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


atty of Imprisonment. The remonstrance of
course alleges that the law is an infraction of
the rights of British black subjects, under the
treaties of commerce between the United States
and Great Britain.
similar remonsirance was presented by the
same Consul two years before, and referred to a
committee of the legislature, but we are not
aware that any thing further was then done
The last remonstrance was communicated by
Governor MEANS to the Legislature, and referred
to a committee with instructions to report next
session.
We insert below an account of some proceed
ings on the same subject in the French assem-
bly-and some commentaries in London paper
The question will probably come before Con
gress and then Massachusetts and other North
ern States will superadd their complaints, and
probably support the foreign pretensions
The treaties of commerce between this country
and foreign nations stipuate in general terms
for commercial intercourse between the citizens
and subjects of the contracting parties But
'iCl uiV ihADlC III Wis wei as III tHOse
to domestic, police, and quarantine regulations
Each government may prescribe the places or
ports Of entry and eubarkation. That is re-
strction imposed for convenience merely, yet il
cuts off from the privileges of the treaty the
people of other places. Intercourse may be
suspended in case of pestilence or of any other
danger. If Ireland We're in rebellion, Great
Britain could order all our vessels off from the
Irish coast; and cut off our right to trade under
the treaty with that whole island. So for the
sake of safety, we can prohibit or restrict the
trade with particular class Of persons, just as
well as places.
Our subsstng commercial treaties with France
and England were made, we believe, before
either of them emancipated their slaves and did
not contemplate trade with them. Those gov
ernments make what changes they please within
themselves, but not so as to affect the operation
of treaties.
We should hope that neither of those nations
would seriously assert such pretensions, but as
they have both become evolutionary, and sympa-
thise with the North, they may be tempted to
cooperate in agitation.
We would notify the Minister of Foreign af-
fairs of France that some of the Southern States
piH nerer submit to the recognition Of the black
subjects of that country as equals with the white
citizens Of this-and as for the Minister of
Marine, he had better not send black officers of
the navy to the South, to have them treated
with respect" That would be carrying the sys-
tenn of French politeness too far.
The Negro Laws In America
Trouble in the French assembly, and Indignation in
England.
SITTING OF NOVEMBER 90.
M. Dupin, SEN, the President, took the chair
at quarter past two.
Several local bills were adopted without discus
sion
The orde of the day was the interpretations of
M. SchGlcher to the Minister of Marine on the
laws existing in the United States relating to men
of color.
NJ. ScHoELcHER said that he considered il his
duty to call the attention of the Assembly to the
position in which the French naval interests were
placed, in consequence of the present regulations
existing in the United States relative to the intro
ducton Of men Of color their territory. If for
instance, negro or mulatto landed in Louisiana,
he liable, in virtue of the law of March l6,
1912, to be imprisoned until such time vessel
could be found to take him away il he after
wards landed, he subject to hard labor for
FIVE years; and, finally, if he presented himself
third time, he was liable to perpetual imprson-
ment At the same time the vessel was liable to
be seized. Thus, according to this strange and
most barbarous legislation, France could not send
a consul or other functonary, If black or mulat-
to, to the United States; nay, more, an officer in
the French navy, when man of color, ifhe land
ed on the coast ofheUnitedStates, could not but be
subjected TO the penalties just mentioned. Ii
ly was not fitting for country like France TO be
under the pressure of such enactments, particular
ly now that it had the good fortune to be repub-
lie loud Observation-Disclosures the right,
cheers on the eft) He felt surprised at such
manifestation in the Assembly, when he spoke Of
the happiness Of France in being republican. Had
not the republic been freely proclaimed NO. no.
He maintained that it had, and that the monarchy
had been denied; and he could not but rejoice
at the change, as giving his country additional
power and freedom. Loud cheers on the left IT,
But to return to his interpretations. He was fully
aware that the various States of the American
Union had the power OF enacting whatever laws
they deemed most advantageous for their private
interests; but also the Congress had the privilege
of watching over such laws, and, in certain cases,
Of obtaining their modification, il that course seem
fitting. The honorable representative here refer
red to the debate which had taken place some
months ago in the English parliament, and said
that if Lord Paine ston determined to accede
to the legislation of the United States relative TO
men Of color, France ought not to follow that ex-
ample, but ought to preserve her place at the head
Of universal civilization, and for that purpose
ought to make representations to the government
of the United States, on the highly Objectionable
character Of the laws TO which he referred France
could at present do so with the greater force that
she had herself abolished slavery throughout her
dominions. He felt little doubt that the French
government would readily come into his views,
and, in consequence, he would propose the fol-
lowing order of the day motire The National
Assembly calls the attention of the government TO
the present legislation Of the United Suites ree-
tive to negroes and men of color in general, and
passes to the order of the day. "-(Laughter)
M. RoniN-D EsFossEs, the minister ofMarlne,
said that the Legislation referred to by M. SchGl-
cher was certainly one marked by cruelty, and
contrary to the interests Of France, but still the
Il