Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-12-22

ton according 10 hn own Interpretation
When The Ahicnua nom ON lolid thl
Echo Wpfo delivered 90 the Marshal NJ
thntost0n 10 became my duty to cunsid
cf what disposition ought to be mhdc oI
them under The law, For may reasons Il
was cxpediont 10 remove them from that
locality o. speedily as possible. Although
the authorities and citizens Of Charleston
IN giving couutcnanee to the execution o.
the law, was Just what might have beer
expected from their high character, yet 4
prolonged continuance Of three hundred AZ
ricans In the immediate vicinity Of that ci.
ty,could not have failed TO become n sourcC
of Inconvenience and anxiety TO itsinhab.
itants, Where TO send them was the ques.
ton. 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 CO.
/ lonization Society on the 7th of Septem,
bcr last, Ia copy of which is herewith
] transmitted under which the Society en-
gagged Tor the consideration of $4,000 to
receive these Africans in Liberia from the
agent of the United States, and furnish
lllNl viz ll'llpAA VI pllt NNil lilfit-
after with comfortable shelter clothing,
provision and medical attendance, causing
the children TO receive schooling; and all,
whether children or adults to be instruct
ed in the arts Of civilized life suitable to
their condition. This aggregate Of S45, 600
was baseu upon an allowance of $50 for
each individual, and as there had been
considerable mortality among them, and
may be more before they reach Africa the
Society have agreed, in an equitable spi.
rit, to make such reduction from the
amount as under the circumstances may
appear Just and reasonable. This cannot
( be fixed until we shall ascertain the actll-
/ al number which shall become q charge to
! the Society.
1t was also distinctly agreed, that under
no circumstances, shall this Government
bo called upon for any additional eXpen-
ses
The agents of the Society manifested a
laudable desire to conform to the wishes
of the Government throughout the trans,
action. They assured me that after n
careful calculation they would bercquil ed
to spend the sum of $50 on each individ.
ual in complying with the agreement, and
they would have nothing left to remune-
rate them for their care, trouble and res.
possibility. At all events, | could make
nobetter arrangement, and there was no
other alternative. During the period
when the Government ITSELF through its
own agents, undertook the task of provi-
ding for captured negroes in Africa, the
cost per head was very much greater,
ln,.
preparation applicable to this purpose,
could not advance any money on the
agreement ! therefore recommend that
an appropriation he made of the amount
necessary to carry it into effect.
Other captures of u similar character
may, and probably will be made by our ma
val forces; and | earnestly recommend
that Congress may amend the second Sec
ton of the act Of March, 1919, so as to free
its construction from the ambiguity which
has so long existed, and render the duty
of the President plain in executing It's
provisions.
! recommend to your favorable regard,
the local interests of the District of Colum.
bia. As the residence of Congress and
the Executive Departments of the Govern
luGlll, VIC CdlllOJ lall 10 lccl II deep con
Germ in its welfare. This is heightened by
the high character and the peaceful and
orderly conduct of its resident inhabi-
tants.
Icannot conclude without perform, hg
the agreeable duty of expressing my graf.
iication that Congress so kindly respond
ed to the recommendation of my Inst An
nual Message by affording me sufficient
time before the close of their late session
for the examination of all the bills pre-
scnted to me for approval. This change
in tEe practice Of Congress has proved to
be a wholesale reform. II exerted behe-
fetal influence on the transactions Of legis-
lative business, and elected the general APP
probation of the country. 1t enabled
Congress to adjourn with that dignity and
delibcTation so becoming to the represent
tatives Of this great Republic, without
having crowded into general appreciation
bills provisions foreign to their nature, and
of doubtful constitutionality and cxpedi-
ency. Let me warmly and strongly cont
mend this precedent established by them
selves, as a guide to their proceedings da-
ring the present session.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington City, Dec. e, 1858.