The New York Times, May 22, 1860
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
On the 26th day of April last, Lieut. CRAVEN, of the United States steamer Mohawk, captured the slaver Wildfire, on the coast of Cuba, with five hundrend and seven African negroes on board. The prize was brought into Key West on the 30th April, and the negroes were delivered into the custody of FERNANDO J. MORENO, Marshal of the Southern District of Florida.
The question which now demands immediate decision is, what disposition shall be made of these Africans? In the annual message to Congress of December 6, 1858, I expressed my opinion in regard to the construction of the act of the 3d March, 1819, “In addition to the acts prohibiting the slave trade,” so far as the same is applicable to the present case. From this I make the following extract:
“Under the 2d section of this act the President is authorized to make such regulations and arrangements as he may deem expedient for the safe-keeping, support and removal beyond the limits of the United States of all such negroes, mulattoes, or persons of color captured by vessels of the United States, as may be delivered to the marshal of the district into which they are brought, and to appoint a person or persons residing upon the coast of Africa as agent or agents for receiving the negroes, mulattoes, 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.’
Mr. MONROE, in his special message of 17th December, 1819, at the first session after the act was passed, announced to Congress what, in his opinion, was its true construction. He believed it to be his duty under it to follow these unfortunates into Africa, and make provision for them there until they should be able to provide for themselves.
Adopting this construction of President MONROE, I entered into an agreement with the Colonization Society, dated 7th September, 1858, to receive the Africans which had been captured on the slaver Echo from the agent of the United States in Liberia; to furnish them during the period of one year thereafter with comfortable shelter, clothing and provisions; and to cause them to be instructed in the arts of civilized life suitable to their condition, at the rate of $150 for each individual. It was believed that within that period they would be prepared to become citizens of Liberia, and to take care of themselves. As Congress was not then in session, and as there was no outstanding appropriation applicable to this purpose, the Society were obliged to depend for payment on the future action of that body. I recommended this appropriation, and seventy-five thousand dollars were granted by the act of 3d March, 1859, (the Consular and Diplomatic bill) “to enable the President of the United States to carry into effect the act of Congress of 3d March, 1819, and any subsequent acts now in force for the suppression of the Slave-trade.”
Of this appropriation there remains unexpended the sum of twenty-four thousand three hundred and fifty dollars and ninety cents, ($24,350 99,) after deducting from it an advance made by the Secretary of the interior out of the judiciary fund of eleven thousand three hundred and forty-eight dollars and ten cents, ($11,348 10.)
I regret to say that, under the mode adopted in regard to the Africans captured on board the Echo, the expense will be large; but this seems to a great extent to be inevitable, without a violation of the laws of humanity. The expenditure upon this scale for those captured on board the Wildfire will not be less than $100,000, and may considerably exceed that sum. Still it ought to be observed that, during the period when the Government itself, through its own agents, undertook the task of providing for captured negroes in Africa, the cost per head was much greater than that which I agreed to pay the Colonization Society.
But it will not be sufficient for Congress to limit the amount appropriated to the case of the Wildfire. It is probable, judging from the increased activity of the slave-trade and the vigilance of our cruisers, that several similar captures may be made before the end of the year. An appropriation ought, therefore, to be granted, large enough to cover such contingencies.
The period has arrived when it is indispensable to provide some specific legislation for the guidance of the Executive on this subject. With this view, I would suggest that Congress might authorize the President to enter into a general agreement with the Colonization Society, binding them to receive on the coast of Africa from our agent there all the captured Africans which may be delivered to him, and to maintain them for a limited period, upon such terms and conditions as may combine humanity towards these unfortunates with a just economy. This would obviate the necessity of making a new bargain with every new capture, and would prevent delay and avoid expense in the disposition of the captured. The law might then provide that, in all cases where this may be practicable, the captor should carry the negroes directly to Africa, and deliver them to the American agent there, afterwards bringing the captured vessel to the United States for adjudication.
The capturing officer, in case he should bring his prize directly to the United States, ought to be required to land the negroes in some one or more parts to be designated by Congress, where the prevailing health throughout the year is good. At those ports cheap, but permanent accommodations might be provided for the negroes, until they could be sent away, without incurring the expense of erecting such accommodations at every port where the capturing officer may think proper to enter. On the present occasion these negroes have been brought to Key West; and, according to the estimate presented by the Marshal of the Southern District of Florida to the Secretary of the Interior, the cost of providing temporary quarters for them will be $2,500, and the aggregates expenses for the single month of May will amount to $12,000. But this is far from being the worst evil. Within a few weeks the yellow fever will most probably prevail at Key West; and hence the Marshal press their removal from their present quarters at an early day, which must be done, in any event, as soon as practicable. For these reasons I earnestly commend this subject to the immediate attention of Congress.
It is truly lamentable that Great Britain and the United States should be obliged to expend such a vast amount of blood and treasure for the suppression of the African Slave-trade; and this when the only portions of the civilized world where it is tolerated and encouraged are the Spanish islands of Cuba and Porto Rico.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON, May 19, 1860.