Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-12-21
NO. 81.

no express provision was made for their pro.ec-
tion and support after they had reached saeir
place of destination. Snl an agent was 70 be
appointed To receive them in Africa and il could
not have been supposed that Congress intended
be should desert them at the moment they we're
received, and turn them loose that inhospita-
\ bic coast 10 perish for want of iood, or to be-
come again the victims of the slave trade. Had
/ this been the intention OF Congress, the en-
ploy ment of an agent TO receive them, who is
required iC reside on the coast, unnee assarv,
and they might have been landed by
seis anyw here in Africa, and left exposed II the
sufferiags and the fate which certainly await
Z them.
! Mir. Monroe. in lis special message of Decem-
Der, Hh, le29 at the FIRST after the act
passed, announced to Congress, W hat, in his ep-
ipIon, was the true construction. He believed
Il To be his duty under 1t, TO follow these poor
niisfortunates 10 Africa and make provision for
them until they should be able to prov de for
themselves. In communicating this interpre-
tation of the act of Congress he stated that some
doubts had been entertained as TO It's true IN
tent and meaning. and he submitted the Ques-
tion to them, that they might should they
deem II advisable, amend the same before tur-
/ tLer proceedings are had under it" Nothing
was done by Congress TO explain the act, and
/ Mr. Monroe proceeded 10 carry 1t into execu-
ton according to hls own Interpretation. This
then. became the practical construction. When
The Africans from on board the Echo were de-
hyered to the Marshal at Charleston, it became
my duty to consider what disposition ought TO
be made OF them under the law. For many
reasons II expedient 10 remove the Echo
/ from that locality speedily possible. Al
/ though the conduct Of the authorities and citi-
| zens of Charleston, in giving countenance to the
execution of the law, Was just what might have
( been expected from their Ugh character Vet a
prolonged continuance OF .hree hundred Afri-
cans ia the immediate vicinity of that city
could not have failed TO become source of IN
convenience and anxiety to the Inhabitants
/ Where 10 send them the question: There
was no portion of the coast of Africa TO which
| they could be removed with any regard to hu-
manity, except Liberia. Under these circum-
stances, an agreement vas entered into with the
/ Colonization Society. on the 9TH of September
1 last. copy of which is herewith transmitted
/ under which the society engaged. for the con-
sideration of tOrtyhve thousand dollars, TO re-
/ ceive these Africans In Liberia from the agent
/ Of The United States, and furnish them during
lEe period Of one wear theres tter with comforta-
! bic shelter clotl ing. provisions and medical at
tendance causing the children to receive school
/ ing, and all, whether children or adults. fa be
instructed IN the arts ot CIVILIZATION, suitable To
Their condition. This aggregate of forty five
thousand dollars was based upon the allowance
# one hundred and fifty dollars Tor each indi-
vdaa and there had been considerable NOR
talIty among them. and may be more before
| they reach Africa, the society have agreed. in
an equitable spirit. To make such deduction
from lie amount under The circumstances.
NAV appear Just and reasonable. This cannot
be fixed until shall ascertain the ..ctua mum
ber u hlch may become charge 10 the society
1t also distinctly agreed that. under no
circumstances, shall this government be called
upon for any additional expenses.
The agents of the suciety manifested n laud-
able desire to conform To the wishes of the gov
eminent throughout the transaction. They
suIed me that, after a careful! calculation they
would be required to spend the of
T.-
coull lying with the agreement, and they would
tfcp have nothing left 10 remunerate them for
their care. trouble and RESPONSE hiitv. AT all
events. ! could make no better arrangement and
there was no other alternative. During the pc
uCd VIXEN the Government itself through It's
own agents. undertook the task of providing fnr
captured negroes IN Africa, tie cost per head
! was very much greater.
/ There having been outstanding appropria-
ticn applicable to this purpose, could not ad-
vance money ou the agreement. | therefore
recommend that an appropriation may be made
tof the amount necessary la carry it into effect.
Other captures of similar character may,
and probably III. be made by our naval forces
and ! earnestl " recommend that Congress may
amend the second section of he act of March 3,
/ 1919, so as 10 free it from the ambiguity which
/ has 50 long existed, and render the duty of the
/ President plain IN executing it's provisions
{ recommend 10 your favorable regard the To-
/ cal interests Of the District OF Columbia As
the residence Of Congress and the executive de-
! lartmeuts of the Government, cannot fail %
feel deep concern in its welfare. This II ii
I creased by the high character, and peaceable
and orderly conduct, of its resident inhabitaI IS
! / cannot conclude without performing ihe
/ agreeable duty If expressing my qualification
4 that Congress 50 kindly responded to the rec
ommeudation of my last annual message. by al
/ fuTdIug sufficient time before the close of
/ the late session for she examination of the bills
/ presented to me for approval. This change in
( HE rracfIce of Congress has proved to he a
wholesome reform. 1t eXerted n beneficial in
iucuce on the transaction Of legislative bus-
ness, and elected the general appreciation of the
country IT enabled Congress to adjourn with
ihat dignity and delIberation so becoming to the
representatives. Of this great republic, without
having crowded INTO general appropriation bills
any provisions foIeiga to their nature and Of
doubtful eonsttutionality and expediencv. Let
me warmly and strongly commend this prece-
dent. established by themselves, as a guide 10
their proceedings during the present session
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON CRY, December 6, 1853.