The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-12-15
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the act Of The Sd March, 1919. ON addition
10 the acts prohibiting the slave trade.
Under The second section oil this act, The
| President is "auhorZ'd 10 make such regu-
lations and arrangements as he may deem
expeGient fur The sale keeping, sppporl, and
removal beyond the limits OF the United
| States, OF all snch negroes, muaoes or
persons OF color" captured by vessels of The
United States, as may be delivered 10 the
marshall Of the district into which they are
| brought "and to appoint d proper person
or persons residing upon The coast of Africa,
as agent or agents lor receiving The negroes,
mula,oes, or persons OF color, delivered from
on board vessels seized in the prosecution
OF The slave trade by commanders of the
United States armed vessels.
A'doubl Immediately arose as 10 the true
construction as TO this act Ii is qne clear
from lis Terms that the President was an
thorzed TO provide for The safe keeping,
and removal' Of these negroes up Till the
tune of their delivery to the agent on the
coast OF Africa; but no express provision
was made Tor their protection and support
after they had reached the place of their
destination. Sill, All agent was 10 be ap-
pointed 10 receive them in Afrira and i,
could not have been supposed that Congress
intended he should desert them al The mo.
ment they were received and turn them
loose on that inhospitable coast TO perish for
want OF food, or 10 become a9an the vic.
| Tins OF the slave trade. Had this been the
intention OF Congress, the employment of an
agent 10 receive them who is REQUIRED 10
reside on The coast, was unnecessary, and
they might have been landed by our vess-
els anywhere in Africa aud left exposed 10
the suherings and the late which would
certainly await them.
Mr.. Monroe, in his special message of the
17lh of December, 1919, al The first session
alter the act was passed, announced 10 Con-
gress what in his opinion, was its true con-
siruction. He believed il 10 be his duty
under il 10 follow these unforIunates into
Afnca, and make provision for them there
until they should he able TO provide for
themselves. In communicating This inter.
prelaton of the act of Congress, he stated
that some doubt had been entertained as to
its true intent and meaning, and he submit
ted the question 10 them, so that they might,
''should il be deemed advisable amend the
same before further proceedings are had
under it,"
Nothing was done by Congress 10 explain
the act, and Mr.. Monroe proceeded 10 carry
il into execution according 10 his own inter.
pretaton. This, then became The practical
construction. When the Africans from on
board The Echo were delivered 10 .he mar-
shal al Charleslown il became my duty TO
consider what disposition ought to be made
Of them under the law. For many reasons
it was expedient 10 remove them from that
locality as speedily as possible. Although
the conduct Of the authorities and eilizeus
of Charleston, in giving countenance to The
execution of the law, was just what might
have been expected from their high charac-
Ter, yet prolonged continuance of three
hundred Africans in the immediate vicinity
of that city could not have failed 10 become
a source Of great Inconvenience and anxiety
to its inhabitants Where TO send them was
lhe question. There was no potion of the
coast Of Africa 10 which they could be re-
moved with any regard 10 humanity, except
TO Liberia.
Under these circumstances, an agreement
was entered into with the Colonization
Society on The 7lh Of September last, copy
of which is herewith transmitted, under
which the society engaged, for the consider
alton of forty five thousand dollars TO receive
these Africans in Liberia from the agent Of
the United States, and furnish them, during
the period OF one year thereafter, with COM
Portable shelter, clothing, provisions, and
medical attendance, causing the children TO
receive schooling and all, whether children
| or admits, 10 be instructed in the arts OF civ
llZed life suitable to their condition.
This aggregate of forty-fee thousand
dollars was based upon az allowance of one
hundred and fifty dollars for each individual
and as there has been considerable mortali-
Y among them, and may be more before
they reach Africa, the society have agreed,
in an equitable spirit, TO make snch de.
ductun from the amount as, under the cir
cumstances may appearju Just aud reasonable.
| sac h, Al l.aII
the actual number which may become
charge 10 the society.
Ii was also distinctly agreed that under no
circumstances shall this Government be cal.
led upon for any additional expenses.
The agents of the society manifested a
audable desire 10 conform 10 the wishes of
the Government throughout the transaction.
They assured me that after a careful calcu-
lation they would be required 10 expend the
sum of one huuded and fifty doIla.s on
each individual in complying with the agree
ment, and they would have nothing left to
remuneraie them for. their care, t,ouble and
responsibility. Al all events could make
no better arrangement, and there was no
other alternative. During the period when
the Government itself, through its own
agents undertook The task of providing for
the captured negroes 10 Africa, the cost per
head was very much greater.
There having been no outstanding appro-
prialion applicable TO this purpose, could
not advance any money on the agreement.
therefore recommend thai an appropriation
, may be made OF the amount necessary 10
carry ii into effect.
Olher captures of similar character may,
and probably will be made by our naval
forces; and | earnestly recommend that
Congress may amend the second section of
the aei of March 8, 1919, SO as to free ITS
feonstfualion from HE ambiguity which has
!. so long existed and render the dnly of the
, President plain in executing iIs provisions.
f recommend TO your favorable regard The
local interests of the Districts of Columbia.
, AS the residence of Congress and the exe-
. cutve department. oil the Government, We
, cannot fail TO feel deep concern IN It's vel.
fare. This is heightened by The high char.
actsr and the peaceful and orderly conduct
of lis resident inhabitants.
cannot conclude without performing the
agreeable duty of expressing my graiifica-
! lion that Congress SO kindly responded TO
the recommendation of my last annual
: message by affording me sufficient lime be-.
, fore the close of their late session forthe
examination of all the bills presented 10 me
for approval. This change in the Practice
of Congress has proved 10 be wholesome
reform. II exerred beneficial fffuence on
the transaction Of Legislative business and