New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-03-20
sonknern conarssa.

MONTGOMERY. ALA, March Il, ,1s3f-sfr Wright
Of Georgia, presented Q communication on the sub
icct OF the tariff from Hr. B. F.. Jones' of the firm
q F. NJ. & E. A. WhItlock importers in the city OF
New York. This gentleman was formerly a citizen
Of the State Of Georgia. and resident of the town
in which reside. His communication Ii on sub.
ject that do not think myself skilled in at ALL
move its reference to the Committee on Finance.
The communication know is in good faith, and
contains what appears to me to be good practical
common sense. The writer is one of those old and
chronic cases Of fre-eaters that has devoted much
stufy to the tariff question: and his mind at pres
ents Is much exercised upon the subject
tee on Finance.
Mr.. Waul, Of Texas, sent to the secretary's desk
q communication from the President Of the State
Convention of Texas and also a certified cngv m
an ordinance adopted by that Convention. The
communication referred TO the vote, in that State
by the people, on the ratification of the Ordinance
Of Secession. The vote stood for secession 38 49,
and against secession 269: majority for secession
in the counties heard from, 25.l82. The President
announced that the ordinance had been ratified,
and that =" the State Of Texas was and had been,
pendent nation Of the EARTH and that her citizens
abaolved from all other allegiance than 10 her
aa srch." Dated Austin, March 4 1861.
The ordinance is in relation to q union of the
| State OF Texas with the Confederate States Of
Arnerica-declares that it ia expedient and proper
that Texas should join such Confederacy and share
its destinies--the delerates to the Montgomery
Congress are instructed to apply for The admission,
Of Texas into the ConfederacYthGCo Conv erltioa aB-
proves Of the Provisional Constitution and instrues
her deputies to cooperate meTnber4 OF the Com
gress, and in making Permanent Conati etc.
! Ar, Waul. of Texas. send youF sftais, HI
| President, communication from the President on
| the Convention of the people Of Texas, and an
| ordinance adopted by her people in Convention
| assembled, by which that State has become o
| member of this Confederacy.
I move, sir, that the communication and the
| ordinance be placed upon the Journals of this
body.
J+rraa Or ordared
Congress then went into secret session.
During the secret session several aGta. as well as
President Davis veto message the African Slave
Trade act were made pnb!ic.
VETo OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE AeT.-Fg-
ecutire Department. Feb. IS. l86l.-GentIemen of
the Congress-With sincere Difference to the jadg-
| ment Of the Congress, have carefully considered
| the bill 'in relation to the Slave Trade and to
punish persons offending therein.t' but have NOT
| been able to approve, and, therefore, do return 1t
| with statement Of my objections.
| The Constitution, Section Z Article 4 provides
| that 1" The importation of African negroes from
| any foreign country, other than the slaVehoding
States of the United States is hereby forbidden,
and Congress is required to pass snch laws as shall
cffrcfuailg prevent the same.f' The rule herein
given is emphatic anddistoctly directs legislation
which shall efecualiy prevent the importation Of
| Africa negroes. The bill before me denounGes as
high rnisdemaanor the importatio OF negroes or
other persons of color either TO be sold as slaves
or to be held to service or labor, afBEng heavy or
degrading penalties on the act. if done with snck
intent. To that extent it accords with the re quIre
ment Of the Constitution; but in the sixth section
OF the bill provision ia made for the transfer of
negroes who may have been Illegally imported into
the Cunederata States to the custody of foreign
States or Societies, upon condition Of deportation
and future freedom, and if the proposition thus to
surrender them shall I.s he eeeestaa If ia then
made the duty of the President to cause said ne
Groes to be sold at public ontcry to the highest
| bidder in any one of the States where such sale
shall not be inconsistent with the laws thereof,
| etc., etc.
This latter provision seems to me in opposition
to the policy declared in the Constitution, the pro-
hfbition of the importation of African negroes, and
in derogation of its mandate to legislate for the
effectuation of that object. Wherefore the bill s
returned f)r your further consideration, together
with the objections most respectfully submitted.
| JEFFERSON DAVIS
vote was ordered on the passage OF the Slave
Trade bill over the veto. Yeas, 10 nays, %, as
| follows:
Yeas +: Messrs. Curry, Chiffon, Morton, Owens,
Toonlbs Howell, C0hb, 7. r. Cobb, Barlow,
Neshit Kenan, RhHtt, Barnwell, Keist, Miles,
Ochitree.
Nays: Messrs Smith, Hale shorter, Fearne,
Wright. Stevens, Declouet, Conrad KenneF, Spar.
row, Marshall, Harris, Brooks, Wilson, Clayton
Barry, Harrison, Chesnut, Withers, Boyee, Reagan
Waul, Gregg, Oldham.