Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-09-30
VOL. AX.---k o. W.

on late resolution of the House of Represent
tatlves, which have already had the honor of
making known to you. hope M have some
further communication on the subject with
Mr.. Adams, before the departure of the month
y packet. In the mean time il only remains
Tor me to mention, that Mr.. Galain has late
| ~ made separate representation Ia the
French Ministry, with reference to the Slave
Trade agreeably to what it appears that he
had led His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris
to expect. have, &c.
(Signed) STRATFoRD CANNING.
The Right Hon. Geo Canning, Sc.
John Quincy .4dams, Esq. to the Right Hon.
Stafford Canning.
Department of Stale.
WAsBINoToN, March 80, 1928,
| Sir-Your letter of the 29lh January was
Immediately after being received, submitted
to the consideration of the President of the
United States. The delay which has hiher-
To procrastinated reply To il has been occs-
stoned, not by any abatement of the interest
on the part of the Government of the United
States, with which it regards every ellor, and
proposal for the full and final suppression OF
The African Slave Trade; nor by any hesita-
ton with regard To the decision, which had
already been formed and declared respect
ing the proposal OfsubmiitiDg the vessels and
citizens of the United States 10 the search OF
foreign officers upon the high seas bui BY au
expectation that measures contemplated bv
the National House of Representatives might.
before the close oftbe Session of Congress,
Indicate 10 the Executive Government OF this
country views upon which it would be ela-
| bled TO substitute proposal, for accomplish
ing the total abolition OF the traffic, more -frc-
iual 10 its purpose, and less liable to objections
on other accounts, than that, TO which, the
United states cannot he rrconciled. of granting
the right of search These measures were
| ma;nred in the branch OF the Legislature
where they originated, only al the very trrni-s
nation OF the Session, and The Senate had not
the opportunity of proUouncins its opinion
upon them. There is however, no doubt on
| the mind of the President, that they would
have obtained their sa notion ; and he has
therefore no hesitation in acting so far npon
the expressed and almost unanimous sense of
tlle House, as To declare The Willingness Of this
Union to Join with other nations in the com,
mon engagements 10 pursue and 10 punish
those who shall continue To- practise this crime
So reprobated by the just and humane ofeye-
ry country, as enemies of the human race,
and TO fix them irrevocaby in the class, and
under the denomination of pirates.
have the honor of enclosing herewith a
copy of the fourth and fifth sections Of Law
of the United States, passed GA ;hr 18th OF
May, 1920, by which ii will be seen tina; any
citizen of the United States, being Of the crew
or ships company of any foreign ship or ves-
sci engaged in the Slave Trade or any per-
son whatever, being Of the crew or ships COM
pany o! any ship or vessel owned in the whole
or part, or nayigated for Or in behalf of any
citizen or citizens of the United States part-
cipating in the Slave Trade is declared to-
have incurred The penalties of piracy and made
Table 10 atone for the crime with bis life.
The legislation of single nation can 90 no
farther To mark its abhorrence of this traffic.
or TO deter the people subject to lis laws from
contamination by the practice of others.
III The inference In your letter of the 29lh of
January, from the documents To which II re-
ieIs, be correct, that the French flag is more
particularly employed To cover the illicit trade
on the coast of Africa, and the conjecture like
wise suggested ia it, that the flag is used TO
cover the property and the persons of indy-
duaIs bound 10 otsier allegiauces, be we'll
founded, this statute makes every citizen Of
the United States concerned in such covered
traffic liable, if detected in it, To suffer an ir-
nominlous death. The code of Great Biiain
herself has hitherto no provision of equal seq
verify in the pursuit of her subjects, even un-
der the shelter of foreign banners, and TO fhe
covert of simulated papers and property.
am directed by the President of The u.
States to propose, on their part, the adoption
by Great Britain of the principle OF Ibis Act
and To offer mutual stipulation TO annex the
penalties of piracy 10 ithe offence of parici-
paiing in The Slave Trade, by the citizens or
subjects of ihe respective parties. This pre-
posal Is made as substitute for that of con-
ceding II mutual right Of search, and of trial
by mixed Commissions, which would be rem
d"red useless by it. Should il meet the ap-
probation OF your government, ii may he sepa-
rateIy urged upon the adoption Of France.
and upon the other Maritime Powers of Eu-
rope, IN the manner most conducive to its ul-
innate success.
have the honor Of rendering to you the re.
nswcd assurance of my distinguished consid-
Grafton. tSgned) J. q, ADAMS.
The Right Hon. Stratford Canning, &c.
Extract of an Act of Congress, approved 18th
May 1890, " To continue in force An Act
to protect the Commerce Of the United
States, and punish the crime of piracy
and also TO make further provisions for pu-
nishng the crime Of Piracy"
Sec. ". And be it further enacted, That If
any citizen Of The United States, being of the
crew or ships company, of any foreign ship or
vessel engaged in the Sars Trade, or any
person whatever, being ofthe crew or ships
company of any ship or vessel, owned IN the
whole or part, or navgated for or in behalf If
any citizen or citizens Of the II. States, shall
land from any such ship or vessel, and on any in,
reign SHORE seize any negro or ,uIattu, not held
To service or labor by the laws Of either of the
states or territories of the United States, with
intent to make such negro or mulatto n slave
or shall dccOy, or forcibly bring aud carry,
or shall receive such negro or muiaio On
board any such ship or vessel, with intent rs
aforesaid such citizen or person shall he I'd.
Judged pirate, and on conviction thereof
before the Circuit Court Of the United States
for the District wherein he may be brought