Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-01

ncaons between the western settlements and the eastern
portion Of Tennessee in 1892 and 1793 interrupted by
hostile Creek and Cherokee Indians.
Mr.. T0UCEY presented resolutions of the Legislature
of Connecticut in favor of cheap ocean postage
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
The following memorials and petitions were presented
and appropriately referred:
BY Mr.. BELL: From the Legislature Of Tennessee,
asking that bounty land may be granted to the Tonnes
see volunteers who mustered into the service of the
United States for the Mexican war.
By DIR. GWIN: From Lewis Dent, asking compensa-
ton supplies Of cattle and -four furnished to the United
States Commissioners for treating with the California In
dams in 1851.
By Mr.. SEWARD: From Myles n. Wooley, q soldier of
the Revolution, asking pension.
Also, from citizens of New York. asking that con-
tract may be entered into with Christian Hansen for
ying the mails in steamers from Brooklyn and New York
cities to Bremen
By Mr.. MASON: From Capt Thos. APP c. Jones, ask
ing the restitution Of his pay suspended by order
martial.
ByMr. BRIGHT: From VIM B. Scott late navy agent
in the city Of Washington asking to be allowed
mission on disbursements made by him pension agent
Also, from Moses Petit, Of Charlottesville, Indiana
asking to be Unidentified rcertan moneys deposited by
him with the register Of the land office at Charlottesville
Indiana for the purchase Of land and by that officer
verted to his own use.
By Mr.. FISH: Several memorials from Brazilian mer.
chants, asking to be indemnfed for losses sustained in
consequence Of the seizure of vessel and cargo by the
United States brig Perry under command Of Lieut. Da
WIS., for an alleged violation of the act of 1900 in relation
to the slave trade.
Numerous memorials were presented by Messrs SUM
NER, CHASE, STUART, SEWARD and others in favor
of cheap ocean postage.
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
Mr.. CLAYTON said: Mr. President, had the honor
to submit resolution to the Senate the 22d Of May
last, directing the Committee Foreign Relations to
make certain inquiries in regard the African slave
trade in the Spanish West Indies That resolution was
adopted by the Senate, and instructed BY the
committee to report bill for the more eectual sup
preston of the slave trade.
am happy to state sir, that the committee unani-
mousy agree that it is not less due to the honor of the
United States than to the obligations of their Government
and people the Of humanity to continue our eff
forts to suppress this inhuman traffic If there lie sin
gle member Of this honorable body who is nsensble to
the great duty imposed upon civilized and chris
tan people in reference to the sayetrade have yet
learn it, assume it, that with heart and mind the
Representatives of the American States and people, with
the hearty concurrence of the American President stand
at all times prepared to perform their part of the great
Duty OF suppressing the expectation Of slaves from Africa
by the most stringent and eectual within their
power.
But, although such is and has been the settled desire
of all branches of this Government it is apparent
that the measures have adopted although aided by
the powers Of the two great nations of Europe which
stand foremost in the march Of human progress and chris
tan civilization, inadequate for the purposes for
which they were designed Great Britain and France,
with their squadrons always cruising the coast of AZ
RIGA, acting in cooperation with American squadron
of eighty guns that coast have, it is believed failed
not only to suppress but to diminish this Infamous
trade 1t is the importation of negroes into Brazil
has nearly ceased since the year 1852 owing believe
to the energetic operation Of the Brazilian Government
in enforcing its treaty with Great Britain but the inn
portation into the Spanish West Indies has greatly in
creased to the disgrace of those who have administered
the government Of those islands and this Government
is called upon by consideration of the possible danger
to portion OF our own country whose prosperity and
safety may be thus mpered well by all the die
ates of humanity, to arrest that growing evil far as
we have means to accomplish the object
am well satisfied that this traffic is most successfully
though not exclusively, carried in American built
vessels and under the protection of the American flag
On former occasion endeavored to expose the means
by which this shameful prostitution of the proud emblem
OF our national honor has been effected. Under the
guard Of the and stripes the pirate has been ena
bled all the horrors of the middle passage and
any man who will peruse tho volume - AFRICA and
the American Flag by Lieutenant Foot Of the United
States Navy, who commanded the United States brig
Perry the coast of Africa during the years 1850 and
1851 will comprehend the by which the worst of
men have committed the worst of crimes, and escaped
unwhipped Of justice, by the abuse Of our flag.
have this morning received letter on this subject
from this able and efficient officer Of navy dated the
Oath instant, which will submit to the perusa Of any
Senator desiring it, and which is well worthy of careful
consideration He says:
"I have before copy Of Instructions for the senior
ocers of her Majesy ships and vessels the
of Africa with respect treaty With the United State Of
America signed at Washington the 9th of August 1872
by the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High
Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland &C.. which say: The
Africa station will bear in mind that it is part Of their
duty to capture, visit in any way interfere with
sells Of the United States wheher these pcs Sarcs
on board or not"
This confirms the statement made to the Senate when
originated this inquiry, that avers sailing under the
American flag in all protected by it, unless
they chance to be oyerhaued by Of cruisers
Other nations have resolved and think wisely, that we
shall have the sole responsibility of the traffic if we
resolved that others shall search our vessels The
fact red0ubes the duty both to God and to
spare effort to prevent the trade and the necessary
dishonor of national character which flows from it
when conducted in American vessels.
The writer Of the letter to which refer afterwards
adds:
The practice u.s. for American show their regis
ter letter to the foreign ofcera proof of nationally
they then become nvioate and be searched or
taEed."
This, it will be rendered by the Senate is precisely
in accordance with the view presented the Senate
former occasion when the committee was instructed to
direct their attention to tho issuing of those papers
monty called sears and the restrictions which should
be made when granting them prevent the abuse
OF the flag caused by them, while the sale Of American
built vessels in oreignpors should be prevented 1t
is this seaetter which enables every pirate engaged
this trade in American bottom escape all the cruisers
of Great Britain and France As the SLAYER pro-
duces this seaetter, the nationality of the vessel is
slaves in her hold she by the cruisers
of all other nations on her piratical voyage
Now sir, it is just here, precisely at this point that
the committee propose to make blow at the slave trade
To clear understanding Of the old law the mischief and
the remedy let ascertain first what this seaeter is
BY the fourteenth section of the act of December 81
1892 concerning the registering and recording Of ships
vessel shall in whole or in part be sod or transferred to
Citizen or citizens of the United States &c every