Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-12-10

bp me frosts and snn,fh Of winter nor - tt tfop-
icni heats Of summer would attract 70 itsslfmuch
Of the travel and the trade Of all nations passing
on the siss q August last, Lieut. D. N MafHt, Of
the United states brig Dolphin captured the sla.
YER Echo tfofmefly the Putnam, Of New Oficans,)
near Kay Verde on the Coast Of Cuba with more
than three hundred African negroes on boafd.--
The prize. under The command Of Lieut. Bradford,
Of the United States Navy, arrived at Charleston
on the 9th Of August when the negroes Jue
In number, were delivered into the cuetody OF the
United States Marshal for the District OF South
new and afterward in Fort sumter for safekeep
ing and were detained there until the 18Th Of Sep
tembef when The survivors al In number, were
delivered on board the U. = steamer hlagarA 70
be transported 70 the Coast Of Africa, under the
charge OF the agent OF the United States, pur.
suant 10 the provisions Of the act of The third OF
March 1919, rin addition 70 the acts prohibiting
the slave trade" Under the second section Of
this act, the President is authorised 70 make
such regulations and nrrangements 90 he may
deem expedient for the ssie-keePings support
and removal beyond the limits Of The United
States, OF all such negroes, mulatioeso Or persons
Of color" captured by vessels OF the United
States, as may be delivered to the Marshal Of
the district into which they are brought; and TO
appoint q proper person or persons residing up
on nthe Coast OF Africa as agent or agents for
receiving the negroes, malattoes or persons OF
color delivered from on board vessels seized in
prosecution Of the slave trade By commanders
Of United States armed vessels. - . tstil,a
A doubt Immediately arose "a 70 the trne
Construction Of this act. 1t is quite clear from
it's terms that the President was authorised TO
provide (" for the saie-keeping, support aud re-
mcvar' ofthese negroes up to the time Of deliv-
cry to the agent on the Coast Of Africa; bot no
express provision was made for their protection
and support after they had reached the place OF
their destination. Snll, an agent was 70 be sp-
pointed to receive them in Africa, and IL could
not have been supposed that Congress intended
he should desert them the moment they were
received, and turn them loose on tbis inhospit-
able coast TO perish for want Of food, or 70 be-
come again the victims OF the slave trade. had
this been tho intention Of Congress, the en-
ployment Of an agent to receive them, who was
required to reside on the coast, was upnecessa-
~, and they, might have been landed BY our
vessels any where in Africa, aud left exposed to
the sufferings and fate which certainly await
them.
Mr.. Monroe, In his special Mcssags Of l7ih De-
cember 1919, at the FIRST session after the act was
passed, announced TO Congress what, In his opin.
ion, was its true construction. He believed it to
his duty under It, 10 follow these unfortunetes In
TO Africa and make provision for them there,
until they should be able to provide iof them
selves. In communicating this interpretation Of
the act to Congress, be stated that some donbt
had been entertained as TO its true intent and
meaning, and he submitted the question to Them,
SO that they might, should IL be deemed adyiss
BILE, amend the same before further proceedings
are had under It." Nothing was done by Con.
gfess to explain the act and Mr.. Monroe proceed
ed to carry into execution according 10 bis own
Interpretation. This, then, became the practical
construction. When the Africans from on board
the Echo were delivered TO the Marshal at Charles.
ton, ii became my duty TO consider what disposi-
ton ought to be made OF them under the law.
For many reasons, y was expedient TO remove
them from that locality as speedily as possible.
Although the conduct Of the authorities and 'ciii.
zens Of Charleston In giving counteDance TO
the execution of the law was just what
might have been expected from - their
snse Of % three Hundred Africans n the Gimme i%ns
diate vicinity of that city could not have failed
TO become source Of Inconvenience and anxiety
TO It's inhabitants. Where to send them was She
question. There was no portion Of the coast Of
Africa TO WEIGH they could be removed with any
regard 70 humanity, except to Liberia. Under
these circumstances, an agreement was entered
into with the Colonization Society on the 7th Of
September last "a copy Of which So herewith
transmitted) under which the Society engaged.
for the consideration OF fcrty.fve thousand dol.
lars, TO receive these Africans In Liberia from the
agent of the United States, and furnish them du.
ring the period Of one year thereafter with com
Portable shelter clothing, provisions and medical
attendance, ,cansing the children TO receive
kf
be Instructed In the arts of civilized life suitable
to their condition. This aggregate Of forty Ave
thousand dollars was based upon an allowance of
one hundred and fifty dollars for each individual
among them. and may be more before they reach
Africa the Society have agreed, in an equitable
spirit, to make such o reduction from the amount
as under the circumstances may appear just and
reasonable. This cannot be fixed until We shall
ascertain the actual number which shall become
n n Ia , Il y .
1t was also distinctly agreed that under no cir
cumstances shall this government be called upon
for any additional expenses
The agents Of the Society manifested lauda-
BILE desire to conform TO the wishes of the Gov.
ernment throughout the trsDaaction.l They as
sured me that after a careful calculation they
would be required to expend the sum Of $3.50 on
each individual In complying With the agree
ment, and they would have nothing left to remu-
nerate them for their care, trouble and responsi-
biiity. At all events could make no better ar
rangement, and there was no other alternative
During the period when the Government itself,
through its own agents, undertook the task of
providing for captured negroes In Africa the cost
per head was much greater.
There having been no outstanding appropria,
ton applicable 10 this purpose. I could not ad-
vance any money on the agreement therefore
recommend that an appropriation may be made
Other captures Of q similar character may, and
probably will be made by our naval forces; and
earnestly recommend that Congress may amend
the second section Of the act Of March B. 1919.
30 to free its construction from the amhi gaity
which has 50 long existed, and render the duty Of
the President plain In executing ifs provisions.
1 recommend 70 your favorable regard, the
local interests Of the District OF Oolumbia. As
the residence Of Congress. and the Execuiivs
Departments Of the Government we cannot fail
70 feel deep concern in its welfare. This is
Ihightened BY ths high character and the peace
full and orderly conduct of the resident inhabl-
tants. 81 af.,e x. tl. s,ssf..sr !
H. cannot conclnde. without performing the
agreeable dEty of expressing my qualification
that Congrsss 30 kindly responded to the rec
ON erdation OF my last annual Message by sf-
fording me sufficient time before the close Of
their late session for the examination of the
bills presented to me for approval This change
| in the practice Of Congress hss proved TO be q
wholesome reform. Itexerted q beneficial In
fuence on the transactions Of legislative busi-
ness, and elicied the general appreciation Of tbs
country. II enabled Congress to adjourn with
that dignity and delibeFation 90 becoming tc
the Representatives Of this great Repnblic
wishont having crowded into general sppropri-
tion bills proyisions foreign 70 their nature and
Of donbtfnl constitufionality and expediency
Let me warnly and strongly commend this pre-,
cedens established by themselves, a. guide Il
their proceedings during the present. session.
JAMES BUCHANAN. 8
Washingtoa oisy. Dec. g.. 1883,
new xorn city HIeetion. ~,