The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1859-12-29
Important Charge.
BY Nh. JusTICE wAYNE, OF THE UNITED Stains
SUPREME COURT, ON THE SLAVE TRADE.

Bf Mn. JUSTlCE WAfNE, OF THE UNITED STATES
SUPREME COURT, ON THE SLAVE rRApE.
%{!;siss II 'uf rc UHfcd States Cir
cult Court for Georgia. at Savannah. for the
November term, Judge Wayne charged the
grand jury at great length in regard to the
slave trade. The cause of the charge on this
topic was the recent fitting out Of the yacht
Wandercr. After alluding to this fact, he pro-
ceeded to state the action Of Congress on the
subject. The first act was passed on the 22d
Of March, 1904, when Washington was rresl-
dent, prohibiting American citizens, or resi-
dents, from eqaipping vessels within the uni-
ted States, TO carry on trade or traffic in
slaves to any foreign country. The next act
was passed March I'd, 1907, when Mr.. Jefferson
any vessel found In any river, bay or harbor,
or on the high seas within the Jurisdiction Of
the United States, having on board any negro,
mulatto or other person Of color, for the pur-
pose Of selling them as slaves or to land them
In any port or place within tho United States,
The next act wns that Of 1918, which prohibits
the importation OF negroes altogether from any
foreign country, aud Of fitting out vessels for
| that purpose, and sets free any slave SO i'm
| ported. The act of 1919 authorized the Presi-
dent of the United States to use the naval force
for the prevention OF the slave trade, and the
payment of a bounty for the detection of every
negro brought into the country contrary TO
law, In 1920. Congress enacted that any ctti-
zen Of The United s ats who becomes ono OF
the crew of n SLAYER Of n foreign ship shnll be
deemed pirate, and Punishable with death ;
and the same ns to nny person who shall enter
upon slave voyage within the United States.
Having stated in general terms the provisions
of these acts Judge Wayne said: 1T will be
found, in the history which will give of that
legislation, TINT 1t is the result of MI early
and continued disnpproyal hy the people Of
the United States, both North ind South Of
the African slave-tradc. In all of which, the
very beginning of our neutrality, the dstin
4 guishcd men of both sections took an active
part, none Of them more decisivcly than South
crn statesman, In every not that has beer
passed, including the lust LII LAS mud ls44
the slave-tradc was prohibited In the terrific
slavehoiding territories of the United States
Again rcvcrig to the acts of 1878, 1919 an,
1920, the Judge says: "Thus II is seen tha
during the Administration Of the first iiv
Presidents, all Of whom were concerned in set
tling the foundations Of the Government.
series of laws based upon common principl,
and having u common cnd, have been ndoptct
h hy the united and concurrng views of tn
States andthe people for the suppression
!, the Africun slave trade. The powers of Coz
grcsstb suppress tho slavc-tradc, hy passin
i, all laws necessary and proper for that purpos
8 is not questioned by any one ut nll converse,
with the Constitution and constitutional histor
of the United States.
In conclusion he quoted passages from Il
u speeches ofscnators lIaync, orSouth Caroline
johnson, of Louisiana, and Berricn, of Geo
e gia, against the slavc-tralc.