The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-16

Mr.. DIIhlNSON scNcIal PttllAOuS II Oiil
the State of New York in favor of amendments to
the Patent laws.
MAIL STEAMERS FROM BALTIMORE.
Mr. PEARCE presented the memorial OF VIM. J.
Blackstone and others, citizens OF Maryland and
members of the State Constitutional convention,
PRAYING that the Secretary of the Navy may be au-
thorzed to enter into contract with WIN. Is.
Clarke and others for the transportation in steam
ers of the mail from Baltimore and Norfolk to some
port IN England
AFRIcAS SLAVE TRADE ASp CoLoSIzATIoS.
Mr. CLAY presented three petitions from citizens
Of Indiana, praying that some steps may be taken
by the General Government to facilitate the reno
val OF all those free colored persons, who are willing
10 60 from the United States to some OF the colonies
on the coast of Africa; and that some provision may
be made for their support for one year after their
arrival. and something be done TO secure them lands
IN that country.
present which had some analogy TO the others and
which he took particular pleasure IN presenting,
both on account of the distinguished and respect
able source whence it emanated, and on account
OF the prayer of the petitioners II was petition
from Rhode Island, and was signed by a large mum
Der of Senators, and most OF the members OF the
House of Representatives OF that State, and by a
treat number Of ex- governors, senators, and
ex members of the House of Representatives, as
well as by many of the terati of that State, heads
of colleges, and by many private citizens This
petition earnestly invited the attention OF Con-
gress to take measures for the more etfectual sup
preston of the African slave trade. In their petit
tion in frightful, but not, he thought, exaggerat
cd ,colors, were depicted the horrors OF that
trade. They state that the measures which
have been adopted by the three great powers,
Great Britain, France, and the United States com
bined, to suppress that trade by keeping station
airy squadron on the coast OF Africa, have wholly
failed in their object; and they suggest that the
only effectual mode OF accomplishing the great
end is the establishment of colonies on the western
coast OF Africa; they represent and the iact Is con
firmed by the report Of the American Colonization
Society, that the colonies now established occupy
about third Of the coast, and that within the
limits of these colonies the trade IN slaves Is entire
" prevented. The petitioners, with view TO pro-
mote the establishment of other colonies, pray the
establishment of line of steamers, or of sailing
packets, run between the United States and that
coast.
Mr. c. alluded 10 the great trade now carried on
between Rio Janeiro and the coast of Africa, and
to the immense number OF slaves imported of late
years into that province, Cuba, and other places
This trade principally carried on by American
vessels. Ninety three American vessels, as APP
peared by recent report, had cleared from ports
in Brazil for the OF Africa, and had returned
with cargoes of slaves. These vessels car
RED to Brazil and there sold, but condition that
they were to be delivered in come port on the coast
of Africa The vessel then under the protection OF
the American flag, with all the implements and
means board for return cargo OF slaves,
reaches the coast of Africa IN safety, the United
States having secured to its vessels protection from
the right Of search. When arrived the
coast Of Africa, the captain, after consultation with
the agent 10 whom the vessel is to be delivered in
forms the that the vessel is sold, that new
crew is to be shipped, and that she Is no longer to
sail under the American flag. lie poor seamen
have 10 choose between remaining on The coast OF
Africa without protection or the means Of reaching
home, to ship again and assist in the avlgation
back to Brazil of the vessel with cargo VI slaves.
II has been recommended, and he joined IN the
commendation, that, there was but little trade
and commerce other than the slave trade to carry
these vessels there sea letter or other document
be granted these vessels authorizing them to sail
faEr fran rn fhR.n ra.1rfs
TO the coast OF Africa.
All agreed that the squadron on the coast Of AT
rca far suppressing the slave trade, had been
Il failure, or, at all events, that the good 1t accom-
plished was not by any means equivalent to the
cost of keeping il there, and the consequent sacrl
flee of the health and lives of the officers and
men ged. Under the Sth article of the treaty
of Washington, the United States keep that
coast squadron of not ess than eighty guns, and
they also keep another squadron on the coast of
Brazil The annual coat of these forces could
scarcely be much less than half million of dollars,
beidcs the great loss of life consequent upon the
climate. He thought, also, that if these squadrons
were not there there would be less sacrifice OF At
rican lives. He concluded there was no etlectual
remedy but the occupation Of the whole coast of
Africa by colonies and these colonies would stop
the trade at it's threshold The United States were
only obliged, by the treaty, to keep this squadron
the of Africa for five years; that five years
expired long since, and he thought it question OF
financial economy and Of expediency, whether II
should be kept up at such expense, and with such
in the service when so little benefit resulted from it.
lie considered there project of the age
equal TO that of transporting, with their own con-
sent the free people of color OF the United States to
the coast of Africa What to become of them
II they remained here, Within the last ten years
they had doubled in number in this District; in
many of the States Of the Union severe legislative
enactments had been adopted TO prevent their com
ing to reside within the limits of those States; in
other States such prohibitions against this class Of
population had been engrafted on their constitu-
tions. Where were they to go! What, IN the
name OF humanity, was TO become OF them here :
He saw nothing but 10 give to those who were viii
ling to GO the means OF transportation TO the land
OF their ancestors. The white population Of the
North would be benefited by this the slave popu-
lation would also be benefited by it. In this coun-
try the free negroes would ever remain a degraded
races while, If they sought the land whence their
fathers came, they might become something better
BE saw no IN jury TO any part of the country to
suit from this.
If could only give up those unhappy causes
of agitation, which have so long distracted the
country if the people of the North would only per
init the people Of the South TO conduct tn cir own
affairs, and manage their domestic institu
tons in their own way; If they would only re-
member that il slavery be the evil they represent
il TO be- that they only responsible for it, and
suffer from lite evils, who have il in their midst
If these things were only properly considered and
reflected upon, and all would unite in this grand
scheme and in this the only efectua mode OF bene-
fitting the African race in this country, how much
good would result, and how much peace and har-
Inony would follow.
He moved, and the memorial was referred TO the
Committee on Commerce.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Mr. HALE said that he had petition to present
which signed by some three hundred citizens of
Montgomery county, in the State of Pennsylvania.
1t was signed by no ex- governors, ex-rnembers
of Congress, nor was he that there was any
of the literati among them. He had been told,
however, by one of the Senators from Pennsylva-
MA that the sgners were very respectable persona.
and that one of them was brother to a man who
was candidate for governor. Laughter. ]
The petitioners pray the Immediate repeal Of the
act Of 18th September, 1850, for the recapture of
fugitive slaves. He said he would have been
tent with merely presenting the petition had not
the Senator from Pennsylvania, in presenting a
slmlar one few days since, expressed his opinion
on the SUBJECT and thus set hirn example. He
believed Congress ought to repeal the law or modi-
fy it in many essential particulars As the law
now stood he considered il reproaoh upon the
civilization Of the age, and perfect parody on the
Constitution.
Mr.. FOOTE called the Senator 10 order He sur-
gested that il not in order thus 10 Characterize
the Legislation of Congress.
Mr.. RUSK remarked that the whole morning
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