The southern press., 1852-01-15

10 We IIOuSe ~ hePTeSemuipeo
In answer 10 the resolution of the House of
Representatives Of the 9th instant, herewith
transmit to it a report and accompanying papers
from the Secretary Of State.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, January 10, 1852.
TO The President of The United States:
The Secretary of State, to whom has been re-
ferred the resolution which was adopted by the
House Of Representatives of the United States
on the 9th instant, requesting the President to
communicate 10 that House, if not incompatible
with the public interest, any Information he may
possess, respecting a circular which was issued
ny the Secretary of State for the British Colo
NAL Department, on the 10th of October, 1850,
relative to the employment in her Britannia
Majestys West India Colonies of free blacks
and liberated slaves from the United States,
"and particularly what action the Legislative
Assemblies of the British West India Islands
have taken in pursuance of the suggestions con-
tanned " in said circular, has the honor TO report
to the President the accompanying copy Of
papers, which embrace all the Information pos.
sessed by this Department on the subject of the
said resolution. Respectfully submitted.
DAN'L WEBSTER.
Mr.. Laurence 70 JuT' We0Stef.
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
LONDON, November IA, 1851.
SIR: A few weeks since George w. Owens,
ESQ.,, of Georgia, called upon me 10 say that he
had seen a newspaper, published in the Island
of Antique, containing acrcular despatch from
the colonial office, recommending the British
West India Colonies to enter into contracts
with persons held in slavery in the United
States Soon after the interview he furnished
me with copy of the despatch.
Mr.. Owens seemed greatly annoyed at Lord
Grey's depatch, although told him that this
government could not have the in entiou OF
medding with slavery in the United States.
! He, however, was anxious for an explanation
! from the government did not feel authorized
nor did think il wise TO make an official mat
ter Of the subject, as believed could accom-.
pish the object in n more satisfactory manner
/ by personal interview. | accordingly called
on Lord Palmerston, in the absence Of Lord
Grey, and received from him verbal explana-
ton, disclaiming any such purpose as Mr..
Owens had drawn from the language Of the
despatch On Lord Grey's return TO town, 70.
ceived from him an informal note 10 the same
effect Immediately wrote Mr. Owens note,
imbodying the substance OF these explanations
and received from him reply, dated at Liver.
pool, expressing dissatisfaction with them Not
knowing what use he may make in The United
States Of the circular despatch, deem Il my
doty 10 place you in possession OF a copy OF
my letter 10 him. | have read this letter 10
Lord Palmerston, and have received from him an
assurance that II Is entirely IN accordance with
his own views, with the views Of Lord Grey, and
with those Of the cabinet ministers.
The despatch in question was, as you will see,
sent 10 the West Indies some time in The autumn
Of 1850, and as Il has never been he ard OF 10 the
| United States, ! apprebeDd il was never acted
upon by the colonial legislatures II grew out
OF the action Of the late Mr.. Tnrnbull, who was
believe, Of the MIXED commission In Cuba, and
an agent Of this government In matters connect.
ed with the slave trade. He was in Washington
about two years since, and while there saw many
persons Of Maryland Virginia, and other South.
en States, respecting the free colored people
Of those States, and communicated the result Of
his observations 10 this government.
should not have thought il necessary n
trouble you with this matter, II Mr.. Owen had
expressed himself satisfied with my letter.
have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully
your obedent servant
ABBOTT LAWRENCE.
Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary Of State
Washington.
Extract from de Antigua Weekly Register, pub
lished in The city of 81 JohH's, 26h Norembsr
1850.
IIoUsE or ASSEMBLY,, ,
THURSDAY, November 81, 1850
When the house WAS formed. which was mol
before two o'clock, Mr. Speaker Informed The
house that he had received a message from the
governor.in chief, which he read, as follows
"R. J. Mcintosh, the governor in-chief, trans
mits, for the information Of the House OF A ssem-
blythe accompanying copy Of circular despatch
which he has received from her Majesty's Sec.
rotary Of State, suggesting measures TO DC
adopted for the encouragement of emigration tc
the West Indies from the United States.
"GovEEEMENT HOUSE, ANTIGUA, Nop. Is, 1850
lcIHcULAR.
DowsISe STREET, Del is, 1850.
SrR: have 10 acquant you that il has beer
suggested TO me that desirable class Of emf
grants for the West Indian Colonies might be
induced to come to them from among the black
and colored population Of the United States
whose arrival and location, il they chose to
come, would, have no doubt, be advantageous
both to themselves and the colonies.
al am not aware Of anything which can b
done by the colonial governments 10 encourage
such immigration beyond showing n readiness
TO pass acts giving the privilege Of naturaza
ton TO any such persons as might come ant
settle there, and providing that bounty shoul'