March 16, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
Latest by Telegraph from Montgomery.
MONTGOMERY, March 15. – The injunction of secrecy was today removed from the veto of President DAVIS, of the Act lately passed by Congress, prohibiting the African slave trade. It is as follows:
THE VETO.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, February 28, 1861.
Gentlemen of the Congress: With sincere deference to the judgment of the Congress I have carefully considered the Bill in relation to the slave trade, and to punish persons offending therein, but I have not been able to approve, and therefore return it, with a statement of my objections.
The Constitution, section 9 article 1, provides that the importation of African negros from any foreign country other than the slaveholding States, is hereby forbidden; and Congress is required to pass such laws as shall effectually prevent the same. The rule herein given is emphatic, and distinctly directs legislation which shall effectually prevent the importation of African negros. The bill before me denounces as high misdemeanor the importation of negros or other person of color, either to be sold as slaves, or held to service or labor, affixing heavy and degrading penalties on the act, if done with such intent. To that extent it accords with the requirement of the Constitution, but in the 6th section of the bill provision is made for the transfer of negros who may have been illegally imported into the Confederate 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 not be accepted, it is then made the duty of the President to cause said negros to be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder, in any of the States where such sales shall not be inconsistent with the laws thereof, &c. &c.
This latter provision seems to me in opposition to the policy declared in the Constitution, of prohibition of the importation of African negros, and in derogation of its mandate to legislate for the effectuation of that object. Wherefore the Bill is returned for your further consideration, together with the objections.
Most respectfully submitted.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
An effort was made to pass the bill over the veto, but was lost by a vote of yeas 15, nays 24.
Nothing of much interest transpired in public session today.
Congress will certainly adjourn tomorrow.
The Tariff bill has not, as may suppose, been passed. It was simply reported by the Committee on Finance, and made public for the purpose of eliciting discussion of its merits. It will not be acted on until Congress shall reassemble.