“Like success has attended our efforts to suppress the slave trade.  Under the flag of the United States, and the sanction of their papers, the trade may be considered as entirely suppressed; and, if any of our citizens are engaged in it, under the flag and papers of other powers, it is only from a respect to the rights of those powers, that these offenders are not seized and brought home, to receive the punishment which the laws inflict.  If every other power should adopt the same policy, and pursue the same vigorous means for carrying it into effect, the trade could no longer exist.” House Journal, 17 Cong. 1 sess. p. 22.

1822, April 12.  Congress (House):  Proposed Resolution.

“Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to enter into such arrangements as he may deem suitable and proper, with one or more of the maritime powers of Europe, for the effectual abolition of the slave trade.” House Reports, 17 Cong. 1 sess.  II.  No. 92, p. 4; Annals of Cong., 17 Cong. 1 sess. p. 1538.

1822, June 18.  Mississippi:  Act on Importation, etc.

“An act, to reduce into one, the several acts, concerning slaves, free negroes, and mulattoes.”

Sec. 2.  Slaves born and resident in the United States, and not criminals, may be imported.

Sec. 3.  No slave born or resident outside the United States shall be brought in, under penalty of $1,000 per slave.  Travellers are excepted. Revised Code of the Laws of Mississippi (Natchez, 1824), p. 369.

1822, Dec. 3.  President Monroe’s Message.

“A cruise has also been maintained on the coast of Africa, when the season would permit, for the suppression of the slave-trade; and orders have been given to the commanders of all our public ships to seize our own vessels, should they find any engaged in that trade, and to bring them in for adjudication.” House Journal, 17 Cong. 2 sess. pp. 12, 21.

1823, Jan. 1.  Alabama:  Act to Dispose of Illegally Imported Slaves.

“An Act to carry into effect the laws of the United States prohibiting the slave trade.”

Sec. 1. “Be it enacted, ...  That the Governor of this state be ... authorized and required to appoint some suitable person, as the agent of the state, to receive all and every slave or slaves or persons of colour, who may have been brought into this state in violation of the laws of the United States, prohibiting the slave trade:  Provided, that the authority of the said agent is not to extend to slaves who have been condemned and sold.”

Sec. 2.  The agent must give bonds.

Sec. 3. “And be it further enacted, That the said slaves, when so placed in the possession of the state, as aforesaid, shall be employed on such public work or works, as shall be deemed by the Governor of most value and utility to the public interest.”