The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-09

| tons passing between Europe and Asia.
| On the 2lst of August last, Lieut.. j. N. Maffit
of the United States brig Dolphin, captured the
SLAYER "Echo," formerly the Putnam, of New
| Osleans,) near Kay Verde, on the coast of Cuba,
| with more than three hundred African negroes
on board. The prize, under the command of
Lieut. Bradford, of the United States navy, ar
| rived at Charleston on the 9th of August, when
the negroes, three hundred and six in number,
were delivered into the custody of the United
States Marshal for the district of South Carolina.
rhey were FIRST placed in Castle Pinckney, and
afterwards in Fort Sumter, for safe keeping, and
were detained there until the 18th of September
wnen the survivors, two hundred and seventy
ole In number, were delivered on board the
| onteo states steamer Niagara, to be transported
| To- the coast OF Africa, under the charge of the
agent OF the United States, pursuant to the pro-
VISIONS of the act of the Sd of March. 1919 in
addition to the acts prohibiting the slave trade"
| Under the I'd section of this act the President
Is authorized TO make such regulations and
arrangements as he may deem expedient for
the sale Keeping, support, and removal beyond
the limits of the United States, of all such ne
groes, mulattoes, or persons of color" capured
by vessels of the United States, as may be delv
cred to the Marshal of the district into which
they are brought; "and to appoint proper per-
sen or persons, residing upon the coast of Africa,
as agent or agents for receiving the negroes
mnlattoes, or persons of color, delivered from on
board vessels seized in the prosecution OF the
slave trade by commanders of the United States
armed vessels"
doubt Immediately arose as to the true con-
struction OF this act. 1t is quite clear from its
tefms that the President was authorized 10
provide for the safe keeping, support, and re-
moval, OF these negroes up TO the time of their
delivery to the agent on the coast of Africa, but
nc express provision was made for their protec
ton and support after they had reached the
| place OF their destination. Still, an agent was
TO- be appointed to receive them in Africa, and it
could not have been supposed that Congress in
teAded he should desert them at the moment
they were received, and turn them loose on that
nlospltable coast, to perish for want of food, or
to- become again the victims Of the slave trade
Had this been the intention of Congress, the
employment of an agent TO receive them, who is
required to reside on the coast, was unneces-
safy, and they might have been landed by our
vessels anywhere in Africa, and left exposed to
the suferings and the fate which would certainly
await them. ..I
mr.. Monroe, III his special message of 18th
December, 1919, at the first session after the act
was passed, announced to Congress what in his
opinion, was its true construction. He believed
it to be his duty under it to follow these unfor-
Inmates into Africa, and make provision for them
there, until they should be able to provide for
themselves In communicating this interpreta-
ton OF the act to Congress- he stated that some
doubt had been entertained as to its true intent
and meaning, and he submitted the question TO
them, so that they might, should it be deemed
advisable, amend the same before further pro-
| ce2dings are had under it," Nothing was done
| by Congress to explain the act and Mr. Monroe
proceeded TO carry 1t into execution according
TO his own Interpretation. This then became
the practical construction. When the Africans
from an board the Echo were delivered to the
MARSHAL at Charleston, it became NV duty To
consider what disposition ought to be made of
them under the law. For many reasons, it was
expedient to remove them from that locality as
speedily as possible. Although the conduct OF
the authorities aud citizens of Charleston. in
| giving countenance TO the execution of the law.
was just what might have been expected from
their high character, yet prolonged continuance
| of three hundred Africans in the immediate
vicinity of that city could not have failed TO
| become source of inconvenience and anxiety to
! its inhabitants. Where to send them was the
question. There was no portion of the coast of
Africa to which they could be removed with
any regard to humanity, except to Liberia. Under
these circumstances, an agreement was entered
into with the colonization Society on the 18th of
September last, copy of which is herewith
transmitted, under which the Society engaged
for the consideration of forty-ive thousand
dollars, to receive these Africans in Liberia from
/
during the period OF one year thereafter, with
com ortable shelter, clothing, provisions, and
medical attendance, causing the children to re-
celve schooling; and all, whether children or
adults, to be instructed in the arts of civilized
life suitable to their condition. This aggregate
of forty fve thousand dollars was based upon an
allowance of one hundred and fifty dollars for
each individual and rs theresh has been con-
siderable mortality among them, and NAV be
more before they reach Africa, the society have
agreed, in an equitable spirit, to make such
deduction from the amount under the cir
cumstances may appear just and reasonable
This cannot be fixed until we shall ascertain the
actual number which may become a charge TO
the society.
1t was also distinctly agreed that under no
circumstances shall this Government be called
upon for any additional expenses
The agents of the society manifested a lauda-
BILE desire to conform to the wishes of the Gov
eminent throughout the transaction. They as
sured me that, after a careful calculation, they
would be required to expend the sum of one
hundred and fifty dollars on each individual in
complying with the agreement, and they would
have nothing left to remunerate them for their
care, trouble, and responsibility. At all events
could make no better arrangement and there
was no other alternative. During the period
when the Government ITSELF through its own
agents, undertook the task of providing for cap
tured negroes in Africa, the cost per head was
very much greater.
There having been no outstanding appro-
priation applicable to this purpose, could not
advance any money on the agreemnnt there
fore recommend that appropriation may be
made of the amount necessary to carry it into
effect.
Other captures of a 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 3,
1919, so as to free its construction from the am
bguty which has so long existed, and render
the duty of the President plain in executing its
provisions.
recommend TO your favorable regard the local
interests of the District of Columbia AS the
residence of Congress and the Executive Depart
ments OF the Government, we cannot fail to feel
deep concern in its welfare. This is height
ened by the high character and the peaceful and
orderly conduct of its resident inhabitants.
lcannotconclude without performing the agree
able duty of expressing my qualification that
Congress so kindly responded to the recommend
alton OF my last annuaI message, by afording
me sufficient time, before the close of their late
session, for the examination of all the bills pre-
sented to me for approval. This change in the
practice of Congress has proved to be whole
some reform. Ii exerted beneficial influence
on the transaction of legislative business, and
ELECTED the general appreciation of the country
Ii enabled Congress to adjourn with that dignity
anc elaboration so becoming to the representa-
tivcs of this great Republic, without having
crowded into general appropriation bills pro-
visions foreign to their nature, and of doubtful
constitutionality and expediency Let me warmly
and strongly commend this precedent, estab- |
lisbed by themselves, as guide to their pro-
ceilings during the present session.
JAMES BUCHANAN