The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-23

have right TO interfere with any trade between the
coast OF Africa and any foreign country YET IN relation 10
tTade whch we ourselves desire TO discountenancs
we have the unquesonable right TO prevent our own
citizens and vessels under the pfoecuon OF our
own flag, from being engaged IN thai trade Inc ulsu'c
ton OF this country extends over lis cttzcns IN every
quarter of the globe. We have right TO see mat our
flag affords only legitimate protection to our own people
and our own properly ANA "sassy a whoh
our own laws inhibit II IS under these views that u
has seemed 10 that this, as resolution OF inquiry,
might pass the Senate without discussion and | have
only arisen make this brief remark. lest by possibility
there should be something embraced in the resolution
which am unable TO discover. and which would infu-
enee conduct IN regard 10 It,
h. Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi II is very probable, Alr
president the senator from Georgia suggests, that u
this had passed as mere resolution OF inquiry should
have said nothing about It, But the resolution OF inquiry
argued upon The policy announced TO the Sen
ate in the remarks made by hun who introduced IT, IL
thus brought TO the notice OF the Senate and mus
was led to make the remarks which have made ne
senator from Georgia lays down proposition which
certainly will controvert that our laws follow our
flag and II applies citizens long as they are IN
vessel bearing our flag That not the case Our cit
selves. That will not be denied; The owner OF an
American ship has the right to selit That VIII mol De
denied But when engaged in the slave trade be loses
the American character and so lar as am acquainted
vessel under the American flag under our jurisdiction,
has bsen detected in that trade.
Mr. CLAY. The senator from Mississippi, when he
was up before. discussed question which Is not before
the Senae-whch is not involved IN the resolution.
The question which the discussed was, whether
il was right and proper put end, we could put an
end the slave trade between the Brazs and the coast
Of Africa Who proposes that There is no such oo-
right 10 upon people in our own vessels Is
the policy OF this country to suppress the African
uan countries II it the policy Of this country to suppress
the African slave trade, have we not right 10 RESTRAIN
the shameful abuse OF our flag when employed IN the
prosecution Of that trade Have we not right aud IS 4
not our duty to protect against being nvegled
the trade and left to perish upon the coast OF Africa
That is the question. And while nobody would be more
unwilling than should be 10 interfere with the policy OF
any government upon that question OF the slave
trade odous regard it, consider i not duty only,
but an imperative duty, to impose all proper RESTRAINTS
upon own people in prosecuting TINS trade ana using
our own flag in vessels own ships. for that
purpose and doubt upon this question It Is impossible
for me for moment TO entertain.
Mr. HALE. As this is q resolution OIL inquiry merely
propose amendment TO ito add the following:
"And also inquire into his practical operation OF Tho
egsation Of United States for the suppression OF the
foreign slave trade, and the expediency OF repeating or
essentially modifying the existing laws on that SUBJECT
Mr. H said: Mr.. President. in the few remarks that !
submitted TO the Senate
know if il is strictly in order to offer amendment after
the yeas and nays have been called for.
The PRESIDENT Certainly, al any time,
| Mr. HALE. II that is settled sir, wish to inquire,
a. matter of curiosity, if other senator has not
point OF order raise was going on to say that the
remarks which submitted TO the Senate when first spoke
the policy of the legislation for the suppression OF the
African slave trade but did give to the Senate the au
thorty OF very distinguished name confess that
was little surprised, alter that, when the senator from
Kentucky, (Mr CLAY.l replying to the poor remarks
made, said the opinion was universal; ne did not know
| of solitary individual unless the senator from New
HAMPSHIRE who would lake the responsibility OF ayow
ing it-of being opposed 10 this legislation. Now, sir
expressed no such opinion but did give the opinion
Of Governor Hammond that the practical operation OF this
pbanthropic legislation Tor the suppression OF The slave
trade had been thus want 10 call the attention OF the
Senate and the country TO IT, Ia l7s7 $4,000 were sent
beyond the seas as slaves By this trade The deaths Of
the middle passage did not exceed per cent In lsto
fifty years after the combined legislation OF this
country and Great Britain. making il piracy and punish
able by DEATH the number OF victims had increased from
IS 900 TO $50 900 The deaths had gone up from 10
30 per cent-and Governor Hammond says in conse-
quence of your efforts 10 suppress It, Now, SIR, iha
opinion stands II is OF some years standing some hve
wears ago il was written say nothing about IT, whether
II is true or false did say that il such be the fact-l
your legislation only increases the number OF victims
increases the horrors and the deaths OF these vcns
time for If there is not some other mode we had
better pursue II is time 10 see If the distinguished gen,
teman who gave these opinions was not rghl when he
said II would be far better for the African himself the
unhappy victim of this trade, these laws repealed,
and the trade left 10 the miugauons and notifications
of time, humanity and decay IT,, sir. all our efforts
have been destructive to those Tor whose benefit they
were in,ended-i instead OF amelioratng, we have in
creased the horrorsif instead OF lessenng, we have
multiplied BY hundred per cent the number oil victims
is il not time inquire il we have not been proceeding
upon a wrong assumption rise merely 10 put myself
right not being the author oil the sentiments but as
bringing them before the Senate the suggestion OF
who knew well what he said upon the subject
Mr. BERRlEN Let the amendment be read.
The amendment was read as follows:
And also inquire INFO the practical operations OF the
gslaon of the Uned Safes Tor the suppression OF the
foreign slave trade
Mr. CLAY | have no objection to IT IN that shape.
II is matter of inquiry, and may be accepted as
part Of the proposition.
MIR BUTLER MIR President attach no Importance
TO The org nal proposition do attach great deal OF
Importance the ndmen except so lar as to nonce
some few topic. which have been touched upon. The
resolution of the senator from Kentucky Mr. CLAY ey-
IDENTIFY has for its predicate, not only the suppression
OF the slave irade-and in that sir, agree with hlm-bni
he has p-edcae one OF importance, affecting il which
do not approve wit denying letters 10 all vessels
fitting from the ports Of Brazil for Africa Now, sir,
IL the committee report IN so many words, that no
sea letters should be issued allowed vessels fitting out
from the ports of Brazil to Africa would not vote for
IL 90 In no point of view-let II come as II Vulcan
vote for it for the very superstition, the very ground
work is that IL is palical trade, and no other but a
piracal trade could be carried ok between Brazil and
Afnca With regard TO the amendment cannot say
monopoly-a monopoly OF pratical characcr-is alto
Qeher against my notions OF liberal charity at least
OF commercial relations between any people whatever
have no right TO presume. however that other senators
have not more information than have had upon The
subject.
Mr. HAMLIN. Mr. President, do not know the de-
sgn the senator from New Hampshire may have had IN
Offering this ape ndmen nor would II could believe
any practical good would result from its adoption inter
to inquire into the pra,ca effect OF the exist
H., a,v. in relation To the slave trade To what good