Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-13

Il
summer, materials viii be delivered, and the work
progre IS TO the extent of the appropriations. An
add''ional appropriation will be required during
the ensuing session.
| Gu, Of ihc SUN Of $50 900. appropriated BY the
i"Act making an appropriation tor tho suppression
| OF the slave trade, passed 2lth May, 1928, S.
6C9 20 were paid TO the representative of Talia-
ierro Livingston. under the authority of the second
section OF that act. or the balance the sum OF
$4,000 55 has been expended in the support O.
| the Agency on the Coast of Africa and on other
Objects. (Sec paper ~ There are claims still
pending and unsatisied, which viii probably con-
sumo the residue. IL was my intention to have
annexed 10 this report full aud minute staternen,
OF all the expenditures connected with this agen-
cy from its establishment; but Mr.. Ashuun, who
khad several times been the acting agent, and BY
whom the greater part of the expenditures have
been made, and especially siuce the death of DR..
Peace. died during the last summer, OF his return
to this country. Tho condition in which his pa
pers were left, and the want of verbal erplana-
tions, have created obstacles 60 the prompt settle
mcnt of his accounts, but the Fourth Auditor is
now employed in adjusting them. When this is
completcd the claims upon the appropriation can
be more accurately stated
The concerns OF the Agency are beiie.ed 10 be
in a prosperous condition. There few, if any
Africans, al IL, who occasion expense 10 the CO.
vernment The houses and other property arc in
good state oil preservation, and will hereafter re-
quirc but small expenditures.
On the death OF Mr. Ashmun, Dr. Randall was
agency, on the 18th November. So many Of the
| Agents had died, and SO many difficulties had ari-
sen from that cause, both IN the proper care OF the
business and property of the Agency, and in rem
espedent to appoin, an assistant Agent, a, spali
salary, 10 accompany DR.. Randall. DR. Meckiin
was selected tor this purpore.
There are, at this time, in the United States
only Two persons coming within the description OF
our laws. subjecting them to removal to the a.
gency. These were brought into the port of Mo.
bile, in the year 1919, and being very Young
were, by the then Secretary of the Treasury,
placed under the care OF the Collector of that port
Orders have recently been given TO send then, 10
Baltimore, with view TO their transportation TN
der the law.
On the 3oth April last, a message was sent bv
me President OF the United States to Congress,
giving information that I2l Africans had been
landed at Key West, from Spanish slave. trading
vessel, stranded within the jurisdiction Of the U
States, while pursued by an armed schooner in
ms Britannia ha,esty's service, and TO which il
was not believed that the law of sd March, 1919.
or any OF The other acts r,ohihitng the slaye-trade
applied NoPfovision was made by Congress for
removing them from the territory OF the United
Stats s, or disposng of them in any other manner
1 ,cy still remain in the custody of the Marsb,I
OF Florida. He was advised to hire them Out. or
Otherwise dispose OF them, in such manner as 10
cause least expense, until legal provision should
De made on ihe subject. 1t is presumed that he
has done. In the course of the present .,lI. be
presented TO this Department q claim to he a.
mount oil s., Tor their maintenance and sup.
port Inc amount seemed to be unreasonable
large; but no effort was made to adjust and settle
1t, because the Africans did not come within tbos
provisions OF the law, which entrUst this Depar,-
nent with the direction and control of Africans
brought within our jurisdiction, and Direct them to
ne sent TO the Agency on the coast OF Africa The
Secretary OF the Navy does not feel authorized 10
devote 10 this object any portion OF the money ap
pTopEiated Tor the suppression of the slave trade
IL Is Important that authority be given by law
TO dispose OF these Africans ard settle The accounts
OF the Marshal.
The law oil the last session, Cor extending the
term OF certain pensions chargeabie to the Mary
and Privateer pension funds, has created some
embarrassment, and render it necessary, TO strike
many names from the list OF PENSIONERS In doing
ms, the only construction has been placed upon
the law OF which its words seemed naturally sus.
cepuble. ~
For the history and condition of the Priva,.o-
pension fund, beg leave respectfully 10 refer 10 q
letter from the Secretary OF the Navy to the Chair
man OF The Naval Committee Of the II OF r. da
ted 2lst Feb 1923, Doc. No. PA, and to the Re
potts referred to in that letter The laws unon the
SUBJECT are dated 26th June, 1872 which create
the iuhd; 18th February, 1913; Cd Aug 1913; 4th
March, iSl4; 10Th April, 1918; 9Th and 26tb A
Prii, 1921; and 23d May, 1929 which describe The
persons TO be admitted to pensions are the same
Ill substance, cAcep! as relates to children after the
age oil ie years. Numerous pensions were grant
Ell antt renewed under each of the acts of 1917
1918, and 1924. There were 2G3 granted rcd.,
the acts OF 1871 and they generally xpired in mr.
before 1871; under the act of 1878 1876 wore
granted, and they expired in or before 1926 under
Tie acts OF 1924, l59 were granted, which viii
expire in or before 1880. |
1t wili be perceived by this statement. tba. =,
me daie OIL the act OF last session. (23d Nav Ig2Sl
and Tor one year preceding ii, there we're no per
sons IN the receipt OF pension under the acis pi
iSll and 1915 the pensions under those acts hav
ing expired two or three years preceding Nov
the I'd section OF this law provides for the renewal
oil pensions only TO those who received them M, !
Ger those iast mentioned acts,vi OF ISIi e. 1918;
and does not provide for tose receiving them under
the acts Of 1924 The Commissioners of the i,,nd
have consequently refused to renew any peo.ions
which we're not received under The acts of 1874
and 1873. ~ this decision, much COMPLAINT has
been excited. The law holds out the eXpectat;o,
oil rene" al Of pensions 10 widows; and by this
necessary construction of il, that expncfatior bas
been disappointed 1t is not known yyhe,I,or ,ho |
omission TO recite the acts Of 1921 was inten.
ond or accidental. The effect Of the omission 10
10 exclude widows from any further benefit from
the fund, and TO leave the balance which now re
mains, Tor the comfort and enjoyment of the sea-
men who were actually wounded and sill survive
or tiieII ~ would be sufficient 1t now amounts
10 So3,2S2 bO; and there but 10Y of them sr
wing. Their situation demands the frs; a.ten-
non, anu their pensions f7ay be continued mocha
Dy during their lives, IL the Omission Of fine ac,s
oil 1924 was ihentional as the Commissioners bay
presumed that was, aud have SO constructed that
lazy, a'uo by this construction no pension to any
widow can be renewed Ii tho o,nissinn go, 49,.
eidental, and it was Intended 10 renevy he 80
sions TO widows, then the fund would be DESTROYED
within The FIRST ane second year. and noting re-
man iOl the surviving seauen. unless CouSross
make an appropriation for that object OF the 100
pensions granted under the acts Of 1924, al eypr
90 ~ ,s1d; z9m lS2S; 20 viii expire in 1920, and
III