Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-16

consider this the great question of the day
With the eastern front of our republic stretch
Ing along the Atlantic, and its western front
along the Pacific, if all the parts should be
united by safe. easy, and rapid communication,
va must necessarily command u very large pro-
portion of the trade of Europe and Asia. Our
recent treatise with China and Japan will open
these rich and populous empires to our COM
merce; and the history of the world proves that
the nation which has gained possessions Of the
trade with Eastern ASIA has always become
wealthy and powerful. The peculiar geograph-
zeal Position Of California and our Pacific pos
session invites American capital and enterprise
into this fruitful field 10 reap the rich harvest,
however, it is an indispensable prerequisite that
We shall first have Il railroad to convey and cir
cnlate its products throughout every portion OF
the Cnlon. Besides, such u railroad through
our temperate latitude which would not be i'm
paded by the frosts and nows of winter, nor by
the tropical heats of summer, would attract to
itself much of the travel and the trade of all
natl ms passing between Europe and Asia.
On the 2st of August last Lieut. J. N Mafft OF fhe
United States brig Dolphin, captured the Echo,
tormerythe Putnam of New 0rleans,) near Kay Verde,
on the coast Of Cuba with tn three hundred AT
rcan negroes on board. The price under the comm md
OF Lieutenant Bradford, of the United States Navy ar
FNeu at on tile 2ith August WnrD tne
sroes three hundred and in number, delivered
uto the cesody Of the United State Marshal for the dis
tret Of South Carolina. They first placed in ase
Pinckney, and afterwards in Fort Sumter for safe keep
ing ami were detained there until the 18th of September,
when the survivors, hundred and seventy in num-
Der, delivered on board tn. nttd states steamer
Niagara to be transported to tie coast OF Africa under
the charge of the agent of the United States pursuant to
the provision! OF the of the 81 Of March, lSl9 sin
addition to the acts prohibiting the slave trade" Under
the second section of this act the PRESIDENT "authorized
to make such regulations and arrangements he may
deem expedent for the safe keeping support and removal
beyond he limits Of the une States of all such negroes,
muaOe persons Of coor captured by vessels of the
United States, be delivered TO the Marshal Of the
district into which they brought; "and to appoint
proper person persons residing upon the Of Af
agent agents for receiving the negroes mulattoes,
or persons of color delivered from on vessels seized
the prosecution of the slave trade commanders of the
United ,atcs armed vessels.
doubt i'm immediately to the true construction
of this 1t is quite clear from its that the Pres
ident authorized to provide " for the safe Keeping
support and removal" Of these negroes up TIL the time
Of their delivery to the agent on the coat OF Africa but
express provisions was made for their protection and
support after they had reched the place OF their destiDa
ton Still agentwas be appointed to receive them
in Africa and cou not have been supposed that Con
gress intended he should desert them at the moment they
received ard turn them loose hat nhospitabe
coast to perish for want of food or to become az in the
victims Of the slave trade Had this been the intention Of
Congress- the employment of an agent to receive them
who required to reside the coast was unnecessary,
and they might have been landed by vessels anywhere
in Africa and left exposed TO tbs suferings and the fate
which would certainly await them.
Mr. Monroe in his special message Of l1th December,
1879 the first session after the passed, ANNOUNCED to
Congress what in his opinion, its true construction.
He bell we'd 1t to be his duty ander it to follow these un-
fortunates into Africa ana make provisions for them
there unit they should be able TO provide for themselves
IL communicating this Interpretation Of the act TO Con
gress, he stated that doubt had been entertained as
to its tue intent and meaning ana he submitted the qes
ton to Them not that they might "houd 1t be deem
advisable amend h same before further proceedings
had uner it," Nothing was done by Congress to ex
plain the act and M Monroe proceeded TO carry into
according his Interpretation. This
then, became the practical construction. When the Afr
cans on board the cho were delivered to the arsal al
Charleston, 1t became my duty to consider what di posi-
ton ought to be made Of them under the law. For many
it was expeden toremove them from that locality
speedily possible. Although the conduct Of the au
thorties and citizens Of Chareston in giving counenanc
the execution Of the law ji what might have beer
expected from their high character yet prolonged con
tnuance of three hundred Afric ms in the immediate vi
cinty Vt that city, could not have failed to become
Of Inconvenience and anxiety to its inhabitants
i Where to send them the question. There was NJ
portion of the Of Africa to which they could be
moved with regard to humanity, except to LIBERIA
Under these circumstances, an agreement was entered
II into with the Colonization Society the It'll Of ept
Der last, copy Of which is herewith transmitted unde
which the Society engaged for the consideration of forty
Ave thousand dollars to receive these Africans in ber
from the Ag mt Of the United States and furnish then
during the period of year thereafter with comorta
s BILE shelter clothing provisions and medical attendance
causing the children receive schooling; and ALL whethe
children or adults be instructed the arts of civize
life, suitable to their condition This aggregate of forty
il five thousand dollars based upon allowance Of
N
" had been considerable mortality among them, and ma
II be before they reach Africa, The Society hav
agreed in equitable spirit, to make such deduction
from the amount as under tie may appea
just and reasonable. This cannot be fixed until we shall
l. ascertain the actua, number which may become charg
to the Society.
y Il also disctly agreed, that under crcumstan
shall this be called upon for additional
n expense.
The agents Of the society manifested laudble desire
conform to the wishes of the government throughout tn
transaction They assured that after careful calcu
aon they would be required to expend the sum of on
hundred and fifty dollsrs each individual in complya
with the agreement and they would have nothing left
remunerate them for their trouble and responsibility
40 At all events could make better arrangement, an
there was no other aerna i've During the period whe
the government itself through its agents unertoo
the task Of providing for captured negroes in Africa tn
- cost per head was very much greater.
There having been outstanding appropriation app
cable to this purpose could not more none
on the agreement therefore recommen that an apprt
praton may be made of the amount necessary 10 carr
IL it into effect.
4, Other captures Of similar character may and proba
n, bly, will be nude by our naval forces and earnestl
recommend that Congress may amend the second secto
Of the act of March 1si9 as to free its
f from ambiguity which has long existed and rende
the duty Of the President plain in executing its pre-
W visions.
10 recommend to your favorable regard to the local int
A. of the District OF oldmbia. As the residence
ongress and the Executive departments of the govern
i, ment, fail feel deep in its welfar
m This heightened by the high character and the peace
~ and orderly conduct of its resident inhabitants.
IL cannot conclude without performing the agreeab
n duty Of expressing my qualification that Congress
r. kindly responded to the atoms OF my last al
nua message by aaording me suiicit mt time before Il
III close OF their late session for the examination Of all Il
bills presented for approval This change in the pra
IN tc Of Congress has proved to be whole REFORM
Ia 1t exerted beneficial nhuene, the transaction
legislative business and elected the general approbato
~ Of the country 1t enabled Congress to adjourn with th
dignity and deliberat0n becoming to the representa-
II tiyc Of this great bc, without having crowded in
n neral appreciation bills provisions foreign to their nj
40 ture, and doubtful constituonay and expedienc
~ ct me warmly aud strongly commend this presceden
III established by themselves guide to their proceedin
ne during the present session.
j. JANES BUCHANAN.
10 Washington City, Dec 0, 1855