Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-01-18

duce me, before take my seat move the reference Of this
petition to the Committee Commerce The petitioners
propose that the grant OF letters be withheld from vessels
clearing om Brazil to the African coast They declare that
there no trade whatever other than that with
slave trade and that there is therefore no other motive for
American vessel clearing out Of Brazilian port for the coas,
of Africa They consequently recommend that there should
be refusal herceorward grant any sea letter or other
document enabling the ship to sail under the American flag
from these ports to the coast of Africa They also recon-
mend other regulations which will detain the Senate by
stating, for the purpose of exemping navigation from any
participation in that odious traffic.
Mr.. President believe it is the judgment of the British
public think is of the American public that the keep
ing Of squadons upon the Of Africa with view to the
suppression of the slave trade failure, all events that
is attended with enormous amount of expense, and
with vast and inhuman sacrifice Of health and life which is
justified not compensated by any value which these
squdrons render for the vewhe suppression of the
African slave trade So strong the conviction of the British
mind in relation this subject that understand with
the utmost difficulty that Lord Palmerston prevailed Par.
lament 10 continue the keeping up OF these squadrons
year two longer.
We not only keep up, by the eighth article Of the treaty Of
Washington squadron amounting TO at least eighty guns
the Of Africa, but also keep up in reference the
object large and extensive squadron upon the
Brazil have not esoed to the proper Of nforma-
ton, but that safe in saying that expend
upon the coasts Of Brazil and Africa less than per-
haps half million Of dollars, independent of that sacGce
human life which has taken place in consequence of the
employ meni Of forces there. will say, said
in this petition, that it has been total failure, for
believe there have been occasional captures but then
there has been greater degree Of stimulus given to the
trade doubt very much whether there would be less
loss of African life, il there attempt whatever sup
press the trade Of these quadrons than there
is in consequence Of keeping hem the result Of which is
merely to multiply adventuers to send out ships
chances to take risks, in order to the OBJ
ject Of transporting the slaves the Bazls Cuba from
the Of Africa Sir believe there is no efecua RENE
for the suppression of the slave trade but the occupation
Africa of the coast ITSELF and stopping at the Threshold
when begins By the eighth article of the treaty of WASH
ngton, to which have referred, only bound con-
tnue that squadron for period of FIVE years. The Eve
years have long since expiredin ls47 and yet
tinue this squadron down to this time Now, without
ference any Of the subjects which have thought proper
to the Senate without regard to the suppression of
slave rade whou, reference the great interests Of colon
zaon, think of financial economy, it is
worth considering whether shall expose the lives Of our
gallant in such nhosritabe climate, at such vast
expense and Teapng little benefit from The operation
Mr. President that the subject Of colonization, i'm
portant think is for the suppression of the African
slave trade, commends itself my mind by additional
considerations Although may be thought extravagant in
my vew declare that Of all the projects Of the age there is
to compare with that great project of transporting the
free people Of color in the United States with their
sent the coast of Africa What is to be done with them
What has been done with them ask again Even here,
under ncses within this District in the of the last
ten years they have doubled in number States passing
the rigorous laws exclude them from their territory
Some States indeed, introducing into the fundamental
law, the constitution, provision against the reception of
free people Of color within their borders What is to become
of them ask again. in the of humanity and Of justice
other remedy than that of sending them back to the
land whence their tsken conceive of
portion Of the population Of the United States which wno
be benefited by such transfer Of the free people Of color from
the United States to Africa The whites at the North would
be benefited the whites at the South would be benefited,
the slaves would be benefed-the poor creatures them
selves would be benefited for, instead Of remaining in
country where they be elevated to high social and
political condition with the whites where they forever
remain degraded, corrupt and dssOlue class If carried
the country Of their ancestors they may into import
ance which they attain here Every conceivable
interest will be promoted will be promoted civil
zaion will be promoted religion will be promoted, by the
transfer of the free people of color with their
rom the United States TO Africa. And what interest, what
portion of the population Of this country will be injured by
such transportation Of these persons None whatever
Twill not detain the Senate longer upon this subject
should be extremely glad if Senators would turn their atten
ion to the Executive document to which have REFERRED and
would give considerations to the suggestions which
nave made.
All! Mr.. President, if we would only renounce those
unhappy subjects of agitation which have distracted
country long, and greay-f the people of the North
would only allow the people of the South to manage their
domestic affairs in their own way-if they would only
reflect that slavery is aught with evils the evils not
e by those at the North but confined where the
slaves are-f would only to agtae each other,
and agitate country, and endanger our Union ITSELF
continuing these unhappy subjects OF controversy and
strife, and all come together upon this great common
object, in which the free States much interested
the slave Sates-and unite all energies in directing the
lee people Of color from the shores of America to that place
where they enjoy real freedom, and pursue their
happiness what glorious result would be for country
Sir beg pardon for having kept the attention Of the Senate
80 long, move that the petitions without reading, be re-
erred TO the Committee Commerce.
They referred.
The petition the subject of the slave trade, which was
signed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, members Of
he State Senate fifty -four of sxtyeight that constitute the
State Legislature the Chief Justice and three Associate
Judges Of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island F. Wayand
President of Brown Unversity the United States District
Judge, exDstrict Judges, ex-Membes of Congress,
United States Senator's exGovernors &c. follows
The subscribers citizens of the State Of Rhode Island
would respectfully earnestly entreat to take into early
the subject Of the African slave trade, and
adopt speedily practicable some eectual for
suppression. OF all the atrocities that have
icted upon their fellow creatures, believe that
either present-will In enormy with those
which the poor victims of this horrd traffic this
moment subject to- Whilst sensible that there many
all the evils which properly belong your cognzance could
brought palpaby before that the
ireadl enormtes growing out of the African slave trade
exhibited in the startling vson would immeasurably
iced those of all other evils combined Gould their appalling
loors have been brought light by the Investigations Of
he FIRST seizure of the poor wretches in the interior of Africa
banded ruan amidst the midnight conAagaon of their
ges, the buchery OF the old and n6rm the hreks of be-
eaved parents and the subsequent pteous moans OF their
lying infants left to perish with hunger among the smoking
un could your eyes behold the brokenheared capves
eavy laden with chains ivory they wend their
owing way to the coast guided by the bleaching bones of
beings like themselves who have pershed the route