Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-03-13
DEBATE ON THE SLAVE TRADE
O. anusr or Observation-Disclosures,
rREHvARY 2S

! F&BAvARY Is.
Mr.. MERCER called or the considera-
ton Of the following resolution
Re,ohed, That the President of the United
States be requested to enter upon, and to pro
secute from time to time, such negotiations
with the several maratime powers OF Europe
and America, as he may deem expedient for
the effectual abolition Of the African Slave
Trade, and its ultimate denunciation, as piracy,
under the Law of Nations, by the consent Of
the civilized world.
Mr.. MERCER prefaced bisI motion 10
take up this resolution, submitted by him
to the House, on former day, by stating
that, Notwithstanding the advanced stage
OF the session, he laid claim to the indul.
gence OF the House, for a consideration OF
the resolution which had been just read.
on the ground that he had forborne TO urge
its consideration until that portion OF TIL
public business had been disposed OF, which
requiring the cooperation OF the TWO Hsu.
ses, could not by their new rule, be trans.
acted arler the last evening. lie trusted
that the House would regard this appeal
to their favor, ss deriving some support
from the recollection that he had abstain.
ed from any participation in debate upon
many interesting topics which occupied
their attention at an earlier period OF the
session. Were il allow able, on motion
TO take up a resolution, 10 enter upon It's
merits, he would venture 10 say. that
more important question:, whether regard
be had TO the policy, The justice, or the
humanity Of the nation, had not been pre-
sented to the deliberation of fhe house,
than that which was involved in The reso-
luton that be now asked the house to con
slider, and 10 dispose OF according to their
wisdom.
The House having agreed to con,sderit,
Mr.. MERCER proceeded TO say, 10 sub.
stance, as follows AFTER experiencing
the indulgence oil The house, | shall avoid
irespassing on their patience, by CONN.,
ming my argument, in support OF the reso-
luton, 10 the narrowest compass. The
commerce which this resolution seeks to
suppress, by a combination Of the moral
and physical power OF the civilized world,
had been declared, many years ago, by
convention Of The principal powers OF Eu-
rope, to be the disgrace Of that continent,
and the scourge and calamity Of Africa.
The Government of the United State.
prohibited it as soon az it had acquired
constitutional power TO do so and, by a
succession OF laws, increasing in severity
three years ago denounced it as piracy
The report OF The committee to the houss
Of Representatives, which accompanied
the bill to this effect, ia the first session oil
the Sixteenth Congress borrowing the
language Of the memorable Congress OF
Vienna, pronounced this trade to be the
seou,ge of Africa, the disgrace and attic
ton Of both Europe and America. Yet.
The papers lying before ne disclose the
melancholy fact. that. notw outstanding the
active and jealous efforts Of Great Britain
and America, to suppress this ubiquitous
traffic, seconded. as those efforts had been.
by The treaties OF the former, with three OF
the principal mara,iMe powers OF Europe.