New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-05

my judgment, be both wise and expedeut
But desire moro particularly to call your attention
TO that provision Of the laws for the suppression of
African Slave-tsde, which authorizes the President
" TO make such regulations and arrangements as he
may deem expedent for the safekeeping, support. and
removal beyond the limits of the United States of all
such negroes, mulaoes, persons Of color NAV be
30 delivered and brought within their Jurisdiction;
and to appoint proper person or persons, re-
siding upon the coast OF Africa, as agent or
agents. for receiving the negroes, mulattoes per-
Of color delivered from board vessels seized in
the prosecution Of the elsve-trade by commanders OF
the United States armed vessels; and, also, 10 the
IA, Of June l6 1860 which authorizes the President 10
enter into contract with any person society TO
ceive from the agents of the United States call ne
goes, mulaoee, and persons of color delivered from
board vessels seized in the prosecution OF the slave
trade, and Z" TO provide the said negroes mulltoes,
ana eeOns of color with comfortable clothing, SHELTER
ard provisions, for period not exceeding one year
from tie date Of their being landed on the Coast Of
Africa"
During the last Spring, three slavers having on
loaId 432 Africans, captured and brought into
the port Of KEY West. These Africans delivered
to the United States Marshal Of the eouhen District
of Florida, who furnished them with suitable supplies,
and provided comfortable quarters for their occupancy.
With the least possible delay contracts entered
into with the American Colonization Society for the
transportation of these negroes to Liberia, and for
their support for year from tie date Of theE being
landed the Coast of Africa. The said Society con-
raced furnish vessels Of the best class to be lifted
equipped, and proyisoned M accordance with the re-
TO regulate the carriage Of passengers IN steamships
and other vessels, approved March s, 1855. God
clothing, food, medi ines, and medical attendance wero
TO be provided for said Africans on the voyage. The
contract foE their transportation was performed with
fidelity Approved vessels which had been examined
by an officer Of the Navy, at the instance of this De
paItneut, well provisioned and with ample room,
were provided and the result is as follows: 432 was
be number received by the Marshal al Key West:
while under bis charge 294 died. and the survivors
numbering ,l3S were delivered TO the agents of the
COLONIZATION Society. On the voyage, 245 died, and
only 1913 were landed the coast of Africa. This De-
partment is without definite information to the fate
of the survivors since their arrival in Liberia.
The expenses incurred by the Marshal in keeping
hese Africans for about six weeks including 49S 90
for medicines and medical attendance, 81 $50 90
the Agents OF the Government TO superntend the full
fment Of the contract amountedto 900. The cost
OF supporting and providing them with clothing for
one year will amount to $50 300 in the event that no
further mortality shall occur among them
During the month of August last, three young Afri-
cans, found on board the SLAYER w X. Kibbey, were
brought into the port of New-York and delivered to
the United States Marshal for the Southern District of
that State. These boys were quick, sprightly, and
promising. Numerous applications made by ci.i-
zens 10 lave them bound out for term of years as ap
prentices and Others proposing that they should be
placed in the Colored Orphan Asylum, in the City of
New-Yolk, but ar the law allowed no discretion upon
the subject i caused them to be delivered into the
charge of the Colonization Society, for transportation
10 Liberia.
On the 18th day Of October last, this Department
was advised by communication from the Secretary Of
the Navy of the seizure Of the bgantine SLAYER Storm
King, with 69 Africans and also of the capture Of the
slave-sip Erie, with Sy7 Africans on board, and of
their arrival at the port of NonrOyia These Africans
reduced by death to 49, delivered to the agent
OF the United States for liberated Africans, state
of perfect nakednees who provided them az with
clothing and food AT the tune of the landing Of these
negroes the agent of the United States was Informed
by the President of Liberia that, unless the Govern
menl Of the United States should pay to the Govern
ment of Liberia the same per capita consideration
which had been allowed the Colonization Society for
their maintenance Tor twelve months he could not con-
sent 10 receive them into his country The Africans
were landed, however and the question was referred
TO our Government. Upon examination, ii was found
that the law vested no authority In the President OF the
u tied States to contract with the Government of Lii
BERN for the support Of these people, aud the Colo
nzaion Society have a special treaty or agreement
with that government allowing them to land and main
tain in that country recapured Africans, another
tract was entered into with that Society for the sup
port and clothing Of these Africans for year, To
carry out this contract, an appropriation OF Sl9o'9oo
will be required during this session Of Congress.
The system established by the Legislation OF the last
session OF Congress by which the officers Of the armed
vessels of the United States are authorized to land
those negroes found on board captured slaVers on
the coast Of Africa Is regarded both proper and eco
nonical.
In order to carry out the policy of the Government
for suppreseing the African slave trade there rea
son necessity for treating these unfortunate Ancans
when brought within our jurisdiction with cruelty and
inhumanity, by the operation OF system which entails
q Leavy expense upon this Government
Enfeebled as they are by voyage in crowded yes
sels and with scan provision, confined within our
forte and barracks where no one sympathses with or
cen understand them, with none interested 10 study
their wants. administer 10 their Necessities then
shipped again upon another long voyage is not won
derful that more than one third of them die.
After they are landed in Africa and kept for twelve
- 81 IY,tfaI Gfalaa In
take care OF themselves In this condition. half evil
lied and half savage, they are much less capable OF
supporting themselves than If they were altogether
savage. But the Government OF Liberia, moved Dy
spirit of humanity has been compelled 10 remedy the
effects Of our laws by enacting that each recapured
African al the end Of twelve months, shall be bound
10 serve for term Of seven years TO ut him Tor the
duties Of citizenship.
these unfortunate tengs but owing to the prejudice
and dstrus of people, II IS dfhcult TO suggest
change which would be acceptable TO all ANY change,
however would be an Improvement upon the present
inbuman and costly system.
Tie MaIehals into whose hands these Africans have
been delivered, have performed most ar9u09S a3u
dsapreeable duty, with great efficiency ana hdehtyi
but the law allows them no compensation whueNoi
for their services This Is unjust and hope that Con
O1ess will not hesitate remedy this defect IN the
law and will authorize this Department to make such
payments as may be COMMENSURATE Win thS services
rendered. 49,. -.
meet The ue. essay expenses arising from the proseCu
49,; of nersons charged with violating the laws for the
.nnpression of the African saverade and also TO ena-
ble The Government to pay the amount now due on
account of the bounty provided BY the act OF march
3 ISlo-being $25 for each negro mulao, or person OF
color delivered 10 the United States Marshal or the
agent appointed to receive recaptured AfricaIs--an
appropriation Of $3.50 will required the present
session OF Congress.
DISTRICT OP COLUMTIA
In nv annual reports for 1853 and 1853, alusion was
made 10 the fact that the Constitution invests Congress
L. .i,x.af fian tf1p 0f o.