M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-12-23

products throughout every portion Oi the u
MON. Besides such railroad through or
temperate latitude, which would not he inn
peted BY the trusts and SHOWS OF winter, nor
by the tropical heats of summer, world at
tract to itself much of The travel and the
trade of all nations passing between Europe
and Asia.
On the 2lst Of August last, Lieutenant J.
n. MafIit, Of the United States brig Dolphin
captured the SLAYER Echo, formerly the Put
nam, of New Orleans near Kay Verde, on
the coast Of Cuba, with more than three hun
dred African negroes on board. The prize,
under the command of Lieutenant Bradford,
of the U. States Navy, arrived at Charles
ton on the 9th August, when the negroes,
three hundred and six in number, were dellv-
cred into the custody OF the United States
marshal for the district OF South Carolina.
They were first placed in Castle Pinckney,
and afterwards in Fort Sumter, for safe. keep,
ing, and were detained there until the 18th
September, when the survivors, two humid
red aud seventy.One in number, were dellv-
cred on board the United States steamer Nj
agsra, to be transported to the coast Of Airi-
ca, under the charge OF the agent OF the U.
States, pursuant to the provisions OF the act
OF the 3d March, 1919, Gin addition to the
acts prohibiting The slave trade" Unde:
the second section of this act the President
is "authorized to make such regulations and
arrangements as he may deem expedient. for
the safe keeping, support, and removal be.
yond the limits Of the United States, OF all
such negroes, muattoes, or persons of color
captured by vessels of the United States, as
may be delivered to the marshal Of the dis
trict into which they are brought: "and to
appoint proper person or persons residing
upon the coast OF Africa, as agent or agents
for receiving the negroes, mulattOes, or per-
sons OF color, delivered from on board vessels
seized in the prosecution of the slave trade
by commanders of the United States armed
vessels
A doubt Immediately arose as to the true
construction of this act. 1t is quite clear
from its terms that the President was author.
lied to provide "lor the safe. keeping, support
and removal of these negroes up till the
time of their delivery to tie agent on the
coast OF Africa; but no express provision
was made for their protection and support
after they had reached the place Of their
destination. Sui an agent was to be ap.
pointed to receive them in Africa and it
could not have been supposed that Congress
intended he should desert them at the mo
ment they were received, and turn them
loose on that inhospitable coast to perish for
want of food or to become again the vic
tins 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 unnecessary, and
they might have been landed by our vessels
anywhere in Africa, aud left exposed to the
sulferings and the fate which would certain.
y await them.
tThe President proceeds to give the inter.
pretation of President Monroe, which was
that the President was bound to follow the
unfortunate negroes to Africa, and make pro-
vision for them there until they should be
able to provide for themselves. This became
the practical construction, in accordance
with which. an agreement was entered into
with the Colonization Society, to receive
these Africans in Libera, and furnish them
for one year thereafter, with omfortabe
shelter, clothing, provisions and medical at
tendance, causing the children to receive
schooling, and all TO be instructed in the
arts of civilized life, suitable TO their cond-
tion-in consideration ofwhich, the Govern.
ment agreed to pay said Society the sum Of
S45 ,0O0-cr $50 per head, which the Pres.
ident asks Congress to appropriate.
| recommended to your favorable
regard the local interests Of the Dis.
trict of Columbia. AS the residence
of Congress and the Executive Depart,
ments of the Government, we cannot
fail to feel deep concern in its vel,
fare. This is heightened by the high
character and the peaceful and order
ly conduct of its resident inhabitants,
| cannot conclude without perform
ing the agreeable duty of expressing
my qualification that Congress so kind
ly responded to the recommendation Of
my last annual message, by afOrding
me sufficient time before the close OF
their last session for the examination
of all the bills presented to me for ap
proval. This change in the practice
Of Congress has proved to be a whole
some reform. 1t exerted a beneficial
influence on the transaction Of legis-
lative business, and elected the gen.
eral appreciation of the country. 1t
enabled Congress to adjourn with that
dignity and deliberation 50 becoming
to the representatives ofthiS great Re-
public, without having crowded into
general appropriation bills provisions
foreign to their nature and OF doubtful
constitutionality and expedlency. Let
me warmly and strongly commend
this precedent, established by them
selves, as guide to their pro ceedings
during the present session.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON CRY, Dec. 6, 1853.
MARIETTA & CINCINNATI RAIL