The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-24

tso~Ps Astoy 49, cA8Aiod W 4sso1"S e's>@ ~'T'~
contracts of sale are made, and the vessels are
TO DO delivered up in lbe ports of Africa, on its
a western borders. The vessel sails from the
Brazs under tbs American flag, with an Amer,
lean commander and an American crew, and
laden with provisions aud Implements for the
prosecution Of this foreign slave trade. Wen,
sir, our flag protects them during Their outward
passage; for their vessels are not permitted 70
be searched or examined by any foreign vessel
by any foreign power IL il, therefore, WIN
perfect safety that they are enabled TO carry t''e
vessel from Rio de Janero, or other port OF
Brazil, to the coast Of Africa Iii carried there;
and upon entering the African port, the sale IS
consummated by the delivery Of the vessel 10
an agent of the purchaser, the sale having been
previously made in the Brazils. The crew -
changed; a new flag is hoisted and brazilian
commander, or Portuguese, or some other ior-
eign commander, is put in possession OF the yes
sci. The seamen are discharged, and often lelt
to perish upon the coast OF Africa, or compcliea
to take pant in navigating the slave snip oacH
to the coast of Brazil Now, all this is done !;
and these agents all unite in representing that
there is no commerce whatever between the
Brazils and Africa req siring American vessels to
sail from the Bruzils to Africa. The sole, exclus-
i've, and entire object of the vessels is to engage
in this slave trade. They therefore recommend
| that sea letters shall no longer be granted to
] American vessels clearing out from the ports
of Brazil for the coast of Africa. That will put
a stop to this abuse of our flag, 1t cannot be
used for that purpose. None of the flags of
other nations can be used for that purpose; for
almost all the other nations have secured the
right Of search to the British.
These are some of the objects OF inquiry
that are propose to be made by this resolution
| There are other objects--such as making il
| penal in the owner Of an American vessel TO
sell it for tie purpose of prosecuting the slave
| trade All these are mere objects OF inquiry
however; and upon this resolution of inquiry
founded upon authenticated documents crowd
| ing upon us for years, the honorable senator
| from New Hampshire has chosen to make the
| speech which we have heard this morning, and
to intimate that this furnishes an occasion for
the continuance, the renewal OF that agitation
which we have Witnessed throughout the coun,
try. Why, Mr.. President, all men know, and
suppose none better than the senator from New
Hampshire, that slavery is of two descriptions
the domestic slavery and the foreign slavery
or the foreign slave trade. Now, in respect to
the first it stands upon totally different grounds
That and that alone has been the cause Of ngita-
ton. Now, with respect to the otber-that is
the foreign slave trade-I have heard of nobody
anywhere, no matter to what party he belongs
unless the senator from New Hampshire
chooses to take the postion-l have heard of
nobody that is not in favor Of suppressing that
African slave trade; and yet the senator says
that upon an uncontroverted subject, about
which there is unanimous opinion, we cannot
act upon it, we ca mot take it up, without lead
| ing to the considerations and ngtations which
| - Il .H n
nestle slavery.
The President very properly interfered with
the remarks OF tho senator in regard to the Col
ohization Society. am ready to stand here 10
vindicate it when am called upon to do So !
stated incidentally the other day, what will
barely repeat in a few words now, that so far as
the coast of Africa has been occupied by the
American Colonization Society---to the extent of
| $50 miles--there is a complete and absolute
suppression of the slave trade upon that entire
portion of the coast. The senator thinks it is
impossible to do this Why, if the whole west
ern coast Of Africa were colonized- the entire
length Of that coast were coIonzed-we should
hold the door with regard to Africa, and no slave
could come out of Africa and 90 TO the Brazils
or anywhere else, except by passing through col
onial doors, and it would never be permitted to be
done In saving this, and believing, as de-, tim,
colonization is the most effect ual method fsup-
pressing the slave trade, do not mean TO say
that there are no other modes by which to GER
tain, TO beneficial extent at least, there can be
some suppression of it. believe the squadrons
have done something but, rs l said the other
day, not enough to Justify the great expenditure
Of money, and the sacrifice of life in keeping them
up, which have taken place. And, sir, believe
if the measure sought to be Investigated and in-
quired into by this resolution shall be adopted,
that of withholding sea letters from American
vessels clearing out from the coast of Brazil to
he western coast of Airica--if this be adopted,
it W i'll repress to very great extent the opera
ton of the trade which has been carried on be-
tween the Brazils and Africa.
Sir, the honorable senator has chosen to pick
up newspaper of this morning, in which is a
| publication Of an article, said to be signed by a
great many members of the Thirty-6rst Con
gress, upon the subject of slavery, and the re-
newal of the agitation upon this slavery qucs-
ton ! avow myself as one of the signers of
that article, and will act upon it whenever,
within the sphere Of my duty, it becomes neces-
sary TO decide whether will act upon it or not.
Mr.. FOOTE. am very Unexpectedly called
TO my feet this morning by one or two remarks
which have just fallen from the honorable sena-
tor from New Hampshire, Mr.. HALE. Not
being by any means in a mood for agitation, and
having very little relish for that which is called
by this terrific uame-that is TO say, for that de-
lectable exercitaton which constitutes the IA
vorite occupation of the gentleman to whom |
am responding--l shall certainly, on the present
occasion, endeavor to be as quiet in my manner,
and rs inoifensive in my phraseology, as it is
possible to be- Certainly, as one of those pro-
fessedly cooperating in the suppression of ng-
tation, shall not take upon myself to play the
part of agiiator. Notwithstanding the high per-
sonal respect which entertain for the venera-
bic senator from Kentucky, Mr.. CLAY. it is
certain that should have felt it to be my duty
to demonstrate against the Introduction Of his
resolution. now under consideration, had taken
the view Of il which has been taken by the sena-
tor from New Hampshire-that is to say, had
regarded it MS calculated or intended to bring
about the renewal of that agitation on the s. b.
ject of slavery which has been 80 destructive of
public concord, and so deeply injurious to the
best and most solid interests of the country.
But have not looked upon II as either designed
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