
1000 dollars from bringing into any port,
" here the laws of state prohibited the i'm
portation, any negro, muiatto, other per-
son of color, not native, "A citizen, Sc
Vessels arriving with persons of that descrp-
ton were not to be admitted TO entry and the
cic rs of the customs Were enjoinrd by the
act 10 use due vigilance in the detection of Of
Tenders.
Tins, from tie first institution of the pre-
sent government ofthe United Suites, to the,
10Th of May, 1920, the date of the act of
congress which makes the Selling of negroes
OH foreign shores for the slave trade, crime
equivalenttO piracy and punishable with death,
the American Legislature has manifested an
uniform and persevcring determination 10 put
an end, rs far as it had any authority, to the
traihc in the natives OF Africa
That this conduct of the United States
led to the abolition ofthe trade on the part
of Great Britain, there can be doubt. In vain
had MIR. Wherefore. and others, for number
of years denounced it, and called upon the
British parliament 10 yindicate the outraged
rights of humanity. The ministry Of the day,
,e they whom they might, wing or tory, re-
jected Tie proposition; until they clearly and
distinctly perceived that the American govern
ment WAS resolved upon the measure. On the
10th ofMarch, 1907, the bill for the abolition Of
the slave trade was read q third time and pass
ed in the house of commons, and on fhe 2jth
OF March, 1907, it became Il law, prohibiting
the traffic from the first of May following.
From that period down to The present time
the British government has been earnestly en-
gagged in procuring the other powers of Eu-
rope t0adort a similar measure. Their sin
ccrity m this respect cannot be doubted by
any man OF sound intellect, because they have
freely paid money To effect the object. ACtef
the second restoration of the Bourbdns. lord
Castlereagh, in July, 1918, distinctly called
upon the French authorities to declare them
selves unequvocally on this point and in am
swer, prince Talleyrand, Oh tic 3Oth of that
month, explicitly, and in tie name of his most
Christian m iesty, declared that lie traffic dies
esclaves cesse DIES present partout, ct pour
toui0hrs." That is, The traffic. in Slareg ceases
lon he part Of France from GjS rery instant
every tchere and .(orerer.
The prince refers to BG.iaparte's abfogaiion
of it, pronounccs it rUll, like all his other acts
and that, OH the part Of the usurper, as he,
calls him, the abolition Rad b6gai dictated
wholly by ihOti9es of personal interest, from
the pcrllQus circumstances in which he was
then placed; expressing, at the same time, the
decided disposition of the French king 10 ter
inmate the trade. On the Esd Of September,
1917, Great Britain concluded treaty witt
Spain, by tie first article of which the latte,
engagcd to abolish the slave trade Throughout
her entire domnons on the 5Oth day Of Nfa5.
I82O.-By the third article Of HE same
treaty, his Britannia riaie5ty stipulated to pay,
on the Goth vi February, 1913, Che sum Of
100000 pounds sterling, ~ such person as his
catholic majesty should appoint to receive it
III London, on account of losses Sustained.
previously to the ratification of the treaty, by
tie capture OF vessels employed in the traffic.
Gas also for Che Posses which are necessary
consequence of the aboliton of the said tfailic.i
On the 26th of July, 1917. a contention was
signed at London between Grcat Britain and
Portugal, restricting the Portuguese, who had
not consented to Total REIMBURSEMENT, moro
rigldiy to- the provisions Of the treaty of she
22d OF January, 1873, ON Ute SAME sub
Iect. by tltls latter instrument the BRITISH
government agreed TO pay Portugal, By
way 0t indemnity fur British captures VI
1 Portuguese slavc-shps, 100000 pounds sferl
ling. On fire 4tfI ofMay, 1918, a treaty was
signed at the Hague, Between Great britain
and tho united Kingdom of the Netherlands
for the purpose Of giving greater efficacy Vi
| preceding stipuladons in regard to the trade
in negroes. These diplomatic arrangements
and pecUniary Disbursements prove. to dc.
monstration, the sincerity OF the British min.
istry IN endeavoring to attain the end which