Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-30
Mr.. Adams to .nir. Ecerett-No. 10.
DEPARTMENT. OF STATE.


gress, resolution was adopted, almost unani-
mously, by the House of Representatives, tsTbat y
the Presidents of the United States be requested
to enter upon and to prosecute, frontme to time,
such Negotiations, with the several maritime
powers of Europe and America as he NAV deem
expedent, for The efectusl abolition of The Az
rican Slave Trade, audit ultimate denuncia{iou
as piracy, under the law of nations, by the conx
sent of the civilized world.n
In pursuance of this resolution, instructions
for carrying it into effect have been given to tbs
ministers of the United States destined to fb,
Republics of Colombia and of Buenos Ayres.
and to the several ministers of the United States
in Europe. =
As negotiation for cooperation, to effectthe
suppression of the African Slave Trade, had all
ready been commenced with Great Britain, d
special instruction upon the subject has been
forwarded to Mr.. Rush, together with full
power, ind draft ola convention to De propos.
cd, in substance, to the british Government,
and which he is authoaized 10 conclude:
A necessary preliminary 10 the conclusion Of
the proposed convention, should 1t meet HE as
sent of the British Government, will be the en-
actrnent of statute declaring the crime Of AT.
rican slave trading, piracy by the British lawe..y
In that event, II is proposed, by proper cooper,
alton, that the influence oftle two powers should
be exerted, to obtain the consent of other ma.
tons to general outlawry of this traffic, as pira-
cy. In the mean time, to give at once, effect
DrODOSCd
the armed vessels of both, duly authorized and
Instructed, shall have power TO capture the slave
trading vessels which may assume the flag of e.
o1ei' and, if not of their own nation, to deliver
over the captured slave Trader to the officers or
tribunals of his own country for trial and aeliu-
dicaiion.
This principle is essential, as connected with
that of constituting the traffic piracy by the
law of nations. So long rs the offence was con.
sldered as oil inferior magnitude, the constitution
OF the United States forbade the submission of
IT. when charged upon their citizens, to any fo1
reign tribunal; and when the crime and the pu-
n'S'inent are aggravated 10 involve the life OF
tho accused, it affords hut more imperative in.
ducernent for securing to him the benefit of tris
al by his conntrymen ana l;s peers.
1t appears that, at the conference of Verona,
| the proposition was made by the British Govern
ment, that the slave trade should be recognized
and proclaimed as piracy by the law of nations.
We have therefore, reason to hope that the pro-
posal now made to them, on the part Of thc II.
States, Will be iavorably considered by them.--
In that case, further communications OH the SUBJ
Ject, with other Governments, will ehstiet
In the mean time, 10 fulfil the intentions of
The House of Representatives, in relation to the
Netherlands, you will communicate TO their Go.
vernment copy of the resolution, together with
copies of the laws of the United States, prohib.
iting the slave trade, with particular notice Of
the sections of the act of 18th May, 1920, by
'iiS'' tii'S NiHfe vi CuuCeFHeG III me Atz~-
rican slave trade, when committed by citizens
of the United States, is declared to be, and is
made punishable for piracy. And yon will
announce the rcadincss oftsic American Govern
IncDt, should II suit the views of his majesty the
king of the Netherlands, 10 enter upon nero
tiation, for the purpose of CARRYING into effect
the object of the resolution Of the House of Re-
personalities: namely, the dcnuncation of the
African slave trade as piracy, by the law of ma
tons.
am, witFi great respect, sir, your very humble
and obcdient servant,
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
aLFSANDER ~. EVERETT, ESQ.
Charge F.iGairs q. S. 10 the .nctterlands.
Egtrnct Of Il letter No. 6. fran Mr.. adams 10
Gen. Dearborze, Encoy Extraordinary and
Minister PleniPotonteoy Of Inc U. S. at Lis
bon, dated
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washngton. August IA, 1923.
&C AT the close of the last session of Congress,
a resolution was adopted, almost unanimons1y, by
the House of Representatives That the Pre-
sidcnt of the United States be requested to enter
upon, and to posecute, from time to time, sucl
negotiations with the several maritime powers OF
Europe and America as he may deem expcdient
for the effectual abolition Of the African slave
trade, and its ultimate deDnciation as piracy,
under the law ofDations by the consent Of the
civilized woTld.'
GO "A negotiation, for concerning measures Of
cooperation to effect the suppression of the hfri