Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-18
CASE OF MRS. DENNY.

The yeas and nays being finally taken on the pas
sage of the bill, Yeas 81, Nays IL.
So the bill was passed and sent to the Senate.
NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL
The House then passed to the orders of the day. |
Whereupon, Mr.. McLane of Del. moved to
postpone all the orders which preceded the Navy |
Appropriation Bill. The motion agreed to,
and the House vent into committee Of the whole,
Mr. Ma;key of Penn. in the chair. that bill.
On the item appropriating 100000 4" for the
agency on the coast of Africa for receiving the
negroes, mulattoes, and persons Of color delivered
from on board vessels seized in the prosecution OF
the slave trade by commanders of the United States
! armed vesses.''-
MI. NcI.ane observed, that this sum had not
been recommended by the Committee of Ways and
Means; but was the sum required by the Navy De
! parlmeat. In investigating the subject, the COM
| mttee had been OF opinion, that . smaller sum
would be sufficient. 1t was not for them to enter
Into the question of the expediency Of the law y
! That was question to be considered by the House
a. long as II remains in force, il is the duty of the
committee 10 report such sum is requisite TO
carry the law into effect. The bill to which he
referred rassed in 1919 in addition the pro-
visions of previous act for the suppression of the
slave trade. II allowed ships of the United States
to capture vessels ander the American flag, engag-
cd in that traffic. II gave bounty all slaves
so captured, and provided that the captives should
be returned to their native country, and should be
1t established an agency on the coast Of 4Alrica,
where these returned captives were to be received,
and 10 be kept until il should be discovered what
nation they belonged. AT the last session of Con-
! gress, the President sent message, in which he
informed the House that lie had appointed two
agents on the coast OF Africa, and the agency
tinued until 1928, when another appropriation of
$50, 900 was made for the further execution of the
law, and the same system still continued, being
based on the law of 1919. The Committee of
Ways and Means had supposed that it would be
most proper TO appropriate at this time for the pre-
sent year only, leaving it for Congress to say whc-
ther the system shall or shall not he continued
Should it even be decided that the system should
cease altogether, some appropriation would still be
requisite, as the negro-' already transported must
be supported, and the contracts entered into must
be fulfilled. The committee had thought S32, 900
would be sufficient appropriation at this time,
That being the amount OF a previous balance, which
not being expended within two year. after il was
appropriated, had been carried Of course to the sur
| plus fund.
Mr.. Mel. then stated the data on which the
estimate had been made. $4,000 would he requir-
ed 10 support the slaves now on hand, az 500 TO
pay the salaries OF the agents, and 81 900 dollars
TO transport 420 negroes 10 Africa, go dollars is
the average price for Transporting a negro on
board the slave ships. The above calculation is
made much less 1t was not probable, however,
that the whole number would be returned within
the present year. He then moved TO fill the blank
with 81, 900 dollars.
Mr.. Forsyth thought that the Committee had
fallen into mistake 10 the number of negroes
that would have TO be transported-only 200, and
not 42O, being the true number. But he had not
risen for the purpos. of making this correction. He
thought this might be good time any, TO call
the attention OF the House TO the law of 1919, and
TO the extraordinary course Of the Government I'M
der that law. Ihelaw contemplated simply, an aSen-
cy on the coast, to which might be sent the negroes
captured, according to its provisions: but, in
stead OF this, the President had sent out agents-
! had fixed their salaries-had moved the place oil
setiiememen two, ii not three times; and although
only 30 persons had been sent, OF whom but %
were supported by the United States, it had cost
the Government 10000 dollars. This constituted
state OF things which certainly called for the
consideration Of Congress. By the present estimates
II appeared mat the support of the whole 494 for
a year costs but $4,000, yet here were two
agents, a, salary of $500 dollars, TO take care
OF twenty-eisht persons. Now, although none
can seriously contemplate the repeal of the laws
enacted against the slave trade, yet the interference
oil CONGRESSES certainly required prevent great
awaste OF the public money. AS things stand, the
expense OF the last FIVE years must not only con-
tinue but increase The % persons now supported,
may, before the year is ended, DO augmented to
/ 22S. The late President, in hi. message laid be-
fore Congress his views the subject of this
agency. Congress passed act on the subject
and hence, the conclusion drawn that the con-
siruciion which the President had put on the act of
| 1919 was also the construction OF Congress. The
House did nothing, and it concluded of course
that conceded with the President. If this is to
be considered, in all cases, legitimate inference
Executive messages should lie closely scrutinzed
But, be this as II may, there has since been de
parture from the instructions of the late Presi-
dent He fixed the salaries OF the two agents at
| 81 800 and 81 200; they are now $1,000 and
| 81 200. lie selected place for the agency but
gave express directions TO the agents not 10 per
form any act OF colonization. The act of Con- |
Sress contemplated that our agency should have |
nothing 10 do with any Of the local Governments |
of Africa, nor with the soil. Inow find said Mr. |
| f. that we have to DO with both. 1t appears that
| there is some underlined connexon between the |
Agency OF this Government and association of |
private individuals, called the Colonization Society
The report from the Department says, that the
nexion has been found mutually beneficial, and az |
| understand that report, part Of tho expense
which has been paid 10y the Government is for the
support or benefit of persons under the control of
the Colonization Society. Now, sir, should like
TO know what the nature OF this conDexon it,
wish 10 understand how far the u. States are part
owners ofthe soil Of the colony; for it sppesrs 10
me that, notwithstanding the act OF 1919, and the
Presldents instructions under that act, both pro-
hlbIting any acts OF Colonization, there has crept in
practice which, in effect, goes TO colonization,
and with the most profound respect for the motives
OF those individuals who 6rst instituted, and who
continue to promote the Colonization Society,
must be permitted to express . wish 10 have no |
connection with it, II any such connection has
existed wish u imn ediately dissolved; for, al
though believe its founders TO be among the most
arniabe and best men in the country, yet have no
idea that the funds OF the u. States be spent