Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-12-11


keeplng, support and removal beyond the Limit
" .he United States, of all such negroes, mulat
loes or persons OF color" captured by vessels o
ipc ChlIed States, as may be delivered TO the
marshal OF the district into which they are
oIouSnt; and to appoint proper person or per
SONS fcsiclng upon the coast of Africa as agent
or agents for receiving the negroes mulattoes OF
persons or color, delivered from on board vessels
seized IN the prosecution of the slave trade by
commanders OF the United States armed vessels y
doubt Immediately arose as TO the true con-
structlon of this act. IL Is quite clear from ms
terms That the president was authorized TO pro.
wac Tor the safe keeping, support and removal
OF these negroes up till the tinc Of their delivery
10 tnc agent on the coast Of Africa: but no ex.
press provision was made for their protection and
| support after they tad reached the place of their
destination. Still, an agent was to be appointed
20 receive them IN Africa; aud it could not have
pecu supposed that Congress intended he should
desert them ut the moment they were received
anu turn them loose on that inhospitable coast
10 perish Tor want Of food, or TO become arnin
tne victims OF the slave trade. Had this been the
intention OF congress, the employment of an
| agent TO receive them who is reauired IN reside
| on the coast, was unnecessary and thew ,nIpht
nave been landed by our vessels anywhere in III.
le''' ana lett exposed to the sufferings and the
| rare winch would certainly await them
Mr. Monroc, in his special message of l7tb DE.
ceinber, 1919, at the first session after the act
| passed, announced to Congress what i'm his min.
ION, was It's true construction. He believed il TO
| untOFtunAtps
| into Atricn, aud make provision for them there
until they should be able 10 provide for them,
| serves. In communicating this Interpretation of
| the act to Congress, he stated that some douht
hau Deen entertained rs to it, true intent and
| meaning, and he submitted the question To Them
20 mat they might, should It be deemed ad visa.
ole amend tue same before further proceedings
arc had under IL. Nothing was done by Con.
gress 10 explain the act and Mr. Monroe proceed
Ell to carry II into execution according TO his own
| interpretation. This, then became the practical
construction When the Africans from on hoard
.he frno were delivered 10 the marshal at Charles
ton, It became my duty IL consider what dispos-
ton ought 10 lie made of the munder the Jaw For
many reason, u wits eNpedient to remove them
| nom that locality "a speedily as possible A.
NUN the conduct OF the authorities and itizcns
o charleston, IN giving countenance to tde exc.
| cuuon OF the law, was lust what mirht have hcnn
| expected from their high character, vet A pro.
| Ipu-ci c0ntinulnce OF three hnudreI Africans in
ine iuihela'c vicinity of that city, could not
nave idilcd To become n source OF Inconvenience
anl anxiety to its inhabitants Where IN send
them' was the question. There was no portion
ot tue coast OF Africa, to which they could h, re-
moved WIN ANY n;snrd tn humanity, except to
l'peTh' thdtr tlcsc circumstances an nprec-
ment was entered into with tbs & ,lo1ll ,ton sn.i
ETY. o1 tue 1th September last Il c1py of whi.h
Is herewith transmitted, under which the snci,,y
enHa-eI, 'or Inc publication " forty five thou.
Snun hpllhrS, To receive those Africans IN iberj,
from the agent III the United Srttes aud fnrnish
them during the period at one wear tber,after
win comfortable shelter ciofhiny prnvtsions
ana medical Attendance, ctu.irg the children 10
receive schooling; duI al. whether chiIlrcn ar
adut', To be n,'rn to IN III. art. of civilized lif.
suti'.e to their cIuIiiion. Thi, az, ,,.,aic al
forty i'c thDu,an dollar, w, basel moon an al
iowinc- o. one hunirci an if;y dollars for each
indiVlnnh and rs there had been con sidcrat,I,
mortality among them, AMI NAV be NOR. before
they reach Africa, the society have agreed In an
equitable spirit, To make such a Deduction from
lhe amount is under the circumstances may ap.
pear Just and reasonable. This cannot be lived
until We shall ascertain the actual number which
NAV become charge to the society. IL was also
u'thr'iy agreed, that, under no ciruunstances
shall THIS government be called upon for any ali
ditionil expenses.
The agent, OF the society manifas..1 , i,,t,h,
desire TO conform to the wishes of the 20 ern
Inent. through tut the transaction They assnr.d
me tlat AFTER careful calculation they would be
required To eNpenl the sum OF one hun lreI and
my dollars on each individual in complyiny with
the agreement. and they would have nothin, left
20 rennnerdte them for their care, trouble and M
,ty A. all events. eonlI make no bet
terarrangement, AMI there WI, no other niterns
tive During the period when the government il,
sei, throu-h us own agents, undertook the task
y, Pf"'1d,nI Tor captured negroes in Africa the
coSt per neal was very much greater There
having been no outstanding approximation nnnIi
cAole 10 thls purpose, could NOT advance any
money on the agreement. [ therefore recon-
men , tat an appropriation may be- made, OF the
amount necessary 10 carry il into efTec,
O'her captures Of n similar charller NAV anil
PROBABLY VIII be male By or naval forces AMI
earnestly recommend that Congress NAV amend
the second section of the at Of March q lsl1 sn
rs 10 Iree It's construction from the ambi,,uitv
whIch has so long existed and render the dnty or
inc president PLAIN in executing IT'S provisions
recommend i9 your favorable rerlrd The To-
cal interests OF the District OF COumoia A. th.
residence OF Congress and the executive depart
lncu'> OF the government, annot fail 10 feel n
ueep concern in It's welfare. This is heightened nv
the hgh character and the peaceful and or1erIy,
conduct of its resident Inhabitants
cannot conclude without periorminr the arraa
able duty Of expressing my qualification that
congress so kindly responded to the recommcn-
ua'otl 81 my last annual message by aiTJnlinu
me suncleht time before the close of their Inte |
session Tor the examination of all the bill, pr.
sentcd to me for approval. This change in the
practice Of Congress has proved 10 be n whole
some reform. IL cxcrtcd a beneficial influence
on me transactions of legislative business and
elchei tue general appreciation of the country
IL enabled Congress to adjourn with that dignity
ana deliberaiion SO becoming TO the representa-
yves oil TINS great republic, without having crowd
ca mo general appropriation bills provisions for.
eign 10 thelr ma ure, and OF doubtful constitution.
AMY and eXpc'iiency. Let me warmly AMI strong
" commend this precedent, established by ihem
selves as Il guide to their proceedings during the
present session. J,vrs ercu,yS
washington City, Der. g. 1873.