The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-15

Ia
body Of Friends, lately assembled in Philadelphia.
Mr.. KING would state what he deemed to be due TO
the Society OF Friends, that be believed they would never
lend themselves 10 such movement TO sign petition
Tor the dissolution OF the Union The petition had been
denounced at the time il was presented BY the senator
from Pennsylvania, Mr. STURoEos.l The senator from
New Hampshire Mr. HALEl the request OF senator,
had sent 10 the Chair letter written apparently by
Frend and from his remarks, he had supposed that II
was intended to be represented coming from The Socie
ty Of Friends In regard 10 the memorial now before he
Senate as il related The subject OF the African slave
pc % s the &c hs
Mr. DAYTON, Tin his seat) The whole extent oil
| Mr. KING proceeded to state that he had supposed
that the government had already done more than was
pedent They had not only declared the slave trade TO
be piracy and the individuals engaged in to be subject
in order TO enforce that act united with England in
stipulation in order TO put down that traffic, under
treaty involving considerable difficulties. HE could have
wished that had been independent action OF our own
government subject 10 our own CONTROL to be regulated
by government and not be dependant upon any
oths, power whatsoever 30 4 was and wnS more sas
sent force TO that coast in order TO suppress It. Was
there any present who could suppose that any Of
these slaves brought into the United States! Such
thing had only once been suspected since the passage
OF the law That from the transfer OF Florida
and il supposed that of the officers had endeav
ored bring slaves, and the consequence had
been that he had been promptly dismissed and prosecu
Mr. DAWSON (interposing) stated that these slaves
Mr. KING proceeded Ii was about the time Of the
transfer that they brought into Florida under the
Spanish flag, under the countenance was supposed, OF
the Indian commissioner Whether that was true OF not,
he was dismissed from his place. He would ask the
senator from New Jersey what proposed by sending
this to the Committee on Foreign Relations ithat they
should make any further stipnlatons For one he re-
GREETED that any such stipulation had originally been
made.
II seemed that there regular system at the North
Of building ships to send out under the American flag
and when they came 70 the coast Of Africa and hal OBJ
tanned their slaves, and We're about to Return they made
Of another set OF papers Could that De put down by
the Committee on Foreign Relations' How could they
prevent the building OF ships thus to be transferred
There surely must be some other mode pursued orde
| to prevent this practice OF shipbuilders.
He trusted that the senator would content himself with
paying every respect the wishes Of these Friends
whom he entertained very high respect he had lived
among them, and knew them to be amiable and quiet,
| although they had peculiar notions. It might be
well to send The memorial the Secretary OF State per-
haps but the Committee on Foreign Relations had moth
ing to do with it
Mr. DAYTON. will not detain the Senate more
than moment in replying to the senator from Alabama.
hardly supposed we should. upon the presentation OF
this memorial, discuss the question whether the Con-
mtee on Foreign Relations will feel disposed to do any,
thing further than has already been done. The memo
riasts the interference Of government through the
making power and they ask in kind and respect
full terms. The gentleman from Alabama says that we
made treaty, by which we have stipulated to keep a
certain number of guns afoat, in connexon with the
British government, for the suppression OF the African
slave trade.
Well sir that treaty was entered into with view,
among other matters, Of getting rid of another trouble
question between the two IN regard to
the right of search. That oil the inducements TO
the stipulation entered into between the two govern
.ments bat then surely have right to make treaties
with other powers and to agree for other matters besides
the keeping Of a naval force ahoat. Great Britain has
made treaties with Spain and other powers, wheTever she
has been able TO effect treaty spnlaons for the purpose
OF efeciing the suppression OF tins African slave trade
II ~ ,hoA ala hrou MT
possessions is not that African slaves are brought
into American possessions Ii Is upon that ground
that the memouasts make their request OF the Senate
but they influenced b. what is due, they believe,
to the general good OF manknd they are influenced ny
benevoence ensive with the limits of the world
they wish suppress this slave trade in all countries and
in all climes; and il we have the power, and can by
treaty stpulaons with Brazil, with Spain, or with
any other government where this traffic is tolerated. aid
its suppression, surely II is moi matter unworthy oil
the attention, the benevoence and general kind feelings
of this society to they have done. In the matter
The committee can consider them. and act upon them or
not, in their discretion they may think poPer but
hope the reference propose to the Committee on Foreign
Relations will be adopted.
Mr. DAVIS, OF Massachusetts Mr.. President, this
force the treaty stpuIalions i the United States aad
Great Britain have agreed. by treaty. to maintain squad
upon the coast OF Africa believe that has been done
for other purpose than TO enforce the various treaty
stipuations into which they have entered. This ar
rangement, il supposed, when was entered into
would have been etfscual Tor that purpose u seems
failed OF its object does not approach its accomplish
ment II pronounced, think in Parliament, during
the discussion upon this subject some time since TO be
waste OF life and money. do not mean that II was
so pronounced by any vote decision. but this opinion
was expressed in the discussion The press have no
ced Also pretty uniform in its opinion that the meas
taken have not been able TO effect The object In
th al in fact the slave trade-an illicit tradean unlawful
trade carried in conravenlion OF teates and car
red extensively, too between Cuba perhaps, and the
African coast between Brazil and the African coast and
very likely between the African coast and other points
Ii has been thought 10 be great object 10 put this trade
down and suppress entirely, and treaties nave been en-
tered into for the purpose OF eec'ng the desired object
This matter has been under consideration beiore and
ny reference 10 the dongs oil Congress- VIII be seen
that the powers Of consus have been enlarged and
enlarged TOO partly with view TO this very object III
was declared by a consul in Havana that he had repeat
edly seen vessels fitted out for this traffic, under his own
eyes, yet he had power authority TO inerfere-tha
he knew Of such vessel, possessed OF an American reg
s,e issued, according TO law, in the United States Well
SIR was found, upon investigating this natter that The
traffic was carried in this way. A vessel was
bult. perhaps in Baltimore, which was rather dis
tinguished for constructing vessels for that rade-a
vessel built there, whether with an understanding or
not that she already sold was matter that coula
not be reached but when finished she was an Amer
can vessel, and entitled by law to register.
register as given to her. and she cleared u an giving
a supposition and do not say II Is iacD Tor Cuvi
When she arrived there, there was sale OF the vessel 70
Spanish house in Cuba, with this condition annexed
that she should be delivered on the coast Of Africa
Now, under the laws OF this country when that sale IS
made the register is 10 be cnl in two parts-one 10 De
turned to the United States, and the other TO De delivered
mp for the benefit OF the purchaser Under tna ha.i he
i If